cannabisnews.com: NORML's Weekly News Bulletin -- January 26, 2006





NORML's Weekly News Bulletin -- January 26, 2006
Posted by CN Staff on January 26, 2006 at 15:22:06 PT
Weekly Press Release
Source: NORML
Canadian-Authorized Medical Cannabis Patient To Be Extradited To United StatesJanuary 26, 2006 - Vancouver, BC, CanadaVancouver, British Columbia: Former California gubernatorial candidate Steve Kubby is expected to return to the United States today in compliance with a "removal order" from the Canadian Immigration Ministry. Once in the US, Kubby will likely serve up to four months in jail on drug-related charges stemming from a 1999 marijuana raid on his Placer County, California home.
Kubby, his wife, and two daughters have resided in Canada since 2001. While living in Canada, Kubby received federal authorization to use cannabis to treat symptoms of a rare, life-threatening form of adrenal cancer known as pheochromocytoma. He has managed his condition since the early 1980s exclusively with cannabis and is recognized as one of the longest living survivors of the disease.Kubby and his supporters fear that he will not be able to regulate his condition if he is denied access to medicinal cannabis while serving his sentence in the US. Nevertheless, Canadian authorities denied his request for refugee status, alleging that Kubby's imminent incarceration and denial of medical cannabis in the US would not place his health in serious jeopardy.California NORML Coordinator Dale Gieringer sharply criticized the Canadian government's decision to deport Kubby to the US. "The legal persecution of Steve Kubby across international borders is testimony to the awesome grasp and power of the drug police state," he said. "Placer county officials should be warned that if they imprison Kubby and deprive him of access to cannabis they will be seriously endangering his health and putting themselves at grave risk of legal liability."For more information, contact Dale Gieringer, California NORML Coordinator, at (415) 563-5858 or visit: http://www.marijuananews.comDL: http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6796Cannabis Provides Subjective Relief For Morning Sickness, Study SaysJanuary 26, 2006 - Victoria, BC, CanadaVictoria, British Columbia: Women report obtaining subjective relief from cannabis for symptoms associated with morning sickness, according to survey data published in the current issue of the journal Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice.Eighty-four female medical cannabis users responded to the anonymous survey. Of the 79 respondents who had experienced pregnancy, 36 (46 percent) said that they had used cannabis therapeutically to treat symptoms associated with morning sickness, including nausea, vomiting and a lack of appetite. "In the context of pregnancy, cannabis was rated as 'extremely effective' or 'effective' by 92 percent of respondents who had used it as a therapy for nausea or vomiting (morning sickness)," authors concluded. "Our study suggests that cannabis therapy for severe nausea and vomiting of pregnancy merits further investigation."Researchers did note that prior studies investigating prenatal exposure to cannabis have yielded mixed results. Most recently, 2006 review of maternal smoking, drinking, and cannabis use published in the journal Neuroscience and Behavioral Reviews reported that "heavy prenatal exposure to cannabis" may be associated with "subtle" negative neurobehavioral outcomes in offspring after three years of age.For more information, please contact Paul Armentano, NORML Senior Policy Analyst, at (202) 483-5500. Full text of the study, "Survey of medicinal cannabis use among childbearing women," is available in the current issue of Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice or online at: http://safeaccess.ca/research/cannabis_nausea2006.pdfDL: http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6797California Counties Challenge Validity Of State's Medical Cannabis Law - - NORML Calls Supervisors' Action "Shameful And Wasteful"January 26, 2006 - San Diego, CA, USASan Diego, CA: County officials from San Diego and San Bernadino have filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court alleging that California's ten-year-old medical cannabis law should be pre-empted by the federal Controlled Substances Act. San Diego Supervisors spearheaded the suit rather than comply with a 2004 state law mandating the county to issue identification cards to authorized medical marijuana patients.Several drug law reform organizations, including the San Diego branch of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the Drug Policy Alliance (DPA), and Americans for Safe Access (ASA) are seeking permission to intervene in the suit, arguing that it lacks merit and that the Supervisors "may be acting out of political, rather than legal motivations.""At no time over the past decade has any government official from any ofthe ten states with medical marijuana laws, nor has any federal government official, made any claim that state [medical cannabis] laws are pre-empted by the CSA or the Single Convention [treaty,]" the ACLU stated in a letter to Supervisors. "The federal government can, within certain restrictions, enforce its own federal marijuana laws, even in states like California where state law permits medical marijuana use. But federal laws do not pre-empt California's medical marijuana laws."A previous report issued by the Legislative Counsel of California found that state laws exempting authorized medical cannabis users from state arrest and prosecution are not pre-empted by federal law because such laws "only declassify [the use of medical marijuana] as a crime for purposes of state law and [do] not affirmatively sanction [it].""California's Legislative Counsel examined this question and concluded that Proposition 215 was not in positive conflict with federal law," said Keith Stroup, NORML's legal counsel. "It's shameful that these elected officials would seek to waste taxpayers' dollars to engage in this baseless and mean-spirited legal battle."According to a recent telephone poll of San Diego County voters, 78 percent of respondents said that they opposed the lawsuit. Sixty-seven percent said that they support the state's medical cannabis law.For more information, please contact Keith Stroup, NORML Legal Counsel, at (202) 483-5500.DL: http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6795Source: NORML Foundation (DC)Published: January 26, 2006Copyright: 2006 NORML Contact: norml norml.org Website: http://www.norml.org/CannabisNews NORML Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/NORML.shtml
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Comment #20 posted by FoM on January 27, 2006 at 14:35:10 PT
Toker00
I sure will let you know. Following Heart of Gold in the news says alot about the direction that NY is wanting to go. New Orleans is way to far for us but I thought you might be able to go. What an experience to see Neil Young in that wonderful city of music. They should have a museum built there honoring all the music that was started in that city. 
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Comment #19 posted by Toker00 on January 27, 2006 at 14:19:16 PT
Oh ok.
No specifics at that link but would you help watch for any dates they may announce? That would be cool to take the ole' lady to. Wage peace on war. END CANNABIS PROHIBITION NOW! 
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Comment #18 posted by Toker00 on January 27, 2006 at 14:15:12 PT
Neil Young
Wow, FoM, I could make that drive easily! I didn't read beyond what you clipped, so I'm going to read more. Thanks!Wage peace on war. END CANNABIS PROHIBITION NOW!
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Comment #17 posted by FoM on January 27, 2006 at 09:52:28 PT
Toker00
I am following the news about Neil Young because of Heart of Gold and just found this. Wouldn't it be awesome to be able to see a performance in New Orleans? NEIL YOUNG JOINS KATRINA EFFORT  
 
 
Music legend NEIL YOUNG is planning to perform a series of small concerts in New Orleans, Louisiana in a bid to cheer up the ravaged city.The HEART OF GOLD hitmaker is keen to offer support and lift spirits in the still-devastated area, which was rocked by Hurricane Katrina last year (AUG05).He says, "I want to go down to New Orleans."I want to take the band down there and just start playing in a club (until the city's recovered)." 27/01/2006 
http://www.contactmusic.com/new/xmlfeed.nsf/mndwebpages/neil%20young%20joins%20katrina%20effort_27_01_2006
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Comment #16 posted by FoM on January 27, 2006 at 09:35:00 PT
Link To Updates on Steve Kubby
http://www.hempevolution.org/
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Comment #15 posted by ekim on January 27, 2006 at 08:45:49 PT
Norm Stamper discussion with 30 progressive mayors
Jan 28 06 New Cities Project 09:45 AM Norm Stamper Washington District of Columbia USA 
 Former Seattle, WA, Chief of Police, Norm Stamper, will be speaking to and participating in a panel discussion with 30 progressive mayors who are part of the “New Cities Project.” 
http://www.leap.cc/events
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Comment #14 posted by Toker00 on January 27, 2006 at 04:10:57 PT
Cannabis makes your bladder gladder.
That study just doesn't jive with me. After thirty four years of cannabis use, I have NEVER had blood detected in my urine. And I am honest with my doctors, informing them of my use.They are blaming every susceptible condition on cannabis use. Mental illness. Lung cancer. Bladder cancer. Neck cancer. Infidelity. ETC. ETC. Now, if I suddenly develop one of these diseases, and it can undeniably be attributed to cannabis use, I will come back here and eat every one of the words I've written in support of medicinal cannabis as a deterrent OF these diseases. Umm, and I could have included Infertility as well.Please. If you have a medical condition, that you honestly believe cannabis contributed to, would you post here, so they can have anecdotal evidence to go with their science? I mean besides the obvious irritation from inhaling ANY smoke?Maybe I should be careful of what I ask for. We'll see.Wage peace on war. END CANNABIS PROHIBITION NOW!  
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Comment #13 posted by FoM on January 26, 2006 at 22:38:43 PT
Medical Marijuana Advocate Arrested At SFO
January 26, 2006(CBS 5) SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT -- Medical marijuana crusader Steve Kubby was arrested Thursday night at San Francisco International Airport as he disembarked from his flight from Canada to face a jail sentence, according to San Francisco police.Police Officer George Swartz said Steve Kubby was taken into custody around 8:10 p.m. by San Francisco police on a no-bail warrant and was booked into San Mateo County jail.Kubby's supporters and family were on hand as he boarded a flight to California escorted by his American lawyer, who worried he could die without access to pot in jail."The officials in Canada might be sending him back to a death sentence," said Bill McPike.Kubby, who ran for governor of California in 1998 under the Libertarian party banner, said U.S. officials don't understand his medicinal need for pot."The thought of people having an open animosity towards me, people that want to harm me, that want to bury their mistakes, that's very distressing," he said.Kubby and his wife Michele had been fighting to stay in Canada almost since they arrived from the United States in 2001.Kubby attempted to claim Canadian refugee status on the basis of persecution, both for his political opinion and his medicinal use of pot. He said he smokes the drug to alleviate symptoms of a rare cancer called pheochromocytoma, which causes the adrenal glands to produce massive amounts of adrenaline.Kubby was diagnosed 20 years ago and is believed to be longest-living survivor of the disease.He credits the use of marijuana for controlling his adrenaline levels and claims the drug is the only thing keeping death at bay.Kubby was supposed to serve a 120-day sentence for a drug conviction handed down by a court in Placer County, near Sacramento. He faced marijuana charges but they were dropped after he successfully argued medical necessity. However the court found him guilty of possessing peyote and a magic mushroom stem and ordered him jailed.In rejecting the refugee claim, Paulah Dauns of the Immigration and Refugee Board agreed marijuana helps to control Kubby's cancer symptoms. But she didn't believe his life was at risk if Kubby was returned to the United States."I didn't think the officials from Canada would do that, because from what I understand, Canada has no death penalty," said McPike, who expects Kubby to be arrested when he appears at the
Placer County courthouse next Tuesday.It's not clear whether Kubby will face additional charges for fleeing the country, the lawyer added.The Associated Press and Bay City News contributed to this report.Copyright: MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. http://cbs5.com/local/local_story_027003527.html
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Comment #12 posted by ekim on January 26, 2006 at 19:49:29 PT
 has the NCI used Cannabis or is it interested 
Description 
What is pheochromocytoma?
National Cancer Institute - Pheochromocytoma Treatment
Expert-reviewed information summary about the treatment of pheochromocytoma.
www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/ pdq/treatment/pheochromocytoma/patient/ - 40k - Jan 25, What is pheochromocytoma? Pheochromocytoma, a rare cancer, is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in special cells in the body called chromaffin cells. Most pheochromocytomas start inside the adrenal gland (the adrenal medulla) where most chromaffin cells are located. There are two adrenal glands, one above each kidney in the back of the upper abdomen. Cells in the adrenal glands make important hormones that help the body work properly. Usually pheochromocytoma affects only one adrenal gland. Pheochromocytoma may also start in other parts of the body, such as the area around the heart or bladder. Most tumors that start in the chromaffin cells do not spread to other parts of the body and are not cancer. These are called benign tumors. If a tumor is found, the doctor will need to determine whether it is cancer or benign. Pheochromocytomas often cause the adrenal glands to make too many hormones called catecholamines. The extra catecholamines cause high blood pressure (hypertension), which can cause headaches, sweating, pounding of the heart, pain in the chest, and a feeling of anxiety. High blood pressure that goes on for a long time without treatment can lead to heart disease, stroke, and other major health problems. If there are symptoms, a doctor may order blood and urine tests to see if there are extra hormones in the body. A patient may also have a special nuclear medicine scan. A CT scan, an x-ray that uses a computer to make a picture of the inside of a part of the body or an MRI scan, which uses magnetic waves to make a picture of the abdomen, may also be done. Pheochromocytoma is sometimes part of a condition called multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome (MEN). People with MEN often have other cancers (such as thyroid cancer) and other hormonal problems. The chance of recovery (prognosis) depends on how far the cancer has spread, and the patient’s age and general health. 
 
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Comment #11 posted by mayan on January 26, 2006 at 18:25:55 PT
Oh, Yeah...
For those who haven't yet seen this...The World Can't Wait - Drive Out the Bush Regime: http://www.worldcantwait.net/
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Comment #10 posted by mayan on January 26, 2006 at 18:23:38 PT
Vaporizers
Of course they're illegal, they take the air out of all the prohibitionist's arguments!THE WAY OUT IS THE WAY IN...Locals challenge 9/11 in film:
http://www.thedailystar.com/news/stories/2006/01/26/9112.htmlHouston PD Running Nuclear Disaster Drills As Build-Up Of Numerous Law Enforcement Agencies Seen In Nearby Texas City:
http://www.arcticbeacon.com/26-Jan-2006b.htmlHamilton Bank, Ex-CIA Operatives, & 9/11 Hijackers:
http://rense.com/general69/osp.htmWhy Indeed Did the WTC Buildings Collapse? by Steven E. Jones:
http://www.physics.byu.edu/research/energy/htm7.html
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Comment #9 posted by siege on January 26, 2006 at 18:22:42 PT
 Supervisor Josie Gonzales
Thank you for sharing your concerns regarding the Board of Supervisors'
recent decision to work in collaboration with San Diego County to resolve
the conflict concerning California's Compassionate Use Act, also known as
Proposition 215.Please note that at this time the Board's primary concern is to resolve the
current disjuncture between State proposition 215 and Federal laws
restricting the possession of marijuana. Supervisor Gonzales is hoping that
the partnership with San Diego County will bring clarity to this issue so
that law enforcement officials will have a "clear directive" upon which to
act. Supervisor Gonzales is also concerned that inconsistencies between state and
federal laws will open the door to potential fraud or abuse of the
identification card program, "It is our responsibility to create a system
that helps protect those whom it was intended to serve." Unless the County
is able to resolve the discrepancy it will not be able to protect valid
identification card holders from possible arrest and prosecution by law
enforcement.Thank you again for taking the time to voice your opinion.Sincerely,Dan Flores
Special Projects Coordinator
Fifth District Supervisor Josie Gonzales
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Comment #8 posted by FoM on January 26, 2006 at 17:45:30 PT
Picture of Steve & Michele at Airport Today
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/object/article?f=/n/a/2006/01/26/state/n171427S09.DTL&o=0
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Comment #7 posted by FoM on January 26, 2006 at 17:36:03 PT
Sam 
I know exactly what you mean. I agree with you totally.
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Comment #6 posted by Sam Adams on January 26, 2006 at 17:28:53 PT
Green
FOM, you're right, where'd they get the picture? I didn't notice that she was sporting the green-on-green attire. She looks like a nice lady. It's too bad we're talking about the cops capturing 750,000 people & putting them in jail. I really don't have any problem with her making a successful career out of this type of study. More power to her, just leave me alone, you know?
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Comment #5 posted by runderwo on January 26, 2006 at 16:35:11 PT
oh well
Guess I'll have to buy a vaporizer if smoking is so harmful. Oh wait, you made those illegal?
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on January 26, 2006 at 16:32:18 PT
Sam
I did find one thing interesting in the article. The picture was color co-ordinated and with a nine leaf cluster to boot! 
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Comment #3 posted by Sam Adams on January 26, 2006 at 16:27:15 PT
Cutting edge science
So, a scientist in Georgia has discovered that we're all going to have bladder cancer from Mary-juana smokin'?No offense to the good people of Georgia, but I couldn't less about that study than if it came out of the Medical College of Grenada. Medical College of Tehran is a more apt analogy, seeing as that's another one of the more fundamentalist, theocratic nations of the world.I see from the NORML update that it won't be long before we're reading about cannabis causing morning sickness. I'm sure some eager expert scientist is writing his NIDA grant application right now.
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on January 26, 2006 at 16:03:28 PT
CP: Update on Steve & Michele Kubby
Failed Pot Refugee Steve Kubby Leaves Canada To Face U.S. Jail Sentence*** 
Thursday, January 26th, 2006RICHMOND, B.C. (CP) - There was an emotional farewell Thursday at Vancouver International Airport as medical marijuana crusader Steve Kubby reluctantly returned to the United States to face a jail sentence. Kubby's supporters and family were on hand as he boarded a flight to California escorted by his American lawyer, who worried he could die without access to pot in jail. "The officials in Canada might be sending him back to a death sentence," said Bill McPike. Kubby said he was concerned about heading back to a place that doesn't understand his medicinal need for pot. "The thought of people having an open animosity towards me, people that want to harm me, that want to bury their mistakes, that's very distressing," he said. Kubby, 58, and his wife Michele had been fighting to stay in Canada almost since they arrived from the United States in 2001. Kubby attempted to claim Canadian refugee status on the basis of persecution, both for his political opinion and his medicinal use of pot. He said he smokes the drug to alleviate symptoms of a rare cancer called pheochromocytoma, which causes the adrenal glands to produce massive amounts of adrenaline. Kubby, who ran for governor of California in 1998 under the Libertarian party banner, was diagnosed 20 years ago and is believed to be longest-lived survivor of the disease. He credits the use of marijuana for controlling his adrenaline levels and claims the drug is the only thing keeping death at bay. Kubby was supposed to serve a 120-day sentence for a drug conviction handed down by a court in Placer County, near Sacramento, Calif. He faced marijuana charges but they were dropped after he successfully argued medical necessity. However the court found him guilty of possessing peyote and a magic mushroom stem and ordered him jailed. In rejecting the refugee claim, Paulah Dauns of the Immigration and Refugee Board agreed marijuana helps to control Kubby's cancer symptoms. But she didn't believe his life was at risk if Kubby was returned to the United States. "He has not established there is a risk to his life, or a risk of cruel and unusual treatment or punishment," Dauns ruled in 2003. "I didn't think the officials from Canada would do that because from what I understand, Canada has no death penalty," said McPike, who expects Kubby to be arrested when he appears at the Placer County courthouse Tuesday. It's not clear whether Kubby will face additional charges for fleeing the country, the lawyer added. In the final hours before Kubby was due to get on a plane, his Canadian lawyer, Kirk Tousaw, was petitioning a B.C. Supreme Court judge for an injunction to prevent the minister of immigration from removing the Kubby family from Canada. Tousaw argued the Kubbys still have an appeal pending in the Federal Court of Canada but the argument was rejected. "These folks are going to be removed from Canada before they have exhausted all their rights," he said. "What's the harm in allowing them to stay in Canada? They don't pose any danger." The Kubbys and their two daughters, Brook, 9, and Crystal, 6, lived in a rural community outside of Kamloops, in the southern B.C. Interior. Michele Kubby is also subject to deportation but was granted an extension to move their family. Michele plans return to Kamloops and leave this weekend by car with the couple's children to meet her husband in California. Copyright: 2006 The Brandon Sun http://www.brandonsun.com/story.php?story_id=16894
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on January 26, 2006 at 15:26:41 PT
Marijuana Use Linked To Early Bladder Cancer
http://www.mcg.edu/news/2006NewsRel/TerrisM012606.html
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