cannabisnews.com: Hub Goes To Pot





Hub Goes To Pot
Posted by CN Staff on June 17, 2005 at 10:19:27 PT
By Kimberly Atkins
Source: Boston Herald 
Massachusetts -- Boston may be at sea level on the maps, but its residents are the highest in the country, a federal drug-abuse report says.    More than 12 percent of people over the age of 12 admitted to having used pot within the past month when recently surveyed, the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reported yesterday.
Behind Boston, which ranked No. 1 in the country, five of the top 15 regions with the highest rates of marijuana use were in Massachusetts.    ``It's not a surprise to see Boston and other places in Massachusetts ranking so high,'' said Michael Botticelli, assistant commissioner for substance abuse services at the state Department of Public Health, noting the more than 200,000 college students in Boston.    ``While I certainly think college use is a factor, I don't think that diminishes our concern,'' he said.    But don't blame college kids entirely.    The researchers whose findings were released yesterday steered clear of dorms.    Botticelli said increased pot use in the state has already caught the attention of Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey and state lawmakers, leading to legislation boosting funding for substance abuse services by $20 million in the past year, including initiatives targeting college students.    But Boston University spokesman Colin Riley said school administrators have had little indication chronic marijuana use is a major problem on their campus.    ``The number of kids that come to our attention more than once is extremely small,'' Riley said.    Many local residents said they were surprised at Boston's ranking as the top pot-smoking region, but admitted they knew many people who use the drug recreationally - including many in high school and even younger.    ``I know a lot of people who use it,'' said 16-year-old Boston College High School student Chris Hallet. ``But I am surprised that Boston is No. 1.''    Michael Cutler, an attorney for NORML, a pro-marijuana legalization group, said the study ``shows that prohibition doesn't make a difference.'' But Suffolk District Attorney's Office spokesman David Procopio disagrees.    ``We stand firm in believing that marijuana use needs to remain a criminal infraction,'' Procopio said, adding that heroin, cocaine and OxyContin - not marijuana - are still the most prevalent street level drugs, according to detectives. ``But that doesn't mean that marijuana is not a problem.''    Anti-drug groups said the numbers belie a bigger issue of self-medication, which is symptomatic of other problems like depression.    ``Some use marijuana to make them feel good, but some use it to make them feel better,'' said David Rosenbloom, director of Join Together, a Boston-based substance abuse resource center.    The Hub edged out Boulder, Colo., where 10.3 percent of those surveyed admitted recent pot use. Regions with the lowest rates of pot use are northern Iowa and southern Texas, where less than 3 percent of those surveyed reported recent use.Newshawk: Sam AdamsSource: Boston Herald (MA)Author: Kimberly AtkinsPublished: Friday, June 17, 2005Copyright: 2005 The Boston Herald, Inc.Website: http://www.bostonherald.com/Contact: letterstoeditor bostonherald.com NORMLhttp://www.norml.org/CannabisNews -- Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml
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Comment #27 posted by runderwo on June 20, 2005 at 00:27:02 PT
reply
"``We stand firm in believing that marijuana use needs to remain a criminal infraction,'"Um, ok. If you say so, mister My-Job-Depends-On-Prohibition."Anti-drug groups said the numbers belie a bigger issue of self-medication, which is symptomatic of other problems like depression."Something just really gets me about this statement. Is it anti-drug groups of the type who would say that people should just bite their lip and live with the symptoms of their diseases because suffering somehow makes you stronger, or "anti-drug groups" of the type that would be pushing Prozac and Xanax in place of cannabis? I mean, they are just ASSUMING that all this reported use just HAS to be people unsuccessfully self-medicating some underlying condition. It couldn't possibly be people just having a little fun, or people who are SUCCESSFULLY treating their problems with cannabis. But there goes the prohibition rhetoric again that all use is abuse, so if you are using cannabis, then by definition you have a problem and should seek professional help or parallel iron bars to keep yourself from hurting others in your reefer madness.
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Comment #26 posted by CorvallisEric on June 18, 2005 at 12:48:42 PT
Interesting Colorado quote
From the link in comment #3: Liz McDonough, spokeswoman for the Colorado Department of Human Services, attributed the higher average to Colorado's younger population and many resident's active, outdoors lifestyles.I can imagine many of the "lower" areas having rather inactive, indoors lifestyles characterized by watching TV, drinking beer, and getting fat.
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Comment #25 posted by John Tyler on June 18, 2005 at 08:56:21 PT
the poll
Even if this poll is a little out of date (1999-2002) and maybe even a little inaccurate it does tell us that all across this country a lot of folks are using and enjoying cannabis products. Politicians should take note that we cannot possibly prosecute all of these violators. It is way past time for political leaders to take a stand and legalize a plant that is already used by millions of people every day. 
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Comment #24 posted by Hope on June 18, 2005 at 08:05:32 PT
Snakes
The day we had to deal with the copperhead, we discussed the value and help of snakes. (My "feet" are not "swift to shed blood", even that of the poisonous viper. I don't take lightly taking their lives.)Looking at the situation rationally, we had to consider that snakes don't eat that much vermin. The average snake might eat one rat ever two weeks or so or perhaps a mouse a week. When he's satiated, he'll let the mice play all around, or even, on him. The snake population would have to be huge, and unbearable in itself, to have any effect on keeping the mouse or rat population in check. In fact, snakes might actually increase the strength of the vermin population by merely culling the weakest, sickest, slower and less brawny or violent, in that they prey on the weakest of the population. I've seen obviously battle scarred old rats stand on their hind legs and fight off dogs. I've seen snakes back off from the big violent rodent. I've seen rodents injure snakes. I know of one snake that would only consume a certain color and size rodent when he felt the need to feed.(This doesn't sound as off topic as it at first might seem. Does it?)
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Comment #23 posted by FoM on June 17, 2005 at 22:39:21 PT
Snakes
I really don't mind snakes because I know they eat rodents and rodents can spread disease. I didn't like it when we found 3 in our basement in the floor joists one time. They weren't small either and very hard to catch. They went to the great snake highway in the sky! 
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Comment #22 posted by Hope on June 17, 2005 at 22:31:28 PT
Snake Lovers
It was really hard...but I learned not to be so afraid of the non-poisonous ones but I can't kill the poisonous ones dead enough.
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Comment #21 posted by Hope on June 17, 2005 at 22:28:41 PT
BGreen
I know what you mean! I'm always on the lookout for the dang things. 
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Comment #20 posted by FoM on June 17, 2005 at 22:28:27 PT
I Don't Like Spiders and Snakes!
Hope, You made me think of a song! Since I am a proud, card carrying member of the Snake Lovers Association of America I'll forgive you this time! LOL!
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Comment #19 posted by BGreen on June 17, 2005 at 22:23:26 PT
That's funny, Hope
Your mom reminds me of my grandma in Arkansas. I just jump two feet in the air and scream like a sissy so I'm glad it's not a common occurrence for me.The Reverend Bud Green
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Comment #18 posted by Hope on June 17, 2005 at 22:13:48 PT
If you know there are snakes in the woods...
It pays to watch where you're going.Which reminds me of a kind of funny snake story that happened last week. My sister ran onto a copperhead in the feed room and immediately came to the house to get me and the hoe. Not wanting to wade in there bare legged, I went to get my boots and gloves on to go find and kill it. Meanwhile, my mother was afraid it might decide to hide, (copperheads usually don't) before I got enough protective gear on to suit me, and she bolted out there in her gown and housecoat and quickly dispatched it to copperhead heaven with me behind her hollering, "Mother...wait!"By the way, to any snake lovers out there, we wouldn't have killed it had it not been a poisonous snake.
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Comment #17 posted by Hope on June 17, 2005 at 21:45:16 PT
I expect that has a lot to do with it...
They may be bold, they may be courageous, they may be belligerent, or they may have reason to be less afraid of repercussions...but it would just be plain nuts to answer a question like that in some areas of the country.We all know that being too willing to be friendly and trusting causes people to be victims of narcs on a regular basis. There have been numerous cases in Texas, including Tulia, where narcs "befriended" people and just warted and warted them to get them "dope"...and their friendliness and willingness cost them dearly. Sometimes they didn't even give in to them and the most dishonest of the narcs...like Tom Coleman...sucked them into their dragnet anyway.
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Comment #16 posted by FoM on June 17, 2005 at 21:29:31 PT
Hope
So that is why Boston and Boulder are high up on the list. They aren't afraid to answer with the truth.
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Comment #15 posted by Hope on June 17, 2005 at 21:28:57 PT
Government intrusiveness is despised by most.
Many people, I know, were amazed and offended at the intrusiveness of the most recent Census questions.A census to count you, to know you exist is one thing, but they don't really need to know so many other things to simply "serve" as government.
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Comment #14 posted by Hope on June 17, 2005 at 21:21:06 PT
Whatever it is...and it's likely both
I don't think most people would answer this question truthfully if they had smoked. Of course they probably would if they hadn't, but most people aren't going to tell an agent of the government that they broke a law just to satisy the government's curiousity or nosiness or anything. Some people who hadn't likely wouldn't tell them just because it's really none of their business.
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Comment #13 posted by FoM on June 17, 2005 at 21:17:13 PT
Hope
Yes that's right. Good word.
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Comment #12 posted by Hope on June 17, 2005 at 21:15:17 PT
Fear 
or wisdom.
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Comment #11 posted by FoM on June 17, 2005 at 21:06:53 PT
Hope
Yes I agree with you. I can't describe how I look at these stats except I wonder if the areas that have a lot of money to fight drugs are the ones with the lowest use for that reason. Fear. I think I'm saying this right.
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Comment #10 posted by Hope on June 17, 2005 at 20:57:44 PT
"admitted" (key word)
to whom? The federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services?This "survey" may be more of an indication where people might have the courage or nerve to admit using cannabis and it might be a "survey" of where the most vicious of the drug warriors hold reign.South Texas being at the bottom of the list makes me sure that it's likely the latter.
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Comment #9 posted by FoM on June 17, 2005 at 19:42:53 PT
 JR Glad You Liked It
I thought it was a good picture too.
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Comment #8 posted by FoM on June 17, 2005 at 19:41:54 PT
AP: Highest and Lowest Rates of Marijuana Use
June 17, 2005The regions with the 10 highest and lowest rates of marijuana use by residents 12 and over, according to a report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: HighestBoston, 12.16 percentBoulder, Colo., 10.3 percentSoutheast Massachusetts, 9.53 percentPortland, Ore., region, 9.48Champlain Valley, Vt., 9.37 percentSan Francisco region, 9.24 percentHawaii Island, 9.22 percentCentral Massachusetts, 9 percentNorth Central California, 8.93 percentWashington, R.I., 8.81 percentLowestNorthwest Iowa, 2.28 percentNortheast Iowa, 2.53 percentSouthern Texas, 2.59 percentCentral Iowa, 2.63 percentLake region and south central North Dakota, 2.65 percent Northern Nebraska, 2.65 percent Southeast Oklahoma, 2.77 percent Eastern central South Dakota, 2.78 percent Badlands and west central North Dakota, 2.81 percent Central Nebraska, 2.88 percentCopyright: 2005 The Associated Press.
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Comment #7 posted by JR Bob Dobbs on June 17, 2005 at 18:54:33 PT
Nice photo
The front cover of the Herald makes it look like that SWAT team is in a standoff with a gigantic hand holding an equally gigantic joint, like something out of a Monty Python animation...
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on June 17, 2005 at 14:57:46 PT
JR and Everyone I Have an Idea
How about a great american smoke in or out or something between Boston and Boulder! That would be very interesting! Show us that on the tv news and a lot of people would watch. LOL! I'm sure the first place is making those in Boston very happy! Picture from the front page of The Boston Herald.http://news.bostonherald.com/galleries/images/219307_front06172005.jpg
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Comment #5 posted by FoM on June 17, 2005 at 14:45:25 PT
Oregon: Medical Marijuana
ATTORNEY GENERAL ISSUES ADVICE ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAMAttorney General Hardy Myers today released legal advice to the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) as to the effect of the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision, Gonzales v. Raich, on the operation of the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program. The advice, which responds to questions asked by the Public Health Director in DHS, states that the decision has no legal impact on the operation of Oregon’s program. It further states that DHS may resume application review and issuance of registry identification cards to qualified applicants.DL: http://www.doj.state.or.us/releases/rel061705.htm
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Comment #4 posted by billos on June 17, 2005 at 14:32:26 PT
............Article says...............
"More than 12 percent of people over the age of 12 admitted to having used pot within the past month when recently surveyed, the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reported yesterday." Of course this doesn't include the other 40% of people over 18
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Comment #3 posted by JR Bob Dobbs on June 17, 2005 at 14:30:54 PT
Boston smokes more than Boulder
How do they really know, though? I do like the poll - have you smoked marijuana in the past 30 days? And it's about 1/3 yes...
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/health/4620681/detail.html
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Comment #2 posted by The GCW on June 17, 2005 at 13:29:24 PT
Cannabis crusaders - June 16, 2005
http://www.boulderweekly.com/newsspin.htmlCannabis crusadersDespite an unfavorable Supreme Court ruling, the co-founders of a Colorado medical marijuana club are standing by their rights—and their patients. by Grace Hood 
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on June 17, 2005 at 12:25:58 PT
Oregon: News Brief from The Associated Press
State To Resume Issuing Medical Marijuana Cards
 
 Patients Not Protected From Federal Prosecution 
 June 17, 2005 
SALEM, Ore. -- Medical marijuana cards will again be issued to qualified patients, the State of Oregon announced Friday.The department of human services stopped issuing registration cards earlier this month following a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court.However, Oregon Attorney General Hardy Myers said Friday that the ruling does not invalidate the state's voter-approved program. Read the legal opinion.The state continued to receive and process applications during the stoppage."Starting today, we will mail 100 to 150 cards per day until the 547 applications that the program approved since June 13 have been mailed," said Grant Higginson, M.D., administrator of the DHS Office of Community Health and Health Planning. "We are resuming standard operations in the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program."However, Higginson noted that Myers' opinion also says, "The (state) Act neither protects marijuana plants from seizure nor individuals from prosecution if the federal government chooses to take action against patients or caregivers under the federal Controlled Substances Act." Applicants and card holders will be alerted that although state law protects them from state prosecution, it does not protect them from federal prosecution. More than 10,000 patients currently hold medical marijuana cards in Oregon.Copyright: 2005, KOIN http://www.koin.com/news.asp?RECORD_KEY%5Bnews%5D=ID&ID%5Bnews%5D=3081
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