cannabisnews.com: Gardner Oks Cable Series Promoting Pot





Gardner Oks Cable Series Promoting Pot
Posted by CN Staff on August 03, 2003 at 11:14:34 PT
By Mary Jo Hill
Source: Worcester Telegram & Gazette 
Gardner -- The city's Cable Commission, concerned about the possibility of a lawsuit, voted 3-2 yesterday to allow pro-marijuana videotapes to be shown on the local cable access station. Commission Chairman Frank K. Hirons, Vincent S. Ialenti and Raymond LaFontaine voted yes. Charles R. LeBlanc, who is also on the School Committee, and James M. Walsh, who is also an at-large city councilor, voted no. 
Commissioners first talked about whether the meeting would qualify for an executive session because of remarks made last week about possible lawsuits. But instead, the commission recessed and a few commissioners met privately with city solicitors to discuss a five-page legal opinion on the matter. They then met again and held the discussion and vote in public. As Mr. Hirons made a motion to allow the playing of the tapes, he noted that tape proponents had said few people watch Gardner's access channel. "I don't have a feeling it's going to be a gigantic issue," Mr. Hirons said. Steve Drury, a pro-marijuana activist from Templeton, asked the city a couple of months ago to air four tapes that are part of a cable series by Jim Pillsbury of Framingham. The tapes concern potential state budget savings from decriminalizing marijuana; medicinal marijuana; a hemp clothing pageant; and the politics of pot, according to a flier. When the commission discussed the issue last week, Mr. Drury and Mr. Pillsbury attended along with Ronal C. Madnick, executive director of the Worcester County Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts. The commission referred the matter back to City Solicitor Scott Graves for a second opinion - which arrived in a document, stamped "Confidential," and was handed out to commissioners before yesterday's meeting. The letter, which was released to reporters after the meeting, says that both a representative of the state Cable Commission and a lawyer with experience in the area told Mr. Graves they believe Gardner would lose a court case if it refused to let the tapes be aired. Gardner has a single access channel that Mr. Ialenti has said broadcasts governmental and educational material, but not material generated by the public. But Mr. Graves wrote that when Mount Wachusett Community College or the Rotary Club or a charity uses the channel to broadcast a message, then access has been given to nongovernmental users. So, Mr. Graves wrote, there have been public uses on the channel before. But he also wrote that he believes the city is within its rights to deny access to Mr. Pillsbury and all other members of the public, given existing facts and circumstances. During the meeting, Mr. Ialenti talked about how broadcasting the marijuana tapes might open the door to dealing with "more distasteful and offensive" material. But if the city did not air the marijuana tapes it also would not be able to air broadcasts involving the American Cancer Society and other community groups, Mr. Ialenti said. After a discussion of the cost of fighting the issue in court, Mr. Hirons said he did not see the worth of trying to fight at this point. He might have differing personal feelings on the subject, but logically it seemed commissioners should let the tapes be aired, he said. "I don't see what great harm can come from it," Mr. Hirons said. Mayor Daniel J. Kelley voiced some options, including taking the access channel off the air right away and developing bylaws to protect against offensive material being aired and then putting the channel back on. Mr. LeBlanc said he agreed with that because he was afraid someone later might claim discriminatory practices if he was not allowed to broadcast material after the marijuana tapes had been aired. By putting the marijuana tapes on the air, the city is opening Pandora's box, he said. Before the meeting, Mr. Graves said that because the ACLU and Mr. Pillsbury had "threatened to sue" over the matter, the commission had the right to meet in executive session. When a reporter said the situation did not qualify for an executive session, Mr. Graves asked, "What law school do you go to?" After the meeting, when reporters questioned the decision not to hand out Mr. Graves' legal opinion until after the vote, Mr. Kelley vociferously defended the choice. "Scott did what he did to protect the city and citizens," Mr. Kelley said. If the commission had voted not to air the tapes, language in the letter could have endangered the city's position in a lawsuit, and he would not have given out the document after the meeting, he said.  Note: Threat Of Lawsuit Over Access Heeded.Source: Worcester Telegram & Gazette (MA)Author: Mary Jo HillPublished: Friday, August 1, 2003Copyright: 2003 Worcester Telegram & GazetteContact: letters telegram.comWebsite: http://www.telegram.com/Related Articles & Web Site:MassCannhttp://www.masscann.orgCommission Weighs Televising Marijuana Programshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16954.shtmlFramingham Resident Advocates Marijuana Use http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16885.shtmlMarijuana Advocate, Town Settle Park Suithttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16865.shtml 
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Comment #12 posted by E_Johnson on August 04, 2003 at 15:19:56 PT
Dr. Russo, what about...
administering a cannabinoid blocker and seeing if the exercise high was also blocked.
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Comment #11 posted by E_Johnson on August 04, 2003 at 10:39:24 PT
How about subjective tests?
Suppose one made qualitative comparisons between the sensations experienced by someone after a good workout and the sensation experienced after a hit or two of good pot?
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Comment #10 posted by E_Johnson on August 04, 2003 at 10:32:24 PT
The endorphin idea was debunked
Exercise increases endorphins, but apparently from what I hear, endorphins have recently been ruled out as the source of the exercise high. 
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Comment #9 posted by Ethan Russo MD on August 04, 2003 at 09:18:35 PT:
Endorphins vs. Endocannabinoids
Good theory. It is really possible. We do know that exercise increases endorphin levels, and perhaps endocannabinoids as well. That would explain the silly ethereal grin seen on some runners as they are punishing themselves.Proving this is difficult, but I hope that someone tries. It may require examination of cerebrospinal fluid directly (lumbar puncture or "spinal tap"). As yet, there is no biochemical scan in vivo to examine EC levels.
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Comment #8 posted by E_Johnson on August 04, 2003 at 08:51:35 PT
No comment :(
I guess he's not interested in my theory, but I'll bet it's right. I'll bet that the connection between the so-called high from a good workout and the health benefits from a good workout are rooted in the endocannabinoid system.Okay, it was published here first, remember!
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Comment #7 posted by ekim on August 03, 2003 at 18:29:18 PT
info on FAMM
FAMM launches campaign to save judicial discretion in federal sentencing guidelines 
http://www.famm.org/index2.htm
 
FAMM CAN training workshops
 Davenport, Iowa 8/2
Register for this event by calling (202) 822-6700 before July 31. Los Angeles, California 8/9 (with FACTS)
Register for this event by calling (202) 822-6700 before Aug. 7. Oakland, California 8/10 (with FACTS)
Register for this event by calling (202) 822-6700 before Aug. 7.  Seattle, Washington 8/9 
Register for this event by calling (202) 822-6700 before Aug. 7. St. Louis, Missouri 8/16 
Register for this event by calling (202) 822-6700 before Aug. 14. 
 
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on August 03, 2003 at 13:53:11 PT
Thanks Virgil
Any news that shows hope is good news these days. I think I need to go back to bed and start this day all over again.PS: Our one well messed up this morning. Not our house but our responsibility. That's why I want to start the day over again not the news. 
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Comment #5 posted by Virgil on August 03, 2003 at 13:17:13 PT
Good news
This is the first and third paragraph from an article titled "Prisoner release is good step, say Washington Libertarians" at http://www.lp.org/lpnews/0309/wa_prisoners.htmlLibertarians have commended the state government for releasing 180 non-violent drug offenders from prison as a cost-saving move.Starting on July 1, the state government is letting about 2,500 non-violent offenders get out of prison early by allowing them to shave more "good behavior" time off their sentences.
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Comment #4 posted by E_Johnson on August 03, 2003 at 12:09:10 PT
Dr. Russo what do you think of my theory?
My theory that the so-called "exercise high" previously attributed to endorphins is actually from anandamide.Suppose working out booosted the natrual cannabinoid level in the body, in response to the micro-inflammation that happens in the process of becoming more fit.Wouldn't that explain why exeercise feels good afterwards and prevents cancer and does other things that we know cannabinoids can do in the body?
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Comment #3 posted by FoM on August 03, 2003 at 11:48:53 PT
Dr. Russo
I just don't know what we would do without you. You give me hope. 
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Comment #2 posted by Ethan Russo MD on August 03, 2003 at 11:44:23 PT:
Thanks, Virgil
I appreciate your read on the Montana situation. We need everyone who is willing to get up and make their knowledge work for change.The problem is that so many politicians have positions written in stone. It will take a long time---
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Comment #1 posted by Virgil on August 03, 2003 at 11:39:12 PT
Let's get logical
He might have differing personal feelings on the subject, but logically it seemed commissioners should let the tapes be aired, he said. Duh. To think that programs of information (blockaded from society) should not go on television show how ravenous drug warriors have warped everything. This is a no brainer subject. In fact, it is these guys that may come to see what the reformers are preaching- a better world. If they would rotate their brain sentry from Fear to Reason every once in a while we would have a better world.I am reminded of the committee on MMJ in Montana that recently heard Dr. Russo's testimony. Once they heard the story of clinical cannabis from someone that knew, they could not convince themselves they were right in their position to vote against it. The committee moved it on up to the full body, where ignorance killed it. We need the converts. The ones that have been duped will make the best reformers of all, especially if they are senior citizens.
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