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Drug Czar's Pot-Potency Claims Go Up In Smoke
Posted by CN Staff on May 29, 2009 at 15:59:03 PT
By Ryan Grim
Source: Huffington Post
Washington, D.C. -- A newly released report about marijuana potency undermines previous claims by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) that the drug's potency has hit record highs.In May, the media ran wild with stories of highly potent pot sweeping the nation, as the ONDCP announced that their testing showed average marijuana potency had topped 10 percent THC-level for the first time ever. THC is the active ingredient in marijuana.
"According to the latest data on marijuana samples analyzed to date, the average amount of THC in seized samples has reached a new high of 10.1 percent," reads the announcement by Gil Kerlikowske, the Drug Czar.But the full report is now available and it shows that the 10-percent bar is only crossed by throwing hash into the equation. Without hash, the average potency was 8.52 percent. The average potency of hash was 20.76 percent.The Marijuana Policy Project obtained the full report, which is produced by the Marijuana Potency Monitoring Project at the University of Mississippi.Connoisseurs would enjoy reading the whole thing, which is available here -- http://big.assets.huffingtonpost.com/MPMP-report.pdf -- as it breaks seizures and potency-measurement into "Buds," "Kilobricks," "Loose leaf," "Loose other," "Thai Sticks" and other categories.There is also debate over whether there is actually a problem with higher-potency marijuana, with advocates arguing that stronger pot means that users end up smoking less for the same effect, thus sparing their lungs.Newshawk: josephlacerenzaSource: Huffington Post (NY)Author: Ryan GrimPublished: May 29, 2009Copyright: 2009 HuffingtonPost.com, LLC Contact: scoop huffingtonpost.comWebsite: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/URL: http://drugsense.org/url/e6ijgHVWCannabisNews -- Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml
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Comment #40 posted by Hope on June 19, 2010 at 18:17:29 PT
Lol!
RChandar, you're a genius.Thank you.
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Comment #39 posted by rchandar on June 19, 2010 at 07:12:49 PT:
Hope
Sorry I took so long in getting back to you. Prices of this book range from $62 to numbers I try not to think of. Much easier to look it up on your library's search engine and check it out.There are lots of very interesting books on counterculture these days. Lots of 'em. Enjoy!
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Comment #38 posted by Hope on June 06, 2009 at 08:51:29 PT
RChandar
I found your book... "discounted" at one site for $207.16!Wow! Think I'll avoid that "Discount" for sure.
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Comment #37 posted by Hope on June 06, 2009 at 08:26:33 PT
RChandar
It's a little late to be worried about exposing your name here on C-News. You've signed your entire name to posts here in the past. Surely having your name here won't hurt book sales.
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Comment #36 posted by Hope on June 06, 2009 at 08:09:35 PT
RChandar
After some searching and some more searching... I found your book.How wonderful for you. Published!Since I still haven't bought the book that Observer had published... I probably won't be getting this one anytime soon, but I'm very impressed. Congratulations!
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Comment #35 posted by Hope on June 04, 2009 at 15:06:06 PT
Ah.... "The Message"
Comment 20, Dankhank.The Great Suppository Message.I'd say your "Translation" of that particular "Message" was a very accurate summation of that situation. Must be one of those really serious "Messages" some people love to send via government, law enforcement, and of course, most importantly, sheer intimidation.A government that "Rules by intimidation...." is a sorry government, indeed.In really good, lean government. I'd say it should stay out of the "Sending Messages" business. In particular it should not be sending "messages" to children, or used as a device to send "messages" of threat, or reward, to them or anyone else.
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Comment #34 posted by rchandar on June 04, 2009 at 08:19:16 PT:
New Book
By the way, guys:I'm not going to disclose my name here, I hope you won't! But I have a new book, The Beat Generation and Counterculture, out with Peter Lang Press. It's literary criticism on three writers who influenced counterculture: Paul Bowles, William S. Burroughs, and Jack Kerouac. There is some discussion of drugs with respect to laws, philosophy, culture, but most of it is about the making of counterculture from non-Western travels and media. I'm hoping to make a list: it's an expensive book, but I can get it at a discounted author rate (about $53). Anyone interested, let me know!--rchandar 
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Comment #33 posted by rchandar on June 04, 2009 at 08:14:50 PT:
tintala
hmm...you did get me thinking......a grow room in the US or Europe costs for maintenance, electricity, and supervision of the plants. You could use an outhouse or greenhouse, or you could put the plants together in a closet. Some growers even insure their "grow houses" should something happen. I guess it is possible that a super-rich mafia don in India or Pakistan could do it, but electricity and supervision would be expensive. I've never seen "grow-shop" type places in India either, though they probably do exist, and it's unlikely that the cops would know you were growing weed from it. Thing is, though, there's not much profit in anything but smuggling. The "charsi" in India gets his ganja or charas for about two bucks an ounce, whereas the American tourist who buys 5 grams of "charas" pays about $100. That's quite a difference, and you can see where the money goes!--rchandar
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Comment #32 posted by rchandar on June 04, 2009 at 07:41:18 PT:
Bubble Hash
tastes like weed. Normally, you can expect the following from "imported hash":--Afghanistan. Probably the best. Sieved and cured with milk, spices, honey, nutmeg. Least toxic.--India & Nepal. Also pretty good, but more toxic. Incense and soap are used in making it from the resin.--Morocco. The absolute worst, they should've stuck to selling weed. Moroccan hash is cut with henna and soap--hence the British term, "soapbar." If you go to the coffeeshops, you should only buy the highest grade of these as otherwise you're taking chemicals into your body that are poisonous. Doesn't taste nearly as good as the black hashes.all that being said, bubble hash is very strong, sometimes 60-70% THC. Don't expect to be doing anything but lying down and counting stars. You'll also be surprised at how little of it you can smoke--you'll be too stoned to pick up the pipe! Bubble hash is expensive, at least in A'dam--usually, 200 EUR for a 5 gram bag. If you're rich, I can see it. If you aren't I can't see you really wanting it that badly.--rchandar
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Comment #31 posted by rchandar on June 04, 2009 at 07:35:13 PT:
observer
hmmm...and you many of you, ladies and gentlemen, have ever found people who could sell you hashish in America?none? I understand that. The only place I knew of where resin existed was Humboldt County. It just isn't likely that you'll see it anytime soon, and not because the police are especially good in stopping it. The first reason is distance--Mexican thugs can easily smuggle MJ, whereas it's very unlikely that you could get a ship or plane (two legs) to get your product over here. Another is price: it's EXPENSIVE, whereas in Amsterdam it's pretty cheap. Finally, why bother? I've got some hydro with the same potency, at much less cost. Hashish does exist in the US, but it's much harder to find and you certainly won't get it from your buddy in the locker room in school.--rchandar
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Comment #30 posted by greenmed on June 04, 2009 at 00:04:08 PT
bubble hash
I have never tried bubble hash, so I've wondered whether the cannabis variety used influences the taste and aroma of the bhash. My understanding of the process is that cannabis is placed in a bag with ice water to make the trichomes brittle so with a little agitation they detach from the leaves and bracts and are filtered through bags with different pore sizes to isolate the orbs of resin from the leaf.Indica would make indica hash, and similarly for sativa, purely in terms of THC/CBD ratio (and amounts of other cannabinoids), but is there something of the original cannabis buds that also comes through in the final product? In other words, is it possible to sample bubble hash and tell what variety was used to make it?
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Comment #29 posted by rchandar on June 03, 2009 at 19:14:45 PT:
tintala
Unfortunately, such an idea won't work for you because no special plant science is part of the raising of these crops--they're outdoor, with THC reaching a maximum of 7-8%. No hydroponics or halide lights, this is a purely natural, organic plant grown generically. I can't imagine it changing anytime soon because such equipment and fertilizers are scarce in these countries or have barely surfaced. It'd cost a lot of money, when by comparison paying a couple dozen saadhus or peasant women is much easier to do. Nepal, northern India, Pakistan and Afghanistan are high-risk militarized areas with lots of choppers and soldiers--it's risky for them. Whereas an open field of mid-grade MJ is easier to manage and hard to discover.But, Good Luck!--rchandar
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Comment #28 posted by dankhank on June 01, 2009 at 21:47:47 PT
test
☺hope ... cool ... lady ....
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Comment #27 posted by rchandar on May 31, 2009 at 16:46:54 PT:
Bubble Hash and Beyond
Hash from countries like Nepal, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Morocco, and Lebanon is unlikely to be like "bubble hash" anytime soon. The MJ crop in these countries is strictly outdoor, with no grow lights or fertilizers like we have in the West. I've never heard of any of these countries using "grow rooms" because it's easier to grow outdoors. No plant science. And as for finding "bubble hash" in the US? Not likely. The MJ in the grow rooms is pretty good, and the price isn't too bad. Can you picture the smoker forking over $200-$300 for an eighth? Easy to swindle people, too.But I could be wrong. --rchandar
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Comment #26 posted by Hope on May 31, 2009 at 11:07:32 PT
Mykeyb420, Comment 25
☺
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Comment #25 posted by mykeyb420 on May 30, 2009 at 20:33:47 PT
cannabis suppository??
How do you keep it lit???LOL
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Comment #24 posted by Dr Ganj on May 30, 2009 at 17:51:45 PT
Grapes Or Ganja? You Pick Your Crop
http://www.lodinews.com/articles/2009/05/30/news/1_pot_090530.txt
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Comment #23 posted by EAH on May 30, 2009 at 14:49:46 PT:
Potency or purity?
Once again accurate use of terminology is sacrificed for propaganda purposes.
To equate an undefined, unqualified percentage number that has more to do with purity than strength is a typical well used tactic to obfuscate the debate.
That number without a specific definition is MEANINGLESS.But in general though:
Greater purity is good, greater potency is good. Using less for a certain level of effect is a positive development. Are pharmaceutical compounds made impurely or deliberately less potently because that would Safer? Not at all, dosages are calculated and prepared accordingly. Cannabis delivered through smoke or vapor is used as needed, orally it can be easy to ingest a high dose
but because of fact that cannabis isn't toxic, the overdosed user generally has to cease regular activity and rest till it wears off. Not perfect but not serious either.
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Comment #22 posted by tintala on May 30, 2009 at 13:29:20 PT:
bubble hash is better these days tho
Although i do love hand rubbed charas in Nepal, i was thinking about taking bubble bags to Nepal and extracting my own bubble hash. ONE can get mash (trimings) for free, even the whole plant can be obtained just down the road from my house outside of Kathmandu, it grows everywhere in Nepal, so it's very easy to snatch buds. i live here part time with my Nepali wife. If one treks, you will find the best and largest fields of cannabis. being a mmj card holder,I can get hash anytime from my dispensary in the USA.
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Comment #21 posted by tintala on May 30, 2009 at 13:21:03 PT:
even if it is more potent makes no difference
let's take a look at a liquor store or bar. You can go in, and get a dbl, a single shot, a hard liqour or whiskey, or a bud light, many many , strengths of alcohol on the market sold openly.... even the most potent herb in the world is no where close to the volatile and toxic consequences of binge drinking. in my town, college kids die every year from binge drinking the potent alcohol. How hypocritical is it to keep using the same argument that pot is smore potent, so it is, doesn't mean it;s going to kill more people.
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Comment #20 posted by Dankhank on May 30, 2009 at 13:10:38 PT
supposItory
I remember the first time the info came out about that little a$$pill.I remember saying it was the shot out to the folks by saying" here's your delivery device and you can shove it up your A$$!
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Comment #19 posted by runruff on May 30, 2009 at 12:55:59 PT
Hi Ya'll!
I was just now browsing back were they had the article on the Fed Cannabis Farm in Miss. The caretaker said he invented the THC suppository. Now that gives a whole new connotation to the term "pot party!"
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Comment #18 posted by Dankhank on May 30, 2009 at 11:36:15 PT
guess not 
CC9 was in 1996http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis_Cup
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Comment #17 posted by Dankhank on May 30, 2009 at 11:33:11 PT
CC cup 1995 ...
believe that was the one my son and I attended ...was that CC9?slept a few since then ... :-)
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Comment #16 posted by observer on May 30, 2009 at 11:02:11 PT
A Noble Lie - For the Children
But the full report is now available and it shows that the 10-percent bar is only crossed by throwing hash into the equation. Without hash, the average potency was 8.52 percent. The average potency of hash was 20.76 percent.See: How to Lie With Statistics. When a government-paid prohibition toady starts to spout statistics, you can bet he's playing fast and loose with the numbers. What do you expect? Careers and salaries are at stake. Of course drug war butchers have their thumbs on the scale - that's the way this game is played. 
http://drugnewsbot.org
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Comment #15 posted by HempWorld on May 29, 2009 at 20:24:07 PT
Mila Jansen
(to my on-line friends; Bgreen duzt, et. al.) used to live in Nepal and has a rich history of travel in connection to our favorite plant.I attended the 1995 C-cup in Amsterdam and this is where I got started ...I believe I met Mila in 1996 and stayed at her "Hemp Hotel" as one of the 1st guests.Ever since then, I am a burning cannabist from Amsterdam, I've lived in the USA for over 2 decades, where madness still reigns ...
On a mission from God!
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Comment #14 posted by duzt on May 29, 2009 at 19:14:58 PT
Mila
Mila is an awesome woman. I have spent much time with her and the crew at Hemp Hotel and her old shop as well. I used to sell her my glass in the early 2000's and always loved the killer hash selection she had. She also let her try her salvia for the first time and damn, that was bizarre. I miss going over there to see here (and Adam at THSeeds and Tony at Sag and Luc at Paradise and all the others). Mila is a hell of a woman, can't wait to visit her again 
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Comment #13 posted by BGreen on May 29, 2009 at 18:37:57 PT
Hempworld re: post #9
I'm honored to be able to call Mila a friend. We always stop by her shop to see her and spend a helluva lot of time chilling with her at the Hemple Temple in the Hemp Hotel.I've even shared her "stash." :)The Reverend Bud Green
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Comment #12 posted by FoM on May 29, 2009 at 18:15:21 PT
 mydnytmover
That's perfectly fine. I just can't post CNN articles on CNews.
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Comment #11 posted by mydnytmover on May 29, 2009 at 18:06:52 PT
FBI guy made a fool
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/politics/2009/05/20/sot.mueller.legalize.drugs.cnn?iref=videosearch Hope its ok to post this link
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Comment #10 posted by sm0k3y on May 29, 2009 at 17:24:40 PT
MikeC
 I too have been in and out of the system for growing also. It's utterly ridiculous the amount of trouble/stress/money/embarrassment you receive for growing a herb that has SOO many good uses. I know IM preaching to the choir here so I'll zip it. I tend to drag things on... :D 
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Comment #9 posted by HempWorld on May 29, 2009 at 17:17:01 PT
Bubble hash is the best there is, no impurities, 
no motor oil or other impure oils added in the process, and a very high THC content, average 30-55%This method of extraction was invented by Mila Jansen in Amsterdam and we sell the equipment needed to make it.I guess this is one of the few cases where prohibition has helped our cause! Yeaaae ...
On a mission from God!
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Comment #8 posted by MikeC on May 29, 2009 at 17:14:49 PT
sm0k3y...
I made some hash oil about five years ago when I last grew my own. I had a private garden in my backyard when someone must have spied it over the privacy fence and called the authorities. My house was raided by the drug task force that resulted in me being put through four years of legal hell. Huge attorney's fees, psychiatric counseling (ordered by the court), twice a week NA meetings (also ordered by the court), home monitoring with an ankle bracelet, and worst of all being humiliated in front of my children and being made a villain by my neighbors. I miss growing my own as I won't risk putting my family through that again. 
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Comment #7 posted by sm0k3y on May 29, 2009 at 16:51:24 PT
Hashish
Bubble Hash is soo easy to make. If any of you grow or knows people whom do, make sure to save all of your left over trimmings and just make some!!! But ya, I've noticed a fair amount of increase of potency, but that's just in connoisseur/med stuff. I'm not sure about street grades now days.
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Comment #6 posted by TroutMask on May 29, 2009 at 16:48:50 PT
Hash
the only hash around these parts is "bubble hash", made from the nearly pure glandular trichomes from the trim (left-over leaf and buds) of indoor grow operations. it beats the pants off the brick hash we used to see in the 70's. google bubble hash for more info and some pictures. YUMMY. -TM
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Comment #5 posted by FoM on May 29, 2009 at 16:25:03 PT
 MikeC 
In the 70s there always was some around and it was good but I don't remember seeing it after that.
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Comment #4 posted by MikeC on May 29, 2009 at 16:19:37 PT
FoM...
Yes hash is very rare the last twenty years or so. I would love to come across some but I am not holding my breath! LOL!
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Comment #3 posted by FoM on May 29, 2009 at 16:13:13 PT
rchandar 
I don't think Hash makes it to the USA like it did in the 70s.
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Comment #2 posted by rchandar on May 29, 2009 at 16:11:34 PT:
FoM
So did the rest of us. 40% of America's MJ is from Mexico, low-grade, dirt schwag. Obviously, either someone out there is very, very lucky, or those stats aren't any good.Plus, how many of you kids out there get to smoke hash? It's not common; only a few places would you be likely to encounter any of it. The vast, vast, vast majority of MJ smokers are just that--no hash, so this doesn't really register.--rchandar
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on May 29, 2009 at 16:07:54 PT
A Question
I can't seem to find anything on the drug czar talking about pot potency. Maybe I missed an article. 
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