cannabisnews.com: Oakland Cops Begin Weeding Out Pot Clubs
Oakland Cops Begin Weeding Out Pot Clubs
Posted by CN Staff on July 31, 2004 at 08:14:45 PT
By Harry Harris and Cecily Burt, Staff Writer
Source: Oakland Tribune
Oakland -- Police have begun citing operators of unlicensed medical marijuana outlets, and neighboring cities are feeling the effects of the crackdown, officials said Friday. One unlicensed dispenser -- Dragonfly Alternative Healing Clinic at 1727 Telegraph Ave. -- has been cited twice since the enforcement started Thursday at the direction of the city administrator's office.
Repeated violations could lead to further sanctions, including permanent shutdown through public nuisance ordinances, officials said. "The city established only a few sites to be permitted, and we're seeking compliance with the ordinance," said Deputy Chief of Police Pete Dunbar. The City Council decided in May to limit the number of medical marijuana dispensaries to four, putting an end to the proliferation of pot clubs in an area of uptown nicknamed "Oaksterdam." At the time, five established clubs were operating there, with others nearby. The city has issued three business licenses but not yet the fourth. California Advocate Relief Exchange, or CARE, is the only club in the Oaksterdam triangle between 17th and 19th streets and Telegraph Avenue and Broadway to get a license. The Dragonfly, initially denied a permit, is waiting to hear whether it will be granted the fourth license. The new regulations went into effect June 1 and unlicensed clubs received letters warning them they had to shut down. At the time, Dragonfly owner Ken Estes vowed to defy the order. But after meeting with city officials, he closed down a few days later and remained shuttered until last week, when repeated pleas from medical marijuana patients prompted him to reopen, he said. "We agreed to close while (city officials) were working on the permit, but after a month of broken promises, we reopened a week ago," Estes said. "We're going to stay open because the patients are the reason we are here fighting this. The patients shouldn't suffer while the city tries to figure out this problem." According to police, Patricia White, 56, of Vallejo, chief operations officer at Dragonfly, was first cited about 2:15 p.m. Thursday for violating the city's ordinance requiring a proper permit to dispense marijuana. Two officers first questioned a 17-year-old Orinda resident they saw leave the clinic. The youth had a valid cannabis buyer's club card and admitted to buying $50 worth of "Purple Maui" marijuana, police said. The youth told the officers he uses marijuana to cope with migraine headaches, insomnia and stress. After photographing the marijuana, police returned it to the youth before going to the clinic. White gave the officers a tour of the clinic, which features a "menu" of the types of marijuana available for sale, the amounts and the prices. Prices ranged from $11 for a gram of "soma skunk" to $345 for an ounce of "purple skunk," police said. Signs posted inside the club tell customers to be courteous of neighbors and the surrounding areas, don't litter and don't smoke marijuana in their cars or parking lots. A sign also warns it is illegal for clients to resell any medical marijuana they purchase at the clinic. While at the clinic, officers said they saw customers enter, show their cannabis buyer's cards and place orders. Dragonfly, which police said claimed to serve 350 to 500 patients daily, was denied a permit by the city following hearings on April 22 and May 14. White told officers that city officials failed to return repeated phone calls to negotiate a resolution over the permit. Assistant City Administrator Cheryl Thompson confirmed Friday that the club is one of a few being considered for the fourth permit, but a decision has not been made. Councilmember Nancy Nadel (Downtown-West Oakland) said Friday that although she originally favored having more than four licensed clubs, now that four is the law, the clubs need to abide by the rules. "I wanted to have more than four, but I don't want people to be operating outside of the law," Nadel said. Last month, the owner of two licensed dispensaries in Hayward said Oakland's new law had sent many new patients her way in search of the medicinal herb. And the Emeryville City Council on July 20 temporarily banned medical marijuana outlets after one of Oakland's spurned clubs -- The Green Door -- came calling and the city realized it doesn't have a way to regulate the outlets, said City Attorney Michael Biddle. The ban will last 45 days, giving the city time to review issues related to zoning, permitting and licensing such establishments, Biddle said. The ban could be extended with the council's approval. "We don't have a definition for that type of use activity," Biddle said. "We have to take (location of) schools into consideration and also rules regarding licensing the people who would be running these dispensaries." Note: Unlicensed medical marijuana dispensaries face closure.Source: Oakland Tribune (CA)Author: Harry Harris and Cecily Burt, Staff WriterPublished: Saturday, July 31, 2004 Copyright: 2004 MediaNews Group, Inc. Contact: triblet angnewspapers.com Website: http://www.oaklandtribune.com/Related Articles & Web Site:Medicinal Cannabis Research Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/research.htmCity Cannabis Clubs Forced To Competehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18667.shtmlPot Clubs Worry City May Impose Regulations http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18291.shtmlCouncil Looks To Trim Number of Pot Clubshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18215.shtml
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Comment #13 posted by afterburner on August 01, 2004 at 11:14:03 PT
DopamineSerotoninAddictionSchizophreniaRisperdal
Dopamine and Serotonin, Addiction, Schizophrenia and Risperdal' Dopamine Excess' Dopamine is a substance involved with emotional and hormonal response and the integration of experience, emotion, and thought. Additionally, it stimulates the brain’s pleasure center and is involved in sexual arousal. Dopamine appears to be a factor in producing hallucinations, voices and other symptoms associated with "schizophrenia." Those with histapenia (see above) often have elevated dopamine levels. '
--Twenty-nine Medical Causes of Schizophrenia
- 41k -
http://www.alternativementalhealth.com/articles/causesofschizophrenia.html***********************************************************' Dopamine - A Sample Neurotransmitter--------------------------------------------------------------------------------' One of the neurotransmitters playing a major role in addiction is dopamine. Many of the concepts that apply to dopamine apply to other neurotransmitters as well.
As a chemical messenger, dopamine is similar to adrenaline. Dopamine affects brain processes that control movement, emotional response, and ability to experience pleasure and pain.
' Dopamine
' Regulation of dopamine plays a crucial role in our mental and physical health. Neurons containing the neurotransmitter dopamine are clustered in the midbrain in an area called the substantia nigra . In Parkinson's disease, the dopamine-transmitting neurons in this area die. As a result, the brains of people with Parkinson's disease contain almost no dopamine. To help relieve their symptoms, we give these people L-DOPA, a drug that can be converted in the brain to dopamine. ' Drugs can stimulate or fail to stimulate dopamine receptors' Some drugs are known as dopamine agonists. These drugs bind to dopamine receptors in place of dopamine and directly stimulate those receptors. Some dopamine agonists are currently used to treat Parkinson's disease. These drugs can stimulate dopamine receptors even in someone without dopamine neurons.
' In contrast to dopamine agonists, dopamine antagonists are drugs that bind but don't stimulate dopamine receptors. Antagonists can prevent or reverse the actions of dopamine by keeping dopamine from attaching to receptors. ' Dopamine antagonists are traditionally used to treat schizophrenia and related mental disorders. A person with
schizophrenia may have an overactive dopamine system. Dopamine antagonists can help regulate this system by "turning down" dopamine activity. ' Cocaine and other drugs of abuse can alter dopamine function. Such drugs may have very different actions. The specific action depends on which dopamine receptors the drugs stimulate or block, and how well they mimic dopamine.
' ....' Disease and drugs can produce faulty sensitization' Sensitization or desensitization normally occur with drug exposure. However, addiction or mental illness can tamper with the reuptake system. This disrupts the normal levels of neurotransmitters in the brain and can lead to faulty desensitization or sensitization. If this happens in a region of the brain that serves emotion or motivation, the individual can suffer severe consequences. ' Consider an example. Cocaine prevents dopamine reuptake by binding to proteins that normally transport dopamine. Not only does cocaine "bully" dopamine out of the way-it hangs on to the transport proteins much longer than dopamine does. As a result, more dopamine remains to stimulate neurons, which causes a prolonged feelings of pleasure and excitement. Amphetamine also increases dopamine levels. Again, the result is over-stimulation of these pleasure-pathway nerves in the brain. '--Understanding Addiction
The University of Texas at Austin
Dopamine - A Sample Neurotransmitter http://www.utexas.edu/research/asrec/dopamine.html***********************************************************' How does RISPERDAL work?' Symptoms of bipolar mania are thought to be caused by chemical imbalances in the brain. These chemicals are called dopamine and serotonin. Exactly how RISPERDAL works is unknown. However, it seems to readjust the balance of dopamine and serotonin. While it's not a cure, RISPERDAL may help control your symptoms so it may help you reconnect with your life. '--Risperdal (risperidone): The most frequently prescribed antipsychotic medication in the US
http://www.risperdal.com/consumer/bipolar/risperidone/index.jsp***********************************************************' What is Risperdal?' Risperdal (risperidone), released in 1994, is one of the atypical antipsychotic medications used to treat schizophrenia and psychotic disorders. The drug helps manage schizophrenia's positive symptoms (e.g., visual and auditory hallucinations, delusions, and thought disturbances) and may also help treat the illness’ negative symptoms (e.g., social withdrawal, apathy, lack of motivation, and inability to experience pleasure). It may also be useful in treating acute mania and severe
depression in combination with antidepressant medications. Risperdal’s side effects are usually relatively minor, and blood monitoring is not necessary.' How is Risperdal different from other antipsychotic medications?' Conventional antipsychotics such as Haldol, Stelazine, and Prolixin have treated positive symptoms in many patients for several years. However, these drugs do not satisfactorily affect the negative symptoms, and they often cause uncomfortable or intolerable side effects. Risperdal is as effective as the conventional medications in treating positive symptoms. Risperdal also offers the advantages of helping treat negative symptoms and causing fewer extrapyramidal side effects (EPS) such as
restlessness, muscle rigidity, and tremor when taken at the manufacturer's recommended dose of 6 mg per day or less.' How does Risperdal work?' Risperdal, like some other atypical antipsychotics, is designed as a serotonin/dopamine antagonist. While its exact mechanism of action is not yet understood, Risperdal seems to block the action of serotonin and dopamine, two neurotransmitter chemicals in the brain. Conventional antipsychotics seem to primarily affect only dopamine.' How quickly does Risperdal relieve symptoms of schizophrenia?' Improvement of symptoms may be noticed in some patients relatively quickly. Some adjustments may be necessary to reach the optimal dose for each patient. It is normally advisable to give the medication a trial period of at least four to six weeks at the optimal dose before evaluating its effectiveness, although experience with Clozaril suggests that improvements may take months to fully emerge. When first released, the recommended dose for Risperdal was 6 mg/day. It is now known that lower
doses (3 or 4 mg/day) are often effective with lower risk for side effects. '--NAMI | Risperdal
http://tinyurl.com/3by3a***********************************************************' Inform your Doctor if: You had negative reactions to this drug in the past. If you have a history of asthma, breast cancer, epilepsy, heart rhythm disturbances, liver / kidney disease, Parkinson's disease, seizures, or Tardive Dyskinesia. If you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription drug. If you plan to be under anesthesia or having any surgery in the next few months, also if you will be undergoing any medical tests. If you are on a special diet ( low-salt / low-sugar or any
other.) '--Risperidone ( Risperdal ) http://www.psyweb.com/Drughtm/risper.html***********************************************************' RISPERDAL RISPERIDONE)' RISPERDAL M_TAB (RISPERIDONE) ' TABLETS/ORAL SOLUTION ORALLY DISINTEGRATING TABLETS' If you or your child have been harmed by taking Risperdal, been prescribed Risperdal off label or had adverse reactions to the medication, you may wish to file a lawsuit before the statute of limitations runs out. Having a law firm which understands this medication and most importantly one which has the resources to see the case through is vital. If you would like for us to send your information to a law firm handling Risperdal claims, click here and fill out the short form. '
--Risperdal. Risperdal and Risperdal side effects. http://www.prozactruth.com/risperdal.htm***********************************************************' Marijuana and the Brain
... Brain microdialysis has proven that opiates, cocaine, amphetamines, nicotine
and alcohol all affect dopamine production, whereas marijuana does not. ... '
www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/hemp/BRAIN.HTM - 24k -
--Marijuana And the Brain
by John Gettman,
High Times, March, 1995, Schaffer Library of Drug Policy
http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/hemp/BRAIN.HTM
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Comment #12 posted by breeze on August 01, 2004 at 00:24:13 PT
I maybe a little late in the day on this comment-
But I have said it months ago before now, and I will say it once again having reviewed the past few days review on things happening in the news. I may even say something like I am about to say again tommorow- if I don't, then one of YOU put it into your own words and pass it on.If you want to do something about the current avenue our nation is taking, concerning cannabis- then you will do the following: Tell the voting public where the issue of cannabis prohibition effects them in the most harmful of ways. I saw an article on this web site about waiting for granny to die before even considering legalization of cannabis. Well, that is exactly what SOME people want the majority who desire for cannabis to be legalized to believe, that we have to wait for the next two or three generations to die off before some sensibility comes about. Thats just not going to happen, do you think our nation can wait that long financially, governmentally, constitutionally? As good citizens, we need to act now- NOW!!I just read how there are people who can get by on half of their pain medications if they use one joint- they sell the rest for profit. Now isn't that just dandy, the elderly are proffiting from another persons drug addiction.http://www.counterpunch.org/gardner07312004.htmlDo you think that all of the elderly are doing this? No, they aren't. But they aren't exactly all that eager to start smoking cannabis either, since they have been told that smoking PERIOD causes death. So, the pharmaceutical companies PREY on that fear, realizing the potential for a new revenue, and OBVIOUSLY hiding the benefits that marijuana in effective pain reduction- they seek to make a pill that works just like a good old fashioned joint, only , they can't. Replicating nature is the hardest thing to accomplish in a lab, by any standard- too many vaiables, too many circumstances, too many levels of accountability, too much "mother nature" to contend with.So, they make a spray, a pill- whatever, and it has all of the benefits of pot-without the harmful effects of tar in the lungs. The cancer society is DAMNED if their going to tell people to smoke marijuana, when they have spent so much money, time, effort in telling people to NOT smoke. So, they just tell people to swallow a pill and make due.Well- little is ever stated about vaporizers when confronting these people- yes, it can be smoked, but it can also be cooked, and vaporizing delivers the same medication to the body where it needs it. That said, confront the different approach of being recieved by the people who are in pain most of the time just because their bodies are waring out- the elderly, the semi-elderly, and those baby boomers who are approaching their pains "oh so gracefully" with the aid of an army of pharmaceuticals on the market today. Its not going to easy, but the folks within the range of fifty to eighty might just be the greatest asset to end the war on marijuana once and for all. The aging hippies are of course on one side of the argument, but not everyone over fifty was a hippie. You have to alert them to the need for such medication, and legalization, because it is such an effective substitute for chemicals. Chemicals that cost BIG BUCKS to manufacture, ship, and control. Tell the people what they want to hear- and they will listen- but you have to tell them what they want to hear, and that is, legalizing cannabis will reduce their monthly medical bills- and can reduce those bills even more if they have a green thumb. Most elderly people like to grow at least one fern, flower, something along that line- cannabis is tough like a weed, and is easy to maintain- so it can even become a hobby for them. I know this sounds borderline insane- but I try to say things that make sense, especially when there is so much bullshit in the realm of society today. I know a number of liqour stores that would be out of buisness if it weren't for their elderly customers, some who drink in order to avoid the expense of having to pay for pain meds. Once the older generations realize that legalized marijuana holds potential for lower priced medications that deal specifically with pain reduction, they might just realize that having marijuana legal is ON their side. One less bill for a pill is better than having one MORE additional bill for another pill- no rhyme intended. If cutting healthcare costs is of a concern to anyone, cannabis is the answer. Some people think that medicinal cannabis should be legal, but recreational cannabis shouldn't be. Ask these people if they know the difference between the two, and you might hear that "medical cannabis has medicine in it." Good to know!! But facts are, its all the same- except one costs more because it was prescribed by a doctor. The elderly is just one generation that should be for legalizng cannabis- the other generations, 50 and under, should be looking at alternative fuel sources. A loaf of bread still costs about 23 cents to make, but it costs $1.25 to deliver it. Most of you know what cannabis is capable of- especially hemp, so I shouldn't have to go there when talking about how cannabis can reduce the inflation rate within our economy concerning clothing, heating (hemp can be made into oil which can be burned to heat a home during cold months), building materials, plastics- etc. I truly believe the voting public has NO IDEA what we are presenting to them when we say we want cannabis to be made legal. They are merely looking at the party community of the issue, when in fact, that is not even a fifth of the issue. There are so many other things that circumvent the need for legalization of cannabis- on SO MANY DIFFERENT LEVELS. It is a win/win situation, but people don't know the facts, and until they see a financial benefit for their behalf- they tend to ignore major truths and ideas. Everyone in the nation sees a major problem with our government, and everyone is blaming/seeing bush as the root of that problem. Of course, he has had a major hand in the current mess we are in, but it is also those who continue to be just as blind to this issue who are in the sections of power where they could make a difference. One president is not going to legalize marijuana, even if he ran on that platform alone, and had a population that were by majority marijuana smokers. It takes more than just one leader to make that change- and to many, a sudden outright legalization of marijuana would be just too much for them to consider. So, instead of admitting failure, conceeding reform, using their authourity to steer our country back in the direction of being the best of everything in the world, they would rather see the machine grind to a halt. A good captain goes down with his ship, and if his men are loyal, so do they. Watch Disneys "20,000 Leagues beneath the sea" sometime, you will understand exactly what I mean.The fault here, with our entire populous, is that we have forgotten what it means to have to toil for change. Our citizens have grown lazy, if not weak, from their labors to improve our society. Food, clothing, fuel, housing need not be as expensive as it is- due to a simple design of nature that holds many cures, and unknown inventions- the cannabis plant. Mankind has accomplished so many great feats of invention within the past two hundred years, and yet they ignore that which is capable of doing so much by its own design- it is truly an example that idiots are ruling the masses, and in turn, selling us all out to poverty. If you haven't noticed, the price of everything has gone up, and it still going up. Are wages meeting that rate of inflation? Are elderly people living in a better world than they were forty years ago? Are people in general safer than they were even ten years ago- despite the fear mongers spreading word of "posible" terrorist attacks? Are you living better today than yesterday? Most likely the answer is no, but you ARE better informed, and wizer for it- my next question, simply- have you used your wizdom to make the world a better place for others? I would like to think that yes, you have- by posting here in this modern form of graffiti you certainly have- but think of all of the people who would rather spend their minutes of life looking at porn, playing games, or whatever on the web. With so many venues of venting, so many places on the web to spend my time- I chose the one thing that I know would make the world a better place to live in for everyone, in so many ways. It is only logical to think of the global community when thinking of answers to problems that directly effect peoples livlihood, but we are but a few of those great thinkers. I will give one example- Stephen Hawking changed his mind about how black holes operate- and it made headlines for days. I grant that the man is a genius, but he is also an idiot- for what has he done to make peoples lives better by giving the scientists who actually invent things a useful source of information that can be used here and now? Sure, if we are ever to reach distant stars that information is helpful, but how does it help us NOW- while we are alive and still in need of _____{fill in the blank}? It doesn't- it becomes useless information to me, to you, and just about everyone you know. Simply because he changed his mind about a THEORY, it made national headlines. Does this say anything about mankinds priorities? It does, certainly- it states clearly that people in control of the media are just plain stupid. What our WORLD needs is efficient power, cost effective substances that can be used for medication, housing, clothing- you name it. And the answer is right here, right now- and being sold as a recreational herbal high on street corners by people who have never even thought about the subject of making people's lives better, or if they have, they haven't said a lot about it- and why should they? They are just trying to survive in a world gone mad. Mother was right- its wrong to be greedy, selfish, and arrogant. Because a society that has these qualities is destined to fail- and as the nation watches the race for the white house, they see these factors in how the characters play out their fantasies of being in charge. What good does it do to be in charge and not do anything of a benefit to others when that was SPECIFICALLY the reason the post was created in the first place? It merely proves a simple formula, that history is doomed to repeat itself. If you are one of the five people who have read this, and grasped one-tenth of what I was trying to say, I commend you. I just wish others could see the light, and do something about the need for cannabis legalization in ALL parts of the world, not just the USA. It could end famine in some parts of the world, bring heat to others during the freezing months, and even bring us a little closer to being able to KNOW if Hawking is finally right about black holes. As an alternative fuel, it would definetly be a step in the right direction- but alas- it remains illegal. And duly, I remain numbed by the sheer ignorance of all who hold power and don't know how to use it properly for the benefit of others.
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Comment #11 posted by Virgil on July 31, 2004 at 18:40:56 PT
more small talk
The term "endogenous cannabinoid deficiency" appears only once in a Google search and it is in reponse to my comment using of the term using indigenous- endogenous cannabinoid deficiency. Do I get an assist for bringing the term to the Internet.This is really something that should be studied just like a lack of serotonin means depression. I really never knew the word endogenous existed and for serious study of this important term, here is the definition at dictionary.com -en·dog·e·nous Audio pronunciation of "endogenous" ( P ) Pronunciation Key (n-dj-ns)
adj. 1. Produced or growing from within.
2. Originating or produced within an organism, tissue, or cell: endogenous secretions.It is time to give the term its first coloring- endogenous cannabinoid deficiency Might as well get past the virginity on Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency (CECD.)
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Comment #10 posted by Virgil on July 31, 2004 at 18:15:09 PT
Indigenous Cannabinoid Defeciency
I see that Dr. Russo has outlined a concept using the term "Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency (CECD.)" In this thread I spoke of "indigenous cannabinoid deficiency" that I had used before in conversation while in bullshit mode.There really are people just totally afraid of making even the smallest mistake that they are somewhat stuck in second gear all the time. It is a true fear that governs them and molehills are devoted mountains of thought. I did a search for "indigenous cannabinoid deficiency" and it seems like I have the only use of the term on the Internet according to Google. I am glad Dr. Russo responded to the first use in this thread- http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread18831.shtml - because it gave me a chance to get the spelling correct in a response.While Dr. Russo is serious as serious can be, I regard the term "indigenous cannabinoid deficiency" as a neat sounding phrase for what is probably a real condition in some people. I think it would be a great phrase for use in a movie, and if Cheech and Chong would use it in a movie, people would fall out of their chairs- " I have to use my medical marijuana now for my indigenous cannabinoid deficiency."I guess someone should throw out the term "indigenous endocannabinoid deficiency endocannabinoid" so that it is brought into existance and might bring someone here from Google search results.
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Comment #9 posted by Virgil on July 31, 2004 at 17:39:20 PT
Corruption, pills, and Bill Moyers
There is an article by Bill Moyers dated July 24 at http://www.truthout.org/docs_04/072404M.shtml with this paragraph- In fact, there was to be a Congressional hearing this week into the safety of anti-depressant medicine. It seems some pharmaceutical companies are suspected of keeping secret the bad news about their products. The hearing was abruptly cancelled when word spread that the committee chairman is under consideration for a big-paying job representing-are you ready for this?-the biotech and pharmaceutical industries.
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Comment #8 posted by BGreen on July 31, 2004 at 17:38:23 PT
Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency
Those with absolutely no credibility, knowledge or training who choose to summarily dismiss the research of one of the world's leading cannabinoid researchers, Dr. Ethan Russo, M.D., may very well be unknowingly suffering from Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency (CECD.) The Reverend Bud Green
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Comment #7 posted by Jose Melendez on July 31, 2004 at 14:49:16 PT
malarkey
Let me get this straight, C.E.The federal government has no problem with giving kids selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, heavy doses of caffeine along with eight teaspoons of sugar in carbonated beverages, is willing to go to court to keep citizens from suing companies for defective and dangerous products that have been associated with, respectively, increased suicides, addiction and adult onset diabetes. This is in children, mind you.Additionally, state agencies have been known to remove children from homes where parents refuse to put their kids on Ritalin, Adderal, Concerta, Strattera, etc.There are studies that show that youth use of marijuana is often preceded by problems at home, that these kids are in fact self medicating, and that most eventually quit with no long term effects.In fact, in Thailand, where they recently "cracked down" on drug use by murdering dealers, youth use is up. In the Netherlands, where cannabis use is de facto legalized, youth use is far lower than here in the States.Studies that show reductions in cancerous tumors, relief from stress, nausea and pain are practically ignored by law enforcement and the media. So, why do we need hard evidence that free legal access to cannabis is needed to keep people ALIVE, not just "stress-free", when such evidence is ignored by officialdom?Is it not the prohibitions against these plants that have caused so much death, destruction and harm to society, incuding increased proliferation and availability of pot and stronger illicit substances to youth?
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Comment #6 posted by Cannabis Enthusiast on July 31, 2004 at 12:58:45 PT
unkat27, you pointed out the reason why...
The Government really is "winning" (economically) the War on Drugs. No matter how "cool" or "bad-ass" drug dealers think they are, they will always be _owned_ in the end. A recent popular rap song sums things up quite well ("Im telling you all, that it all falls down... [chorus] "We're so self-conscious im just the first one to admit it").Basically the rapper has a line in the song about drug dealers making tons of money, and then the government just takes all of that when they're caught.
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Comment #5 posted by Cannabis Enthusiast on July 31, 2004 at 12:36:22 PT
17-year old got a MMJ card for "stress" ?
------
Two officers first questioned a 17-year-old Orinda resident they saw leave the clinic. The youth had a valid cannabis buyer's club card and admitted to buying $50 worth of "Purple Maui" marijuana, police said. The youth told the officers he uses marijuana to cope with migraine headaches, insomnia and stress. After photographing the marijuana, police returned it to the youth before going to the clinic.
------No wonder the Federal Government goes after MMJ clubs. Because of "patients" like these.(dont get me wrong, in an ideal world there would be Free Cannabis For Everyone, but the reality is that nowadays we need hard evidence that it is actually needed to keep people ALIVE, not just "stress-free")
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Comment #4 posted by unkat27 on July 31, 2004 at 12:11:38 PT
Alternative Tax-Collecting?
It sounds to me like the oldest government rip-off taking a new form. Cops do the same thing with most illegal drug dealers. They let them sell their drugs for so long, until a big stash of cash has been collected, then they move in for the bust, take all the loot and whatever drugs remain. The drug dealers make big money for the government. These cannabis clubs are being used in much the same way. After all, the money has to go somehwere, right? If they were screwing me in this way, I'd bring out the big guns and cut off all their ugly thieving heads. Big time. This is a recipe for civil war. Mark my word.
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Comment #3 posted by FoM on July 31, 2004 at 11:47:32 PT
Virgil
I had the article set up to post and as I was previewing it I tried to read it but I didn't understand that it was about Cannabis. I'll look at it again but I really didn't get a point. Long articles are hard for me to understand. I recommend people read the link that you posted.
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Comment #2 posted by Virgil on July 31, 2004 at 11:47:26 PT
Some stats on pills
Here is some copy and paste from an article titled How Big Pharma Bilks the Elderly- The Real Drug Culture by Michael Connelly at http://www.counterpunch.org/donnelly07312004.html*AARP reports the astonishing fact that in 2002, over 75% of Americans age 45+ take an average of four prescription drugs per day. *We all saw the shocking events at the Super Bowl -- no, not Janet's adorned boob -- the endless ads for Cialis, Viagra and Levitra. The makers of these sexual performance drugs collectively spent over $265 million to advertise them in just the first five months of this year alone; something the companies disingenuously call "educating consumers."*Don't get me wrong. Generics ARE the way to go. Anone can see that. recently the quinolone antibiotic Cipro (ciprofloxacin hydrochloride). Bayer AG's drug is most used for Inhalation Anthrax, but also used for some tough cases such as hospital acquired pneumonia and urinary tract infections, was selling for over $250 per prescription. Just a few weeks ago, the generic version became available for just $5--a savings of 5000%.
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Comment #1 posted by Virgil on July 31, 2004 at 11:22:11 PT
The World of pain- at CounterPunch
There is an article dated today at CounterPunch with a lead title "The politics of pot" followed by "The World of Pain" and is by Fred Garner-http://www.counterpunch.org/gardner07312004.htmlThis article really needs to be read in its entirety because it draws on some very important aspects of pain management, addiction, and the political climate around pain management. It speaks mostly about prescribed opiates that got a doctor in Grover, NC in trouble with the great protectors at the DEA. It does have the following paragraph in the text. When the prohibitors spout the line that after all the opiates and anti-depressants are tried, then maybe cannabis, it is as absurd as any other crap coming from the prohibitionists camp. Opiates and anti-depressants are highly addictive and are not even in the same realm of safety from addiction as cannabis.Since his practice was closed down, Talley has been helping former patients arrange to see other doctors. He says he's been struck by how many have volunteered the information that "they can make do with half the opiates if they have a joint." This jibes exactly with what researchers in Sandra Welch's lab at Virginia Commonwealth University have learned from animal studies: cannabis use can reduce the need for opiates by about 50 percent.
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