cannabisnews.com: NORML's Weekly News Bulletin - December 14, 2006





NORML's Weekly News Bulletin - December 14, 2006
Posted by CN Staff on December 14, 2006 at 11:52:35 PT
Weekly Press Release 
Source: NORML
San Diego Supervisors To Appeal Prop. 215 Ruling December 14, 2006 - San Diego, CA, USASan Diego, CA: The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 this week to appeal a recent Superior Court decision rejecting the county's challenge to California's medicinal cannabis laws.
Last week, Superior Court Judge William Nevitt denied the county's lawsuit, which had argued that both Prop. 215 and the state's medical marijuana ID card program should be pre-empted by the federal Controlled Substances Act.In his opinion, Nevitt declared that the state's decade-old medical marijuana law is legal because it does not "require" conduct that violates federal law. Nevitt also rejected plaintiffs challenge to California's three-year-old medical ID card system, ruling that "requiring the counties to issue identification cards for the purpose of identifying those whom California chooses not to arrest and prosecute for certain activities involving marijuana does not create a 'positive conflict' [with federal law.]"On Tuesday, San Diego supervisors reaffirmed in a closed-session vote that they believe California's medical marijuana laws promote drug abuse and should be superceded by federal law. They intend to file an appeal imminently with California's 4th Appellate District.NORML Executive Director Allen St. Pierre strongly criticized the supervisors' decision."This appeal is not about politicians seeking clarity in the law; it's about the supervisors opposition to any use of medicinal cannabis," he said. "Legal experts, including California's Legislative Counsel, the state attorney general, and now a superior court judge have all determined that the physician-supervised medical use of marijuana is legal in the state of California. The supervisors' decision to appeal this case is an affront to their constituents and a gross waste of taxpayers' dollars."San Diego's supervisors, along with lawmakers from San Bernardino and Merced counties, initially filed suit in February against the state of California and NORML's San Diego affiliate rather than comply with the statewide ID card program.For more information, please contact Keith Stroup, NORML Legal Counsel, at (202) 483-5500 or Dale Gieringer, California NORML Coordinator, at (415) 563-5858. Further discussion of this case, County of San Diego v. San Diego NORML and the State of California, is available on the December 13, 2006 edition of NORML's daily AudioStash at: http://www.normlaudiostash.com/DL: http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=7126 FDA To Rule On Prescription Use Of Controversial Cannabinoid Blocking AgentDecember 14, 2006 - New York, NY, USANew York, NY: US regulatory authorities have announced that they will decide this spring on whether to approve the prescription use of the cannabinoid receptor antagonist SR 141716A, to be marketed by Sanofi-Aventis Pharmaceuticals as a diabetes treatment and anti-obesity drug under the trade name Acomplia (Rimonabant). In July, the selective cannabinoid blocking agent received regulatory approval in a handful of European nations as a dietary aid. Acomplia is the first cannabinoid antagonist ever to be approved for human consumption. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will review newly published clinical data indicating that Acomplia significantly lowers blood sugar levels in humans compared to placebo. The FDA had previously denied Sanofi permission to market Acomplia in the United States.In clinical trials, patients who take Acomplia on a daily basis lose, on average, 14 pounds their first year, and an additional 2.4 pounds their second year. However, published reports indicate that more than 15 percent of subjects who try the drug discontinue its use because of intolerable side effects, including nausea, anxiety, headaches, upper respiratory tract infections, and depression. At least one study reports a 2.7-fold increased risk of psychiatric disorders in Acomplia users.Acomplia works by blocking the natural binding of endogenous cannabinoids (as well as exogenous cannabinoids such as THC) to the neuronal CB1 receptors, causing users to lose their appetites. (Volunteers administered both Acomplia and cannabis in clinical trials also report decreased feelings of euphoria and other physiological effects associated with THC.) However, because the endocannabinoid receptor system is believed to be involved in the regulation of a broad range of primary biological functions -- including appetite, body temperature, mood regulation, blood pressure, bone density, reproduction, learning capacity, and motor coordination -- some experts are concerned that the long-term use of Acomplia may eventually contribute to a host of significant adverse health effects."CB1 receptors commonly play protective roles in minimizing the consequences of free-radical induced, age-related illnesses, ... as well as the aging process itself," says University of Colorado at Colorado Springs biology professor Dr. Robert Melamede. "The long-term use of CB1 antagonist drugs such as Acomplia may turn out to be disastrous [because] they may promote the illnesses that CB1 activity normally protects against."In preclinical trials, newborn mice injected with Rimonabant refuse feeding and often die days after birth. Mice genetically bred to lack the CB1 receptor also suffer from numerous health defects such as cognitive decline, hypoalgesia, decreased locomotor activity, and increased mortality compared to healthy controls.At least one published case study also reports that daily use of the drug may have triggered neurological symptoms of multiple sclerosis in a volunteer with no known history of the disease.According to Sanofi spokespersons, the FDA will make its determination by April 26. Sanofi-Aventis is the third largest pharmaceutical company in the world.For more information, please contact Paul Armentano, NORML Senior Policy Analyst, at (202) 483-5500.DL: http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=7125Source: NORML Foundation (DC)Published: December 14, 2006Copyright: 2006 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 #20 posted by FoM on December 15, 2006 at 09:26:46 PT
Had Enough
Take care and have a good day at work.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #19 posted by Had Enough on December 15, 2006 at 09:06:22 PT
re: 17
Yeha. I'm ok, "Kinda-Sorta."Have to get off to the daily grind now. Cool site, Thanks FoM, catch ya later......
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #18 posted by paul armentano on December 15, 2006 at 08:13:58 PT
Long-Term Use of Acomplia May Be 'Disasterous'
http://www.acompliareport.com/News/news-121406.htmYour INDEPENDENT source of news about the diet drug Acomplia (rimonabant)
 Acomplia News from December 2006 -- News About Rimonabant
 Colorado Professor Says Long-Term Use of Drugs Like Acomplia May Be 'Disasterous'
 An organization that favors repeal of U.S. laws prohibiting use of marijuana has published a story questioning whether diet drug Acomplia (rimonabant), which blocks the same CB-1 receptors that are stimulated by cannabis, may turn out to have "disasterous" medical consequences.The article that appeared on Dec. 14th on the website of NORML, an organization that claims to represent the interests of "the tens of millions of Americans who smoke marijuana responsibly," noted that Acomplia works by blocking the natural binding of cannabinoids to neuronal CB1 receptors, causing users to lose their appetites.It said that because the endocannabinoid receptor system is believed involved in regulation of a broad range of primary biological functions -- including mood regulation, blood pressure, bone density, reproduction and motor coordination as well as appetite -- some experts worry that long-term use of Acomplia may eventually contribute to a host of significant adverse health effects."CB1 receptors commonly play protective roles in minimizing the consequences of free-radical induced, age-related illnesses, ... as well as the aging process itself," University of Colorado at Colorado Springs biology professor Dr. Robert Melamede is reported as saying."The long-term use of CB1 antagonist drugs such as Acomplia may turn out to be disastrous [because] they may promote the illnesses that CB1 activity normally protects against," Melamede concludes.The article also reports that In preclinical trials, newborn mice injected with Rimonabant refuse feeding and often die days after birth. It said mice genetically bred to lack the CB1 receptor also suffer from numerous health defects such as cognitive decline, hypoalgesia, decreased locomotor activity, and increased mortality compared to healthy controls.
 
http://www.acompliareport.com/News/news-121406.htm
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #17 posted by FoM on December 15, 2006 at 07:05:54 PT
Had Enough 
It's good to see you. I was wondering if everything was ok. 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #16 posted by Had Enough on December 15, 2006 at 05:48:56 PT
"It's All Relative"
It really is.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #15 posted by Had Enough on December 15, 2006 at 05:14:10 PT
I read the news today oh boy
I read the news today oh boyAbout a lucky man who made the gradeAnd though the news was rather sadWell I just had to laughI saw the photograph.He blew his mind out in a carHe didn't notice that the lights had changedA crowd of people stood and staredThey'd seen his face beforeNobody was really sureIf he was from the House of Lords.*********I saw a film today oh boyThe English Army had just won the warA crowd of people turned awaybut I just had to lookHaving read the book.I'd love to turn you on**********Woke up, fell out of bedDragged a comb across my headFound my way downstairs and drank a cup,And looking up I noticed I was late.Found my coat and grabbed my hatMade the bus in seconds flatFound my way upstairs and had a smoke,Somebody spoke and I went into a dream************I read the news today oh boyFour thousand holes in Blackburn, LancashireAnd though the holes were rather smallThey had to count them allNow they know how many holes it takes to fill the Albert Hall.I'd love to turn you onhttp://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Palladium/7821/sgtpepper.htm
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #14 posted by Had Enough on December 15, 2006 at 05:14:04 PT
How many holes will it take to fill Alberts Hall?
gw re: #3That was good. About 15 yrs ago, a dearly departed friend and Guitar Player gave me a shirt. It was black, had an image in white of Albert’s face on it, with his hair sticking out on end, and below it, it said “It’s All Relative. He gave that shirt and said, “This is for you.” I wore it, got many comments. I have worn out that shirt several times. When it gets tattered I find another one. The one I have now is due for replacement soon. I had it on just a few days ago, while visiting bureaucrats (paying taxes disguised as fees, & filling out papers) at our City Hall. I get a blast watching people react to it.*******And though the holes were rather smallThey had to count them all.......
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #13 posted by whig on December 15, 2006 at 00:22:06 PT
Corporations
There is a proposal to amend the constitution to declare corporations non-persons.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #12 posted by FoM on December 14, 2006 at 19:42:48 PT
The GCW
Thank you. That is very important information. 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #11 posted by The GCW on December 14, 2006 at 19:21:00 PT
Washington's other war
Washington's other warBy Jim Hightower (buzz boulderweekly.com) 
Behind closed doors, a top-level planning group is meeting in Washington, assessing the harsh realities of the war's changed landscape and drafting a new battle plan. This is not the Iraq War Strategy Group—it's the top honchos of Merck, Amgen, Eli Lilly, Pfizer and other drug giants, readying themselves for war against the new Democratic congress. In particular, the kingpins of the drug industry are going all out to kill a Democratic proposal to stop price-gouging by the corporations. The proposal would let Medicare use its consumer power to negotiate lower prescription prices for millions of older Americans—a plan already working in Canada, Europe, Japan and other countries, where drug prices are far lower than here. George W's 2003 Medicare law, essentially written by drug industry lobbyists, explicitly banned such negotiated prices and has led to windfall profits for the giants. Determined to keep gouging, drug makers are now amassing a lobbying army to defend their special-interest, anti-consumer provision. But it won't be easy, since profiteering on old folks is not exactly popular with the public and since drug companies put up big bucks to oppose the very Democrats who are now in charge of congress. So, the corporations are scrambling. "It's all hands on deck," shrieked a top official with Big Pharma's main lobbying front. Suddenly drug-company officials are hugging Democrats they wouldn't even shake hands with just a few weeks ago, and they're frantically offering seven-figure salaries to get key Democratic staff members to join their lobbying battalion. One staffer says he got three job offers in one day from the drug lobby. The industry already spends $100 million a year on lobbying, and that could easily double in 2007. This is Jim Hightower saying... To help battle these greedheads, contact Public Citizen: 202-588-1000. http://www.boulderweekly.com/newsspin.html
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #10 posted by FoM on December 14, 2006 at 17:15:21 PT
OverwhelmSam
How much longer and how many more will fall is a good question. The truth that has been hidden by propaganda takes sometime to get the attention of the majority of people. As the people begin to demand our elected officials which are the servants of the people will have to listen. Look at the Gay Rights Movement. It has come a long way since the 70s. Society must grow up and understand that an ideal world of conservative values isn't for everyone. One way isn't the only way. Some people don't want to let go of the days gone by before Woodstock and Vietnam and the age of awakening. We woke up to another way and we have endured for many years. It's time to let people be who they are and not try to make us what we don't want to be.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #9 posted by OverwhelmSam on December 14, 2006 at 17:00:50 PT
FoM
Something in Congress has changed. Congressmen realize that they are being watched closely and will be jailed or fired if they continue to push their prohibition agendas. No longer will ONDCP be able to oppose marijuana legalization ballot initiatives with anti-drug commercial money.Lately, it seems that one stands and equal chance of going to jail by being a member of Congress, a Law Enforcement Officer or a Marijuana Consumer. They push their laws against marijuana, we destroy their lives. I wonder how many more will have to fall on all sides before common sense is restored?
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #8 posted by charmed quark on December 14, 2006 at 17:00:01 PT
When are SD county board members up for reelection
It's hared to imagine them surviving reelection after this.Regarding the effects of the cannabinoid agonist - this REALLY reinforces the positive effects of cannabinoids. Blocking them may result in aging-related declines, including cognitive decline, as well as cause nausea, anxiety, headache and depression, and overall increased mortality! Wow.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #7 posted by FoM on December 14, 2006 at 16:40:07 PT
OverwhelmSam 
Thank you for the information. Small steps are better then no steps. 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #6 posted by museman on December 14, 2006 at 16:34:52 PT
global
Right on!Thanks for the story G, I hadn't heard it, but I've been telling my own version, so it's good to have another perspective. 
 I always looked upon Einstein as more of a mathematical poet than a 'physicist.'*****Einstein was a poet,he wrote about you and me.I guess he had to know itwhen he put out that EMC.It was just his way of having the first of the last laughs.Y'shua was a singerand he sang the first real song,but I guess the other missed it somehow'cause they got the melody all wrong.It was just his way of making sure not all could find it on a dark night.Our president is a foollike most puppets are,and our lives are just a toolfor an aging czar.It's just his way of having it all and taking it with him...Boom!
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #5 posted by OverwhelmSam on December 14, 2006 at 16:27:03 PT
DPA Network Limits Government Propaganda
We have good news to report, despite the fact that Congress passed legislation reauthorizing the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) last Friday.First, the section of the legislation we were most concerned about, which would have authorized the testing of dangerous mycoherbicides on illicit drug crops in Latin America, was significantly reformed. The final provision limits the testing of mycoherbicides to U.S. laboratories. This is a huge victory because it means the people and environment of Latin America will be protected. We have you to thank for this reform because so many of you called Congress asking for the provision to be changed.Second, the final ONDCP bill contains a provision that DPA has been trying to pass since 2003--a new law prohibiting the Drug Czar from using the government's anti-marijuana ad campaign to defeat medical marijuana (and other marijuana law reform) ballot measures. As you may remember, Rep. Mark Souder (R-IN) tried to pass legislation in 2003 allowing the White House to use the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign to influence elections. We stopped him in his tracks. Now, we've passed this new anti-propaganda law to ensure that the Media Campaign will never be used to directly oppose reform initiatives.Here's the new prohibition that will hinder the Drug Czar's ability to oppose reform:`(e) Prohibitions- None of the amounts made available [for the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign] may be obligated or expended for...partisan political purposes, or express advocacy in support of or to defeat any clearly identified candidate, clearly identified ballot initiative, or clearly identified legislative or regulatory proposal.The full-text of the final ONDCP bill (HR 6344) can be viewed online at http://thomas.loc.gov/Of course, we would like to see the entire National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign eliminated. Those stupid commercials--you know, the ones that say if you smoke marijuana you're going to shoot your friend, get raped, or put your fist in your mouth--are doing more harm than good. Every study of the program has found that it is ineffective in reducing teen marijuana use. Several studies have found that the government's anti-marijuana ads may be making teens more likely to use marijuana. The money wasted on these ads should be spent on substance abuse treatment or given back to the taxpayers. Eliminating these stupid commercials remains a priority for DPA's DC office.Thanks again for all your support.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #4 posted by OverwhelmSam on December 14, 2006 at 16:22:46 PT
Marijuana Prohibition Doesn't Affect Teen Use 
MPP's December 2006 report examines whether current marijuana laws effectively deter marijuana use by young people. Among the major findings:Marijuana prohibition has not prevented a dramatic increase in marijuana use by teenagers. In fact, the overall rate of marijuana use in the U.S. has risen by roughly 4,000% since marijuana was first outlawed. Independent studies by RAND Europe and the U.S. National Research Council have reported that marijuana prohibition appears to have little or no impact on rates of use. 
Since Britain ended most marijuana possession arrests in 2004, the rate of marijuana use by 16-to-19-year-olds has dropped.
 
In the U.S., rates of teen marijuana use in states that have decriminalized adult marijuana possession are statistically equal to rates in those that have retained criminal penalties. In the Netherlands, where adults have been allowed to possess and purchase small amounts of marijuana since 1976, the rate of marijuana use by adults and teens is lower than the U.S., and teen use of cocaine and amphetamines is far lower than in the U.S. http://www.mpp.org/site/c.glKZLeMQIsG/b.2284665/k.DC9E/2006_Teen_Marijuana_Use_Study.htm
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #3 posted by global_warming on December 14, 2006 at 15:57:28 PT
It's almost seven o'clock
Do you know where your children are?Paradise By The dashboardlights,I can see you, scratching your head,A University professor, at a well-known institution of higher learning, challenged his students with this question."Did God create everything that exists?"A student bravely replied, "Yes he did!""God created everything?" The professor asked.He certainly did," the student replied.The professor answered, "If God created everything; then God created evil. And, since evil exists, and according to the principal that our works define who we are, then we can assume God is evil."The student became quiet and did not answer the professor's 
hypothetical definition. The professor, quite pleased with himself, boasted to the students that he had proven once more that the Christian faith was a myth.Another student raised his hand and said, "May I ask you a question professor?""Of course", replied the professor.The student stood up and asked, "Professor does cold exist?""What kind of question is this? Of course it exists. Have you never been cold?"The other students snickered at the young man's question.The young man replied, "In fact sir, cold does not exist According to the laws of physics, what we consider cold is in reality the absence of heat. Every body or object is susceptible to study when it has or transmits energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter have or transmit 
energy." "Absolute zero (-460F) is the total absence of heat; and all matter becomes inert and incapable of reaction at that temperature. Cold does not exist. We have created this word to describe how we feel if we have no heat."The student continued, "Professor, does darkness exist?"The professor responded, "Of course it does."The student replied, "Once again you are wrong sir, darkness does not exist either. Darkness is in reality the absence of light. Light we can study, but not darkness. In fact, we can use Newton's prism to break white light into many colors and study the various wavelengths of each color. You cannot 
measure darkness. A simple ray of light can break into a world of 
darkness and illuminate it. How can you know how dark a certain space is? You measure the amount of light present. Isn't this correct? Darkness is a term used by man to describe what happens when there is no light present."Finally the young man asked the professor, "Sir, does evil exist?"Now uncertain, the professor responded, "Of course, as I have already said. We see it every day. It is in the daily examples of man's inhumanity to man. It is in the multitude of crime and violence everywhere in the world. These manifestations are nothing else but evil.To this the student replied, "Evil does not exist, sir, or at least it does not exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of God. It is just like darkness and cold, a word that man has created to describe the absence of God. God did not create evil. Evil is the result of what happens when 
man does not have God's love present in his heart. It's like the cold that comes when there is no heat, or the darkness that comes when there is no 
light."With that, the professor sat down .The young man's name?Albert Einstein.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #2 posted by global_warming on December 14, 2006 at 15:39:37 PT
ot re: Kucinich on (12/12/2006) 
archived at cspan..Yes he is going to to try again to become president of these united states, he seems shorter standing next to his tall and very attractive wife, there was some new fire in his voice, he was sounding the rally call to democrats, he reminded all, you can say one thing, but that button you press in that last moment marks your place in this wilderness.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #1 posted by global_warming on December 14, 2006 at 15:11:45 PT
So,, This appeal is not about
"This appeal is not about politicians seeking clarity in the law; it's about the supervisors opposition to any use of medicinal cannabis," Who might these "supervisors" be? Might they be a politician? Might they be a lawyer? Watch them closely Californians, these cornered animals get more dangerous when they sense that their bread and butter on the backs of cannabis users is threatened.
[ Post Comment ]


Post Comment