Drug Policy Among Our Neighbors
As everyone knows Canada is the first country in the world to sell marijuana to certified medical marijuana patients. Nonviolent drug offenders in that country are normally not given lengthy sentences by the court. There is a clear move towards marijuana decriminalization or even full legalization. Way back in 2002 Canada’s Senate Special Committee on Illegal Drugs did a comprehensive study on cannabis and concluded that the drug ought to be legalized. “Scientific evidence overwhelmingly indicates that marijuana is substantially less harmful than alcohol, and should be treated not as a criminal issue, but as a social and public health issue,” said Senator Pierre Claude Nolin, Chair of the Special Committee. Unfortunately, America is putting pressure on Canada not to pass harm minimization laws. This is despite the fact that our northern neighbor seriously monitors and evaluates the reforms that it has taken.
US Drug policy is much more influential south of the border. Drugs are seized on the way to the US in expensive interdiction campaigns. US demand is responsible for the influx of drugs but the failure of the authorities to contain this problem seems to lie on the shoulders of Mexico. On October 14, 2008 a bill was proposed in Mexico City’s Congress to legalize the consumption, possession and commerce of Marijuana. The bill states that only a person over 18 can have access to the drug, the places where marijuana is sold cannot also sell alcoholic drinks, and must be at least 1000 meters away from schools. The Government would issue special licenses for the distribution of marijuana in special places, similar to the legislation in the Netherlands. The Bill has yet to pass.
The US government’s influence on the decision-making of our neighbors is evident. However, it is satisfactory to note that a counter-current now exists and we will soon positive changes in the horizon.
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Another Victory For The Medical Cannabis Community!
Americans for Safe Access (ASA) has yet again led a successful crusade, along with ACLU Drug Law Reform Project, to defend the patients’ interest in fighting San Diego’s appeal to the State Supreme Court. The California Supreme Court chose not to review a marijuana case that will require all counties to implement the state identification program. The courts have basically found that the ID card program and state law remained valid and does not violate the state constitution. The medical marijuana card program now has to be implemented by all counties in California.
Joe Elford, Chief Counsel of Americans for Safe Access, has said:. “The courts have made clear that federal law does not preempt state law relating to medical marijuana and that local officials must comply with California’s medical marijuana laws.” The Court of Appeals has maintained that state law is not in conflict with the federal Controlled Substances Act.
Sometimes it truly feels like everything related to our cause is an uphill battle. The unceasing efforts of organizations such as Americans for Safe Access slowly, but surely, will turn the tide. ASA is doing so much for us. It’s only right that we donate as much as we can so that they can continue to fund their legal cases and other endeavors on our behalf.
Keep up the good work, ASA!
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Medical Marijuana Legislation to Be Considered Next Week in the California Senate
Two very important bills to be considered by legislation. All federal involvement in Medical Marijuana cases should end! This means, no fear and false imprisonment for those who are legally entitled to use Marijuana as medicine. These two bills do just that. Safe access to get your medication, and no false imprisonment and trails. This information was obtained by http://www.safeaccessnow.org/. I just thought most of Strain Review readers would like to read.
Next week, the California Senate will vote on two pieces of medical marijuana legislation. The Senate Judiciary Committee will vote on AB 2279, which would protect the rights of hundreds of thousands of medical marijuana patients in California from employment discrimination. Introduced by Assembly member Mark Leno and sponsored by ASA, AB 2279 passed through the Assembly last month and, if passed by this committee, will soon head to the full Senate for a vote.
SJR 20, introduced by Senator Carole Migden, could be voted on by the full Senate as early as next week. This resolution urges the President and Congress of the United States to enact legislation requiring federal law enforcement to respect state medical marijuana laws, to cease raids of medical marijuana dispensaries that are operating legally under California and local law, and to return any assets seized from medical marijuana dispensaries and collectives to the states in which they are located. After clearing the Senate Health Committee, SJR 20 was slated to be heard in the Judiciary Committee, but the committee instead passed it straight to the Senate floor.
For more information on AB 2279 and SJR 20, please visit www.AmericansForSafeAccess.org/CA2008Bills
(3 votes, average: 5 out of 5) Loading ...Growing Interest In Puerto Rico To Legalize Pot
Puerto Rico is thinking of new change. The main concern for the legalization of marijuana is to free the prisons which is overflowing with Marijuana charges. About 24 percent of the island’s 13,500 inmates have been convicted on drug charges, and an estimated 80 percent of crimes are drug-related, according to the Department of Corrections.
“The fight against drugs, using punishment, has not worked,” said Jos Manuel Saldaa, former president of the University of Puerto Rico. “This is a social reality.” People should not go to jail for smoking pot, he said. Too many young adults become criminals in prison and also risk contracting hepatitis and AIDS while there, Saldaa and Vzquez said.
The states can learn a lot from Puerto rico, The drug war is just to costly with almost no result. The question remains: Are we winning the war on drugs? Read the full story Here with details!
(7 votes, average: 5 out of 5) Loading ...Most Potent Marijuana Since 30 Years: DANGEROUS!
As an annual ritual by the White House, Marijuana is being brought down. “Weed is getting more potent, which means more deadlier!” Marijuana getting more potent? Where is this space weed the white house speaks of? Many doctors say that if marijuana were to get “more potent”, smokers would smoke less! It is rather a joke now; than the proposed dangerous and fearful tone.
“One had to read six paragraphs into the story to get the first hint of a dissenting view, voiced by Dr. Mitch Earleywine, author of the book, Understanding Marijuana. Earleywine, a substance abuse researcher and psychology professor at the Albany campus of the State University of New York, noted that marijuana smokers simply smoke Read more
(3 votes, average: 4.67 out of 5) Loading ...Get your head out of the sand
This is a great article i found, that i think strainreview subscribers should read.
In the last column, I criticized the strict parenting techniques the RCMP suggested at a DARE presentation as being unrealistic. But even more off target were the opinions about substance abuse at SRHS. First off, to the parents and administrators that were shocked at the actual amount of substance abuse going on, I have to say, “Get your heads out of the sand.” As for the statistics and views presented, I felt they were very misleading and biased towards one vice in particular while letting others off the hook. Read more
(2 votes, average: 3 out of 5) Loading ...US House Judiciary Committee Chairman Conyers letter to Acting DEA Administrator Leonhart sent!
Forwarding an announcement from the ASA list about US House Judiciary Committee Chairman Conyers letter to Acting DEA Administrator Leonhart sent this afternoon!
The letter demands that she answer questions about the agency’s ongoing interference and intimidation in California before July 1. This letter brings us one step closer to Congressional hearings on DEA activity in California, and represents a tremendous success for medical cannabis providers on the federal level. It is our hope that these hearings will make further DEA interference politically unpalatable for the Justice Department, while putting more fuel on the fire for Congressional action on medical cannabis.
Chairman Conyers’ letter is not likely to make national news, but it is an important turning point in this broadest and most protracted DEA attack on patients’ access. What happens next depends on how effective we can be. Please have a look at the action alert in the “May Action Alert” folder in the files section of the yahoo Group to find out if you live or work in one of the six strategic districts represented by a California Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee. Chairman Conyers needs there support, and they need to hear from us!
(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5) Loading ...A Little Down Time. We’re Back!
Hello Strain Review subscribers, we have been a little busy with personal business; we will have a big surprise for everyone soon. We’re back and will continue to post! Sorry for the down time people!
Lets keep the Medical marijuana strain reviews coming, and all the great stories!
Thanks again!
Strain Review team.
(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5) Loading ...A petition To Support
This is a petition that makes sense, but as we all know, most of these don’t make it. Its just great facts and sources for everyone. Check it out! To read the full petition go here
To: U.S. Congress
Just The Facts is an organization that I started to provide a factual insight to the general public on this most controversial subject. I will provide nothing but the facts, so that we the people can make intelligent decisions about a subject the government clouds up with untruthfulness. Please read my petition and even though you might not smoke Cannabis, please observe with an open mind about all the beneficial qualities that have nothing to do with smoking, but are currently still as illegal.
FACT
· Deaths per year resulting from alcohol: 100,000
· Deaths per year resulting from tobacco: 430,000
· Deaths per year resulting from aspirin: 180- 1000
· Deaths per year resulting from legal drugs: 106,000
· Deaths that have ever occurred in direct result of Cannabis: 0 (that’s right zero) Read more
(3 votes, average: 5 out of 5) Loading ...Pot Use Keeps Patient Off Organ Transplant List
Timothy Garon who was a 56 year old musician, was denied a organ transplant because of his medical marijuana use to treat the symptoms of advanced hepatitis C, nausea, abdominal pain and to stimulate his appetite. Garon died Thursday, one week after he got the news from his doctor that a University of Washington Medical Center committee had again denied him a spot on the liver-transplant list.
“He said I’m going to die, with such conviction,” Garon said then. “I’m not angry, I’m not mad, I’m just confused.”
Should pot use with a doctor’s authorization be held against a dying patient who needs an organ transplant? Read More
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