Cannabis News Media Awareness Project
  NORML's Weekly News Bulletin - April 5, 2007
Posted by CN Staff on April 05, 2007 at 15:45:29 PT
Weekly Press Release  
Source: NORML  

NORML New Mexico Becomes Twelfth State To Authorize Medical Cannabis Use

April 5, 2007 - Santa Fe, NM, USA

Santa Fe, NM: New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D) signed legislation into law this week ordering the establishment of a statewide medicinal cannabis distribution program.

Senate Bill 523, the "Lynn and Erin Compassionate Use Act," mandates the state Department of Health to promulgate rules governing the use and distribution of medical cannabis to state-authorized patients. These rules shall address the creation of state-licensed "cannabis production facilities" and "define the amount of cannabis that is necessary to constitute an adequate supply" for qualified patients.

The Department of Health is ordered to establish the program by October 1, 2007. Patients will not be permitted to cultivate their own medical cannabis under the program.

Governor Richardson, who lobbied for the bill's passage, said: "This law will provide much-needed relief for New Mexicans suffering from debilitating diseases. It is the right thing to do."

New Mexico is the twelfth state since 1996 to enact legislation protecting medical cannabis patients from arrest and state criminal prosecution, though it is only the fourth to do so legislatively.

For more information about the "Lynn and Erin Compassionate Use Act," please visit:
http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/alert/?alertid=9475741

DL: http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=7231


Saliva Tests Still Not Reliable For Detecting Cannabis, Study Says

April 5, 2007 - Bethesda, MD, USA

Bethesda, MD: Saliva tests do not reliably detect the presence of THC, according to a review of ten separate oral fluid, point-of-collection drug testing devices published in the January/February issue of the Journal of Analytical Toxicology.

Researchers at The Walsh Group in Bethesda, Maryland, evaluated the reliability of ten oral fluid devices to detect various controlled substances, including THC and it's inactive metabolite THC-COOH, at cutoff concentrations recommended by the manufacturers.

Of the ten devices tested, six recorded either false negative or false positive test results for THC. Five devices also recorded false positive results for THC-COOH.

Manufacturers' proposed cutoff guidelines for THC varied widely from product to product, from 15ng/ml (lowest recommended cutoffs) to 600ng/ml (highest recommended cutoffs). Currently, no federal regulations govern oral fluid testing cutoff standards.

Investigators concluded, "The detection limits are improving for THC, but reliable detection of marijuana use in forensic investigations, such as driving under the influence and the workplace, remains problematic."

Previous evaluations of onsite oral fluid tests have also shown the technology to be unreliable for detecting the presence of cannabis, particularly when administered at roadside checkpoints. Several European nations and a handful of US states are testing the use of such devices in an on-going field study investigating the prevalence of motorists who drive under the influence of controlled substances.

For more information, please contact Paul Armentano, NORML Senior Policy Analyst, at (202) 483-5500. Full text of the study, "Evaluation of ten oral fluid point-of-collection drug-testing devices," appears in the January/February issue of the Journal of Analytical Toxicology.

DL: http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=7233


FDA Postpones Decision On Safety Of Controversial Cannabinoid Blocking Agent

April 5, 2007 - Rockville, MD, USA

Rockville, MD: US regulatory authorities announced that an independent Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory committee will hear testimony in June regarding whether the controversial cannabinoid receptor antagonist SR 141716A/Rimonabant is safe for human consumption. The agency had previously announced that it would decide by April 26, 2007, whether to grant US market approval for Rimonabant as a weight-loss drug.

Neither the FDA nor the drug's manufacturer, Sanofi-Aventis Pharmaceuticals, gave a reason for the postponement.

Under the FDA's revised timeline, the agency's Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee will hear testimony regarding the drug's safety and efficacy on June 13, 2007. The FDA has previously denied Sanofi-Aventis Pharmaceuticals permission to market the drug in the US.

Rimonabant, marketed under the trade name Acomplia, recently received regulatory approval for sale in Europe as a prescription dietary aid. It is the first cannabinoid antagonist ever to be approved for human consumption.

Rimonabant blocks the natural binding of endogenous cannabinoids (as well as exogenous cannabinoids such as delta-9-THC, the psychoactive component of marijuana) to the neuronal CB1 receptors, causing users to lose their appetites. However, because the endocannabinoid receptor system is intricately involved in the regulation of a broad range of primary biological functions ­-- including appetite, body temperature, mood regulation, blood pressure, bone density, reproduction, learning capacity, and motor coordination --­ some experts are concerned that the long-term use of Rimonabant or similar drugs may eventually contribute to a host of significant adverse health effects.

In preclinical trials, newborn mice injected with Rimonabant refuse feeding and often die days after birth. Mice genetically bred to lack the CB1 receptor also suffer from numerous health defects such as cognitive decline, hypoalgesia, decreased locomotor activity, and increased mortality compared to healthy controls.

At least one published case study reports that daily use of the drug may have triggered neurological symptoms of multiple sclerosis in a volunteer with no known history of the disease. Mental health side effects, such as depression, are also commonly reported among volunteers administered Rimonabant.

In human trials, daily administration of Rimonabant is associated with lower blood sugar levels and weight loss compared to placebo. Sanofi is seeking to market the drug in the US under the trade name Zimulti.

For more information, please contact Paul Armentano, NORML Senior Policy Analyst, at (202) 483-5500.

DL: http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=7232

Source: NORML Foundation (DC)
Published: April 5, 2007
Copyright: 2007 NORML
Contact: norml@norml.org
Website: http://www.norml.org/

CannabisNews NORML Archives
http://cannabisnews.com/news/list/NORML.shtml


Home    Comment    Email    Register    Recent Comments    Help

 
Comment #3 posted by mayan on April 06, 2007 at 17:00:02 PT
Had Enough
You're welcome. Now is not the time for silence.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #2 posted by Had Enough on April 05, 2007 at 18:58:34 PT
Thanks mayan

mayan’s links lead me to this. It’s basically the same but it is worth the read.

********

Dan Tyler – Nashville songwriter, recording artist, performer and novelist. His songs have become hits for LeAnn Rimes, Kenny Rogers, The Oak Ridge Boys, Eddie Arnold, B.J. Thomas, Eddie Rabbit, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and many others. Author of Music City Confidential (1996).

Statement to this website 4/5/07: "The importance of the 9/11 truth movement cannot be overstated. Like me, millions of patriotic Americans question the official explanation of the attacks. The questions and the number of citizens asking them will increase until a tipping point is reached and a new, aggressive investigation initiated. · From this new inquiry truths will emerge which will shake this country to its foundations and, hopefully, restore our constitutional democracy. Until that happy day arrives, however, the powerful forces aligned against 9/11 truth will fight with fury and abandon. We must be strong and resolute and take inspiration from apostles of peace like Gandhi and King. At the most basic level, the struggle is love versus fear.

As a Christian, I pray we are witnessing the last days of the corporate imperial war machine, which, desperate for new battles and the energy resources to power itself, finally went too far and self-destructed in an orgy of lies, chaos and death. This monster’s dying throes will be terrible to behold, but do not doubt the historical significance of the events playing out before us. Future generations will thank those who had the courage to face the dragon and slay it with the sword of truth.

As a songwriter, I turn phrases for a living. I’ll leave you with this one: From seeds of doubt, flowers of truth will sprout. Be strong, brothers and sisters. We shall prevail! "

Website: http://dantyler.net/index.asp

http://patriotsquestion911.com/media.html#Tyler

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #1 posted by mayan on April 05, 2007 at 18:25:44 PT
It's A Part of Us
From the last article on the bulletin...

However, because the endocannabinoid receptor system is intricately involved in the regulation of a broad range of primary biological functions ­-- including appetite, body temperature, mood regulation, blood pressure, bone density, reproduction, learning capacity, and motor coordination --­ some experts are concerned that the long-term use of Rimonabant or similar drugs may eventually contribute to a host of significant adverse health effects.

We evolved with cannabis. It is as much a part of us as any fruit or vegetable on earth. Is it just coincidence that many of those who abstain from cannabis and who wish to eradicate the cannabis plant seem to be suffering from severe mental illness? I mean, just look at the republican party. No offense to Ron Paul or Gary Johnson. I would bet my bottom dollar that both of those men still spark up on occasion!

Case in point...

Chertoff: Next 9/11 could be launched by Europeans: http://www.mrt.com.mk/en/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2572&Itemid=0

THE WAY OUT IS THE WAY IN...

9/11 Physicist Contacted To Appear On The View: http://prisonplanet.com/articles/april2007/050407physicistcontacted.htm

Help Defend Rosie & Save Free Speech In America: http://www.prisonplanet.com/articles/april2007/050407defendrosie.htm

Defend Rosie: http://www.defendrosie.com/

Rosie Attacks Now at Miller Time Level: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNDROYABIjA

New 9/11 Truth Statement from Daniel Sunjata: http://911blogger.com/node/7634

Big Country Songwriter Comes out for 9/11 Truth: http://911blogger.com/node/7613

Former Head of Air Force Accident Investigation Board Comes Out for 9/11 Truth: http://911blogger.com/node/7618

[ Post Comment ]


  Post Comment
Name:        Password:
E-Mail:

Subject:

Comment:   [Please refrain from using profanity in your message]

Link URL:
Link Title:


Return to Main Menu


So everyone may enjoy this service and to keep it running, here are some guidelines: NO spamming, NO commercial advertising, NO flamming, NO illegal activity, and NO sexually explicit materials. Lastly, we reserve the right to remove any message for any reason!

This web page and related elements are for informative purposes only and thus the use of any of this information is at your risk! We do not own nor are responsible for visitor comments. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107 and The Berne Convention on Literary and Artistic Works, Article 10, news clippings on this site are made available without profit for research and educational purposes. Any trademarks, trade names, service marks, or service names used on this site are the property of their respective owners. Page updated on April 05, 2007 at 15:45:29