cannabisnews.com: Marijuana Madness





Marijuana Madness
Posted by CN Staff on December 29, 2005 at 09:04:31 PT
Editorial
Source: San Francisco Chronicle
USA -- American law enforcement has a proud tradition of courageous souls standing up against corrupt and dangerous criminal elements. Think Eliot Ness, the federal agent who prosecuted Al Capone, or Frank Serpico, the New York cop who at great personal risk exposed dirty cops within his department. Then think about the new focus of American law enforcement -- marijuana -- and ask yourself if the expense of arresting, prosecuting and jailing offenders makes sense.
The Marijuana Policy Project crunched U.S. Justice Department statistics for arrests in 2004 and found that there were more arrests for marijuana possession -- 684,319 -- than for all violent crimes combined. The Washington Post reported in May that the Sentencing Project, another think tank, "found that the proportion of heroin and cocaine cases plummeted from 55 percent of all drug arrests in 1992 to less than 30 percent 10 years later." While Americans might think law enforcement has mobilized to fight dangerous drugs that can lead to fatal overdoses and kill users, the study found that marijuana arrests rose to 45 percent of drug arrests. Here in California, federal agents have raided a string of medical-marijuana clubs, including a South of Market club in San Francisco, and seized plants grown to supply the clubs. No doubt some of the raided clubs have catered to users who just want to get high. They also serve sick people. Members of the Santa Cruz Wo/Men's Alliance for Medical Marijuana -- raided by the feds in 2003 -- have argued that marijuana enables them to use fewer high-powered narcotics like Oxycontin. California voters approved a medical-marijuana initiative in 1996 precisely because Californians don't want their tax dollars to pay for the arrest and prosecution of people who use marijuana to control their pain, increase their appetite or address other symptoms. Snipped:Complete Article: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2005/12/29/EDGG6GDPDI1.DTLSource: San Francisco Chronicle (CA)Published: Thursday, December 29, 2005 - Page B - 6Copyright: 2005 San Francisco Chronicle Contact: letters sfchronicle.comWebsite: http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/ Related Articles & Web Sites:WAMMhttp://www.wamm.org/Marijuana Policy Projecthttp://www.mpp.org/The Sentencing Projecthttp://www.sentencingproject.org/Marijuana Becomes Focus of Drug War http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20619.shtmlMarijuana Behind 45 Percent of U.S. Drug Arrestshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20618.shtml
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Comment #7 posted by FoM on December 30, 2005 at 14:04:30 PT
rchandar 
Yes it's very true. Maybe things will change because people's eyes are being opened to what is going on in our country now. Soon the tv news will need to report news that is important because if they don't blogs will take over and they don't want that to happen.Happy New Year to you.
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Comment #6 posted by rchandar on December 30, 2005 at 13:59:23 PT:
I think...
...one of the biggest culprits in keeping marijuana illegal is the press, which through language and discussion, supports the status quo. If PrimeTime news fomented the view that the Drug War was violating personal freedoms and creating moral havoc among otherwise good citizens, we'd have a better time challenging the laws. For the press, it's not considered--at least the TV & Radio Press--ABC, NPR, CBS, NBC, CNN.Normative society doesn't think legalization will ever happen, nor that its a "good" idea because the media that constantly reinforces value presets doesn't think it will happen or that its "good." Think about how many times you've turned on the TV and heard from ANYONE about how grass is good or that Prohibition causes good people to suffer. That's what needs to change. Happy New Year,
rchandar
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Comment #5 posted by joegames on December 29, 2005 at 13:51:09 PT:
Positive Realities of Smokeless Medical Marijuana 
POSITIVE REALITIES OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA
California Senate Bill 420 (SB 420) Goes Into EffectMedical Cannabis Dispensaries Thrive Up and Down Golden StateThere was an era where it was political suicide to support or discuss favor associated with medical marijuana.Those times have come and gone, as politicians on either side of the aisle are taking notice of the humanitarian and economic benefits associated with medical marijuana. These same Capital Hill based politicians are subsequently supporting
(spearheading) medical marijuana legislation as their constituents are demanding reform.It was a breath of fresh air to be able to acquire medical marijuana for my son and I during a recent holiday visit with my family in Whittier. Whittier California is one of the cities enforcing Senate Bill 420 whereby municipalities are charged with putting in place, functional medical marijuana dispensaries where patients may safely obtain his or her medical marijuana.The various dispensaries are highly secured establishments that are licensed to operate. They pay rent and taxes similar to other business enterprises within city and county limits.Medical Marijuana dispensaries thrive as this action directs money and proceeds formerly spent in the underground marijuana drug market, to an above ground city/county establishment where the money and taxes are regulated by law abiding citizens held to the highest of ethical and legal operating standards.Further, it employ's/challenges local medical marijuana farmers to push the envelopes of exploration.Senate Bill 420 is a legislative supplement brought forth by the California state senate to the 10-year (decade old) voter approved initiative California Proposition 215.Most medical marijuana dispensaries operate as patient collectives (non-profit organizations) so as to separate their actions from other commercial enterprises. The non-profit status also provides protection from Federal commerce guidelines as no random person is allowed access to walk into a dispensary and obtain medical marijuana products. In other words, dispensaries are highly secured patient collectives with a "Fort Knox" level security arrangement. This status clearly distinguishes these establishments from your local liquor store type operation where products like alcohol and tobacco may be purchased at will by parties that are of a particular age.The reality that I was able to acquire medical marijuana in Whittier California at one of the hundreds of medical marijuana dispensaries throughout California at an entirely above ground establishment enjoys taking part in history of drug policy reform. A decade after California's Proposition 215 went on record as a state law, a supplement to the state mandated initiative is currently championing into place, the establishment of outlets where thousands of the state's medical marijuana patients no longer have to support the clandestine underground drug market (where money goes south and has real prospects of funding terrorist's pursuits) and may purchase various medical marijuana products at a city/county sanctioned dispensary. The products at the over 100 dispensaries throughout California are wide in range, and include cannabis herb, cannabis liquid extract, cannabis infused candy, cannabis infused baked goods, and reading literature on growing your own herbal medicine.The Whittier medical marijuana dispensary located on Washington Boulevard in the medical building across the street from Presbyterian Hospital also takes part in making history, as the US Justice Department's Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is currently conducing sporadic raids on various dispensaries throughout California with no clear criteria as to who, why, or when they decide to reek havoc.The good news is most cities are moving forward with regulating dispensaries as per SB 420. The US Supreme Court ruling or DEA raid efforts are not shutting down the movement. The reality is above ground dispensaries are taking out the underground marijuana trade (where money goes south of border) as the billions spent on marijuana is being brought above ground and regulated by respectable law abiding/tax paying citizens.One reason provided by the DEA for the recent San Diego raids was the clubs were operating without rules or regulations, and not requiring Prop 215 recommendations as provided by medical doctors. For starters, policing the dispensaries would be the job of city, county, or state authorities. When the Fed's decide to once and for all regulate cannabis, then, and only then, would the DEA have jurisdiction. More importantly, a number of very respected collectives were raided and temporarily closed down which had a proven track record of very very stringent guidelines for entry to their clubs which were well above and beyond those provided by Prop 215 and SB420. $$ MEDICAL MARIJUANA POISED TO INFUSE THE CALIFORNIA ECONOMY $$ It's all about the money. The sole reason for the resistance to medical marijuana a decade after coming to fruition, is people who use cannabis (marijuana) consume less pharmaceuticals, drink less alcohol, and smoke less (any) tobacco. If a person follows the propaganda trail, the management, oversight, and funding leads directly and indirectly to agencies associated with the pharmaceutical, alcohol, or tobacco industries, and their respective interest groups/Political Action Committee's.(PAC)In addition to SB 420 providing guidelines for a state wide patient ID card program, the bill also lays out strict guidelines for dispensaries to operate within.
 
Localized medical marijuana dispensaries allows for patients to donate money which stays in the local economy. Above ground dispensaries also provide for safe access for patients to obtain their medical marijuana. (be reminded many are in wheelchairs) Further, dispensaries pay telephone, power, water, gas, cable tv, internet, monthly rent, and insurance, all legitimate expenditures which infuse local economies. Compounded over the various cities throughout California, this added budget is sure to help reduce (via tax revenue) the billions of dollars of shortfall currently plaguing the state.WHY ARE SO MANY MEDICAL DOCTORS ACROSS AMERICA RECOMMENDING MEDICAL MARIJUANA OVER SIDE EFFECT RIDDEN (FDA Recalled) PHARMACEUTICALS SUCH AS RITALIN, ADERALL, CONCERTA, (METHYLPHENIDATE), PROZAC, ZOLOFT, CELEXA, PAXIL, WELBUTERIN, CELEBREX, VIOXX, BEXTRA, DEPAKOTE, AND ZYPREXA?? WHY ARE DOCTORS RECOMMENDING SMOKELES MEDICAL MARIJUANA FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE ASSOCIATED WITH OVER - ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, OXYCONTIN, VICADIN, HEROIN, COCAINE, AND OTHER ILLICIT DRUGS?? While the medicinal benefits associated with medical marijuana for illnesses like Cancer, AIDS, Crohn's Disease, and Glaucoma brought medical marijuana to the legal forefront 10 years ago in the state of California, the herb has proven to have major efficacy for hundreds of other ailments, serving as a naturally safe alternative to other costly, often side effect ridden (recalled) so called "FDA Approved" chemically induced pharmaceuticals.  Hyperactivity, mood instability, anxiety, and depression are heredity conditions that are very prevalent within my family genealogy.  Whether minor or major, these conditions are also very prevalent throughout all walks of life, all around the world. People may know these special behaviors as labeled by the psychiatric community as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Conduct Disorder (CD), Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED), among other random labels designed to sell more costly, side effect ridden chemicals (pharmaceuticals).While passion and frustration may have precluded Tom Cruise from maintaining composure on the Today Show with Matt Laurer while attempting to uncover the dangers associated with perceived "FDA Approved" drugs, the basis of his argument could not have been more dead on.A number of years ago, and after self-medicating with alcohol and tobacco for close to two decades, I visited a doctor to address issues associated with the toxic nature of self medication with alcohol and tobacco. I was provided a book to read entitled, Driven To Distraction, a book written by a Doctor and a Lawyer, both of which suffered from Hyperactivity.This particular HMO Doctor, (Dr. Stephen Dickstein, South Bay LA HMO Dr.) weaned me off alcohol and tobacco by a cocktail of side effect ridden pharmaceuticals including Ritalin (Methylphidate), Adderall, Concerta, Paxil, Wellbuterin, Celexa, Benadryl, and Zoloft. While the medications proved as a valuable substitute to over the counter medications such as alcohol and tobacco, the side effects were insurmountable, and included insomnia, mood instability, sexual side effects, while being incredibly cost prohibitive.After very intense research, I discovered thousands of doctors for thousands of years have been recommending natural herbal remedies (including teas, coffee's, and cannabis) for mental fitness, including modern day conditions under label by the psychiatric community such as ADD, ADHD, OCD, ODD, CD, IEP, and BPD.I further learned that ALL DOCTORS IN AMERICA are protected from persecution or prosecution via a US Supreme Court ruling in 2002 (Conant Vs. McAffrey/Walters), and that 10 states in America have FULLY FUNCTIONAL medical marijuana programs where people may lean on medical marijuana as a viable alternative to FDA approved pharmaceuticals that simply do not work for some people (e.g. Montel Williams).
Enter my 14 year old son who I recently became the single parent of.After "the system" in California placed him on the aforementioned amphetamine based medications for perceived hyperactivity, he reported to me that the drugs made him feel very uneasy, and made it even more difficult for him to assimilate in to society, and to maintain acceptable behavior while at school.His progress reports of defiant behavior and F's on his report card concluded these facts.He openly confessed that he had been finding marijuana before school through Jugalo/KMK family, and that it really helped him to relax, concentrate and sit still in his chair during class.At the recommendation of two bonafide California MD's licensed by the CALIFORNIA MEDICAL BOARD, my child was placed on smokeless medical marijuana products to include infused baked goods and liquid extract that is analogous in form to other liquid over the counter medications. My son has gone from being a depressed anxious child who was failing out of school, to a very happy student maintaining a C+ average with perfect attendance. Hmm. Marijuana got me through high school? I think we're onto something here...It is very interesting and disconcerting at the same time to hear anti-medical marijuana ideologues stand on their soapboxes to preach their non-scientific, non-medical rhetoric associated with anti-medical marijuana propaganda. These paid mouthpieces include most parties associated with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the anti-marijuana media propaganda machine (Office of National Drug Control Policy - ONDCP) which continues to run the patently false television campaigns that focus on marijuana rather than methamphetamine, the real threat to our society that has been plaguing our nation for over a quarter of a century (25 years). It should be again noted for the record that all motivations and funding for modern day anti-marijuana propaganda is directly and indirectly associated with the pharmaceutical, alcohol, or tobacco industries, and their respective interest groups/Political Action Committee's.(PAC).HOW DO I TRANSITION MY FAMILY (CHILDREN) TO SMOKELESS MEDICAL MARIJUANA??The following is a list of above ground medical marijuana dispensaries where patients and careproviders may safely obtain his or her natural medication:
Southern Californiahttp://medicalmarijuana.tv/mmtvpositiverealities.htmIn summary, Bayer, Eli-Lilly, GSK, Phillip Morris, Anheiser Busch, Miller Brewing Company, et al, your days are numbered.The writer of this article is a highly decorated USAF veteran, single parent of a 15 year old hyperactive youth enjoying the benefits of smokeless medical marijuana, expert witness on the effective nature of smokeless medical marijuana for youth and adult ADD/ADHD/OCD/ODD/CD/IED/BPD, executive producer of http://medicalmarijuana.tv, freelance journalist to the medical marijuana community, and graduate of the class of 1986 of California High School, Whittier California.
Medical Marijuana is currently a thriving legal alternative in California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, Hawaii, Alaska, Montana, Washington State, Maryland, Vermont, and Maine
photos - video - what ailments? - doctors - farmacy's - smokeless - contact usCurrent and future activists and politicians may support the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP), the sole Capitol Hill based marijuana policy reform Political Action Committee (PAC) in Washington DC by joining their mailing list at www.mpp.org
Positive Realities of Medical Marijuana 
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Comment #4 posted by global_warming on December 29, 2005 at 13:37:10 PT
hey..
AMERICAN LAW enforcement has a proud tradition of courageous souls standing up against corrupt and dangerous criminal elements. Think Eliot Ness, the federal agent who prosecuted Al Capone, or Frank Serpico, the New York cop who at great personal risk exposed dirty cops within his department.Then think about the new focus of American law enforcement -- marijuana -- and ask yourself if the expense of arresting, prosecuting and jailing offenders makes sense.Mat 18:1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, "Who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" Mat 18:2 Then He called a child to Him and had him stand among them. Mat 18:3 "I assure you," He said, "unless you are converted and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.That children card was played some 2005 years ago, it still means the same thing, do 'you buy into the the ondpceees tether, have 'you swallowed the current argument, that marijuana is the gateway to hell and is your suffering?Mat 18:4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child--this one is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.It is the children, who have not yet bought the Lies, it is the simple who do not understand, it is those people, who come forward, in this new Dawn, it is us, who see, 'we can change this world, 'we can throw out the old gods, there is a new dawn, a new Beginning, a Light, that does not take the flesh of our children, a Light that shines and glitters, twinkle, in a heart beat, a blink of an eye, you can receive Everlasting Understanding.
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Comment #3 posted by runruff on December 29, 2005 at 11:08:49 PT:
ONDCP
Yesterday I wrote a nice one e-maile to the ONDCP on their website. I told them exactly what liers they are. You must go read their website. It will make you blush. I didn't go into specifics but generally out lined what a bunch of liers they are and that their main motive is job security. I probably didn't "scare" anybody but it doesn't hurt to let the neighborhood thief know you are on to him. 
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Comment #2 posted by Zandor on December 29, 2005 at 10:11:20 PT
The new deal??
From what I hear they say's they can't stop the clubs from running but they can stop the people from supplying the clubs. No product No problem that's their new catch phrase.All they are after is the data of who is supplying the clubs with product. Stop them and the rest will die off with out direct dealing with them. That way they can say they are hands off on the sick but still get what they want in the end. The sick in the ground and out of the way.
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Comment #1 posted by kaptinemo on December 29, 2005 at 09:52:42 PT:
The media are getting it, slowly but surely
We've been harping here on this point for years...and now a major newspaper has said it, outright. The antis have very few chess moves to play left when it's put like that; the only ones they have are the supposedly 'moral' ones which usually involve histrionic screeching about the "the chil-drunn! the chil-drunn!". And that's when we chime in with how easy drug prohibition makes it for kids to get illict drugs. How dealers don't 'card' their prospective (and underage) customers. How the present system of 'illicit drug regulation' (DON'T make me laugh; I've done it so often when I heard that one it hurts) doesn't regulate illicit drugs one damn bit. How hundreds of billions have been spent with nothing of value to show for it. And how nobody benefits from this charade but the narcos...and the narcs.This is a chess game with very few moves in it because the antis have already sacrificed all their pawns...while we have lost none. Checkmate in 5 moves, tops. So, c'mon, all you prohibs, make your next, thoroughly predictable and quixotic move. We're waiting...
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