Archive for the ‘Blog’ Category
Marijuana Mamas – The Secret Lives of Cannabis Using Moms
November 8th, 2009
Dakta Green
Today on www.momlogic.com there was an amazing article called “Marijuana Mamas!” It’s hopeful to read that other Moms who are in the same situation I am in are “Coming out of the Cannabis Closet”.
Us Moms fear the “Bad Mom” label – and we all know that “society” slaps that one on us for our choice of Cannabis as medicine and recreation. It’s sad and wrong and we must try and change these views. Here is the comment I left:
I too, am a “Marijuana Mama” – and like so many other Moms, we face stigma over our cannabis use. We live with the fear of having our kids taken away or being incarcerated because we choose the safer choice – Cannabis – over addicting, zombifying, full of side effects prescription narcotics and alcohol.
Like other Moms have mentioned, using Cannabis ENABLES me to be the best Mom I can be. Before Cannabis I was a walking pharmacy, Big Pharma had a grip on my doctor & I had become a victim of the pharmaceutical industry. In early 2006 I had such a horrible reaction to a prescription medication that I ended up in the hospital, I honestly thought I was dying.
1968 – CBS Reports: Marijuana
November 5th, 2009
Dakta Green
In 1968, Mike Wallace’s report on the controversy surrounding marijuana looked at the significant increase in use and drug-related arrests.
Getting High in School
November 5th, 2009
Dakta Green
If you are under 30 years old, THESE ARE YOUR PARENTS. OH MY GOD!!! THEY SMOKED DAK!!! Yes Johnny and they still do!!!
Our Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 had been in force just 4 years when this 60 minutes program was made. Our prohibition continues with the same draconian law in place even though ‘these students’ are our political leaders with families of their own. Go figure.
30.09.79: High school students in New Jersey are interviewed about their use of marijuana. They claim it boosts their athletic and academic performance. Harry Reasoner reports.
Holy Smoke
November 5th, 2009
Dakta Green
28.10.79: In 1979, Dan Rather reported on an Ethiopian Zion Coptic Church in Star Island, Florida. They believe that marijuana was given to them by God and that smoking it is a holy ritual they should practice.
Marijuana Wins Big At The Polls — Like Always!
November 4th, 2009
Dakta Bourbon
Taken from http://blog.norml.org/2009/11/03/marijuana-wins-big-at-the-polls-like-always/
Conventional wisdom dictates that if the people lead then our political leaders will follow. Of course, when it comes to marijuana law reform, conventional wisdom seldom applies.
In a result that should come as a surprise to nobody — except for perhaps certain members of law enforcement and state lawmakers — Maine voters today overwhelmingly approved Question 5, the Maine Marijuana Medical Act. The measure amends existing state law by: establishing a confidential patient registry, expanding the list of qualifying conditions for which a physician may recommend medicinal cannabis, and by allowing for the creation of non-profit state-licensed nonprofit dispensaries to assist in the distribution of medical cannabis to qualified patients.
Science chief backs cannabis view
November 4th, 2009
Dakta Bourbon
The UK government’s chief science adviser has told BBC News that he supports the former chief drugs adviser’s scientific view on cannabis.
Taken from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8340318.stm
Professor John Beddington, the UK’s chief scientist, would not be drawn on whether the Home Secretary was wrong to sack Professor David Nutt.
David Nutt was chair of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs.
He was fired after using a lecture to say cannabis was less harmful than alcohol and tobacco.
Asked whether he agreed with Professor Nutt’s view that cannabis was less harmful than cigarettes and alcohol, Professor Beddington replied: “I think the scientific evidence is absolutely clear cut. I would agree with it.”
On the quiet, the US is legalising marijuana
November 3rd, 2009
Dakta Bourbon
The humble joint can save lives. We look forward to the end of senseless prohibition
Taken from http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article6897958.ece
You know things are shifting in America when Fortune magazine, the bible for business journalism, runs a cover story titled “Is pot already legal?”. You also know it when Barack Obama’s Department of Justice publishes a long-expected memo signalling that the federal government will no longer raid medical marijuana dispensaries if they are legal under state law. That happened formally this month.
It was not, moreover, a symbolic gesture. Marijuana for medical reasons — to tackle chemotherapy-induced nausea or Aids-related wasting or glaucoma, among other conditions — is now legal in 13 states, including the biggest, California. Next year, 13 more states are planning referendums or new laws following suit. Last week a California legislative committee held the first hearings not simply on whether medical marijuana should remain legal, but on whether all marijuana should be decriminalised, full stop. The incentive? The vast amounts of money the bankrupt state could raise by taxing cannabis.
Now look at the polling on the question. In 1970, 84% of Americans supported keeping marijuana illegal. Today, that number has collapsed to 54%. The proportion believing that marijuana should be legal has gone from 18% at the end of the 1960s to 44% today. On current trends, a majority of Americans will favour legalisation by the end of Obama’s first term. In the western states, 53% already favour legalising and taxing the stuff. Support for legalisation is strongest among the young — the Obama generation — but has climbed among self-described Republicans as well.
The Other ‘L’ Word: Lying
November 2nd, 2009
Dakta Bourbon
Taken from http://blog.norml.org/2009/11/01/the-other-l-word-lying/
Former Drug Czar Barry McCaffrey “Lies” To Beat The Band About Cannabis…Then Again, What Else Is New?
In the media rush to cover the DOJ memo on the Obama administration’s redirecting federal law enforcement efforts away from arresting and prosecuting state compliant medical cannabis providers CNN’s Lou Dobbs interviewed former Drug Czar Barry McCaffrey and Cato Institute’s Tim Lynch…
UK drug adviser fired after marijuana comments
November 1st, 2009
Dakta Bourbon
By RAPHAEL G. SATTER
LONDON — Britain’s top drug adviser was fired Friday after saying that marijuana, Ecstasy and LSD were less dangerous than alcohol.
David Nutt’s comments have embarrassed the British government, which toughened the penalties for possessing marijuana earlier this year over the protests of many prominent British scientists.
Nutt said he was disappointed by his sacking, telling Sky News television that it might have something to do with the upcoming general election, which must be called by the middle of next year.
“Politics is politics and science is science, and there’s a bit of a tension between them sometime,” he told the broadcaster by telephone.
In later comments to BBC radio’s “PM” program, Nutt accused British Prime Minister Gordon Brown of making “completely irrational statements” about the dangerousness of marijuana.
“I’m not prepared to mislead the public about the harmfulness of drugs like cannabis and Ecstasy,” he said.
A call and an e-mail by The Associated Press seeking comment from the scientist were not immediately returned.
BREAKING NEWS: California Lawmakers To Debate Marijuana Legalization Tomorrow!
October 28th, 2009
Dakta Bourbon
California state lawmakers are scheduled to hear testimony tomorrow in support of taxing and regulating the commercial production and distribution of marijuana for adults age 21 and older.
Members of the California Assembly Committee on Public Safety have called for the hearing, entitled “Examining the Fiscal and Legal Implication of the Legalization and Regulation of Marijuana.” The hearing will be chaired by Assemblyman Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco), sponsor of Assembly Bill 390, the Marijuana Control, Regulation, and Education Act. It will take place at 10am in room 126 of the State Capitol.
A press conference will take place prior to the hearing at 9 am in Capitol Room 317.
California NORML Coordinator Dale Gieringer is scheduled to testify before the Committee at noon. [Editor's note: Read Dale's written testimony here.] NORML has also submitted prepared testimony to the Committee, which is available online here.