Pamela Anderson Speaks Out on Pot
November 19th, 2008 by Perry
Pamela Anderson recently decided to get involved in yet another cause, pro-marijuana activism.
Well known for her love of animals and charitable donations, Anderson recently wrote a letter to Barack Obama and blogged about the importance of legalization. She outlines how cultivating marijuana would “save children” and help the environment.
I think we should legalise marijuana, tax and monitor farm hemp etc. This would make our borders less corrupt and then I think eventually this will be more secure option and save children in the long run – we should be able to farm hemp in America – it’s just silly. It would create jobs and be good for the environment.
Here, here.
She also goes on to show a little more radical side. Pamela also controversially suggests anyone found guilty of molesting children or possessing child pornography, should be castrated for their crimes.
Can’t deny it’d cut down on repeat offenders though. Heyoooooo! I’m sorry.
High: The True Tale of American Marijuana
November 18th, 2008 by PerryNovember 18th is the DVD release date for High: The True Tale of American Marijuana.
I know you’re probably thinking, “ugh, another marijuana documentary,” but don’t be so quick to judge, you might enjoy the film.
Yes it’s propaganda, but there seems to be a little more validity for pro-marijuana material because its aimed at the spread of information and tolerance, not disinformation and persecution.
This particular story has some interesting first and second-hand accounts of people caught up in the drug war, or who had their lives ruined by it. I’m sure there’s some footage in this film you haven’t seen in a dozen other weed documentaries. Sometimes it’s important to put faces and emotions next to the issue, instead of just numbers and history lessons.
Check out a quick trailer above or go to High’s website for more information (and a pretty cool blog).
Pot + Sea Urchins = Super Drug?
November 17th, 2008 by Alex
Mmmm, tasty.
Filed under the ’strange but true’ category, it turns out that chemists have been experimenting with the hybridization of two different substances that bind to cannabinoid receptors.
The first the substance, which we all know and love, is THC (or tetrahydrocannabinol if you’re being specific). The second substance is called anandamide and is commonly found in sea urchin eggs.
Organix, the firm behind the research, plans to use its findings to better understand the endocannabinoid system. Cannabinoid receptors, which both these chemicals stimulate, are largely linked to pleasure areas of the brain. This isn’t just true for humans, but also for other mammals, birds, fish and reptiles.
So why combine those two? Anandamide works much faster than THC, but is also used up by the body more quickly. THC, on the other hand, takes longer to get going, but once it does the feelings last for several hours. Matching these together might mask each others weak point and create one hell of an effective drug.
Tail-flick assay tests on mice seem to prove that this combo-drug might be leading us down a very promising path. Just don’t expect your local dealer to have any in the near future…
The Time is Right for Marijuana Law Reform
November 13th, 2008 by Perry
According to recent blog posts by NORML, never before has there been a more perfect time to push for marijuana law reform.
The election of Barack Obama, coupled with Democrat control of both the House and the Senate, presents a unique and critical opportunity for federal marijuana law reform.
A good point, and remember… electing a good politician is only half the battle. You still have to stay on top of them in hopes they don’t get too politician-y on you. Don’t forget, people liked Bush at one time too and now his approval rating is in the low 30s range.
Being the helpful and forward-thinking organization they are, NORML created three prepared statements you can send here, directly to the new administration… Something we touched on earlier in another recent post.
The statements prepared by NORML:
Statement #1: President Obama must uphold his campaign promise to cease the federal arrest and prosecution of (state) law-abiding medical cannabis patients and dispensaries by appointing leaders at the US Drug Enforcement Administration, the US Department of Justice, and the US Attorney General’s office who will respect the will of the voters in the thirteen states that have legalized the physician-supervised use of medicinal marijuana.
Statement #2: President Obama should use the power of the bully pulpit to reframe the drug policy debate from one of criminal policy to one of public health. Obama can stimulate this change by appointing directors to the Office of National Drug Control Policy who possess professional backgrounds in public health, addiction, and treatment rather than in law enforcement.
Statement #3: President Obama should follow up on statements he made earlier in his career in favor of the decriminalization of marijuana by adults by calling for the creation of a bi-partisan Presidential Commission to review the budgetary, social, and health costs associated with federal marijuana prohibition, and to make progressive recommendations for future policy changes.
[img via Flickr/Vincent Brown]
Craigslist the New Weed Black Market
November 7th, 2008 by Alex
In cities across the country big and small, Craigslist, the classifieds website that bans “illegal activity,” is becoming a breeding ground for illegal marijuana sales.
What’s more interesting is that local and federal law enforcement are aware of the activity, but the amounts sold are generally so small they’re not very concerned.
In this Seattle Times article, Eric, who spoke on the condition that his last name not be used, says he doesn’t make much of a profit, (if any,) but sells enough marijuana so he can smoke for free. He sells small amounts — usually an eighth of an ounce, which brings in $30 to $40. Most clients are friends or friends of friends.
He usually finds customers by using code names like “Mary Jane,” “MJ,” “the sticky icky,” “the chronic” and “420.” Wow, how will law enforcement ever figure out what he really means?
Recently, Eric posted an ad on Craigslist indicating he was willing to trade marijuana for sexual favors from women or money from men. Men who offered up a woman for sex would get a discount.
It’s not prostitution. It’s like a date, just weed instead of dinner.
Craigslist is awesome, but with the good comes the moronic. Since the guys who run CL know what will keep them above water, they’ve made a response, and in a big way.
Sweeping new measures are taking effect immediately. CL is will now requires telephone verifications for “erotic services” and will soon start charging a small fee for each of those ads. On top of their built-in flag system, CL is also working with 40 state attorney generals and the NCMEC.
Jim Buckmaster, the no-nonsense CEO of Craigslist said:
Preventing site misuse and improving public safety are our highest priorities.
It’s safe to say that Craigslist is taking its oversight duties seriously. When you consider the millions of legitimate ads and transactions that cross through their site each and every day, the percentage of shady activities is lower than most would believe. Still, it’s nice to see action being taken.
Hawaii Says Aloha to Marijuana Laws
November 6th, 2008 by Perry
I should clear that up, since Aloha can mean “greetings” or “farewell.” Technically, Hawaii hasn’t eradicated decriminalized marijuana, but it’s telling law enforcement to look the other way when it comes to cannabis. And if that sounds unclear, it is.
By a vote of 53.1 percent to 38.6 percent, Hawaiian residents voted to make marijuana the lowest law enforcement priority. In my opinion, it’s not necessarily a complete positive because under the new law:
…would put the enforcement of laws against marijuana to each police officer’s personal discretion.
That sounds like a dangerously unclear situation bound to cause legal issues, especially when the district attorney comes out against the law for the right reasons.
Prosecuting Attorney Jay Kimura said that it posed a danger for law enforcement officials:
I’m opposed to passage of this. I don’t believe it’s enforceable as written.
Reefer Madness Sweeping Japan
November 4th, 2008 by Alex
Recent arrests for marijuana possession among Japan’s students (and other segments of society) has created a scandal that is rocking the country.
According to an article in The Guardian, one of Japan’s more progressive papers, The Mainichi Shimbun recently devoted a front page editorial on the topic that was:
Warning of the potential ruination of Japan’s finest universities by the evil weed.
Marijuana became a mainstream topic of discussion in the country after a couple Russian Sumo Wrestlers were banned from the sport for usage. Combine that with a record 2,423 marijuana violations in 2006, and you have a Japanese freak out in the making.
I doubt that even matches the total of L.A. arrests for pot last month. Japan currently has a ban on medical marijuana, and its equivalent of ‘possession with intent’ carries a term of up to 10 years.
Those wacky Japanese get up to so much other ridiculous shit, it’s kind of surprising they’re so serious about marijuana use.
Chile Joins Fear-Based Drug Education Model
November 3rd, 2008 by Perry
In response to a study that showed a growing perception among its teenagers that marijauna is harmless, the Chile is nationalizing a plan to “open up reflection on marijuana and its effects, above all with respect to the fact that it’s addictive, just like other drugs,” said the campaign’s director.
Personally, I don’t know if I’ve seen conclusive proof that that’s true or habit forming, (eh maybe,) but not addictive, and right there’s the definitive difference.
The campaign’s director cited the fact that “70 percent of the people in treatment for problematic use of drugs began their drug use with marijuana,” as indisputable proof of it being a gateway drug. One may argue the fact that it’s only considered a gateway to illegal drug usage, because it is itself, considered illegal. However, if you wanted to make coffee, wine, beer, liquor or ciggarettes illegal, then they might be considered “gateways” also. Perhaps.
But who can argue with a great slogan like the one the Chilean anti-drug people came up with…
Be intelligent again. Don’t smoke marijuana.
Brilliant.
