cannabisnews.com: US Supreme Court to Hear Medicinal Marijuana Case US Supreme Court to Hear Medicinal Marijuana Case Posted by CN Staff on November 12, 2004 at 13:30:57 PT By Julie Carpenter, Washington Source: VOA.com Doctors in some parts of the United States have prescribed marijuana to people suffering from a variety of medical conditions; from glaucoma patients to cancer victims undergoing painful chemotherapy. Though it is used for medicinal purposes in many parts of the world, marijuana remains illegal in most countries. Eleven U.S. states currently allow the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. The issue was also voted on in three states in the November election. It won passage in the northern state of Montana. But voters in the western state of Oregon turned down an initiative for strengthening an existing law that currently allows medicinal marijuana use. And an initiative for outright legalization failed in Alaska. The case before the Supreme Court, Raich et. al. vs. Ashcroft, stems from a California woman's appeal of her conviction under a federal narcotics law - the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 - that prohibits the distribution and sale of marijuana and other illegal drugs across state lines. She and her co-defendants contend their home-grown plants were not being sold to people in other states and are therefore not in violation of the federal law regulating "commerce among the states." Steph Sherer is the executive director of the advocacy group, Americans for Safe Access. She says the federal law should not be enforced, especially in the more than eleven states, including California, that protect medical marijuana users from being prosecuted for drug trafficking:"The argument can be made for a patient who's living in California that's growing their own medicine, there's no interstate commerce that's happening. So therefore, the federal government does not have the jurisdiction to step in and interfere in these laws." She says marijuana can be used for relief from a variety of illnesses, including multiple sclerosis. "Everything from helping chronic pain to being used as an anti-nausea medication. It is also used by M.S. patients to stop tremors and muscle spasticity. Scientists in Israel have found that the cannabinoid in the marijuana plant could actually be the precursor to stopping the on-set of Alzheimer's." Ms. Scherer's claims run counter to the view of U.S. government medical professionals. David Murray, with the National Drug Control Policy office, says marijuana in its dried leaf form - provides no proven medicinal benefits. "Smoked marijuana has never qualified as an accepted or proved medicine, has never demonstrated, by the standard criteria any new drug would have to go through before being approved, that it is safe to be used and that it is effective."But Mr. Murray adds that the U.S. government is still evaluating whether the chemical compounds in marijuana might be broken down for their possible medical value. "Research is going forward to identify cannabinoid active ingredients that can be purified, regulated, standardized and dosed the threatening and risky elements removed and perhaps they could be turned into effective medicines for particular medical conditions. I think those trials are underway and so far, the results are promising but not convincing as yet." In Britain, the law says cannabis can only be produced, possessed or supplied for research purposes under government license. G.W. Pharmaceuticals is one of the main British companies involved in cannabis drug trials. Company spokesman Mark Rogerson says G.W.'s product; called Sativex is currently awaiting regulatory approval in the United Kingdom."Approvals in the U.K. take between 12 and 18 months. That's par for the course if you like. The 18th month milestone was passed a month or so ago. So that's why we hope very much that we're in the final stages." Mr. Rogerson says the medicine is derived from a whole plant extract, meaning it contains the two main ingredients of marijuana. It is administered as a mouth spray. If it is accepted in Britain, approval for other European countries' markets will likely follow. But he concedes the United States is a difficult and expensive market in which approval for the new drug is less certain."We fully recognize that the U.S. is a huge opportunity for us. But at the moment, our thinking is: let's work in areas where the practical barriers to entry are a bit lower, for example, the European Union and the Commonwealth. We'll save the United States for when we're a bit bigger and stronger." The drug is also awaiting approval in Canada. In the meantime, the government's Health Canada agency says dried marijuana is distributed through legal avenues as a compassionate gesture to sick people. The drug is ordered from a government-funded and controlled cannabis plantation. But Canadian government scientists are still studying this program to make sure that the medical marijuana is both safe and effective.An Israeli pharmaceutical company, Pharmos, is also testing a variant on the active ingredient in marijuana. The developer was scheduled to complete trials in September and hoped to follow with a U.S. Food & Drug Administration review that is expected to extend into 2006.Experts are uncertain whether this month's Supreme Court hearing will lay the groundwork for tougher laws against medicinal marijuana use or provide a blueprint for future legal distribution of the drug. In either case, health activists, social policy makers and international drug companies will be awaiting the Court's final ruling with great interest.Source: VOA.com (Web)Author: Julie Carpenter, WashingtonPublished: November 11, 2004Website: http://www.voanews.com/Contact: http://www.voanews.com/english/contact.cfmRelated Articles & Web Sites:Raich vs. Ashcroft http://www.angeljustice.org/Angel Raich v. Ashcroft Newshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/raich.htmState Backs Medical Pot Case Before Court http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19640.shtmlKey Medical Pot Case To Be Heardhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19092.shtmlSupreme Court Will Hear Medical Marijuana Case http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19089.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #71 posted by FoM on November 18, 2004 at 12:57:59 PT Hope I'll pat him on the head for you. He is a wonderful dog. He is so big and when he stands up at the door he's almost as tall as I am. He really scared the UPS guy yesterday. Rotts are good guard dogs. Our other dog we got from animal rescue barks too but isn't as intimidating as my Rott. We are so far off the road no one comes here unless they call and lets us know they are coming. We live almost 2 miles from an asphalt road. PS: High speed connections are so nice. They cost a little more but you don't ever waste time waiting for something to load. You don't need a phone line either. [ Post Comment ] Comment #70 posted by Hope on November 18, 2004 at 12:52:55 PT High speed connection No, I don't...everyone tells me I should. Everything is loading much faster now. My old computer was so bogged down that it took forever for most pages to load. This seems high speed in comparison.I just discovered I could confirm my post or type just fine right through...or behind my Scooby.Usually even a funny or odd cursor annoys the thunder out of me. I avoid themes because of that. Catz made my husband nearly insane, the children loved them, and that stupid parrot was a misery...but these dancers aren't annoying at all. [ Post Comment ] Comment #69 posted by Hope on November 18, 2004 at 12:46:30 PT Oh my gosh! That does sound scary!For years people came here to the house all hours of the day or night with car trouble or first one thing then another. I was able to avoid a lot of it by turning off the yard light. It doesn't happen much anymore since so many people have cell phones. I still see people out front with trouble...but they don't always come up to the house anymore. It's a relief. I had a drunk stick his foot in the door before when I tried to close it on him. We've had prowlers, too...that was scary. I try to keep the brush down...even on the near neighbors pasture where people used to could walk down the fenceline unobserved in all the cover. We've found deserted vehicles at the end of our driveway on several mornings over the years. People have come for them and apologized but they felt it was safer to leave their vehicle in our driveway or yard instead of on the highway and didn't want to wake us in the middle of the night.I'm glad last night, there, didn't amount to much more than lost sleep for you. I would protect myself and my family if I had too...but I would hate to have to hurt anyone.I have let strangers in at night in emergencies...but not without my pistol being obvious. Dogs are wonderful for keeping up with what we might not notice. Give ole Kap a pat on the head from me and tell him I said he was a "Good dog!".:-)One morning we woke up and their were three huge brahma bulls at the end of the driveway. I don't remember how they got there. They didn't belong to a near neighbor but someone came and claimed them. They were huge and one was laying in the driveway. We couldn't make out what the dogs were barking at until it got daylight...but it was sort of spooky there for awhile. [ Post Comment ] Comment #68 posted by FoM on November 18, 2004 at 12:30:11 PT Hope I'll check out the link later on today. Do you have a high speed connection? Putting this DW6000 was easy to install compared to the original DW 4000 I think it was called. All the updates seem installed now. Last night we had a bad night. My Rott went crazy at the door about 2 am. Someone was driving up our driveway ( it's about 400 feet long )and then they backed down and turned the lights off and left the car. It kept us awake all night. We found out today someone ran out of gas but boy did it cause us lost sleep. No one is out where we live at that hour of night. I have a lot more to learn before I can make any new pages. It will probably take me all weekend to figure it out. Today if I'm really slow that is why. New computer and then up all night. I'm glad it's over. [ Post Comment ] Comment #67 posted by Hope on November 18, 2004 at 12:28:40 PT Dancers I like Michelle and Evan, too. They are real people who do a mean and elegant Argentine Tango to whatever music is playing. Two of the dancers, "Cobey" and "Michelle and Evan", came on the computer. I will have to pay for them eventually...I think...if I want to keep them...and I probably will. They seem to be easily controlled and don't get annoying like that parrot or catz. I hope they aren't full of spyware. I don't mind spyware until it starts messing with my settings...then it's infuriating and frustrating. They seem safe so far though.It's so funny. Scooby adapts his rythym and steps to whatever is playing. [ Post Comment ] Comment #66 posted by Hope on November 18, 2004 at 12:21:28 PT So cool Scooby Doo is dancing at the bottom of my monitor...he looks like he's outside the page, dancing on the frame of the monitor...to an Alanis Morrisette song. There are several dancers and styles of dancing and they dance, and dance well...to whatever music you play. It's too cool.http://www.microsoft.com/windows/plus/tryit.asp [ Post Comment ] Comment #65 posted by FoM on November 18, 2004 at 08:46:13 PT Hope Bells and Whistles and all kinds of reminders. I couldn't post using my name and now I can. My old computer was a great work machine and simple but I had it for close to 4 years and knew it very well. I'm very nervous learning new stuff. You aren't alone. Enjoy your new computer. I know I will after a few days and I can relax. [ Post Comment ] Comment #64 posted by Hope on November 18, 2004 at 08:14:25 PT machines I'm more timid with the thing than you. I've got tons of buttons I haven't dared to push yet. This keyboard is so different and looks so danged expensive that I won't be allowing food near it and am very worried about the grandchildren with this one. No sticky fingers please! It's got dials and lights and a radio things and...well it's just a stunning array of possibilities. I should be able to watch dvds and all too. I've never even put a dvd into our dvd player! So it will be awhile before I mess with that stuff. Thankfully, my husband is getting tired of building computers and souping them up. This entire rig is all from one company, Hewlett-Packard. and he's not likely to start adding extra fans and heat sinks and whatever else the stuff was he would do to them. This one is so quiet and unintimidating. It's like going from a big ole hotrod to a new luxury car.Things are building up for a very busy holiday season here and I may not have time to play with the computer like I'd like to until about the tenth of January. I want to learn how to cruise for music for one thing, now that I can likely do so without crashing.I've got grandchildren arriving for the week on Saturday. Mother is coming to do church work on the computer this morning sometime. Got to go looking for a dead bird and fixings this afternoon. I'm so excited about this thing. I will be exploring with great timidity and trepidation, though. You, obviously, are a much better "nerd", or is it "geek", than I am, but I'm plodding forth...albeit way behind you.This thing can be a tv, too and has lots of other possibilities, too. I'm still gleaning the basics, but I'm happy to have XP again. I've always loved the effect of blue light or neon and man...I've got blue lights and stuff on the monitor, the speakers, and the keyboard. It's really cool.Point me to your favorite S. Earle song that's online and I can listen to it. It's more fun to "keep on keepin on" when you have new "shoes"...so to speak. [ Post Comment ] Comment #63 posted by FoM on November 17, 2004 at 22:23:58 PT Hope This is a remarkable machine. I just wanted to say I'm watching a DVD and surfing at the same time. This is very cool. I hope you are enjoying yours too. [ Post Comment ] Comment #62 posted by FoM on November 17, 2004 at 18:04:18 PT Hope So far so good. I won't be able to make any web pages if I need them until I load and figure out Front Page 2003. I got my web form and I can't do anything without that. New computers take a lot of getting used to. [ Post Comment ] Comment #61 posted by Hope on November 17, 2004 at 17:54:45 PT Wonderful! Hope it goes smoothly. [ Post Comment ] Comment #60 posted by FoM on November 17, 2004 at 14:10:02 PT Hope My new computer just arrived. We will be trying to get the new satellite modem and computer up and running tonight. If I miss a story or two I will catch up. I'm so very nervous! LOL! [ Post Comment ] Comment #59 posted by Hope on November 17, 2004 at 13:25:28 PT LCDs...cleaning Just checked the cd that came with monitor. It said to use a solution of 50% isopropyl alcohol, 50% water and a soft gauze cloth just dampened with the solution. I've mixed up the alcohol solution, just have to find a gauze cloth. [ Post Comment ] Comment #58 posted by FoM on November 17, 2004 at 11:54:10 PT Hope It says just to use water on my directions. That's all I've ever used. PS: This is so bright it bothered my eyes for a day but now I'm used to it and really like it. [ Post Comment ] Comment #57 posted by Hope on November 17, 2004 at 11:40:05 PT LCDs My husband was perspiring getting all this stuff hooked up...and his sweaty nose...bless his heart...made a smear on the screen. I'm scared to try to clean it. If it's as delicate as the screen on my camera it will get scratched and blurred easily. When I get a chance I guess I'll have to watch the cd that came with it to find out how to clean it safely. The book with it only said don't use liquids or aerosols. Seems like it should have a special cleaner or cloth.I should be able to listen to music and watch videos now. That will be so nice.Do you know anything about cleaning the screen? [ Post Comment ] Comment #56 posted by FoM on November 17, 2004 at 10:55:25 PT Hope Wow that's great! I am waiting for UPS to deliver my new computer. It should be here today or tomorrow. I also got an LCD Monitor. It was delivered before the computer so we hooked it up and it is wonderful. I'll be adding a new modem to the satellite so I'm nervous but it goes with the territory. I am so happy for you! How about a new slogan?We love our LCDS! LOL! [ Post Comment ] Comment #55 posted by Hope on November 17, 2004 at 10:47:28 PT Hello! Had to get a new computer. Sort of set up and going. You all know the first place I had to get going and on my favorites!It's so bright on this new LCD screen. It's so skinny! My other one was a huge old 20 inch monitor and this one is just 17...but it doesn't seem like a signifigant loss as far as viewing area and it doesn't seem like it's a big ole death ray producer sitting in front of me.AgaetisByrjun, thank you for that history/geography lesson. I have many Dutch friends, neighbors and relations, but your explanation is the best I've seen yet. Of course your mastery of the language I speak has a lot to do with that, I'm sure.I know many, many Netherlanders...and they always speak english well except for a few glitches. I always suspected that they were taught the Queen's English through an East Indian. The worst problem seemed to be the alarm they would cause me or my daughter by asking "What's that standing on that sign?" or "What is that standing on your shirt?" It scared the thunder out of me two or three times as far as my shirt was concerned...and the signs...we were saying.."What? Where? An owl? A hawk?" If it ever happens to you, I can tell you, that "What's that standing on your shirt?" means, "What's that say on your shirt?" [ Post Comment ] Comment #54 posted by FoM on November 16, 2004 at 18:47:50 PT Hope I hope you see this. I know you are having computer problems and I am looking forward to your return. I hope the problem is a simple one. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. [ Post Comment ] Comment #53 posted by AOLBites on November 14, 2004 at 13:19:58 PT wow its amazing how much we learn here... Thank you for the history, I never heard the details of that explained so consisely =) medicine,politics,history,entertainment, the depth of knowlage reading these pages is truly staggering some times =)[happy 4:20] [ Post Comment ] Comment #52 posted by westnyc on November 14, 2004 at 06:12:15 PT Byrjun Very interesting. I love European History. Also, I go to Amsterdam several times a year on business. I knew that "Netherlands" referred to "low lands;" but, I always thought they said this because the entire Netherlands are the only European country below sea-level. Thanks :-) [ Post Comment ] Comment #51 posted by FoM on November 13, 2004 at 15:33:21 PT AgaetisByrjun That's a strange computer problem. I know this computer is old and started making terrible noises when I turned it on in the morning and then it settled down but it was really worrying me. This is an ME and has been a great computer but we decided it was time to get a new one and the new satellite modem which will allow two computers connected at the same time because it uses an Ethernet Card. I don't have DVD on this machine and it will be nice to have that on the new one. It's my birthday and christmas present for the next three years! LOL! Thank you for the explanation of Amsterdam but because I haven't been there it still is hard for me to picture. I get lost when news is from Canada. I know where Ontario is and Vancouver. The rest of the country I get all mixed up. [ Post Comment ] Comment #50 posted by AgaetisByrjun on November 13, 2004 at 14:51:28 PT Computer troubles Ach! You all, too? My computer doesn't like the cold weather one bit: a few months ago, I thought I had screwed the cap on my water bottle tight, but soon discovered that wasn't the case as it got knocked over, the cap flew off, and a tiny bit of water found its way onto the keyboard of my laptop. I shut it off immediately and cursed my luck, but the damage turned out to be nothing. The keyboard stopped working, so I got a plug-in keyboard to use. Everything else works fine.However, since the weather got cold and wet, the up key (on my laptop keyboard) sometimes turns on on its own accord and scrolls up until I push the down key (on the laptop). It really sucks, and sometimes it screws up what I'm typing because the cursor suddenly flies upwards and I end up messing up the lines above. It's okay now, but sometimes it's too much to type. Egad. [ Post Comment ] Comment #49 posted by AgaetisByrjun on November 13, 2004 at 14:46:29 PT The Netherlands The Netherlands is actually a very interesting country. It, together with Switzerland, Luxembourg, and Lichenstein, is the last remnant of medieval northern Europe. After Rome fell, her former empire split into innumerable feudal states, each ruled by a local noble. Where a strong local culture developed -- as in France or Spain -- a lot of these smaller duchies and principalities joined together under one king and established Western Europe as we know it (that is, the huge nation-staes that now exist in the continent). But east of France, i was such a mishmash of different tribes (sort of like Afghanistan) that it was impossible for any kind of unity, and what is now Gemany stayed a bunch of tiny countries (each rled by a duke or a prince) until 1870, when Prussia becme pwerful enough to take over all the rest by force. Modern Germany would be more accurately called Greater Prussia, because that state was just one of several hundred that made up modern Germany. But just 150 years ago, there were independent countries of Prussia, Saxony, Bavaria, Hamburg, Mainz, Schleswieg-Holstein, etc.Three unions came out of the miscellany hundreds of years before Germany came into existence, though: a few dukes and princes in the southwest united almost 1000 years ago to form a republic. This became the Swiss Confederation (because it was a confederation of the small independent states, now called cantons) and later became Switzerland. The Swiss state-level divisions (cantons) are actually like the U.S. states, in that they kept their historical regions and boundaries from before the union. For instance, Virginia and Connecticut were independent regions that kept their names and areas when they joined the Union. The Swiss cantons are the same thing, except some of them haven't been independent in close to a thousand years. They no longer have royal families, obviously. (In the southeast of the Germany smorgsabord, the tiny state of Austria -- which was originally just the eastern third of the modern country -- took over a bunch of its neighbours and built a great empire in its own right, destroyed after World War I).And the far western parts, which were on a low coastal plain and culturally and linguistically different from the rest of Germany (the Dutch language used to be called Low Dutch, while what is now the German language was once called High Dutch: here, "Dutch" is a corruption of "Deutsch", and the low and high refer to altitude, not culture), came under the influence of their large neighbours and trading partners (the kingdoms of England, France, and Spain). These local rulers married into the great European ruling families and effectively came under control of the great powers.All of what is now Belgium and the Netherlands were together in a union simply called the Netherlands, again owing to its altitude: "nether" is a somewhat archaic word meaning "low", so "the Netherlands" means "the low lands". The country, owing to its economic and strategic importance, changed hands many times over the centuries, until it was finally split in two: the northern half was known as the Spanish Netherlands, while the southern became known as the Austrian Netherlands (after their ruling families). Both countries gained independence: the Austrian Netherlands changed its name to Belgium, while the Spanish is called simply "The Netherlands". Both countries are still monarchies and are still composed of their historical provinces: Holland, Friesland, Utrecht, and Zealand were once all independent countries; now they're just provinces of the Netherlands. Amsterdam was the capital of Holland and, being the most important city in the country, became the national capital.So the Netherlands is actually a holdover from medieval, feudal Europe. It's also called Holland because that region was historically the most important, although this usage is technically wrong because Holland is only a very small part of the whole. It'd be a bit like calling the United States "California". [ Post Comment ] Comment #48 posted by breeze on November 13, 2004 at 13:43:51 PT Hmmmm I Hope above all hopes that bin laden is either dead or does not have this capability.Either way , it is VERY irresponsible behaviour for anyone to even attempt to install fear into the public in order to further agenda to control the masses, or gain even more support for the patriot act.While this approach may work on some christian moralists, or soccor moms in their gas guzzling suv's, there are a lot of rednecks out here who don't take kindly to threats. They often times carry through with action before acted upon. do I beleive that some people in the govment had something to do with 911- you betcha. Do I think they might go as far as nuking a city for their beneficial control- you betcha. there will come a time when there will be things unimaginable occuring in our streets, by people who are supposed to be protecting US. Its already happening, and few are doing anything about it.For instance the young lady killed by a cop for celebrating after a game, or the young man tortured to death for being in the prescence of marijuana and a handgun- even though he was paralyzed from the neck down. [ Post Comment ] Comment #47 posted by FoM on November 13, 2004 at 11:47:01 PT Hope I didn't read the article but if I'm asked to remove something I will do that. I'm sorry you are having computer problems. Today my computer is working like it's brand new but it hasn't been. I ordered a new Gateway computer and a new satellite modem and they should be here by the end of this week. My eye sight has been getting worse and this is a 19 inch monitor so I ordered a 19 inch LCD Monitor because the salesman said it is less stressful on people's eyes. It will be nice to have a skinny monitor too. Good Luck with you computer. [ Post Comment ] Comment #46 posted by Hope on November 13, 2004 at 11:34:40 PT computer In case you don't see me for awhile...it's because my computer has started acting really crazy. [ Post Comment ] Comment #45 posted by Hope on November 13, 2004 at 11:23:43 PT Thanks I appreciate it, FoM. [ Post Comment ] Comment #44 posted by FoM on November 13, 2004 at 10:58:36 PT Hope All done. [ Post Comment ] Comment #43 posted by Hope on November 13, 2004 at 10:51:48 PT my apologies FoM, please delete my last two posts. I think I was creeped out and didn't want to be creeped out alone!Sorry. [ Post Comment ] Comment #42 posted by observer on November 13, 2004 at 10:15:46 PT the issue "Smoked marijuana has never qualified as an accepted or proved medicine, has never demonstrated, by the standard criteria any new drug would have to go through before being approved, that it is safe to be used and that it is effective."Pot is a plant. Governments, includng the US government, the object of so much worship, have no right to jail you for using a plant. That is the issue. Government hasn't any right to tell you what you can or cannot put insude your own body. When governments try to convince people that government has the right to prohibit people from consuming plants, governments fail. That is (drug) prohibition in a nutshell. It is your body, government will be disobeyed when it makes the unreasonable demand that you (an adult) not take pot, smoked or not. [ Post Comment ] Comment #39 posted by siege on November 13, 2004 at 09:04:00 PT that's not the way Bush plays the game. President Bush begins his second term in office by: 1) Reviving his attempt to legalize illegal aliens, and, 2) Appointing a pro-abortion judge as Attorney General. This cannot be reassuring to the conservatives that elected him on November 2.http://www.newswithviews.com/baldwin/baldwin201.htm [ Post Comment ] Comment #38 posted by FoM on November 13, 2004 at 08:08:18 PT Sam and Everyone I just posted this big article from the Sunday Magazine of the Los Angeles Times. Here it is!Fighting for The Right To Miracle Marijuana: http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19811.shtml [ Post Comment ] Comment #37 posted by Sam adams on November 13, 2004 at 08:01:41 PT anyone have a prediction on this case? I wouldn't be suprised to see a grudging acceptance of California's laws because of state's rights, nor would I be surprised to see them crush the medical MJ laws, with Scalia sneering "the Republic has done fine with medical marijuana for 200 years" and Rehnquist smirking "so children in some states are going to get druggie medicine?"Anyone have an informed legal opinion? [ Post Comment ] Comment #36 posted by FoM on November 13, 2004 at 07:48:47 PT Hope Thank you. I get lost when I try to think of places I've never seen. I have been in most states so I know where they are except the extreme north west. I'm glad I had a couple years of travel on the road with my husband because I can visualize so many states. I've been to Roswell, New Mexico and I saw a Stealth Bomber taking off when it was low to the ground. I've stayed over night a couple times in El Paso and been to Boston and about everywhere. I never wanted to travel outside the U.S. but I did want to see our country and I did. [ Post Comment ] Comment #35 posted by Hope on November 13, 2004 at 07:33:29 PT Another effort :-) Amsterdam is a city ...the name of the country is the Netherlands. [ Post Comment ] Comment #34 posted by FoM on November 13, 2004 at 07:29:34 PT breeze I know that it could set off a war that would be unbelievable if he did bomb anywhere in the U.S. I guess what I looked at he got permission from a Saudi. The Saudi are our allies Bush says. I wonder if Bush will ever admit that Saudi Arabia is our enemy too. [ Post Comment ] Comment #33 posted by FoM on November 13, 2004 at 07:25:17 PT Hope That is a funny flag. Thanks for the information. I'm still confused and I hope BGreen is safe. [ Post Comment ] Comment #32 posted by Hope on November 13, 2004 at 06:07:17 PT The GCW Lol...they made me think of heart shapes without the point at the bottom. I asked what they represented. Lily pads was the answer.Friesians are so proud of that flag. One is flying just down the road from me. Seven flags over Texas!That design is emblazoned on all sorts of stuff. The handy, dandy Dutch washcloth, towels, mufflers, hats, clothes, dishes, wooden shoes and a plethora of other things.. [ Post Comment ] Comment #31 posted by mayan on November 13, 2004 at 06:03:30 PT Patriots It seems that the third party candidates are stepping up to the plate. Where is Kerry? At least Badnarik,Cobb and Nader are trying to expose the massive vote fraud that occured. Regardless of who really won, it must be exposed! Presidential Candidates To Demand Ohio Recount: http://www.sierratimes.com/04/11/11/Presidential_Candidates_To_Demand_Ohio_Recount.htmState approves Nader recount (NH) http://tinyurl.com/52zwyHere's a very interesting piece from the man who exposed Florida in 2000...Kerry Won Ohio - by Greg Palast: http://rense.com/general59/OHIO.HTM [ Post Comment ] Comment #30 posted by The GCW on November 13, 2004 at 06:00:44 PT Hope, They do look like lillypads.That's nice to know.Nevermind. [ Post Comment ] Comment #29 posted by Hope on November 13, 2004 at 05:45:08 PT Friesian flag Frieslanders will be quick to inform you those aren't red hearts on that flag...their water lily pads. [ Post Comment ] Comment #28 posted by The GCW on November 13, 2004 at 05:18:12 PT The Friesland flag is kind. http://www.mrflag.com/display_product.asp?id=1177&category=51http://www.geographic.org/flags/new1/friesland_flags.html (It seems this site gives Your mouse arrow, trails.)Things have been changing in the Holland / Netherlands area in the last few years; since that murder of the guy running for President or what ever, a few years ago, it has been more noticable. [ Post Comment ] Comment #27 posted by mayan on November 13, 2004 at 05:16:50 PT unrelated... MS PATIENTS CLAIM BENEFIT OF CANNABIS PLANT DRUGS (UK) http://tinyurl.com/4df9hStudent caught with marijuana at school - 15-year-old boy taken into custody: http://nwitimes.com/articles/2004/11/13/news/porter_county/faac40fb8f425af986256f4a0083b0e7.txt [ Post Comment ] Comment #26 posted by Hope on November 13, 2004 at 05:00:33 PT If that wasn't confusing enough.... Let me try again.The Netherlands is a small country divided into something like regions, maybe North and South and a string of Islands off a coast. It's been a while since I was given a geography lesson of the Netherlands.Amsterdam is one of the large cities. It's in the South part of the Netherlands...maybe.Amsterdam-City Netherlands-Country [ Post Comment ] Comment #25 posted by mayan on November 13, 2004 at 04:58:11 PT breeze Osama could very well be dead. In the video that came out right before the election(right!) he appeared younger than he had in previous videos and photos. Some of the "Osama" videos have been proven to be fakes. He might just be the equivalent of 1984's "Emanual Goldstein"...a fake enemy propped up by the government to scare the people into surrendering their rights and supporting unjust wars. If our own government did 9/11 they could do something bigger just to usher in martial law. If you don't believe the U.S. government did 9/11 I strongly urge you to read "Crossing The Rubicon" by Mike Ruppert(check out the last link on comment #16). I guarantee you will be convinced. Imho, it is the most important book of our time. Michael Scheuer is just pushing the "Bin Laden = the boogie man" myth and possibly setting the stage for another "attack". Once CIA, always CIA. Here are some very enlightening reads...Who Is Osama Bin Laden? by Michel Chossudovsky -Professor of Economics, University of Ottawa: http://www.globalresearch.ca/articles/CHO109C.htmlOsama bin Laden:A dead nemesis perpetuated by the US government: http://www.whatreallyhappened.com/osama_dead.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #24 posted by Hope on November 13, 2004 at 03:12:45 PT FoM comment #17 Amsterdam is a city in the Netherlands. The Netherlands include Friesland, as I understand, once a country in itself, which is in the northern part of Holland...the Netherlands.Amsterdam is the Netherlands like New York is the United States...it's just a huge city.BGreen in Haarlem...wrong spelling...I believe, is in sort of a suburb of Amsterdam.I have Dutch relatives and friends.For ages I was asking, "Well, what's Holland?" "Is Holland the Netherlands?" "Is Friesland Dutch?" "Is Friesland a part of Holland?"Frieslanders have their own language similar to Dutch...but not the same. I'm clear on this though, Amsterdam is a city in Holland...which is another name for the Netherlands, which includes Friesland, which is not a city...but is an area that used to be a country in itself."Amsterdam...Amsterdam...Amsterdam." ...(quote from Cheech?) [ Post Comment ] Comment #23 posted by dr slider on November 13, 2004 at 00:33:29 PT: Aragorn "This system is not limited to the central nervous system, but is also concerned with peripheral processes and could act to modulate neurotransmitter release and action from autonomic and sensory nerve fibers." Translation: Cannabinoids don't just "go to your head" but when applied topically, annointed if you will, it wakes up once dormant nerve tissue. In my case bilateral peripheral neuropathy.I kid you not, while it's not as dramatic as leaping from a wheelchair (yet?) running and dancing for the first time in almost four years is a profound change.I'd say my research is going miraculously well, sorry about their bad luck.NOT [ Post Comment ] Comment #22 posted by breeze on November 13, 2004 at 00:28:08 PT comment #20-FOM IF bin laden were to accomplish this, I fear a backlash from not only the military, but civilians as well -that would make WORLD WAR THREE look like mister rogers neighborhood at a birthday party for a two year old.Every person in this nation that even remotely appeared to be from the middle east, including those of Indian decent, would be in mortal danger. Because most people I know cannot tell apart someone from pakistan, India, iraq or saudi arabia even Mexican- not by accent, not by color, not by dress, not by custom, not by any means.In the end, there would be nothing left of many of the nations we are "agressively" seeking bin laden in- nothing but dust. For this man to go on 60 minutes and presents this interview, even IF the information is not secure and positively accurate- will most certainly create a backlash within this country.dangerous times are truly ahead.bin laden had better tread very- very- very carefully- for his entire race would be obliterated, and anyone even closely related by color of skin, religion, or creed. NEVER underestimate the power of a pissed off USA. And people grow tired of threats rather quickly when confronted with something of this magnitude.The imprisoning of American Japanese decendents during world war II will look like a petting zoo compared to what might occur if enough people take this interview seriously enough. Especially if they notate that he already has the capability. [ Post Comment ] Comment #21 posted by Aragorn on November 12, 2004 at 21:36:13 PT The stuff of revolution... "Research is going forward to identify cannabinoid active ingredients that can be purified, regulated, standardized and dosed the threatening and risky elements removed and perhaps they could be turned into effective medicines for particular medical conditions. I think those trials are underway and so far, the results are promising but not convincing as yet."Yeah,blah, blah, blah and patented and controlled by the pharmaceutical companies & the government. The discovery of the endogenous cannabinoid system is some of the most exciting scientific research going on in the world today but they really don't want the public to get wind of its true implications, which is that the regular use of cannabis compliments and fine tunes the endogenous system and works to prevent or retard the development of a whole host of diseases including cancer, MS and Parkinson's. Read this: http://www.erowid.org/plants/cannabis/cannabis_pharmacology2.shtmlAlso note its bibliography. There is an explosion of research going on, totally unreported or totally distorted as in this pathetic article."Nevertheless, from the existing data, it is possible to suggest a widespread modulatory role for the cannabinoid system, responsible for regulating a number of tasks. This system is not limited to the central nervous system but is also concerned with peripheral processes and could act to modulate neurotransmitter release and action from autonomic and sensory nerve fibers. Functions within the control of immunological, gastrointestinal, reproductive and cardiovascular performance are also indicated.""One of the most interesting potential therapeutic actions of cannabinoids reported to date is the ability of cannabinoids to inhibit the growth of cancerous, or transformed, cells in culture. Anandamide can inhibit breast cancer cell proliferation and THC can cause the programmed cell death, or apoptosis, of transformed neural cells in vitro. In vivo research has also begun to elucidate the biochemical mechanisms involved in the anti-tumoral actions of CB1 agonists, including THC. These experiments have shown that it is possible to completely eradicate malignant brain tumors in rats by THC administration."Also read this: http://www.globalhemp.com/marijuana-is-the-antidote.php [ Post Comment ] Comment #20 posted by FoM on November 12, 2004 at 20:22:52 PT Off Topic: 60 Minutes This Sunday CIA Agent Details Terror ThreatNovember 12, 2004(CBS) Osama bin Laden now has religious approval to use a nuclear device against Americans, says the former head of the CIA unit charged with tracking down the Saudi terrorist. The former agent, Michael Scheuer, speaks to Steve Kroft in his first television interview without disguise to be broadcast on 60 Minutes, Sunday, Nov. 14, at 7 p.m. ET/PT. Complete Article: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/11/12/60minutes/main655407.shtml [ Post Comment ] Comment #19 posted by Sukoi on November 12, 2004 at 20:09:15 PT Breeze (comment #14) It might make a difference - changing minds, one at a time if necessary and people here are some of the best that I know of to help make that happen!!! [ Post Comment ] Comment #18 posted by FoM on November 12, 2004 at 18:33:00 PT One More Article Dutch Liberalism Stares Into a Troubled Future as Anti-Muslim Backlash Grows: http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,3604,1350213,00.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #17 posted by FoM on November 12, 2004 at 18:25:23 PT Is The Netherlands Also Called Amsterdam? This worries me.***The Netherlands Needs You! November 12, 2004The tension that has been brewing for many years in the Netherlands has reached flashpoint and the country is now rife with mistrust. The Dutch government made things worse by allowing Deputy Prime Minister Gerrit Zalm to "declare war" on extremists — only for MPs to distance themselves from his fighting talk because they were worried it would evoke an "us and them" mentality, further widening the social divide.To regain control of the situation, Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende is urging a population angered by the brutal murder of Dutch filmmaker Theo van Gogh to remain calm and respectful of each other's rights.But the government must take a firmer stance — rather than simply urging inter-community dialogue — and instead resolutely lead the nation to calmer waters. All sides of the community are at fault — both native Dutch and the Islamic community. (The large Surinamese and Antillean communities appear not to count at all in the current climate of pitched religious tension.)There are two extreme views at the crux of the problem confronting 21st Century Dutch society:There are people who claim the right to kill in the name of Allah to prevent freedom of speech.But then there is the oft-heard attitude that "Muslims can live here, but not next door to me". A startling recent survey also found that 40 percent of Dutch people hope Muslims no longer feel welcome here.The government needs to work harder to tackle both problems. And where do expats stand in all this?Many of us might consider ourselves safe from the battle because we aren't Dutch and the majority of us aren't an "immigrant" per se. We have the right passports, most of us aren't Muslims and we can leave for "greener pastures" if push comes to shove. This gives us a unique perspective on the situation. We have all felt the heat of the government's rage against immigration. We have all experienced the Dutch curiosity coupled sometimes with blatant disrespect for other cultures. Sometimes, we are guilty of the same. Snipped:Complete Article: http://www.expatica.com/source/site_article.asp?subchannel_id=19&story_id=13885&name=The+Netherlands+needs+you! [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by mayan on November 12, 2004 at 18:23:39 PT Too Much At Stake The Supremes probably fear for their lives now that the Bushies have their second term. They could have the undesireable judges killed and then appoint new ones. I really shouldn't give them any ideas! Common sense says there was no interstate commerce in the Raich case but the entire war on cannabis will topple if the Supremes don't rule for the fascists in power. Too many industries that fund said fascists would lose profits and that would mean fewer politicians in their pockets. Let's hope for the best, though!On an unrelated note, Woody Harrelson is making another film...One from that other Woody http://www.registerguard.com/news/2004/11/12/19.tk.further.1112.htmlThe way out is the way in...UL Lab Director Speaks Out on WTC Study: http://www.911truth.org/article.php?story=20041112144051451The collapse of the WTC: http://www.septembereleventh.org/newsarchive/2004-11-11-ryan.phpRenowned Investigator John Pilger Rings Alarm Over 9/11 "Investigation": http://www.911citizenswatch.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=418&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0CNN Online Poll: 89% Believe There's Been a 9/11 Cover-up: http://www.911truth.org/article.php?story=20041111195501242Crossing the Rubicon: The Decline of the American Empire at the End of the Age of Oil by Michael C. Ruppert: http://www.fromthewilderness.com/announce.shtml [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by FoM on November 12, 2004 at 18:18:56 PT breeze I know what you mean. [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by breeze on November 12, 2004 at 18:14:16 PT "Drug Policy Issues"- Sukoi I will certainly visit the new page, but will it make any difference, what with the election being over and bush having stole this one as well.Kerry didn't pay any attention to the posts on the one that TRULY mattered, what makes you think any politician will be observant of this one? Not trying to be a smart Azz, just curious on your take of it- I can't see it, but would like a bit more info, something I'm missin'? [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by FoM on November 12, 2004 at 18:11:11 PT OverwhelmSam I know how very important this is. It really worries me now that Bush is still President. [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by OverwhelmSam on November 12, 2004 at 17:56:02 PT Well, If We Lose This One... State and Federal Congresses are the last and only battlefields left to effect a change in the laws. [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by bongathon on November 12, 2004 at 17:47:03 PT: free weed http://www.hightimes.com/ht/cancup/content.php?bid=17&aid=9&PHPSESSID=f45556ef37beb263cf1cbaf357045e9d http://www.hightimes.com/ht/cancup/content.php?bid=17&aid=9&PHPSESSID=f45556ef37 [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by siege on November 12, 2004 at 17:39:26 PT Drug Warrior Threatens Newsbrief: Congressional Drug Warrior Threatens Canada Over Marijuana Legislation 11/12/04 With the Canadian government once again considering a bill that would make marijuana possession a ticketable offense, a leading American drug warrior is once again blustering against any such move.http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/362/souder.shtml [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by FoM on November 12, 2004 at 16:30:53 PT Article Concerning Ed Forchion Put That in Your Pipe, Judge Orders 2 Pot SmokersBy Joseph A. SlobodzianNovember 12, 2004Edward Forchion's unique faith-based initiative - a religious exemption from marijuana laws because the drug is a sacrament to Rastafarians - ended today with harsh penance from a federal judge:Random drug testing.Forchion - the Burlington County proponent of legal marijuana who styles himself as NJ Weedman - and acolyte Patrick A. Duff, a Philadelphia car dealer and ordained-by-mail Universalist Life Church minister, were each sentenced to a year's probation and fined $150 for lighting up near the Liberty Bell on Independence Mall.Forchion, 40, and Duff, 28, argued that the incidents on Dec. 20, March 20 and April 17 were protected by the U.S. Constitution and the 1993 Religious Freedom Restoration Act because the smoking occurred in a Rastafarian religious service.Snipped:Complete Article: http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/news/breaking_news/10167819.htm?1c [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by FoM on November 12, 2004 at 16:22:54 PT Sukoi I would but I just find it hard to do more then I'm doing but maybe others will jump in. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by Sukoi on November 12, 2004 at 16:13:55 PT That Forum Virgil has been posting there and that really makes me feel good! I wish and hope that other CNewsers would join in; if we can change one mind then we change many in the process! [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by FoM on November 12, 2004 at 15:58:14 PT Sukoi Yes I did read about the new forum but I didn't know it made it on the front instead of other issues. Keep up the good work. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by Sukoi on November 12, 2004 at 15:41:18 PT Off Topic (sort of) I'm not sure how many of you have heard about this but the moderators of the Kerry forum have started up a new forum and "Drug Policy Issues" is now on the front page. Take a look: http://www.commongroundcommonsense.org/index.php?s=57b929ccbfde915509d2550959d00cb0&showforum=70 [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by Sam Adams on November 12, 2004 at 15:12:32 PT History More and more I can understand what happened in Nazi Germany. You can imagine the conversations in the 20's...."Boy, I don't trust Kerry to be tough on the Jew problem". "Only Hitler will be strong enough to protect us from Polish tyranny"The 50% of the population with above-average intelligence was probably just as horrified as we are now. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Sam Adams on November 12, 2004 at 15:09:28 PT Professional liar! I wonder if back in the 30's the German media would do stuff like say, "and now the *official* word from the SS doctor....". Look at this:"Smoked marijuana has never qualified as an accepted or proved medicine, has never demonstrated, by the standard criteria any new drug would have to go through before being approved, that it is safe to be used and that it is effective."Baldfaced? Blatant? Any other words to describe this lie? Smoked marijuana is accepted RIGHT NOW as medicine in 10 US states from California to Maine, as well as all of Canada. The only time in 4000+ years of human history marijuana has NOT been accepted as medicine is during the last 80 years! [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by lombar on November 12, 2004 at 14:57:31 PT A new hope? "Research is going forward to identify cannabinoid active ingredients that can be purified, regulated, standardized and dosed the threatening and risky elements removed and perhaps they could be turned into effective medicines for particular medical conditions. I think those trials are underway and so far, the results are promising but not convincing as yet."Translation: "Until we can patent it and sell it as pills, removing the pesky euphoric pleasure, you must SUFFER. We are on it because we recognise huge potential profits as long as the raw herb remains strictly prohibited. The results are not convincing because we are not as good at creating a palliative as GOD." [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on November 12, 2004 at 14:09:03 PT News Brief from The Associated Press About 30 Request Applications for Use of Medical Marijuana November 12, 2004MONTPELIER, Vt. -- About 30 Vermonters have shown interest in using marijuana for medical conditions since the state starting taking applications late last month.The Department of Public Safety expects to start processing applications for the medical marijuana registry the in the coming weeks.Last spring, the Legislature passed a medical marijuana bill that Governor Jim Douglas later allowed to become law without his signature.The law exempts people with debilitating medical conditions such as cancer or AIDS from prosecution or arrest for using a small amount of marijuana.The individuals must apply to the Department of Public Safety for a marijuana registration card.Copyright 2004 Associated Presshttp://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=2559076 [ Post Comment ] Post Comment