cannabisnews.com: NORML's Weekly News Bulletin -- September 16, 2004





NORML's Weekly News Bulletin -- September 16, 2004
Posted by CN Staff on September 16, 2004 at 15:20:04 PT
Weekly Press Release
Source: NORML
Pot Compounds Halt Spread Of Known Cancer Causing Virus, Study SaysSeptember 16, 2004 - Tampa, FL, USATampa, FL: Compounds in marijuana inhibit the spread of several forms of herpes known to cause cancer, according to clinical findings published this week in the journal BMC Medicine.
Researchers at the University of South Florida Health Sciences Center determined that the cannabinoid THC selectively prevents the activation and replication of gamma herpes viruses. The viruses, which can lie dormant for years within white blood cells before becoming active and spreading to other cells, have been shown to increase an individual's chances of developing cancers such as Karposis Sarcoma, Burkitts lymphoma, and Hodgkins disease.Researchers found that THC protected cells infected with a mouse gamma herpes virus from reactivation. Cells not cultured with THC died when the virus was reactivated. The results may "provide the foundation for the development of antiviral strategies utilizing ... derivatives of THC," authors concluded.Scientists noted that THC did not prevent the spread of herpes simplex-1, the virus responsible for cold sores and genital herpes.In August, clinical data published in the journal Cancer Research determined that pot's constituents selectively inhibit the growth of malignant brain tumors in animals and in human tissue.Previous research has also shown cannabinoids to selectively target and halt the proliferation of other types of cancerous cells, including skin carcinoma, prostate cancer and breast cancer.For more information, please contact Paul Armentano, NORML Senior Policy Analyst, at (202) 483-5500. Abstracts of BMC Medicine study are available at: http://biomedcentral.com/1741-7015/2/34/abstractDL: http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6229Cannabis May Help Combat Cancerhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19494.shtmlMarijuana May Yield Cancer-Fighting Drugshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19489.shtmlMarijuana May Stall Brain Tumor Growthhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19339.shtmlCannabis Hope for Brain Cancer http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19338.shtmlNew Study Explains How Pot Kills Cancer Cells http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17748.shtml Alaska Supremes Let Stand Ruling Protecting Pot Possession By AdultsSeptember 16, 2004 - Anchorage, AK, USAAnchorage, AK: The Alaska Supreme Court last week denied a petition by the state attorney general's office to reconsider a September 2003 Court of Appeals ruling finding that the possession of marijuana by adults within the home is constitutionally protected activity.The court's decision further upheld the lower court's judgment striking down a successful 1990 voter initiative that sought to criminalize the possession of any amount of marijuana. A 2004 initiative measure seeking to remove all criminal and civil penalties on the use, possession, cultivation, or distribution of marijuana will appear on the ballot in November.The Court of Appeals based its 2003 decision on a 1975 Alaska Supreme Court ruling (Ravin v. State) which held that the state's constitutional protections regarding a citizen's right to privacy protects the personal use and possession of up to four ounces of marijuana in one's home. Since the state's existing marijuana possession law (based on the 1990 recriminalzation measure) conflicts with Ravin, the law is unconstitutional, the court ruled.Last week, the Alaska Court of Appeals ruled in a separate case that police cannot legally execute a search warrant in a person's home without probable cause that the person is in possession of more than four ounces of pot.For more information, please contact NORML Executive Director Keith Stroup at (202) 483-5500.DL: http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6228Justices Uphold Right To Use Pothttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19493.shtmlCourt Chooses Privacy Over Pothttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19488.shtmlAlaska Court Narrows Marijuana Search Law http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19406.shtmlState Appeals Legal Pot Ruling http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18183.shtmlCannabis Shows Long-Term Benefits For Multiple Sclerosis Patients, Study Says September 16, 2004 - Exeter, United KingdomExeter, United Kingdom: The use of cannabinoids long-term by patients with multiple sclerosis significantly ameliorates pain and improves mobility compared to placebo, according to clinical trial data presented last week at the annual meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science.The findings, which are expected to be published shortly, are based on the results of a 52-week follow up trial of more than 500 multiple sclerosis patients. Initial results of the double-blind, placebo-controlled trial after 15 weeks previously appeared in the British medical journal, The Lancet, in 2003.Lead researcher John Zajick of the Peninsula Medical School at the Universities of Exeter and Plymouth in Britain said that the follow up trial showed that patients gained significantly greater relief of disabling symptoms after one year of cannabinoid therapy than they did after 15 weeks. Patients received either oral THC, a cannabis extract, or placebo in the study."In the short-term study, there was some evidence of cannabinoids alleviating symptoms of multiple sclerosis; in the longer term there is a suggestion of a more useful beneficial effect, which was not clear at the initial stage," Zajick said in a statement.Speaking at the Third National Clinical Conference on Cannabis Therapeutics in May, Geoffrey Guy, Executive Chairman of GW Pharmaceuticals, said that long-term human trials on cannabis extracts and MS performed by the company had also shown cannabinoids to provide patients with sustained relief - perhaps by inhibiting disease progression. Guy noted that patients in GW's long-term trials have continued to experience relief from the disease without significantly increasing their intake of cannabinoids. Multiple Sclerosis is a progressively debilitating disease and these results would be unlikely unless cannabinoids are modifying the course of the disease, Guy speculated.Clinical trial data performed on an animal model of multiple sclerosis has previously shown cannabinoids to possess such neuroprotective effects.For more information, please contact either Allen St. Pierre or Paul Armentano of the NORML Foundation at (202) 483-5500.DL: http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6230Cannabis Truly Helps Multiple Sclerosis Sufferers http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19477.shtmlCannabis May Have Long-Term Benefit for MS http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19469.shtmlCannabis Study Encouraging for MShttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19467.shtmlMarijuana Chemical Reduces MS Painhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19195.shtmlSource: NORML Foundation (DC)Published: September 16, 2004Copyright: 2004 NORML Contact: norml norml.org Website: http://www.norml.org/NORML's Weekly News Bulletin -- Sept. 09, 2004 http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19465.shtmlNORML's Weekly News Bulletin -- Sept. 02, 2004 http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19435.shtml
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Comment #21 posted by Dankhank on September 17, 2004 at 16:35:12 PT
got it
never mind E J I googled your statement and got it second on the hit
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Comment #20 posted by Dankhank on September 17, 2004 at 16:33:25 PT
E J
got a link?sometimes I gotta be spoonfed:-)
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Comment #19 posted by E_Johnson on September 17, 2004 at 15:41:06 PT
Dankhank
The 19 year old college student who was raped in jail while serving a weekend as a penalty for missing a session of court ordered rehab.That sends an interesting message to parents in particular.
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Comment #18 posted by FoM on September 17, 2004 at 14:17:29 PT
Dankhank
Here's two more ideas.The new cancer studies might be worth bringing up. Even the Montel Williams Show might be worth mentioning too.
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Comment #17 posted by Dankhank on September 17, 2004 at 14:11:26 PT
Jail
yes, the most important idea.Don't denigrate any idea you may have.I want to hear them allThanks FoM ...
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Comment #16 posted by FoM on September 17, 2004 at 14:02:57 PT
Dankhank
That's great news. What came to my mind is jail. Since there is no documented evidence that anyone has died from using this natural plant why should people be subject to arrest and jail if they decide to use Cannabis.I know that's very basic but that's what I thought.
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Comment #15 posted by Dankhank on September 17, 2004 at 13:58:13 PT:
Finally
I'm happy to announce that I finally convinced the local newspaper, Lawton Constitution, editorial manager to allow me to speak to the editorial board en mass.It won't happen 'till after the election, alas, but they have agreed.Guess what, though? He will give me one half hour for the session. One half hour to address misinformation, the nicest way to put it, the government has been putting out for ninety years!As I begin to construct a thirty-minute presentation it occurs to me that many here have a wealth of knowledge that I invite to share. What topics would be the best to present so as to drive home our points succinctly and briefly?I plan to provide each of them a copy of the CRL and the movie "Grass" as a preliminary study set.I think I will order some copies of the "Drug War Carol," too.Any thoughts ... all???
Truth
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Comment #14 posted by FoM on September 17, 2004 at 10:02:21 PT
Just a Note
I've been looking for news to post but there just doesn't seem to be any so far. I'll keep looking though. Way to go Jose!
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Comment #13 posted by The GCW on September 17, 2004 at 08:40:13 PT
 Jose Melendez: yearly Boulder Weekly letterawards
US CO: Return to sender: Another year, another bag of letters   Referred: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v04/n142/a08.html?145387Author: Jose MelendezViewed at: http://www.boulderweekly.com/coverstory.html
 Return to senderAnother year, another bag of letters Criminalize prohibitionThe column "Unreasonable Risks" (Liberty Beat, Jan. 8) clearly exposes substance prohibition as fraud. Indeed, the war on (some) drugs is instead waged on citizens, corrupting its enforcers who turn a blind eye to far more harmful, legally taxed consumables.I offer this quote to the professional and habitual neo-conservatives and drug-war chicken hawks of my country: "Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort."The attacks in 9/11 cost the terrorrists, by most expert estimates, a few hundred thousand dollars. If the $43 million Washington approved as "aid" to the Afghans to prohibit poppies in May 2001 was not comforting to the Taliban in charge of enforcing those rules, what exactly would have been? Some chicken soup?Cannabis seed is illegal, yet we feed animals to animals instead. Sounds like an antitrust law and human-rights violation to me. Criminalize prohibition. It’s not just the hypocrisy. It’s the fraud and corruption, stupid.Jose Melendez/via Internet(coming soon to MAP)
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Comment #12 posted by siege on September 17, 2004 at 08:14:52 PT
  off tpoic       UPI
Press Reports on U.S. Casualties: About 17,000 Short, UPI SaysBy Mark Benjamin, UPIPublished: September 15, 2004 http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000630846
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Comment #11 posted by b4daylight on September 17, 2004 at 08:04:59 PT
the facts
what about eating pot, using it for body onment, or vapor.People forget it can be used lots of ways other than unhealthy smoking.thanks that was a good. 
Comment #8 posted by The GCW on September 16, 2004 at 20:12:42 PT
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Comment #10 posted by goneposthole on September 17, 2004 at 05:11:13 PT
an observation
"Researchers at the University of South Florida Health Sciences Center determined that the cannabinoid THC selectively prevents the activation and replication of gamma herpes viruses."ad·duce tr.v. ad·duced, ad·duc·ing, ad·duc·esTo cite as an example or means of proof in an argument.http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=adduceIt is apparent that cannabis is safe and effective medicine. My ineluctable conclusion, but an army of nattering nabobs of negativism will study the possibility for another 150 years that it is not. There will never be any evidence found to prove that cannabis cannot be a 'medicine'.
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Comment #9 posted by global_warming on September 17, 2004 at 03:53:49 PT
Soros Asks House to Probe Hastert Remarks
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=ap/soros_hastertSoros Asks House to Probe Hastert RemarksWed Sep 15, 7:28 PM ET	By JIM ABRAMS, Associated Press WriterWASHINGTON - Billionaire philanthropist George Soros has asked the House ethics committee to investigate House Speaker Dennis Hastert over comments suggesting that Soros could be receiving money from illegal drug groups."This kind of insinuation — that a private United States citizen was in league with drug cartels and may be receiving funds derived from criminal activity — has no place in public discourse," Soros wrote Tuesday to the chair and top Democrat on the panel, Reps. Joel Hefley, R-Col., and Alan Mollohan, D-W.Va.During an Aug. 29 interview on "Fox News Sunday," Hastert, R-Ill., questioned the source of the 73-year-old financier's wealth: "I don't know where George Soros gets his money. I don't know where — if it comes from overseas or from drug groups or where it comes from." He made similar comments in an Aug. 23 radio interview.Soros said Hastert has since said he was misunderstood, that he was talking about groups to which Soros — a supporter of legalizing marijuana — gives money.But "the indisputable fact is that he alleged that I might be receiving 'drug money' from 'drug groups,'" Soros said.Hastert's office had no immediate comment on the ethics complaint. The Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, under its rules, normally accepts complaints only from House members or from outsiders when members certify that the complaints merit review.Soros has earned the enmity of Republicans because of his generous contributions to liberal activist groups campaigning to defeat President Bush (news - web sites).After Hastert made his comments, 11 House Democrats led by Rep. Barney Frank (news, bio, voting record) of Massachusetts, wrote Soros inviting him to speak on Capitol Hill."We have been particularly troubled by the McCarthyite attacks that have been made on you by some American politicians, including colleagues of ours, who have gone far beyond the reasonable bounds of civil discourse in their efforts to discredit you," they wrote.Soros, a native of communist Hungary, arrived in the United States in 1956 and made his fortune through the Soros Fund Management, a private, international investment firm. He has given away billions to various causes, including groups promoting democracy in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union.
Soros Asks House to Probe Hastert Remarks
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Comment #8 posted by The GCW on September 16, 2004 at 20:12:42 PT
Know what is taking place at the National Review?
A debate of sorts with the discredited John P. Waltersand the honorable Ethan Nadelmann. (Awesome)Skip the 1st half; it is the usual vomit...Read the 2nd half by Ethan.Ethan, not only says the emperer wears no clothes; He's saying the emperor-is-pissing-on-Himself.http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/19/thread19490.shtml 
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Comment #7 posted by siege on September 16, 2004 at 19:43:12 PT
T H C
the U S govt. want's there people to be mal·nu·tri·tion so they can keep them weak and sickly so there friend's can make the big dollars and they get the enormous kick back and they live off the fat of the land, So they say that CANNABIS is the wick·ed one, The lord give his people a little T H C Hemp in there food he made man and know what to feed man. The THC controlls sickness in man. The men on the hill are making poor decisions and lacks the séance of a JACK A S S they thinks they knows best. The people that put him there, Should take there POWER back and MOVE them out of office. we have a fue that are trying to keep it in place like judge's and IF WE do not HELP them, BUSH will have them GONE in no time, vote him out!!
         what is wrong with this
      ================HEMP================             3 : a psychoactive drug (as marijuana or hashish) from hemp.
Source: Merriam-Webster Medical Dictionary, © 2002
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Comment #6 posted by The GCW on September 16, 2004 at 19:26:22 PT
1 2 3
No medical value.No medical value.No medical value.Remember the release of the cigerette excecutives all claiming cigerettes do no harm? (When I had tv)They showed the line of them taking their turn lying under oath.?.?.?It is ironic that now the government is in a similar position of taking turns on down the line to lie under oath stating that Cannabis has no medical value.Fact is Cannabis-covers-the-complete-medical-value-circle.It sustains joyful life.It helps prevent illness.It helps illness feel better, if You do get ill.It helps get rid of illness.It even helps comfort illness leading to death. And not only for the dying, but also the loved ones dealing with a death.Cannabis does it all, just as We are told.But the evil ones;They will try to coerce You into thinking Cannabis has no medical value.Cannabis prohibitionists are drenched in Biblical blood.The fresh blood of Jesus Christ is on the face and mouth of Cannabis prohibitionists.They will cage Your loved ones for using a plant... what could be more savage than that in 2004?You show Me a regular church goer that supports Cannabis prohibition and I'll show You someone ripping out the heart of Jesus Christ.420 2 EVILEven if it cures cancer,You can't have it.If it keeps Your children from getting cancer, We'll cage them before they get the prevention.Before You know it, We'll cage You if Cannabis can be traced on Your pupils or retina's. To even see it will be prohibited.Then We'll prohibit You from saying it,After I get out of church.
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Comment #5 posted by mayan on September 16, 2004 at 18:23:17 PT
Senator's Son Busted...
Sorry if this has been posted...State senator's son charged:
http://www.connpost.com/Stories/0,1413,96~3750~2405213,00.htmlThe way out is the way in..."President Bush Thwarted Our Attempts at Every Turn"
http://www.truthout.org/docs_04/091604B.shtmlANOTHER LOOK AT 9/11 - MORE PNAC PLOTTING?
http://www.axisoflogic.com/artman/publish/printer_11837.shtml9/11 Summer of Truth - 2004
http://www.summeroftruth.org/
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Comment #4 posted by potpal on September 16, 2004 at 17:51:22 PT
druggies
Although Canada is not on the list, he was critical of Ottawa for what he considers leniency on producers and private consumers of Cannabis. No mention of the trend in Europe to lay off cannabis...just Cannada.
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Comment #3 posted by potpal on September 16, 2004 at 17:49:06 PT
druggies
Kinda like to think that the other side are the druggies, hook on the war on drugs...http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3664568.stm And who are the countries them?
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Comment #2 posted by Jose Melendez on September 16, 2004 at 16:05:44 PT
Marijuana-like Chemicals In The Brain Calm Neurons
from: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/09/040916102315.htm "The cells under scrutiny lie in the cerebral cortex. This region processes information from the eyes, ears, skin and other sense organs, regulates movement and performs complex functions such as those involved in thinking, learning and emotions. The cortex contains two major types of nerve cells: pyramidal neurons that excite both local and more distant neighbors, and inhibitory interneurons that act as local dimming switches, shutting down the activity of nearby brain cells. The inhibitory interneurons prevent the brain from taking in and responding to every thought, sight or sound it encounters. They also protect against runaway excitation such as that seen in epilepsy.In previous work, other researchers had found that pyramidal cells manufacture and release cannabinoids that bind to a receptor on the membrane of interneurons. In this process, called retrograde signaling, the pyramidal cell does the equivalent of slipping its guardian interneuron some sleeping pills. It frees itself from inhibition by releasing cannabinoids that briefly decrease the interneuron’s ability to release inhibitory molecules.In contrast, Bacci and his colleagues found that interneurons can drug themselves when they get repetitively excited, triggering a self-inhibition process. The class of interneurons the researchers studied, the so-called “LTS cells” of the cerebral cortex, manufacture and release cannabinoids that bind to their own cannabinoid receptors and shut down their ability to signal other neurons. By shutting themselves off, the interneurons block their quieting action on the excitatory pyramidal cells – an effect that can last as long as 35 minutes, much longer than what had been seen with retrograde inhibition. Without the quieting effect, pyramidal cells signal more intensely, triggering a higher level of activity in circuits of the cortex."
Wage Peace
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Comment #1 posted by global_warming on September 16, 2004 at 15:59:05 PT
I Know Cannabis has no medical value
If our government spent some time looking at some of the current evidence of marijuana's value and less time dreaming up this DEA hash, maybe our little blue world could come together.This continued "prohibition" and "war on drugs" is costing the American citizen much more than a swollen bureaucracy, much more then the precious and fleeting dollars that have been shipped overseas, much more than the erosion of liberties that have been fought for with human blood, this "war on people" is casting a dark shadow on the most sacred Christian traditions, it is perpetuating the conditions that chose to nail Jesus to a cross, and with those same nails, "we", continue to nail our children to the crosses of our modern day penitentiaries.gw
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