cannabisnews.com: NORML's Weekly News Bulletin -- June 30, 2005


cannabisnews.com: NORML's Weekly News Bulletin -- June 30, 2005





NORML's Weekly News Bulletin -- June 30, 2005
Posted by CN Staff on June 30, 2005 at 18:01:09 PT
Weekly Press Release
Source: NORML
Bipartisan Legislation To Authorize Commercial Hemp Cultivation Introduced In Congress - HR 3037 Grants States "Exclusive Authority" To Regulate The Growing And Processing Of Industrial HempJune 30, 2005 - Washington, DC, USAWashington, DC: Republican Ron Paul (R-TX), along with co-sponsors Sam Farr (D-CA), Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), Jim McDermott (D-WA), George Miller (D-CA), and Peter Stark (D-CA), have introduced legislation in Congress to allow for the state-sanctioned cultivation of industrial hemp for commercial purposes.
HR 3037, the Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2005, would remove non-psychoactive industrial hemp from the federal Controlled Substances Act and grant state legislatures "exclusive authority" to regulate the growing and processing of the crop.Currently, the United States is the only developed nation that fails to cultivate industrial hemp, which is a distinct variety of the plant species cannabis sativa that contains only minute (less than 1%) amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. Farmers in Canada, the European Union, and in numerous countries throughout the world grow hemp commercially for fiber, seed, and oil for use in a variety of industrial and consumer products, including food. Hemp fiber and hemp-based products are legally imported to the United States in compliance with several economic treaties, including NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) and GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade).Several US states have passed legislation authorizing the cultivation of industrial hemp for research and commercial purposes. However, farmers in these states cannot legally grow hemp without federal permission. House Bill 3037 would remove this hurdle by creating a distinction in federal law between marijuana and industrial hemp (defined as cannabis with less than 0.3% THC), and granting states the authority to regulate it as a legal agricultural crop."The federal ban on hemp cultivation and production is a direct outgrowth of the government's absurd war on cannabis," said NORML Executive Director Allen St. Pierre. "Industrial hemp cultivation has been a successful cash crop for farmers in Canada and Europe, and there is no logical reason why US farmers should be denied the legal authority to participate in this growing worldwide industry."For more information, please contact either Allen St. Pierre or Paul Armentano at (202) 483-5500. Additional information on HR 3037 is available on NORML's website at: http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/alert/?alertid=7766166&type=CODL: http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6581Rhode Island Governor Vetoes Medical Marijuana LegislationJune 30, 2005 - Providence, RI, USAProvidence, RI: Rhode Island Governor Don Carcieri (R) vetoed legislation this week that would have exempted qualified patients from state criminal penalties for the possession and use of medical cannabis. The General Assembly had previously approved the bill, known as the Edward O. Hawkins and Thomas C. Slater Medical Marijuana Act, by votes of 52-10 in the House and 34-2 in the Senate.Carcieri issued his veto a day after meeting with representatives from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), who encouraged the Governor to oppose the bill.The bill's sponsors are expected to schedule an override of the Governor's veto. An override would require votes from three-fifths of the lawmakers in each chamber.If approved, the Edward O. Hawkins and Thomas C. Slater Medical Marijuana Act would allow state-authorized patients with a doctor's permission to legally possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis and/or 12 plants under state law. Patients and their caregivers are to register with the state Department of Health and their cannabis must be stored in an indoor facility. Patients who are legally authorized to use medical cannabis in other states will also receive statewide protection in Rhode Island under the Act.Ten states - Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington - have enacted laws legalizing the physician-authorized use of medicinal cannabis. Maryland enacted legislation in 2003 requiring a patient's use of medical marijuana to be considered as a mitigating factor in a marijuana-related state prosecution.For more information, please contact either Allen St. Pierre or Paul Armentano at (202) 483-5500. Additional information on Rhode Island's Medical Marijuana Act is available at: http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/alert/?alertid=7777301DL: http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6584Arrests Drive Spike In "Marijuana Treatment" Admissions, Study SaysJune 30, 2005 - Rockville, MD, USARockville, MD: The majority of individuals admitted to drug rehabilitation for marijuana are referred there by the criminal justice system, according to a new report published by the Drug and Alcohol Services Information System (DASIS).Fifty-eight percent of those entering drug treatment for marijuana in 2002 were referred by the criminal justice system, the report found, up from 48 percent in 1992. Referrals from schools and health care/drug abuse care providers comprised another 15 percent of all admissions. By comparison, only 38 percent of those admitted to treatment for alcohol and only 29 percent of those admitted to treatment for cocaine were referred by the criminal justice system."Contrary to the Bush Administration's claims, it is marijuana prohibition - not the use of marijuana itself - that is driving up rates of marijuana 'treatment' admissions," NORML Senior Policy Analyst Paul Armentano said. "The record increase in the number of individuals now seeking 'treatment' for cannabis is due to a proportional increase in the number of those arrested by law enforcement for marijuana violations and subsequently referred to drug treatment by the criminal justice system. Primarily, these are young people arrested for minor pot possession offenses, brought before a criminal judge or drug court, and ordered to drug rehabilitation in lieu of jail or juvenile detention."According to a previous 2002 DASIS report, since 1995 the proportion of marijuana treatment admissions from all sources other than the criminal justice system has actually declined, Armentano said. "At a time when tens of thousands of Americans are being denied access to drug treatment due to a lack of bed space or federal funding, it is unconscionable that these clinics are bursting at the seams needlessly housing marijuana smokers," he said.For more information, please contact Paul Armentano, NORML Senior Policy Analyst, at (202) 483-5500. The DASIS report, "Differences in Marijuana Admissions Based on Source of Referral: 2002," is available at: http://oas.samhsa.gov/2k5/MJreferrals.htmDL: http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6582Medical Cannabis Spray Now Available In CanadaJune 30, 2005 - Ottawa, ON, CanadaOttawa, Ontario: Canadian pharmacies this week began carrying Sativex, an oral spray consisting of natural cannabis extracts, for the treatment of neuropathic pain associated with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Canada is the first nation in the world to grant regulatory approval for the cannabis-derived medicine.Produced by the British biotechnology firm GW Pharmaceuticals and marketed by Bayer, Sativex is a whole plant medicinal cannabis extract containing precise doses of the cannabinoids THC and cannabidiol (CBD), as well as naturally existing terpenoids (oils) and flavonoids (antioxidants). In clinical trials, Sativex has been demonstrated to alleviate numerous MS-associated symptoms compared to placebo, including pain, muscle spasms, and bladder incontinence.GW is expected to seek further approval from Canadian regulators to market Sativex for additional indications, including chronic pain.British health regulators have yet to approve the drug in the UK and are awaiting results from ongoing, large-scale clinical trials. GW has yet to make serious inquiries to US regulators regarding the drug's approval, but is expected to in the near future.The anticipated cost to patients for a one-month supply of Sativex will be approximately $375, USA Today reported.For more information, please contact Paul Armentano, NORML Senior Policy Analyst, at (202) 483-5500.DL: http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6583Source: NORML Foundation (DC)Published: June 30, 2005Copyright: 2005 NORML Contact: norml norml.org Website: http://www.norml.org/NORML's Weekly News Bulletin -- Jun. 24, 2005http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20897.shtmlNORML's Weekly News Bulletin -- Jun. 16, 2005http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20874.shtml
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Comment #6 posted by b4daylight on July 01, 2005 at 17:19:04 PT
here some interesting things
I pulled this from a book on my psy 101 class...Many drug experts believe that alcohol abuse has the highest social cost of all drugs addictions. Alcohol is involved in at least 50 percent of all homicides, assaults, and highway fatalities. Approximately two-thirds of all cases of spousal abuse and violent child abuse involve alcohol use.Drinking by pregnant women is the leading cause of birth defects and mental retardation and is the only preventable one. More than half of all American 21 and over drink occasionally. 14 million Americans have drinking problemsAlcohol depresses the activity of neurons throughout the bran. Alcohol impairs cognitive abilities, such as concentration, judgment, memory, speech and physical abilities such as muscle coordination and balance. A national survey at the colleges found 50 percent of men and 40 percent of women binge drink. Ok cannabisFound in the Psychedelic drugs group"To lump Cannabis with the highly psychedelic drugs mescaline and LSD is somewhat misleading"THC produces a sense of well-being, mild euphoria, and dreamy state of relaxation. 
 Senses become more focused and sensations more vivid. Time perception may be altered and taste, touch, and smell may be enhanced. A decade ago researches discovered receptor sites in the brain that are specific for THC. A similar chemical called anandamide naturally occurs in the brain which binds to the THC receptors in the brain. They believe anandamide reduces pain and also may be involved in mood and memory. There are very few THC receptors in the brainstem the part of the brain which supports life functions so overdosing is near impossible. Yet opiates and depressants do have receptors in this area, so this is why you can overdose from those. "Most Cannabis users do not develop tolerance or physical dependence"Of course chronic users can develop these things. Cannabis can be helpful with pain, epilepsy, hypertension, appetite, nausea, glaucoma, and asthma.On the negative side Cannabis interferes with muscle coordination and perception and may impair driving ability.
 **********opinion mine**************How can you possibly tell me we should destroy your life for cannabis, this is blatant racism! Because it based on morals and beliefs rather than proof, furthermore you can have something illegal and then arbitrarily choose something else as legal and still be ethical.
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Comment #5 posted by dididadadidit on July 01, 2005 at 08:08:14 PT
Religion Trumps HR-3037:Facts Irrelevant
Hr-3037 is DOA. The likes of Senselessbrainer (R-Wis) and SenselessSouder (R-Ind) and their rethugnican colleagues will see to it that it never sees the light of day. It is too close to the devils own weed and is a SIN. SenselessSouder has stated on the floor of the house that he comes to his anti-marijuana positions from the standpoint of it being a SIN. All of 6% of the rethugs in the house supported a hands off stance by the feds with respect to medical in states that allow it. The 94% of them that were against can be counted on to toe the line in opposition to hemp, regardless of the facts on the low THC content. ANY content whatever, of this sinful THC must be stopped at all costs. Where in their bible these religious nut cases find their bibical justification for total prohibition is beyond me, but they do. The facts in support of hemp simply do not matter when up against religious fostered BS. Even if the dems had the majority it would still be the same as they have a decades long position of trying (and unfortunately at times succeeding) to outstupid rethugs on drugs to show their tough on crime credentials. Religion trumps facts 100% of the time on this issue. Sorry to be so negative, but as a 3 decade member of the criminal smoking class and observer of the crap the politicians continue to espouse and cram down our throats, there is precious little room for optimism.Cheers?
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Comment #4 posted by OverwhelmSam on July 01, 2005 at 05:13:38 PT
But Wouldn't Legal Hemp...
... make it impossible to enforce marijuana laws? Yes is would. So legalize marijuana, problem solved.It's interesting that the extreme right groups in this country continuously rally against the rejection, decline and fall of religion, and then continue to force their self-righteous agenda down everyone's throats. It's like they don't realize that you just can't have it both ways.
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Comment #3 posted by PainWithNoInsurance on June 30, 2005 at 22:18:30 PT
Gov. Ryan must be smarter than many universities
It seems to me that Gov. Ryan of Illinios could have came out and said who did the, so called, "other studies" that find hemp useless for farming in Illinios. His decisions to veto hemp research bills sound like a one person conversation with no parties stating any opposing views. To stop anyones curiosity in science seems very disturbing to me especially when their intentions are to make life better for us all.I can't wait to see the congressional debate on the hemp bill HR 3037 on C-Span. I want to hear all of the veiws, the for and against arguments. 
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Comment #2 posted by ekim on June 30, 2005 at 20:02:08 PT
1916BULLETIN404.-Ryan Knew why dident you
phase shifting is, so lets use it and hold two completely different ideas in our minds at the same time. just conceder the fact that mere days before Rainbow was broken Gov Ryan got away with stopping any Hemp studies in Ill. Ryan said he vetoed the bill because other studies have already convinced him that hemp would not be a successful crop. 
Meanwhile just 3 months later this Boundless Potential appears. 
The issue needs both camps to come together a lie is a lie no matter what. If our Country is to profit and move forward the Lies against Hemp must be exposed for all to see. 
 
 Chinese Hemp Industry has Boundless Potential 
Posted by FoM on November 05, 2001 at 09:01:46 PT
Business News 
Source: People's Daily As world fashion increasingly moves toward simplicity, comfort and health protection, experts point out that hemp, a major economic crop in China, could have great market prospects after the nation's entry into the World Trade Organization. 
Xia Jingyuan, a senior official with the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture in charge of the extension of agricultural technology, said that the annual output of Chinese linen is worth over 10 billion yuan (about 1.2 billion US dollars). According to Xia, the ongoing upgrading of China's agricultural industry has given Chinese hemp a great opportunity. Environmentally friendly, high value-added and versatile, Chinese hemp products could be a major money-maker in market both here and abroad, said Xia. For example, ramie, once used as forage, could provide a new type of vegetable protein for livestock and boost stockbreeding of southern China. Red hemp used in paper making could prevent the felling of forests while clothing made from hemp is particularly comfortable to wear and poses no health hazard. Being one of the earliest fabrics used in China, hemp's heyday can date back 4,000 years when only nobles and royal families could afford to wear finely spun linen while coarse linen were favored by commoners. The production technology of linen has undergone constant improvement. In 1984, the country made a breakthrough in the degumming technology, bringing worldwide attention to linen products. Analysts say that to establish a modern linen manufacturing and processing system with Chinese characteristics, China should double its efforts in scientific research and international cooperation, because each breakthrough in relevant technology will greatly boost the sector's upgrading.Source: People's Daily (China)
Published: Sunday, November 04, 2001
Copyright: People's Daily Online
Website: http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/home.html
FB: http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/other/feedback.html
 THE MANUFACTURE OF PAPER FROM HEMP HURDS
By Jason L. Merrill, Paper-Plant Chemist, Paper-Plant Investigations.
http://www.hempology.org/ALL%20HISTORY%20ARTICLES.HTML/1916BULLETIN404.html
INTRODUCTIONThe purpose of this paper is to report upon preliminary tests which were conducted to determine the paper-making value of hemp hurds, a crop waste of the hemp-fiber industry.The search for plant materials capable of being utilized in paper manufacture is a comparatively recent but world-wide activity which has for its object the husbanding of present sources of paper-stock supply by the substitution of new materials for some of those which are rapidly becoming less plentiful and more costly.The abstract idea of utilizing that which is at present a waste can play no important role in such activities, the successful commercial outcome of which must be based on the three fundamental factors - market or demand for product, satisfactory raw material, and cost.Since hemp hurds are to be treated in this report as a raw material for the manufacture of book and printing papers, the qualities, supply, probable future, and cost of the material will be considered in comparison with wood, with which it must compete. There seems to be little doubt that the present wood supply can not withstand indefinitely the demands placed upon it, and with increased scarcity economy in the use of wood will become imperative. This effect is already apparent in many wood-using industries, and although the paper industry consumes only about 3 per cent of the total forest cut, it is probable that it will be affected through this economy. Our forest are being cut three times as fast as they grow, and as wood becomes more expensive proper growing and reforesting will receive more attention. Thus, naturally, a balance will be established between production and consumption, but as this condition approaches its limiting values the price of wood may rise to such levels that there will be a demand for other raw materials.The use of waste paper in conjunction with chemical wood pulp has increased to enormous proportions, and it is probable that the increase will continue. Although it is a cheaper raw material than wood, it is reasonable to suppose that as the wood supply decreases and the price of wood pulp advances, the price of waste paper will advance somewhat proportionately.In view of these conditions it is advisable to investigate the paper making value of the more promising plant materials before a critical situation arises. To be of substantial value the investigations should include not only a determination of the quality and quantity of pulp and paper which the material is capable of producing, but should embrace a consideration of such relevant factors as agricultural conditions, farm practice, assembling conditions, transportation, and probable future supply.Certain cultivated plants seem particularly promising, because in the harvesting of the regular crop that portion which might be utilized for paper manufacture necessarily is either wholly or partially assembled. To this class of plants belong corn, broom corn, sorghum, sugar cane, bagasse, flax, hemp, and the cereal straws.. . .FACTORS JUSTIFYING AN INVESTIGATION OF HEMP HURDSHemp hurds form a crop waste, in that they necessarily are produced in the raising and preparation of hemp fiber, and their present use and value are comparatively insignificant.Without doubt, hemp will continue to be one of the staple agricultural crops of the United States. The wholesale destruction of the supply by fire, as frequently happens in the case of wood, is precluded by the very nature of the hemp-raising industry. Since only one year's growth can be harvested annually the supply is not endangered by the pernicious practice of overcropping, which has contributed so much to the present high and increasing cost of pulp wood. The permanency of the supply of hemp hurds thus seems assured. Gov. Ryan Blocks Hemp Study Again 
Posted by FoM on August 04, 2001 at 07:52:40 PT
By The Associated Press 
Source: Pantagraph Gov. George Ryan has once again blocked a study of industrial hemp's potential as a crop for Illinois farmers, arguing Friday that other studies have settled the issue already. Ryan also signed legislation to help graduates of a Governors State University social work program that failed to get national accreditation. 
The hemp bill would have allowed the University of Illinois to grow the plant -- a cousin to the drug marijuana -- and study whether it could be raised profitably in Illinois. Meanwhile, Western Illinois University would have studied law enforcement issues raised by growing hemp.Ryan said he vetoed the bill because other studies have already convinced him that hemp would not be a successful crop. The move to grow hemp also "plays into the national strategy of groups seeking to remove existing criminal penalties for cannabis/marijuana," he added.The Republican governor vetoed a similar bill earlier this year. The second version tried to address his concerns by studying law enforcement concerns and looking for ways to grow hemp with none of the mind-altering chemical found in marijuana.
http://www.hempology.org
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Comment #1 posted by mayan on June 30, 2005 at 18:18:18 PT
Coincidence?
From the first article on the bulletin...Currently, the United States is the only developed nation that fails to cultivate industrial hemp, which is a distinct variety of the plant species cannabis sativa that contains only minute (less than 1%) amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive ingredient in marijuana.The U.S. is also the only developed nation launching pre-emptive wars for oil. Coincidence? I think not.THE WAY OUT IS THE WAY IN...9/11 � US Complicity: Implausible, or Very Probable?
Questions for the People Who Believe the Official Conspiracy Theory:
http://tvnewslies.org/html/9_11_-_us_complicity__implausi.html9/11 Was an Inside Job - A Call to All True Patriots:
http://www.911sharethetruth.com/
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