cannabisnews.com: NORML's Weekly News Bulletin -- July 22, 2004 NORML's Weekly News Bulletin -- July 22, 2004 Posted by CN Staff on July 22, 2004 at 15:54:46 PT Weekly Press Release Source: NORML Scientists File Suit Claiming Feds Are Obstructing Marijuana ResearchJuly 22, 2004 - Amherst, MA, USAAmherst, Massachusetts: Federal agencies are blocking scientists from conducting research on the medicinal potential of cannabis, contend a pair of lawsuits filed this week in the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. The suits - filed by Lyle Craker, director of the Medicinal Plant Program at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies) President and NORML board member Rick Doblin, and NORML board member Valerie Corral, co-founder of the Wo/Men's Alliance for Medical Marijuana in Santa Cruz - claim that federal agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), have refused to act on applications from scientists wishing to engage in research aimed at developing the cannabis plant into an FDA-approved prescription medicine."Instead of providing relief for critically ill Americans, our government refuses to allow the research that would free sick and dying" patients who use marijuana medically from arrest and prosecution, Corral said.The DEA suit cites two instances in which petitioners argue that the agency's failure to act constitutes an "unreasonable delay under the governing statutes and regulations." In one instance, petitioners note that the DEA has failed for three years to respond to an application submitted by UMass' Lyle Craker to establish a medicinal cannabis production facility at the university. The facility would produce cannabis for FDA-approved research, and serve as an alternative, independent source of marijuana for scientists who do not wish to perform clinical trials using NIDA-grown, low-grade marijuana."At present, NIDA has a monopoly on the supply of marijuana that can legally be used in research, a situation that serves to obstruct rather than facilitate research," Doblin said. Independent sources are allowed to produce other Schedule I substances, including MDMA (ecstasy), for clinical research purposes.In the second instance, the DEA has refused to act on a year-old application by MAPS and Chemic Laboratories in Massachusetts to allow researchers to import 10 grams of cannabis from Dutch authorities. Researchers are seeking the marijuana so that they can perform an evaluation of the types of emissions produced when cannabis is vaporized. Previous research on marijuana vaporization has found it to reduce harmful toxins in marijuana smoke.The second lawsuit contends that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and NIDA have also failed to act in a timely manner regarding MAPS/Chemic Labs application.Petitioners are requesting the Court to order the DEA and other federal agencies to grant prompt action on the pending applications.The federal government "should welcome, rather than feel threatened by scientific research into the medical uses of marijuana," former White House anti-drug deputy director Barbara Roberts said in a press release. "DEA licensing of the UMass Amherst facility, importation, and timely reviews by HHS of protocols [should be seen as] solutions, not problems."For more information, please contact either Allen St. Pierre, Executive Director of the NORML Foundation, at (202) 483-5500 or MAPS President Rick Doblin at (617) 484-8711.DL: http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6178Marijuana Research Lawsuits To Be Filedhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19219.shtmlScientists Say Marijuana Research Blocked http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19210.shtmlKerry: End Medical Marijuana Prosecutionhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18114.shtml Senators Back UM Medical Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17685.shtml Oregon Medical Marijuana Act Qualifies For November BallotJuly 22, 2004 - Salem, OR, USASalem, OR: Oregon election officials said this week that the Oregon Medical Marijuana Act has qualified for the November ballot. The Act seeks to expand the state's existing medicinal marijuana law to allow qualified patients to legally possess up to ten marijuana plants and one pound of usable marijuana. The proposal would also allow state-certified nurse practitioners and naturopaths to recommend marijuana to their patients, and mandates the state legislature to promulgate rules to license and regulate medical cannabis dispensaries "to ensure that medical marijuana is available to qualified patients."For a summary of fall's pending state and local initiatives, visit: http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6172DL: http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6180Oregon To Vote on Easing Medical Marijuana Use http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19124.shtmlFight Looms Over Medical Marijuana Expansion http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19075.shtmlCampaign Works on '04 Ballot http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18189.shtmlMedical Marijuana Backers Seek To Expand http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15477.shtml Oral THC Relieves MS-Associated Pain, Study Says July 22, 2004 - Arhus, DenmarkArhus, Denmark: Oral administration of synthetic THC capsules reduce pain in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) compared to placebo, according to clinical trial data published last week in the British Medical Journal.Twenty-four patients participated in the randomized, double-blind placebo controlled crossover trial. Volunteers were administered both placebo and oral doses of THC ranging from 2.5 to 5 mg twice daily for a period of three weeks. Researchers then evaluated patients' pain during the final week of treatment."The primary outcome measure - median spontaneous pain intensity during the last week of treatment - was significantly reduced during dronabinol treatment compared with placebo," authors wrote. Patients also reported a better quality of life while undergoing treatment with THC."Dronabinol should be available for patients whose central pain is not sufficiently treated with alternative drugs such as anticonvulsants, antidepressants, or opioids," authors concluded.Last year, a randomized placebo controlled trial of 630 multiple sclerosis patients found that treatment with oral THC ameliorated MS-associated pain and improved patients' mobility compared to placebo.More recently, results of a Phase II trial on the effects of whole-cannabis extracts on Rheumatoid Arthritis determined that cannabinoids significantly reduced patients' pain and improved their quality of sleep.A review of cannabinoids effect on pain and inflammation appears in the current issue of the journal Inflammopharmacology.For more information, please contact Paul Armentano, NORML Senior Policy Analyst, at (202) 483-5500. Full text of the BMJ study is available at: http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/reprint/bmj.38149.566979.AEv1DL: http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6179CannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtmlSource: NORML Foundation (DC)Published: July 22, 2004Copyright: 2004 NORML Contact: norml norml.org Website: http://www.norml.org/NORML's Weekly News Bulletin -- July 15, 2004http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19190.shtmlNORML's Weekly News Bulletin -- July 08, 2004http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19153.shtmlNORML's Weekly News Bulletin -- July 01, 2004http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19115.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #35 posted by FoM on July 25, 2004 at 22:48:24 PT Marriage Oh Love and Marriage! LOL! Marriage is lots and lots of compromise but that's not a bad thing I don't think. [ Post Comment ] Comment #34 posted by Hope on July 25, 2004 at 22:40:56 PT FoM: my feelings exactly "Having a peaceful home life is way more important to me and you too it seems." [ Post Comment ] Comment #33 posted by FoM on July 25, 2004 at 22:35:12 PT Hope She didn't have any idea about any of it. She is a person who isn't very interested in politics basically because none of her family or friends are except they will vote for Bush. She said she will start paying attention now. That's what I was hoping. I'm going to call her in a day or two and then ask her how she felt about the movie. It requires time to digest and sort thru. One of the Neil Young Lists I get is very outspoken about politics and many of them really dislike Moore. I don't post in the two groups I get but I read and see the splits and how deep they can be. Some people were upset because of Neil being associated with Michael Moore. I voted in a poll they had and 73% thought it was good that he did let Moore use Rockin in the Free World. They said on MSNBC today that everyone already knows who they will vote for. People have opinions this year and if your partner doesn't believe like you it's best to not talk about it I think. Having a peaceful home life is way more important to me and you too it seems. [ Post Comment ] Comment #32 posted by Hope on July 25, 2004 at 22:13:22 PT Michael Moore's movie Do you still have that Republican friend? What did she think of the movie?I don't think it's likely that I'll go see the movie anytime soon or, for that matter, even mention it to him. My marriage is politically "mixed". He's a Republican and I tend to vote Libertarian every chance I get. I pick my battles and a fight over Moore's movie is one I don't want.It's been amazing just watching the ripples the Moore movie has caused. [ Post Comment ] Comment #31 posted by FoM on July 25, 2004 at 21:59:14 PT Hope That sounds like you were very busy but had fun too. I only have 2 dogs and barn cats now. The only one that you mentioned that I've never had is cattle. Still got the mowing though. I'm glad you had a nice time. [ Post Comment ] Comment #30 posted by Hope on July 25, 2004 at 21:38:12 PT No vacation Actually, my sister and I had a wonderful, and hard working, three-day weekend. My mother took a short vacation and my sister and I stayed at the farm to look after my grandmother, a herd of horses, a herd of cattle, a herd of dogs, and two cats and a goat...and lots and lots of mowing. [ Post Comment ] Comment #29 posted by FoM on July 25, 2004 at 21:21:42 PT Hope Oh mowing not vacation. Sorry about that. I have a lot of mowing to catch up on but I'm procrastinating a little. It's hot out and I'm a wuss! LOL! [ Post Comment ] Comment #28 posted by Hope on July 25, 2004 at 21:11:52 PT While I was away I was mostly mowing! It's a darn dirty job when it's so dry and the wind is blowing everything you mowed right back on you. I honestly think I may never have had more dirt, sweat, and bugs on me in my entire life. Running water is a wonderful thing to have. [ Post Comment ] Comment #27 posted by FoM on July 25, 2004 at 20:11:30 PT Thanks Hope I hope you had a nice time while you were away. We went to see F/9-11 last night and took a friend. There were only about 10 people in the theatre and we were 3 of them. I wasn't surprised by the movie but I really minded how much Saudi Arabia is involved with the businesss of the U.S. I couldn't sleep last night because of the movie but have been watching the opening of the DNC today and it has been interesting. This concert could be good if we become one of the swing states. I don't know exactly what states are swing states! See how much I don't know about politics! LOL! The news isn't slow. It's stopped. It could be a slow week for news because of the convention or it could be busy if Cannabis in any way, shape or form is mentioned by any of the speakers. We can hope!***The Democratic National Convention July 25, 2004 Rock Royalty to Join Voices Against Bush With Fall Concerts Musicians will perform in swing states to try to affect election. Playing for a cause is a tradition, but injecting political views can be risky. July 25, 2004 By Geoff Boucher, Times Staff WriterBruce Springsteen, Neil Young, R.E.M., Pearl Jam and a deep roster of other rock stars will unite for politically minded concerts this fall that will give voice to dissatisfaction with the Bush administration.The all-star rock shows, which are expected to begin in October and target campaign swing states, are in the planning stage but were confirmed by half a dozen music industry sources who spoke on condition of anonymity.Insiders disagree on the unifying rhythm of the celebrity coalition. Some say it is the promise of the John F. Kerry candidacy, but at least one emphasizes the fear of President Bush's reelection. "There is a range of feeling about Kerry," the source said, "but a uniform belief that Bush must go."The tour turns up the volume of the rock scene's role in politics, but it is not the only example of an apparent surge of commentary among artists. Rockers seem virtually unanimous in their anti-Bush stance, just as country music has seen a wave of passionate patriotism and support for the president, exemplified by the songs of Toby Keith. MTV has been showing a video by the British dance-pop outfit Faithless that features a teen shipped off to Iraq only to return home wounded and disillusioned. Representing a different generation, Tom Waits and John Fogerty have recorded songs about Iraq. For Waits, it's the first political song of his four-decade career; for Fogerty, it's a return to his Vietnam-era songs such as "Who'll Stop the Rain."Elsewhere, rapper Sean "P. Diddy" Combs is steering a new voter registration drive, and the usually bratty punk-pop band Green Day has said its next album will be a political concept piece. Steve Earle has a new album laced with songs about Iraq and Bush and even a mocking valentine to national security advisor Condoleezza Rice. Blues player Keb Mo has an upcoming album of peace songs, including John Lennon's "Imagine" and Buffalo Springfield's "For What It's Worth."Introducing political commentary into music is sometimes a risky prospect — even if it's just a passing reference.Last weekend, Linda Ronstadt was booed in Las Vegas for praising a Bush nemesis, filmmaker Michael Moore, while Ozzy Osbourne relented to critics and removed concert imagery that showed Bush and Hitler together on an overhead screen.The countercultural mind-set and recklessness once at the core of rock music now seem relegated to the distant past, Elton John told Interview magazine. He said that protest had often given way to strict careerism in this corporate age."There's an atmosphere of fear in America right now, and that is deadly," John said. "Everyone is too career-conscious. They're all too scared…. Things have changed."Tom Morello, guitarist with Rage Against the Machine and once a staffer to the late California Democratic Sen. Alan Cranston, is a veteran of politics-meets-rock. "I'm not surprised you're seeing this music being made, and I'm not surprised it's connecting with an audience," he said. "It's not just people who write songs — carpenters, teachers, everyone is ready for a regime change."Morello was cited by some sources as a probable participant in the concert series, but he declined to confirm plans for the shows.No album or song is likely to capture as much media attention as the concerts involving Springsteen in swing states, which are expected to take place in arenas.Organizers have been tight-lipped since discussions of the idea caught the ears of some of the stars in April. At the end of last week, the formal announcement was scheduled for Aug. 4 in New York.Other artists expected to join the lineup include Earle, the Dave Matthews Band, the Dixie Chicks, Bright Eyes, Ani DiFranco, Death Cab for Cutie and International Noise Conspiracy. There also are reports that Bob Dylan and James Taylor may be part of the bill.Snipped:Complete Article: http://www.latimes.com/la-na-concert25jul25,1,3000568.story [ Post Comment ] Comment #26 posted by Hope on July 25, 2004 at 19:30:32 PT Wonderful! Been away from the computer and am just now trying to catch up a bit.The Young/Moore combination is exciting news and so wonderful, FoM. I'm smiling and enjoying the joy you were experiencing when you made this post.The Young/Moore combination [ Post Comment ] Comment #25 posted by FoM on July 23, 2004 at 15:35:56 PT Hope I'm just beside myself. I'm so happy! I must say something or I'll burst! Michael Moore has Neil Young's Greendale on his front page and finally F-9/11 is playing in our area. We will have to go see it tomorrow! The mowing can wait! Michael Moore is speaking at the DNC too! Wow! I'll calm down now! LOL!http://www.michaelmoore.com/index_main.phphttp://www.neilyoung.com/trailer.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #24 posted by FoM on July 23, 2004 at 15:23:02 PT Check This Out! Michael Moore to Speak in Boston During Democrat Conventionhttp://www.cnsnews.com/ViewPolitics.asp?Page=%5CPolitics%5Carchive%5C200407%5CPOL20040723a.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #23 posted by Jose Melendez on July 23, 2004 at 15:08:34 PT go Kerry John Kerry would do well to take Ralph Nader's advice and incorporate much of Nader's free political campaign advice into his platform."Same as the old boss" is why so many feel ambivalent, in my opinion.Please stand up for us who otherwise will fall through the cracks, Senator. [ Post Comment ] Comment #22 posted by FoM on July 23, 2004 at 14:05:59 PT One More Thing They are going to make protesters at the DNC stay in a place behind big fences called a Free Speech Zone. What is a Free Speech Zone? I thought protesters would be able to go where they will get press and be heard. [ Post Comment ] Comment #21 posted by FoM on July 23, 2004 at 11:45:54 PT Off Topic: Kucinich Endorses Kerry Team Excerpt from article. This is a snipped source or I would post the whole article.***Kucinich, a progressive liberal who ran an underfunded, long-shot bid for the presidency, was among nine Democrats vying for the nomination.Kucinich drew many young voters with his call for universal health care, legalizing medical marijuana and his staunch opposition to the war in Iraq.In endorsing Kerry, Kucinich made an appeal to those Democrats considering supporting independent candidate Ralph Nader, saying he shares many of Nader's ideals but believes the party must unify behind Kerry.http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/politics/2697088 [ Post Comment ] Comment #20 posted by FoM on July 23, 2004 at 10:58:40 PT Off Topic But a Concern of Mine I have been in contact with 3 different people over the last few weeks. Two directly and one indirectly. They like Bush. I explain about how we've been treated and two said that our issue isn't important enough to lose Bush. I'm so darn surprised. The Lacy Petersen Bill that Kerry didn't vote for made Bush her choice. How do we help people to see? These people aren't active online. Thanks! [ Post Comment ] Comment #19 posted by Hope on July 23, 2004 at 07:11:18 PT Man's inhumanity to man I just don't understand it. What is it that causes it? [ Post Comment ] Comment #18 posted by BGreen on July 23, 2004 at 00:15:37 PT Exactly, Hope! John Wycliffe was the first theologian to translate the Scriptures from Latin into English, (the New Testament was competed in 1380 and the Old Testament 1382.) This was after an incredible amount of resistance from the pope who considered this heretical. Wycliffe knew the best way to challenge the abusive power of the church was to make the Bible available in the common person's language.He was so hated by the church that many decades after his death in 1384 they condemned him of heresy, dug up his body, burned his remains and threw them into the Swift River.Even now we're not supposed to figure stuff out for ourselves. If you come to a different conclusion than the "great theologians" of days gone by then you MUST be wrong.The Reverend Bud Green [ Post Comment ] Comment #17 posted by Hope on July 22, 2004 at 23:53:30 PT And besides that They simply can't justify it scripturaly. It's just not there and there are many scriptures that justify our point of view.Of course that won't stop them from trying to twist something into a justification of their point of view. [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by Hope on July 22, 2004 at 23:45:25 PT You're right BGreen When you said, "If they want to lock up people for even possessing a cannabis seed or plant then they need to justify it scripturally, but my point was that they don't have a very honest approach to interpreting the Word of God."I've noticed that myself. It makes it hard for spiritual newborns to find the truth. It's not right. That's the beauty and wonder of the printing press. Those old guys eons ago that didn't want the masses educated were right. They saw then that people wouldn't be as easily led if they could read and see for themselves what the scriptures can tell us. They didn't want us to have the writings and they didn't want us to be able to read them and think about them because they didn't want their authority usurped. [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by BGreen on July 22, 2004 at 23:13:31 PT Hope and FoM Every denomination has their doctrinal statement and most denominations, at the leadership level, declare abstinence from alcohol as a necessity to maintain membership (which to them means getting to go to Heaven.)I know many people who disagree with the church doctrine, but this contempt for authority is tantamount to blasphemy in the eyes of the church leaders.You're right, FoM, when you talk about moderation. Wow, what a concept. Too much of a good thing can be bad. I didn't post many other verses regarding excess drinking. How about excess eating? We don't give up food just because some people are twice the size they should be.If they want to lock up people for even possessing a cannabis seed or plant then they need to justify it scripturally, but my point was that they don't have a very honest approach to interpreting the Word of God.The Reverend Bud Green [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by Hope on July 22, 2004 at 23:12:05 PT B Green, Baptists and alcohol Several years ago when our little church, then known as a "mission" held a service celebrating our becoming a church and graduating sort of from mission hood, as a group we stood up and read a piece of paper given to us by the higher ups in the Southern Baptist Convention. I wish I could locate it easily now, but it had one line in it about making a promise to not drink alcohol for pleasure, or something like that. I followed my pastor's lead on this matter, as did some of the others. When we got to the line about refusing to drink alcohol, we fell silent and let those who chose to, say it, but we didn't. It seemed appropriate, but maybe it was devious and we just wormed our way into the SBC. I hope not. I couldn't say it, anyway, and a lot of Baptists feel the same way. I enjoy dancing...so the old hard-shell anti-dancing Baptists wouldn't accept me for sure. As I write this, I’m beginning to wonder if I should identify with the Baptist denomination in any way. But I do agree with some of their more important doctrine. Anyway…it’s a Christian I’m being before I’m being Baptist. [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by FoM on July 22, 2004 at 22:50:54 PT About Wine What I got from the scriptures that BGreen posted is that wine can really mess a person up and cause them lots of grief if they drink it in excess.It also says it can comfort and help a person feel better. Many churches condemn drinking and yet it seems to be ok if used in moderation.If a person drinks wine (or other alcohol) using moderation is smart and it helps them from going over the edge. [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by Hope on July 22, 2004 at 22:41:32 PT B Green I'm one Southern Baptist who doesn't think so. I can see what you are getting at. I’m not exactly all that cool with every creation of God, but I do know that I don’t know all there is to know about everything, so it’s likely that I just don’t get it. My not getting it doesn’t mean it isn’t valid, however. Sometimes, I have a sneaking suspicion that some people who claim to believe in him, don’t really believe he is real at all, like they claim to. Being counted among the believers is more a correct social thing to do more than anything else.I think when they do finally see him they will be more shocked and awed than the outright avowed athiest at the sight of him.I can also see where a lot of members just don’t know what to think. They have this guy claiming to be some sort of expert telling them one thing, and people like us telling them another. They have to choose whom to believe and they just don’t have any knowledge to base that decision on so they just watch and wonder or choose to follow the ideology of the one they trust as more knowledgeable. Duke has apparently bought the anti-cannabis propaganda hook, line, and sinker and he has the power, position, and voice to influence others. Some of them might want to kick me out for 'heresy' or something for daring to disagree with some of the member’s addiction to prohibition. Thankfully, they are just a denomination of a denomination, so if they kick me out of their club, I’m no worse off spiritually than I was before. Meanwhile, I sincerely believe Duke is wrong and this little mouse is going to squeak to high heaven until the drug prohibition war is ended or I die. It’s destructive, it’s cruel, and it doesn’t work. [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by BGreen on July 22, 2004 at 21:58:46 PT Another Biblical Concept The Baptists Ignore My time in the Baptist church taught me one thing about drinking: Get caught and you're brought before the church members and you either repent and stop your evil drinking or you were kicked out of the church.Here are some scriptures that I've never heard come out of a preacher's mouth. (The first verses from Proverbs describes prez g.w. busch.)The Reverend Bud Green*********************************************************** Proverbs 31:4 "It is not for kings, O Lemuel-- not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer, PR 31:5 lest they drink and forget what the law decrees, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights. PR 31:6 Give beer to those who are perishing, wine to those who are in anguish; PR 31:7 let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.*********************************************************** 1Titus 5:23 Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.*********************************************************** John 2:7 Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim. JN 2:8 Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet." They did so, [9] and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside [10] and said, "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now." [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by BGreen on July 22, 2004 at 21:33:12 PT Do The Southern Baptists Think God Is An Idiot?! Only an IDIOT and FOOL would create something that is as dangerous to all humankind, without exception, and that's what God would be if the Truth actually existed in the lies put forth by so-called christians like Barrett Duke.God created cannabis. God is responsible for all creation. Reject God if you think cannabis is the root of all evil, for He made it and said it was good, therefore He is ultimately to blame for all of the supposed misery. Call God an idiot but stop caging innocent, non-violent people for partaking of God's creation.The Reverend Bud Green [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by Hope on July 22, 2004 at 20:30:13 PT Dang I see an error...and I've already mailed it. If it's noticed, and it likely will be if they read it at all, it will trivialize everything I said, because whoever reads it, if they do, will probably be happy to grab on to anything that would trivialize what I was trying to say. Well, they probably won't read any further when they see I'm disagreeing with Duke. I hate it when a blooper like that one gets away from me because I was in too big a hurry and tired of proofreading. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by The GCW on July 22, 2004 at 19:18:06 PT That Baptist Press, FoM, and ALL. I'm glad You posted that.This is a clear problem on this planet.Clergy speaking of cannabis with disrespect.Failed clergy is partly responsible for this persecution of humans who use the tree of life.It is all Biblical.We have the unique and incredible capability of knowing who is telling the truth. That is one of the gifts of the tree of life when We obey Christ God Our Father.We receive the truth.The Spirit of Truth is the Truth.Don’t obey Christ God Our Father and You do not receive the truth. Left with darkness for all to see.420 trees of lifeFrom this morning: Read it while praying for the Spirit of Truth to show You the truth as He wants You to know it. (THE DUDE DELIVERS!)2 Peter 2The Rise of False Prophets1 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. 2 Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; 3 and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.http://www.biblegateway.org/bible?passage=2PET+2&language=english&version=NASBFor always:Everyone should know how to identify failed clergy. This, literally subtitled: “Sin of the Priests” literally describes specific clergy that hates cannabis. Read it while in prayer.http://www.biblegateway.org/bible?passage=MAL+1&language=english&version=NASB Malachi 1:6-14Sin of the Priests6 " 'A son honors his father, and a servant his master. Then if I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is My respect?' says the LORD of hosts to you, O priests who despise My name. But you say, 'How have we despised Your name?' 7 "You are presenting defiled food upon My altar. But you say, 'How have we defiled You?' In that you say, 'The table of the LORD is to be despised.' 8 "But when you present the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? And when you present the lame and sick, is it not evil? Why not offer it to your governor? Would he be pleased with you? Or would he receive you kindly?" says the LORD of hosts. 9 "But now will you not entreat God's favor, that He may be gracious to us? With such an offering on your part, will He receive any of you kindly?" says the LORD of hosts. 10 "Oh that there were one among you who would shut the gates, that you might not uselessly kindle fire on My altar! I am not pleased with you," says the LORD of hosts, "nor will I accept an offering from you. 11 "For from the rising of the sun even to its setting, My name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense is going to be offered to My name, and a grain offering that is pure; for My name will be great among the nations," says the LORD of hosts. 12 "But you are profaning it, in that you say, 'The table of the Lord is defiled, and as for its fruit, its food is to be despised.' 13 "You also say, 'My, how tiresome it is!' And you disdainfully sniff at it," says the LORD of hosts, "and you bring what was taken by robbery and what is lame or sick; so you bring the offering! Should I receive that from your hand?" says the LORD. 14 "But cursed be the swindler who has a male in his flock and vows it, but sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord, for I am a great King," says the LORD of hosts, "and My name is feared among the nations."Green 420'sThe last thing failed clergy wants You to do is know how to go to the truth.The Bible is fat, telling Us not to persecute cannabis....I want to use cannabis in prayer with out the threat of being caged (by Biblical lowerarchy).!The Green Collar Worker [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by Hope on July 22, 2004 at 18:55:42 PT Well Since I've already admitted to being a Southern Baptist, I guess it falls to me for sure to respond to Barret Duke's statements. I did. This is the letter I'm prepared to send, unless someone finds an error or something before I send it.I disagree with nearly every thing Mr. Duke has to say, but I am outright offended by some of his remarks. "Promoters of medical marijuana use "have trivialized the suffering of those in severe chronic pain by supporting the open distribution of marijuana...”, he said. “I regret that so many people have bought the lie that marijuana is an essentially harmless drug, akin to aspirin."First, he accuses these "promoters" as having "trivialized the suffering of those in severe chronic pain by supporting the open distribution of marijuana...” It's obvious to me that the people who want to forbid others the use of this plant, created by God for our use, are "trivializing" these people's pain and predicament. Mr. Duke seems to have fallen prey to the drug war hysteria mongers. I believe that to withhold something that can and does help from people that need the help is immoral. When he accuses the people concerned about this situation of being liars, "“I regret that so many people have bought the lie", He doesn't know what he's talking about and he is accusing falsely. I know some of these people and I know some of the patients. I am one of the people that would like to see the laws change. I am a Southern Baptist. I can assure Mr. Duke, it is not they who are lying. “I regret that so many people have bought the lie that marijuana is an essentially harmless drug, akin to aspirin." Research (“my people perish for lack of knowledge.”) would have been helpful. He would have learned that many people have died from the use of aspirin. It does not mean that aspirin is “bad”, but it has risks greater than a criminal record, which is the greatest risk with cannabis use. The criminal record and being spurned by the self righteous among us are it's worst danger. Throughout history there is no evidence or record of anyone dying from consuming marijuana. So, no, Mr. Duke, Cannabis is not exactly akin to aspirin, it’s safer than aspirin. If Mr. Duke has to have chemotherapy and vomits ceaselessly he can try keeping down one of the “better” pharmaceuticals, and certainly, cannabis should not be forced upon him. If he becomes a paraplegic or quadriplegic and has horrible muscle spasms he doesn’t have to try the gift of God known as cannabis and often called “marijuana”, for relief, if he doesn’t want to. But I don’t think others should have to be "ruled" by his “conscience”. In Christ, [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by billos on July 22, 2004 at 17:54:50 PT ...A guy named Barrett?????? geeeez He also noted, "If everyone smoked marijuana at home, we would see increased accidents, accidents at work and increased crime as people got addicted to drugs and turned to crime. Everything else is affected by decisions people make in private."So what is Barrett Boy suggesting? We smoke it at someone elses house?Barrett? ? ? What a creep. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by global_warming on July 22, 2004 at 17:41:56 PT Hold On "Barrett Duke, vice president for public policy with the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission,...""In reality," Duke said, "what they will be voting on is whether to open the door further to the complete legalization of marijuana and to increase the already near-epidemic level of drug abuse our nation is experiencing. ...Oh Barret Duke, have you looked around lately, have you ever thought about the reason why we "Americans" are facing such a tribulation? Has it ever occurred to you that we "Americans" children of God, have been starved in our souls, deprived of our spirituality's, barred from getting closer to the fountain that springs everlasting."What is more, as any former or current drug user knows, marijuana is only the starting point," he said. "It is the gateway that has led to the destruction of the lives and futures of millions of people who moved on to other drugs in search of greater highs."The greatest high is having the Holy Spirit merge with your soul, and for some, the way is through herbal substances, that grow "naturally" in "our" world, the footsteps of the martyred saints, illuminate the way to God, and the blood of the martyrs, shall forever remain the the most solid reference in our world, that will guide all of us towards the infinite future, that yearns to to be answered and fulfilled."He also noted, "If everyone smoked marijuana at home, we would see increased accidents, accidents at work and increased crime as people got addicted to drugs and turned to crime. Everything else is affected by decisions people make in private."If it were so easy to blame one thing or another for our worlds problems, like having some young person make change for you in the nearest K-Mart or Walmart..Publix, ...Like many of those decisions made in "private" have no basis in reality, the hunger of those children's souls mirrors our own depravity and lust, our own lack of substance, our own inability to offer instruction to the ones who thirst for leadership, for knowledge, for truth."There are more effective, non-addictive drugs available to control pain as compared to marijuana, which is "a mind-altering drug [that] interferes with a person's thought processes."Yes here rests the problem, this "mind altering" substance, which threatens you and your fold, should you be worried that some innocent child might have some revelation, an insight that brings him or her closer towards a deeper understanding of God and our spiritual universe?Somewhere it was said, that the blindness in your own eye can only lead the blind man into a ditch, Mr. Duke, I hope that you can open your heart and mind, to better embrace our children, for it is not prison that they need, they need love, strong leaders in church and government, that offer the hand of understanding, the hand of "Grace", the hand of a man who will take the precious time to lead by example.I support the premise that all mankind should use every available tool to explore our universe, that includes the inner and outer universe, for it is in this exploration, that we have been made in the image of God, and it is in this exploration that we shall reveal the most holy and sacred nature of the mysteries of our universe.-gw [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by mayan on July 22, 2004 at 17:37:55 PT "Whole-Cannabis" From the last article on the bulletin...More recently, results of a Phase II trial on the effects of whole-cannabis extracts on Rheumatoid Arthritis determined that cannabinoids significantly reduced patients' pain and improved their quality of sleep.Whole-cannabis extracts, eh? So, the whole plant does have medicinal value? But the government says the whole plant is dangerous! Now, they wouldn't lie to us would they? Don't let the AARP members or baby boomers find out about this! This plant is turning out to be more than we ever imagined!The way out is the way in...Video Shows 9/11 Hijackers' Security Check: http://www.prisonplanet.tv/articles/july2004/210704videoshows.htm9/11 Airport Surveillance Video:What's the Time? http://www.whatreallyhappened.com/hijackers_video.htmlAt Least 7 of the 9/11 Hijackers are Still Alive: http://www.whatreallyhappened.com/hijackers.htmlCYNTHIA MCKINNEY WINS, RESULTS SPELL TROUBLE FOR GOP: http://www.fromthewilderness.com/free/ww3/072104_cynthia_mckinney.shtmlCynthia McKinney Is Back! http://www.guerrillanews.com/media/doc4895.htmlCitizens group releases critique of flawed 9/11 Commission process: http://www.911citizenswatch.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=352&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0 [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by ekim on July 22, 2004 at 17:04:06 PT that CNN ran Posted July 21, 2004 Analysis by Richard Cowan Sponsored by Advanced Nutrients. http://www.marijuananews.com/news.php3?sid=756 On Monday, Reuters carried a story by Maggie Fox, their Health and Science Correspondent, that CNN ran under the headline: “Stronger pot causes policy shift.” http://www.mmdetroit.org [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Virgil on July 22, 2004 at 16:42:16 PT There study sucks "Dronabinol should be available for patients whose central pain is not sufficiently treated with alternative drugs such as anticonvulsants, antidepressants, or opioids," authors concluded.Sounds like one of those studies where they write the conclusion first. Of course cannabis should be free in a free society and people could try it first, instead of last. Yep, it was done by the upside down people. Last instead of first- I don't think so. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on July 22, 2004 at 16:15:44 PT News Article from The Baptist Press Vote To Expand Medicinal Marijuana Qualifies for Ore. BallotJuly 22, 2004By Staff PORTLAND, Ore. (BP)--A measure to expand Oregon's medicinal marijuana law has gained enough signatures to qualify for a statewide vote in November.The measure would increase the amounts of marijuana patients could possess, according to the Statesman Journal in Salem, Ore., July 20, and it would authorize dispensaries to supply patients who can't obtain the drug.No formal opposition to the proposal has been established, but law enforcement officials and others who opposed the original 1998 initiative are expected to speak up, the Statesman Journal said."We do not have a single example of adverse health consequences," the paper quoted chief sponsor John Sajo as saying. "We have thousands of patients who say it relieves their suffering and improves the quality of their lives."Under the new law, patients registered with the state could grow 10 plants -- as opposed to seven now -- and possess up to one pound instead of one ounce. The initiative also would authorize licensed dispensaries that could distribute marijuana and expand categories of professionals who can prescribe the drug.Supporters of the measure say the current law is not working for many of the 9,000 cardholders because they're running out of the plant before they can get a new supply, according to FoxNews.com.Opponents of the initiative, including the Bush administration, say such measures are more about legalizing marijuana than about helping sick people. Only 7 percent of cardholders in the state are suffering from cancer, glaucoma or AIDS, Fox said.Eight states currently have medical marijuana laws, but Oregon's would be by far the most liberal if the expansion passes.Barrett Duke, vice president for public policy with the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, told Baptist Press in previous discussions about medicinal marijuana that many supporters of such measures seek eventually to make marijuana legal for everyone."In reality," Duke said, "what they will be voting on is whether to open the door further to the complete legalization of marijuana and to increase the already near-epidemic level of drug abuse our nation is experiencing. ... It is certain that the real motive of many of the backers of these measures is no less than the legalization of the possession and use of marijuana by anyone."Duke also characterized marijuana as a gateway drug likely to lead to more harmful substance abuse."What is more, as any former or current drug user knows, marijuana is only the starting point," he said. "It is the gateway that has led to the destruction of the lives and futures of millions of people who moved on to other drugs in search of greater highs."He also noted, "If everyone smoked marijuana at home, we would see increased accidents, accidents at work and increased crime as people got addicted to drugs and turned to crime. Everything else is affected by decisions people make in private.”There are more effective, non-addictive drugs available to control pain as compared to marijuana, which is “a mind-altering drug [that] interferes with a person's thought processes.”Promoters of medical marijuana use "have trivialized the suffering of those in severe chronic pain by supporting the open distribution of marijuana ...,” he said. “I regret that so many people have bought the lie that marijuana is an essentially harmless drug, akin to aspirin."Copyright: 2001 - 2004 Southern Baptist Convention, Baptist Presshttp://www.sbcbaptistpress.org/bpnews.asp?ID=18734 [ Post Comment ] Post Comment