cannabisnews.com: A Victory for Medical Marijuana A Victory for Medical Marijuana Posted by CN Staff on December 25, 2003 at 08:27:31 PT Editorial Source: Chicago Tribune In 1996, voters in California voted to legalize the medical use of marijuana. But they soon were reminded of the limits of their power to extend compassion to sick people. Federal law prohibits use of marijuana even for that reason, and the federal government has operated as though Proposition 215 didn't exist.Last week, however, a federal appeals court said the Justice Department and Drug Enforcement Administration have overstepped their constitutional powers. So the final say on medical marijuana in California should lie, amazingly, with Californians. It's a novel ruling, but one based on recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions that have reinvigorated the American system of federalism. At the same time, there is reason to doubt that the Supreme Court will accept the lower court ruling. Even if it doesn't, though, the decision ought to spur the federal government to reassess its inflexible opposition to medical marijuana.Last year, federal agents seized marijuana plants from Californians who were using pot for medical purposes at the urging of their doctors or growing it for such patients. Several of the users and growers sued, arguing that the federal government couldn't overrule California law. A district court rejected their argument, but a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sided with the users and growers.By a 2-1 vote, the court panel said the federal government's right to legislate against drugs stems from its power to regulate interstate commerce, and that in this case, there was nothing resembling interstate commerce in the "intrastate, noncommercial cultivation, possession and use of marijuana for personal medical purposes." So Washington is powerless to intervene.This is not a crazy conclusion. It builds on two landmark U.S. Supreme Court decisions striking down the Gun-Free Schools Zones Act and the Violence Against Women Act.In those decisions, the high court stressed that there are limits to Congress' power over economic affairs, which extends only to "activities having a substantial relation to interstate commerce." The marijuana at issue in this case, the appellate court said, "is not intended for, nor does it enter, the stream of commerce," and any connection is too remote to justify a federal role.Dissenting Judge C. Arlen Beam, however, had no trouble finding a Supreme Court decision pointing the other way. In 1942, the high court approved the fining of a wheat farmer for growing wheat for his own use, in violation of federal acreage restrictions aimed at limiting supply. In that case, the court said the effect on interstate commerce was significant enough to allow federal action. In Beam's view, the cultivation and use of pot for medical purposes "is essentially indistinguishable" from what that farmer did. That's a reasonable conclusion--which means the Supreme Court will need to decide whether to extend the logic of its recent federalism rulings, at the expense of its earlier ones.None of this would be necessary, of course, if Washington would simply step back and let states make their own choices in this realm--and to bear the consequences of any mistakes. There is ample evidence that cannabis has real therapeutic value for some patients. For the federal government to overrule states and the public on the issue may or may not be constitutional, but it definitely isn't wise.Source: Chicago Tribune (IL)Published: December 24, 2003Copyright: 2003 Chicago Tribune CompanyContact: ctc-TribLetter Tribune.comWebsite: http://www.chicagotribune.com/Related Articles & Web Site:Raich v. Ashcroft in PDFhttp://freedomtoexhale.com/ruling.pdfCourt Plants Red Cross in the War on Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18047.shtmlWhere’s The Compassion?http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18003.shtmlFederalism Wins - National Reviewhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18002.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #44 posted by Virgil on December 26, 2003 at 17:00:59 PT rchander Ditto times two. [ Post Comment ] Comment #43 posted by rchandar on December 26, 2003 at 16:20:35 PT: california providers f**k your drug war, and f**k what it stands for.f**k your lies and misinformation, intimidation, and f**k how you're destroying our nation.f**k your principles which spell out your corrupt might, and f**k how you don't care about our people who will die tonight.f**k your insensitive and moronic bullshit, and maybe it will be you who will get hurt.f**k the lies, and propaganda, and f**k whatever is your new "agenda."we will survive and fight again, until reefer is free and understood again.peace. kif, jah rastafari.--rchandar. [ Post Comment ] Comment #42 posted by FoM on December 26, 2003 at 15:17:30 PT Virgil Oh OK. I thought you were talking to me. Have fun at Pal Talk! [ Post Comment ] Comment #41 posted by Virgil on December 26, 2003 at 14:46:56 PT That was not just for you FoM That was not just for you, FoM, or I would email you. The thing that made me bring all of this up is the introduction of the 2.6 kernal. The reason I do not put up a link for people to try is because, it is not yet available.I have been meaning to plug my headset back in since the dog show 7 weeks ago. That now done, that is about enough computer maintenance for a couple of weeks. I am off to Paltalk.The only reason I use Paltalk is to find out a specific answer to a computer problem. They have several rooms for this and it is a wonderful thing to have access to. [ Post Comment ] Comment #40 posted by FoM on December 26, 2003 at 14:21:08 PT Virgil Thanks Virgil but I really am happy with what I have. [ Post Comment ] Comment #39 posted by Virgil on December 26, 2003 at 14:10:41 PT Converting FoM, the prohibitionist Why are you prohibitin Knoppix Linux,FoM? It is your old computer that is ideal for using a Knoppix CD for an operating system. Of course that requires a CD player.You can download Knoppix free of charge. You have to hit "delete" in your boot-up and go into set-up menus in what they call the BIOS to move your CD to the first thing read. Usually people have the floppy drive read first so that a bootable backup disk can come before the hard-drive. Then you put your CD you burned in your CD player and turn it on. It should read everything. If not what have you lost? It is ideal for an older computer with an old operating system. It should even detect your satellite modem. It is free. It cannot hurt your hard drive. You have a satellite connection. You only have to mash a few buttons. Knoppix is ideal for you. The only reason I have not tried it is because I gave up broadband 2 months ago. Do you have time to read a thread?- http://www.knoppix.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6695 [ Post Comment ] Comment #38 posted by FoM on December 26, 2003 at 11:37:57 PT Virgil I just did a speed test on the satellite and it is connecting at: 1244 kbps Why it means so much to have a high speed connection is I can get other work done around my home if I don't have to wait on dial up. The satellite really is nice even though it isn't a cheap way to connect. [ Post Comment ] Comment #37 posted by FoM on December 26, 2003 at 11:26:01 PT Virgil I might be able to get my older computer upgraded. I must have a windows computer to use my satellite. The newer satellites allow Macs now but mine won't without an upgrade. I don't want to use dial up because it is slow so it would be best for me to stick with a windows machine. I like mine. I can add multiple computers with a splitter with the satellite. I've heard of nine computers being run off one satellite so it must work. [ Post Comment ] Comment #36 posted by Virgil on December 26, 2003 at 11:20:31 PT On your old computer Your old computer would serve you just fine for dial-up connections. NetZero will let you have 10 hours free a month. You could get a free America Online at a grocery store like Bi-Lo has here and the Post Office has them here. That last 45 days. I know how it is do something like that when you are on the edge of capacity anyway and it is like going backwards to drag out an old computer.The eMachines that Circuit City for $399 are better than the eMachines computer I bought last year. But in some ways it makes sense to have a Linux computer to surf the Internet without exposing one computer to the Internet at all. Walmart.com list a basic Lindosw computer for $199 and would be better than investing in another year of anti-virus rituals for me. A chat room might tell me how to connect them through ethernet cards. Excuse the rambling. I will do some Paltalk tonight and open up a room and get back to you. But I do like your idea of having one thread to exchange information on computers. I would think starting one on a Friday or Saturday would last for a week. The only thing to do is test the water and see the need and see the amount of effort people that know are willing to put into it. I have a song that is in CD format that can be converted or rerecorded, that I would like to put up on the Internet and probably would with some encouragement.We are all bound by computers. I have that skype program on my computer and could talk to anyone in the world for free by computer. I do not have anyone to call or anything to say, but I would like to put a little curve on that learning instead of a line that stays flat. Rambling over. [ Post Comment ] Comment #35 posted by FoM on December 26, 2003 at 10:32:56 PT Virgil I was thinking how I could make an article about computers and issues surrounding them for us to develop into a good thread about these topics. I would archive it and post it in a comment rather then the front page. If anyone has an article or an idea please post it and I'll try to figure it out while the news is slow this weekend. Good links with short URLs to the main page of a tech site would be helpful too like ZDNet or CNet. There's no rush but think about it when you have time. [ Post Comment ] Comment #34 posted by jose melendez on December 26, 2003 at 09:56:30 PT the body breeze:http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=contact+jesse+ventura&btnG=Google+Searchhttp://www.jesseventura.org/contacts.htmhttp://www.jesseventuna.com/links.html the boot [ Post Comment ] Comment #33 posted by sukoi on December 26, 2003 at 08:57:03 PT Breeze You can probably still contact him through MSNBC. As I understand it, they cancelled his show but he is being kept on as a consultant or something similar. Try this: ventura msnbc.com [ Post Comment ] Comment #32 posted by Breeze on December 26, 2003 at 08:01:18 PT I need information I would like to find either a way to get a message or question to Jesse Ventura by either snail mail, or e-mail, can't seem to find either on the web. I would like his take on why he was cancelled. I would also like to know where to find a list of the most top viewed newsgroups,message boards, web sites- any one with any ideas on how to accomplish this, please let me know. Considering trying a massive informative technique on this particular subject and how its effecting our economy as well as the other obvious issues, after spending MY Christmas in a house filled with obnoxious prohibitionists (drunken in-laws), I am even more compelled to spit this information in the faces of their ilk and like. Hopefully one of their kind has a single braincell left to be able to compute my words into their pathetic reality. By the way, how many of you tune into AM radio? You really should, there are many, many prohibitionist radio dj's making their points known- and believe me, there is definitely an audience! This is one side of the media that is ignored by many, because AM sucks for music, most stations only use it for talk radio - and they are not on our side. They are fed the propaganda, and they call in with one sided arguments- thinking that they are winning. Scan AM frequently, you will find the station that does this.As far as television- watch FSTV- its very informative, but in particular the news broadcast- Democracy Now. [ Post Comment ] Comment #31 posted by kaptinemo on December 26, 2003 at 06:29:17 PT: ROFLMFAO...Many thanks, Sukoi It really made my day; as good as the Darwin Awards... [ Post Comment ] Comment #30 posted by sukoi on December 26, 2003 at 05:43:22 PT LEAP is starting off the New Year right… …with a full event calendar list especially in New Hampshire and California!http://www.leap.cc/events/Virgil, you might find this interesting!http://bbsnews.net/news/linux.htmlA church topped with pot and a sleeping judge among 2003 wackinesshttp://www.canada.com/news/oddities/story.html?id=1E50046F-6270-4B4D-96EA-525EF9DDC6C7 [ Post Comment ] Comment #29 posted by CorvallisEric on December 26, 2003 at 02:55:37 PT Virgil - comment 27 It is like a fire that is covered with a sheet of plywood. It all looks fine until the first hole is made or the fire can get to the edge. It is all over then.That is why the Supreme Court ruling was so important. It would have been the first hole and the fire would have consumed all of prohibition in short order.A recent bit of political history followed this colorful metaphor. Remember Trent Lott's resignation as Senate Majority Leader? For a few days after the controversy erupted over his comments about Strom Thurmond, every Republican senator stood by him. Then, when a single one (don't remember which) expressed a little doubt, I knew he was finished. Republican dissent toward Lott avalanched and he soon resigned.Some people and systems can't bend. They break. [ Post Comment ] Comment #28 posted by yippierevolutionary on December 25, 2003 at 22:28:22 PT I never would have thought Wal-Mart Would do something good for humanity. [ Post Comment ] Comment #27 posted by Virgil on December 25, 2003 at 21:57:05 PT Linux and Wal-Mart Net Zero has Internet for $9.95 and Wal-Mart prices theirs at $9.94. Wal-Mart is concerned about finding the bottom prices for spend-thrift computers. MicroSoft controlling Linux is a type of parallel to the USG controlling prohibition. In the end Linux will prevail and the future would think it crazy to buy a word processing program or a photo editor. The perception painted in a vast conspiracy is that Linux is hard to use about like "Marijuana is a dangerous drug." It would make little difference to someone just starting in computing. I will just say that Lindows Linux is highly similar to Windows, so just how much harder could it be? You do not have to worry about an anti-virus program so does that not give it an edge to start with?Enough digressing. I have a simple point. In its efforts to bring the lowest possible price, Wal-Mart is going Linux. They have computers with Lindows and SuSe Linux already installed. This basically is like Canada legalizing LG. Once the overwhelming domination of MicroSoft is lost, it will be lost forever.That is why was tremendous pressure on the Jamaican a few years ago to not follow a path to legalization. That is why there was a pressure put on the Swiss not to go to legalization. Even the Dutch do not have legalization. It is like a fire that is covered with a sheet of plywood. It all looks fine until the first hole is made or the fire can get to the edge. It is all over then.That is why the Supreme Court ruling was so important. It would have been the first hole and the fire would have consumed all of prohibition in short order. The prohibitionist know there prohibition will end, but until the first country withdrawals from the UN treaties, nobody can see the end of prohibition even though we know it is coming.The GW extracts are going to destroy the credibility of the government on anything cannabis. My question is which comes first- MicroSoft falls to 50% as an operating system on new computers or the USG is forced to accept the Schedule 2 or below of cannabis. Wal-Mart burning a hole for Linuz and GW burning a hole for undeniable and safe extracts and an AIDS epidemic. Burn some laughing grass on that. [ Post Comment ] Comment #26 posted by FoM on December 25, 2003 at 20:38:53 PT Virgil Thanks for the advice I really appreciate it. When I get another computer I will get another Gateway. I have had the best luck with the two Gateway computers I've had. I know some people have Dell and like them but since I've bought two and am happy I'd go that way again. I know they are more expensive but I don't mind the extra. I didn't have good luck with computers until Gateway.PS: This is not a Gateway commercial just my experience! LOL! [ Post Comment ] Comment #25 posted by mayan on December 25, 2003 at 20:35:57 PT They're Screwed This from the Chicago Tribune? Everyone is on the bandwagon now! The feds are really backed into a corner here! They're damned if they do or don't. The court of public opinion will not stand for any federal interference in instances of intrastate commerce. Now, many people are going to be pissed realizing that the feds have been abusing the ICA all along. 2004 will most certainly be an interesting year. It's time for some retribution!The way out is the way in...N.H. widow waiting for answers from 9/11 attacks: http://www.boston.com/news/local/new_hampshire/articles/2003/12/24/nh_widow_waiting_for_answers_from_sept_11_attacks/Did Condi Have Foreknowlede of 9/11 And Warn SF's Brown? http://www.rense.com/general46/warn.htmlNational Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice is apparently not keen on going under oath for the Kean 9/11 commission: http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,565974,00.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #24 posted by Virgil on December 25, 2003 at 20:29:50 PT Are we chatting yet? I think your older computer is not worth upgrading. You really need one better than the one you have. Now that Christmas has come, I would think that you could find one in a free advertising paper that they have at grocery stores for $100 that would be as good as yours and that would include the monitor. Be sure and do like the guy I knew from Ohio that religiously asked, "What is the least you will take for it." That's a joke, but he always did say that like it was a commandment.But you have a CD burner, so you can transfer your entire hard drive to CD's. At download.com you might want to try putting "backup" in the search box. Then go to the bottom of the page and where it ask for your O/S put that in to narrow it down. It gives you ratings on programs you can try for free. They will just quit working after the trial period is up, but then you will still have backup CD's. When you filter, you can also filter for shareware and free in that same line of characteristics.I downloaded a program to do that and never did, so I really do not have experience. It still cannot be that difficult. I bet the Goodwill stores will be full of computers because of Christmas and the end-of-year tax deductions. The biggest difference in computers sold this Christmas and last would probably be that DVD burners are all but standard on a non-budget priced computer.I feel guilty for chatting, especially when I do not know what I am talking about. [ Post Comment ] Comment #23 posted by FoM on December 25, 2003 at 20:05:59 PT Virgil I have an older Gateway ( Windows 98 ) but it isn't strong enough for a satellite. It isn't broken just not very powerful but it is expandable. Maybe I should take it to a shop and have them upgrade it. I've never upgraded a computer though. [ Post Comment ] Comment #22 posted by Virgil on December 25, 2003 at 19:49:32 PT Somebody say something Paltalk also has video, not that it is of much importance. It is also free which is of importance.This is where you need another computer and a way to back up or duplicate your hard drive to a USB hard drive or maybe critical files to a bootable CD. It is scary the responsibility your dinoputer has to the future of the free world and it sure would be nice if someone would donate an old computer to you.If we had a had a place at Paltalk we could talk about programs for making a bootable CD with critical files. There are free programs at http://www.download.com/ Do you see what I mean about a collaborative effort? You could use another computer in the worst way. You also need to do something about backing up your files even if it is not on a second computer. If we only had a tech night in a chatroom. [ Post Comment ] Comment #21 posted by FoM on December 25, 2003 at 19:30:23 PT Virgil That makes sense to me. I don't use any talk programs like Pal Talk. I can't afford to have any problems with my computer and I avoid doing new things. I would mind losing everything I have and starting over again. I've done it before and I find because of my responsibility with CNews I don't do much experimenting on line. If someone wants to set up a chat where people talk or type that sure would be fine with me. I just don't know how. [ Post Comment ] Comment #20 posted by westnyc on December 25, 2003 at 19:27:01 PT About Comcast!!! I'm not sure if people are aware; but, Comcast is a huge supporter of the Partnership for a Drug Free America. They state this in their advertising commercials. I am a Comcast subscriber and I am going to let them know that I am offended that they are restricting "free speech." They may be able to do this; afterall, it is their right. However, it is my right to take my business elsewhere. [ Post Comment ] Comment #19 posted by Virgil on December 25, 2003 at 19:21:51 PT FoM I will be undertaking several things at the beginning of the year. I will have to take some kind of temporary job to get out of a slight hole. I really will be writing a book that will probably be titled "The Extremist Party." It would probably be the best thing I could do for the cause and as nobody's days are guaranteed it needs to move to a first priority.I would not know what to chat about anyway. I would hope that their could be some collaboration among us. That might relate to websites and computers more than anything else. If I were knowledgable on Knoppix Linux, I would open a chat once a week to bring people up to speed on it- http://www.knoppix.net/There are security issues that are favorable for Linuz and you do not need an anti-virus program. You can get automatic updates so your system is always current on some distributions of Linux. But I do not know crap, so that includes me out.I wish we would have a tech night where we could talk about building websites, but to be honest with you Paltalk is better. You can talk instead of type and the moderator can control who speaks. People can also type as people talk. I am not bad mouthing the chat room, but it would be best just to go to Paltalk and set up a room and get a few moderators. This is where a retired person or two could help change the world, not that the room has to be attended at all times.I certainly understand the fear of viruses as I have lost two hard drives and if something happened today, it would be a hassle to fix. That is why I say Linux is the way to go, but I do not see how Paltalk can threaten a system. This is where a chat amongst ourselves would help. I think we do need a way to answer question to assist personal advances and maybe just chat. I would think that Paltalk is the way to go for certain. Now if someone would set up a room and explain to me how to be a moderator, I probably could do that a couple of times a week. What we need is a joint effort. There are some people that are retired that would probably volunteer also and could make a bigger contribution that I could. I guess my answer is yes, no, and maybe. Does that make sense? [ Post Comment ] Comment #18 posted by FoM on December 25, 2003 at 18:37:01 PT Hope You Had a Nice Christmas EJ, It sounds like you had a good day. We did. A few DVDs didn't show up that we ordered but they'll be here in a few days. We had turkey and all the stuff that goes along with it. I am so full. I've been eating way too much food over the last week. Diet time starts after the weekends over. [ Post Comment ] Comment #17 posted by E_Johnson on December 25, 2003 at 18:34:30 PT Comcast censors GSSM MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE -- Comcast Cable has censored Granite Staters for Medical Marijuana (GSMM), prohibiting the group from purchasing airtime on the company's cable system in New Hampshire, according to GSMM Campaign Coordinator Aaron Houston. Houston approached Comcast last month, asking to buy airtime for a television commercial, but he was denied without receiving any written material detailing the company's reasoning.http://www.mpp.org/releases/nr122203gsmm.htmlHere are their press contacts and cusomer service contacts:http://www.cmcsk.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=147565&p=irol-contacts [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by E_Johnson on December 25, 2003 at 18:18:45 PT Frodo gave his finger for you That was a saying from the seventies when all the young potheads were reading Lord of the Rings.One of my presents was the DVD set of Fellowship and Two Towers. So I watched Fellowship while I steamed my goose. (Steam before roasting -- that's one way to avoid a grease fire in the oven.)The hobbits smoke pipe-weed. How easy the director made it to believe that pipe weed was weed.The Nazgul -- that's what we should call the DEA from now on.A small band of small hobbits against Sauron himself.Little home-loving pipe-weed smokers going up against all the evil magic and blood spattering violence that Sauron can offer. [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by FoM on December 25, 2003 at 18:15:50 PT Virgil a Question I was wondering if you would like to run CannabisNews Chat? I don't go to chats because I find myself typed out after doing CNews. If you do want to moderate the chat let me or observer know. [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by FoM on December 25, 2003 at 18:06:18 PT Virgil Good answers! Thanks! I can't think in advance it seems. If I do I get ahead of myself so I stay right here waiting and hoping. [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by Virgil on December 25, 2003 at 18:02:36 PT Lots of things going on Bolivia has nothing to gain with the US imposed drug wars and as it is mostly indigenous people ruled by the white man, they can reclaim their culture of coca. "Coca or death" is a motto with many supporters and many sympathizers.Brazil has better things to do than arrest people for laughing grass and may have a law to appease the US while doing like the Dutch and ignoring its enforcement.The Swiss Senate voted 25 to 0 to end CP in 2002 and the House took the gutless move of putting it ratification because of elections. It will be interesting to see if there is dissatisfaction in the elections.Jamaica is the one country where they should just say, good grief, what the ef have we been doing. We have all these Colombians running cocaine with more bullets than our police. Berlin is considering legalization. Canada will probably have elections in the spring. The Liberals have a history of corruption and an arrogant 65 year-old prime minister that needs to be shown the pasture. Because of the upcoming bill that would target growers with stiff penalties, it is the current battleground in the world situation because it is immediately before us.People in the UK are no happier with their laws than we are and Blair's unpopularity hurts him and his party. The Social Democrats are for legalization and their popularity is rising.The big thing in the US is the Alaska election in November. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decision is going to be hard to reverse if you ask me. It was very limited because it applied to MLG that was not sold. It is hard to get a piece of gum from someone much less a reliable source of LG when you cannot grow it. The question is where does the commerce clause fit in the CSA and is yet to be addressed.There is still time for California to have iniative to actually legalize LG. It could happen with the right spark and the right leader. Now someone like Steve Kubby could step foward and not worry about being arrested, although the recent ruling does not pave the way but just made a path with a bulldozer.The impact of the GW extracts is going to be huge. When people connect the dots that the MS organizations in the US are not for MLG, there could be a huge awakening of the extent of the corruption. It is not only the media in on supporting CP, it is organizations that should be shouting for clinical cannabis and more research.Things are completely explosive as failure has to be admitted at sometime and that most already know that laughing grass is better than its prohibition. People will see that Bu$hes tax cut is an increased tax burden on the middle class to be collected on the state level. Regulation and taxation are going to sound good to people as they are pushed down to Chinamen's wages if they have a job. There has never been a candidate like Kucinich and after February 3rd, Kucinich will still stand and there will be less distractions on his message. The very biggest thing to watch is Dr. Russo when he speaks in Canada at the end of January. What he says will be archived and what he says will be amplified a million times against the stonewall. He will be speaking on the Schedule 1 classification that we all know is a lie and he has explicitly called a lie- http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread17966.shtml#2There is the call to legalize cannabis in Morocco where 30 percent of the people use it and it somewhat similar to Jamaica without the influence of the US who can dump cheap food on the country and wipe out the farmers. This is influenced by its proximity to Spain and a shared history and the most cannabis friendly laws on the planet. Clinical cannabis will be coming to Spain in 2004, I would think outside of GW extracts which should come within 6 months of introduction in the UK.There are little fires everywhere, but the wind that blows that fans everything is the AIDS epidemic. The world has its priorities upside down and people kept alive with government assistance of pills at 38 cents a day, cannot live without the miracle of cannabis. AIDS is not going away. It is growing and it must be addressed and the solution will have to include Free Cannabis. [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by FoM on December 25, 2003 at 17:04:47 PT SystemGoneDown I have no idea what is next. I can't read the future and one thing I've learned is the future will be interesting to say the least but I don't believe anyone really knows what is next. It depends on so many things happening. [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by SystemGoneDown on December 25, 2003 at 17:00:36 PT Still mourning... from the Canadian Supreme Court ruling. Can somebody tell me what's next for marijuana legalization efforts? My spirit is low now, I need some hope. [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by Virgil on December 25, 2003 at 15:59:38 PT The culture grows Laughinggrass.com and laughinggras.net were taken as domain names on November 21, 2003. The culture overgrows. Laughinggrass.biz is still available and can be yours for $14.99- http://www.domaindirect.com/index.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by FoM on December 25, 2003 at 15:03:06 PT The GCW Thank you The GCW. What a wonderful Christmas Greeting. I made a couple CDs today for my husband and the one we are listening to now is Brother in Arms by Dire Straits. I love that song. We are like brothers in arms too.Merry Christmas to you ands yours!http://www.ada.com.tr/~modabasi/dslyr5.htm#9 [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by The GCW on December 25, 2003 at 13:34:43 PT Friend I want to love You. And hold Your hands in a circle and take a step together forward closer toward the Truth. I want to say, Merry Christmas but that seems strange – foreign. What I want to say is I love You.Each and every one of You. May this time bring Us closer to knowing Him.He is the Truth.The Truth is Our comfort.When We embrace each other, We embrace Him.We are Christmas.And We know it is not about the tree of christmas.For Me it is about the Tree of Life.The Tree of Life is all Truth.There is mention of a communication system, that allows Us to have a personal relationship with Christ God Our Father, right now, as taught in the Bible. I testify that “Spirit of Truth” is real and is seriously worthy.It is that Spirit of Truth, specifically, that I wish upon You more and more with every breath.And I don’t limit that wish to Christmas.With that in mind, and so much more that I want to spare the space at the moment;Merry Christmas to all.May God have mercy on each and every one of Us.Let’s be sure to thank Him. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by CorvallisEric on December 25, 2003 at 13:26:48 PT Jose Thanks for the link. I had heard about "The Brights" on NPR and then forgotten about them (half of what I know about the world is from NPR). As mentioned in their FAQ, I feel uncomfortable using a new identifying label which doesn't have widespread recognition, a problem also besetting those who don't like the word "marijuana." I would rate their chance of widespread recognition as extremely low, even if they get celebrity support. For every meme that takes off (like "Green") there are probably a thousand worthy candidates in history's dustbin. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by Virgil on December 25, 2003 at 12:58:00 PT The best link ever At some time I will need to develop the best 5 links for articles and the best 5 videos. In the spirit of Christmas I offer you the best link ever for an understanding of cannabis and its prohibition- http://www.yellowtimes.org/article.php?sid=467&mode=thread&order=0The thing that makes this consise summary of the issue even better is the fact that Yellowtimes.org will let you print it and distribute it if you give them credit as the source. When we have crap in the newspapers, they could bless the situation by printing this article. Well, there is your Christmas present. Now would you bookmark it for me on your computer and consider it for your top five articles in a victory by list campaign.I hope you had an enhanced Christmas and have a very enhanced New Year. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by jose melendez on December 25, 2003 at 11:34:17 PT Blessed. Matthew 5: 9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.Are You a Bright?http://www.the-brights.net/ wage drug peace [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by sukoi on December 25, 2003 at 11:13:55 PT The SANTA Conspiracy A little off topic humor for ChristmasDiscovered memoFrom: John Ashcroft, US Attorney GeneralTo: Tom Ridge: Department of Homeland SecuritySubject: Santa Claus: Threat to the nationThis Santa character. We need to keep an eye on him. He dresses in red and appears to be a ringleader for wealth distribution across the planet, with this giving-away-toys-for-free ploy of his. Seems like a damn Socialist to me. And I find those talking reindeer flying through the sky to be highly suspect. Witchcraft, that's what it is! However Santa does have a potentially highly useful list of who's been good and who's been naughty. If we could gain control of this list, it could prove useful in our fight against terrorism - and against our political enemies too!I propose we preemptively arrest this Santa character on some pretext, cruelty to reindeer or violating labor laws by making the elves work without overtime pay. Yes, we will have to arrest him based on those noxious liberal animal cruelty and labor laws, painful as this may be to us - however, hear me out.We arrest Santa, then lean on him. Sleep deprivation, etc. Let's get that naughty/nice list! Feed it into Department of Homeland Security computers, and I'll bet we'll be able to indict, prosecute and jail tens of thousands, maybe even hundreds of thousands!Have a blessed Christmas!John AshcroftPS Further thoughts regarding the S.A.N.T.A. conspiracy: Elves -- are they undocumented alien migrant worker agent provocateurs?Fact #1: They accept slave wages. In fact, they work for nothing. Obviously, they are undocumented, for what worker possessing proper valid identification would work for less than minimum wage?Fact #2: They speak "elf," hithertofore unknown to government linguists, perhaps of the Indo-chinese branch of languages. Then again, it could be code.Fact #3: They are short -- very short -- and strangely dressed. Obviously not of Anglo-American extraction, hence by nature, suspect. They wear small green uniforms in an ornate Turkish military style.Fact #4: They toil for the furtherance of the redistribution of worldwide wealth. Re: the leader of S.A.N.T.A. He distributes to the "good" toys such as DVD players and Britney Spears CD's. The "bad" receive charcoal. Could this be a plot to redirect the most promising possible future executives away from the oil and gas industries, by brainwashing them that "coal" and other energy sources are "bad"?Re: the reindeer. Weapons of Moosely Defecation? Laugh if you will, but I find it a strange and ominous coincidence.Merry Christmas Everyone!(The "further thoughts concerning the S.A.N.T.A. conspiracy" are from Deep Audit. The rest, I take full blame for!)http://www.polizeros.com/2003/12/a3227 [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by sukoi on December 25, 2003 at 10:11:34 PT Beware, cannabis use can cause… …breast enlargement in young males.“In a few instances, breast enlargement is a sign of trouble. Liver, kidney and thyroid gland disorders can cause it. So can cancers of the testicles. Abnormalities of the pituitary gland, the small gland at the base of the brain that oversees the body's hormone production, are another possibility. Some medications do it. So can marijuana.” http://yumasun.com/artman/publish/articles/story_8821.shtml [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by jose melendez on December 25, 2003 at 09:55:17 PT how to combat prohibitionists turn the tables:from: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n1979/a05.html?397 Confrontation After being tipped about the incident and following meeting, this reporter visited Waxahachie Jr. High, only to be kicked off campus; after meeting with Ahlfinger, district security vehicles showed up on scene, a normal procedure, they said. Before leaving the campus and meeting, Gallegos had slipped in this reporter's tape recorder in a coat pocket, thereby confirming what administrators said. Originally, a teacher referred to the drug bust as a "sweep", but after a few minutes privately with administrators, she began using the word "search." Now, the incident is fueling efforts among some parents throughout the school district to form a citizen's group and combat the "unconstitutional actions" of the administrators. "I told the [school officials] there's a lot of parents who feel the same way, about pulling [their kids] out of school, and they looked at me shocked. What happened was not right. You can't [violate] the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution. These are kids. "This ain't over yet." complete article:Parent Upset Over Undercover Drug Sweephttp://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n1979/a05.html?397 Article III, Section 3 defines drug war as treason. Really. Got that, ONDCP? [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on December 25, 2003 at 09:30:09 PT Merry Christmas Everyone! I hope that everyone here at CNews has a wonderful day. I hope that you have time to enjoy your family and friends. I plan on making a few CDs for my husband. We bought him a CD player for his truck. We always thought it would be great if you could have music that you really liked on one cd. Now we have the technology and we can. I am so grateful for computers, the Internet and all of you. I'm never bored or feel like I am missing something. I hope you all feel similarly.Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Too! [ Post Comment ] Post Comment