cannabisnews.com: NORML's Weekly News Bulletin -- December 29, 2005 NORML's Weekly News Bulletin -- December 29, 2005 Posted by CN Staff on December 29, 2005 at 13:36:02 PT Weekly Press Release Source: NORML 2005: The Year In Review - - NORML's Top Ten Events That Shaped Marijuana PolicyDecember 29, 2005 - Washington, DC, USA#1: Supreme Court Rules Feds Can Arrest State-Recognized Medi-Pot PatientsThe US Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in June that the Justice Department has the authority to prosecute state-authorized medicinal cannabis patients for violating the federal Controlled Substances Act, reversing a prior Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals determination that that the federal prosecution of patients who cultivate and possess marijuana for their own medicinal use is an unconstitutional exercise of Congress' Commerce Clause authority. Weeks later, the US House of Representatives voted 264 to 161 against an amendment that sought to bar the US Department of Justice from targeting patients who use marijuana medicinally in accordance with the laws of their states. Since the vote, an estimated two-dozen medical cannabis dispensaries throughout California have been subject to raids by federal law enforcement.Read the full story at: http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6550#2: Gallup: Public Support For Marijuana Legalization At All-Time HighThe percentage of Americans favoring the legalization of cannabis has risen more than 33 percent since 1995 and now stands at its all-time highest level of public support, according to polling data published in November by Gallup. Read the full story at: http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6717#3: Marijuana Arrests For Year 2004 Most EverPolice arrested an estimated 771,608 persons for marijuana violations in 2004, the highest annual total ever recorded in the United States, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The total is more than twice the number of Americans arrested for pot violations in 1993 and equates to an arrest every 41 seconds. Read the full story at: http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6703#4: Cannabinoids Promote Neurogenesis In The Brain, Study SaysThe administration of synthetic cannabinoids promotes the proliferation of newborn neurons (nerve cells) in the rat brain, according to preclinical trial data published in October in The Journal of Clinical Investigation. "Cannabinoids appear to be the only illicit drug whose capacity to produce increased hippocampal newborn neurons is positively correlated with its anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects," authors concluded. Read the full story at: http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6701#5: Denver Votes To Abolish Pot PenaltiesDenver voters approved a citywide measure in November that eliminates all civil and criminal penalties for the possession of up to one ounce of marijuana by citizens age 21 and older. Municipal initiative proposals legalizing the use of medical cannabis also successfully passed in 2005 in Ferndale and Traverse City, Michigan. Read the full story at: http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6714#6: First-Ever Medical Cannabis Spray Now Available In CanadaCanadian pharmacies in June began carrying Sativex, an oral spray consisting of natural cannabis extracts, for the treatment of neuropathic pain associated with Multiple Sclerosis. Canada is the first nation in the world to grant regulatory approval for the cannabis-derived medicine, which remains pending in Britain and Europe. Read the full story at: http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6583#7: Congress Requests Model Statute To Penalize "Drugged Driving"Legislation approved by Congress and signed by the President in August for the first time contains language regarding the enforcement of "drug-impaired driving." The provision mandates the Transportation Secretary to submit a report to Congress in order to develop a model statute for states relating to drug-impaired driving, including "threshold levels of impairment for illicit drugs" and "penalties for drug impaired driving." Read the full story at: http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6642#8: Legal Proceedings Begin Challenging NIDA's Monopoly OF US Pot SupplyAdministrative hearings took place this fall challenging US restrictions on the availability of cannabis for clinical research. Legal counsel for the respondents maintain that the establishment of an alternative, non-government source for research-grade cannabis is in the public interest because it would encourage competition in the marketplace and promote technological and scientific advancement in the field of medicine. Read the full story at: http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6652#9: THC Selectively Inhibits Tumor Growth Better Than Synthetic AlternativeResearchers at the California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute reported in August that the administration of THC on human glioblastoma multiforme (brain tumor) cell lines selectively targeted and decreased the proliferation of malignant cells more rapidly than did the administration of a synthetic cannabis receptor agonist. Previous studies have also shown cannabinoids to halt the progression of lung carcinoma, leukemia, skin carcinoma, colectoral cancer, prostate cancer and breast cancer. Read the full story at: http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6641#10: Liberalizing Cannabis Laws Enables Police To Focus Efforts On More Serious Crimes, Study SaysDepenalizing minor marijuana possession offenses will not increase marijuana use and will enable law enforcement to reallocate criminal justice resources toward addressing more serious crimes, according to a report released in October by the JFA Institute and commissioned by the NORML Foundation. Unlike previous analyses of decriminalization, the report did not conclude that liberalizing cannabis laws will necessarily lead to a substantial reduction in criminal justice costs because "the vast majority of criminal justice costs are 'fixed' or 'static' and do not vary appreciably by the volume of activities, tasks or incidents undertaken by [law enforcement] agencies." It concluded, "The major benefit of decriminalization, in addition to eliminating the needless arrest, prosecution, and court disposition of over 700,000 people each year, would be the ability of the criminal justice system to focus on more important public safety activities." Read the full story at: http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6711DL: http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6763Source: NORML Foundation (DC)Published: December 29, 2005Copyright: 2005 NORML Contact: norml norml.org Website: http://www.norml.org/CannabisNews NORML Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/NORML.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #27 posted by rchandar on January 01, 2006 at 00:36:03 PT: i'm not keeping my fingers crossed... I think if 99% of Americans thought that cannabis should be legalized, the government STILL would try to keep it illegal. There's a famous line in a not-so-famous movie, Das Versprechen (The Promise), where Germans are celebrating the end of Communist East Germany. A teen tries to infuse his grandmother with some festive spirit, and the granny says: "it's been so long, that I've lost the ability to dance."I think our government takes pleasure in scooping out years of youth and honest vision, in the manufacturing of ignorant prolish "good citizens" who couldn't care less whether humanity lived or died, so long as they had their beer, their lame football game, and a few pricey bimbos on the cable channels. We're proles, that's the bargain I think. I see few ways of breaking out of this nightmarish cycle; the huge amount of profanity on other sites only tells me that we're super-disillusioned with the world and have no voice that counts.sorry to say all this. I believe in legalization, but the government is composed of fools who think it's cool to screw people over.--rchandar [ Post Comment ] Comment #26 posted by mayan on December 30, 2005 at 17:58:31 PT Whig MMVI -- Mileage May Vary Intensely? Or, Medical Marijuana Victory Imminent!Major Marijuana Victories Inevitable? I'd say YES!!! [ Post Comment ] Comment #25 posted by FoM on December 30, 2005 at 15:21:48 PT Had Enough Thank you. I might just turn on Java later and give it a try. Have a Happy New Year. [ Post Comment ] Comment #24 posted by Had Enough on December 30, 2005 at 14:33:35 PT FoM I think it is for that website. There is virus and firewall software on this machine. No problems so far.Maybe someone who knows more about it can help.That fireworks link is cool [ Post Comment ] Comment #23 posted by global_warming on December 30, 2005 at 14:08:31 PT Happy New year May this new year bring Understanding, Compassion, and Understanding, may the the Light that has Eternally filled our souls, bring all of us closer, that 'we can minister before the table of the Lord, and I do not mean George Bush's table. [ Post Comment ] Comment #22 posted by global_warming on December 30, 2005 at 13:51:29 PT re:Life really can be grand. Not if you are one of those 744 thousand people who are caught up in the legal process of 'our world. [ Post Comment ] Comment #21 posted by FoM on December 30, 2005 at 13:42:23 PT global_warming Thank you. I also am enjoying the Internet. Last night I was able to download a concert from 02 by Neil Young and make a VCD. My computer is about a year old and I am working this poor thing to death. I am pleased with this computer. It just keeps doing what I ask it to do. Not like my first couple computers starting in 96. We've come a long way in such a short time when we think about it. I was afraid to turn on a computer yet try to figure one out. I am not paying attention to the news on TV but checking news on the Internet, downloading, listening to concerts (right now P. McCartney). Life really can be grand.Happy New Year To You. [ Post Comment ] Comment #20 posted by global_warming on December 30, 2005 at 13:26:36 PT re:screensavers Listening to the new seekers, another you,There is no best screensaver, for those computer sparkels, have no home, they are digital children, that have no home in this 'real universe.I am just enjoying this digital age, listening and thinking, how I am surrounded by so much mystery, from my first breath to my last breath, this child 'votes for a new beginning, a vote for Cannabis, a Vote for 'Justice, that I may witness, this terrible wall of prejudice will fall,I know I will never find another you FOM, Thanks, for this new year, [ Post Comment ] Comment #19 posted by FoM on December 30, 2005 at 13:02:28 PT Paul McCartney I'm listening to Paul McCartney from his 05 Tour. Global_Warming thanks for the screensaver link. Which one is the best? I don't use a screensaver currently.http://tela.sugarmegs.org/_asxtela/_new_additions.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #18 posted by global_warming on December 30, 2005 at 12:54:35 PT What will happen in 2006? Midterm elections, and the largest compliant taxpayers, will march off to the polls, when that last 'vote is cast, will the count include those who have no food? Will that vote be able to see or understand that your vote has been for keeping the larger population on this planet in subtitude? [ Post Comment ] Comment #17 posted by global_warming on December 30, 2005 at 12:29:45 PT Fireworks http://www.reallyslick.com/Liberalizing Cannabis Laws Enables Police To Focus Efforts On More Serious Crimes...Marijuana Arrests For Year 2004 Most EverPolice arrested an estimated 771,608 persons for marijuana violations in 2004..Gallup: Public Support For Marijuana Legalization At All-Time High..that does not mean 'intoxicated, as some are on the power of the 'Law, for it has been said here and many other places, the 'Law, is some man made justification to stop the weak man from losing in a battle against some 'large and 'brutish opponent, that includes large 'corporations and large governments.If you think you have your finger on the pulse of God, make no mistake, your finger is on the pulse of your bankbook, dancing around that calf, pity the lost fools who cling to a lie, who cling to the last 'gift/breath, thank you Elijah, copyright God. [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by FoM on December 30, 2005 at 11:25:29 PT Had Enough It didn't work for me but I have Java off. Is it safe to use Java? [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by Had Enough on December 30, 2005 at 11:19:30 PT Happy New Year http://www.maylin.net/Fireworks.htmlClick on the screen. [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by FoM on December 30, 2005 at 09:31:42 PT Happy New Year 2006 a Little Early I've been looking for a good song of Auld Lang Syne and this midi has polka music too LOL! Enjoy and have a safe and Happy New Years Eve. Auld Lang Syne Midi File [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by Had Enough on December 30, 2005 at 03:41:13 PT Forecast As you can see, the winds of change are picking up. The forecast is, stormy seas, followed by partly clouded sunsets, followed by clear skies with light winds and sunny days.Help change the weather. Register to vote, and take a friend with you.I’ve Had Enough, and I’m sure you have too! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by mrjimm1 on December 29, 2005 at 23:11:51 PT: Re: 2006 being a Good Year This would be a great time to try out God's Chosen Fast. I realize this information is out there, and I'm just repeating myself, but drastic action is needed to alleviate the bane of plant-related crime. It is the LORD who gives plants of the field to everyone. That's a direct quote from Zechariah 10:1. We should all in America heed the call of the prophet. If that prophet has a name and a motto, it would be Prove Elijah Prove God Grow Hemp Verify Seed-bearing Plant Copyright God. I'm serious about this Year of Favor opportunity, even many years past 1994. I'm calling for justice over at my website--see link attached. Bible verses have power in them, and no one quotes scripture quite like me. You have to listen to the call, which you can do easily. It works. The message is there, waiting to infect enough people to make a difference. This is a revolution waiting to happen. The influence a single voice can have is only a click away. See someone who should be welcomed like a liberating hero. It's the message every American should listen to. 18 1/2 minutes of your time. Test the spirit to determine the nature and origination of the message. Was it inspired by God? How clear can a man make himself to convey a simple truth? Let's give credit where credit is due. Let's give this guy his 15 minutes of fame, plus 3 and a half more for being so patient for so long. You will be blessed for visiting and listening to the Message. This is not a scam or a trick. This is a genuine righteous plea for justice. A chance to experience first hand what it's like to be in the presence of inspiration from on high. I sound like a maniac and a fool, I know, but check it out for yourself. It's two clicks away. One gets you to my main page, then click on The Message at the bottom to get to a transcript of those blessed 18 1/2 minutes. It is well worth reading and heeding. 2006. That would be nice. Let's repent! The Message [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by Patrick on December 29, 2005 at 23:04:56 PT whig MMVI -- Mileage May Vary Intensely? Cool! I like that. And no doubt it shall especially when the NORML year end review here reminds us that after the Supreme Court ruled in June Weeks later, the US House of Representatives voted 264 to 161 against an amendment that sought to bar the US Department of Justice from targeting patients who use marijuana medicinally in accordance with the laws of their states.We still have a ways to go to reverse the numbers in Congress. That's intense indeed. [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by whig on December 29, 2005 at 22:47:42 PT MMVI The year 2005 was, in roman numerals, MMV. I liked calling it Mileage May Vary from the beginning, and it seemed to be so. It was good for some, not so good for others, and perhaps it marked a turning point.MMVI -- Mileage May Vary Intensely? [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by FoM on December 29, 2005 at 21:46:35 PT b4daylight Happy New Year 2006 to you too. I had to shorten your numbers up because it made us have to scroll sideways so I fixed it. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by b4daylight on December 29, 2005 at 21:25:09 PT 2006 20062006200620062006200620062006200620062006200620062006200620062006200620062006 [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by runruff on December 29, 2005 at 19:39:48 PT: The CSA What will it take to prove or rather reveal to the people that the DEA is riding a ghost horse. The CSA is not a real law. It is a tumor growing on the neck of the commerce clause, a section of the constitution that was created to protect the people from the natural tendencies of government to become dictorial. A contract between the people and the federal government designed to keep government, not hte people, in line. Now with this corrupt law is place which s more like a square peg in a round hole the government is acting like they own us. This law is the feteus of facism. The DEA it's nanny. What the hell it so hard. Fire the facist bastards before they kill, rob or cause one more good citizen to suffer. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by FoM on December 29, 2005 at 19:23:27 PT ekim Thank you too. Maybe things will change this year. I hope we don't have anymore major disasters anywhere in the world in 2006. 2005 was terrible that way. I'm happy that people are starting to see that we need to change directions in our country. I want to see us as a good country once again if it is possible. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by ekim on December 29, 2005 at 18:23:07 PT good going FoM On NPR (National Public Radio) today on 2pm show the question was what were the most unreported stories of the past year. A very intelligent caller ran down the failed drug war, and no one reported on it. Mr. Ax cut deep =mentioned all aspects left nothing out. What stuck in me was when Ax wanted to know why a group of Retired Law Enforcement Officers could be so vocal against the Drug War and well represented across the Nation and very little is written or known of the LEAP (Law enforcement against prohibition)project in the main stream. Reply was swift from the interviewer ---this caller is asking very intelligent questions, and went on to agree with Ax. http://www.leap.cc/events [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by FoM on December 29, 2005 at 17:35:51 PT A Comment About The Year 2005 I want to say they we all should be proud of how organized we are becoming. We are connecting the dots and showing a good sense of organization. 2006 will be a good year. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by mayan on December 29, 2005 at 17:13:03 PT 2006 Will Be Better! I believe the passage of Denver's I-100 should be #1. The supreme court's ruling came as no surprise...at least not to me. The citizens of a major American city voted for outright legalization! That could someday be looked back on as the moment when we started to dismantle prohibition! 2006 will undoubtedly be a much better year for us as the Bushies have expended their political capital and many republicans are distancing themselves from him and his agenda before the mid-term elections. Also, the prohibitionists don't have as much money to play with this coming year! And wouldn't an override in Rhode Island be a great way to start the new year?The only thing that can save the republicans is also the only thing that can stop our progress. That would be another "terror attack". The republicans can't afford to lose control of Congress as that would threaten their "war on terror" and more importantly, leave many of them vulnerable to democrat-led investigations. The neo-cons would probably rather face death than be exposed for the crimes they've committed and spend the rest of their lives in jail cells. They will do anything to maintain power as they now have no other choice. THE WAY OUT IS THE WAY IN...150+ 9/11 'Smoking Guns' Found in the Mainstream Media: http://thewebfairy.com/killtown/911smokingguns.htmlFBI Hides 85 Pentagon Videos And 9/11 Truth: http://rense.com/general69/91185.htmBefore 9/11, Bush lost his spy cap: http://www.911citizenswatch.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=773 An Introduction to False Flag Terror: http://georgewashington.blogspot.com/2005/12/introduction-to-false-flag-terror.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by FoM on December 29, 2005 at 15:24:36 PT JAMA Subscription Articles Regulation of Medical MarijuanaJournal of American Medical Association (subscription), IL He states that the Controlled Substances Act does not adequately address the potential medical benefit that the use of marijuana can provide, citing data from ... http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/294/24/3091***Regulation of Medical Marijuana—ReplyJournal of American Medical Association (subscription), ILIn Reply: Dr Das suggests a reasoned way to think about the use of marijuana for medical purposes. My Commentary also offers a regulatory ... http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/294/24/3091-a [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on December 29, 2005 at 15:01:27 PT NORML Alert: Medical Marijuana In Rhode Island Last Chance For Medical Marijuana In Rhode Island Take Action Now!Friends:This past summer, NORML informed you that the Rhode Island State Legislature passed the Edward O. Hawkins and Thomas C. Slater Medical Marijuana Act, a bill to legally protect sick and dying medical marijuana patients from arrest and criminal prosecution. This bill was subsequently vetoed by Governor Carcieri. In order for the legislature to override this veto, each chamber must vote in favor of the bill by a 3/5 majority. The Senate has already voted to override Governor Carcieri's veto, so it is now up to the House of Representatives to vote to make medical marijuana a legal reality in Rhode Island.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 who are legally authorized to use medical cannabis in other states will also receive statewide protection in Rhode Island under the Act.The House of Representatives initially passed this legislation with by a vote of 52-10, so clearly enough support exists for Assembly members to override the Governor's veto. However, the Assembly has yet to vote on the measure. The last chance for this to happen will come on Jan. 3, when the General Assembly returns for its 2006 session. The House of Representatives, whose 2005 session is still technically in recess, could vote to override before formally adjourning the previous session and starting a new one. That is why it is vital that you contact your State House Representative TODAY and urge them to vote in favor of a veto override of the Medical Marijuana Act.NORML has created pre-written letters that you can send to your representative. These letters are available at: http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/alert/?alertid=7777301&type=TAOnce you have sent a letter, please consider calling your Representative to urge their support on this important issue. You can find your Representative's phone number here: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/Email/RepEmailListDistrict.aspPlease help support NORML's State Legislative reform efforts by donating today at: http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=3443Thank you for doing your part to protect medical cannabis patients in Rhode Island.Sincerely,Paul ArmentanoSenior Policy AnalystNORML [ Post Comment ] Post Comment