Mankind and grass go back 5,000 years


 
NEW DELHI: The relationship betweenmankind and this graceful plant stretches back 5,000 years or more. Most ancient cultures have recorded its magical properties, ancient languages have names for it. Yet, cannabis is officially counted as a villain, its use banned in most countries.
Cannabis use is recorded in at least 163 countries comprising 90% of the world’s population. “It remains the most widely used illicit substance globally,” a UN report says. It estimates that 119 million-224 million adults used cannabis across the world, 2.6-5 % of the adult population, in 2010. The UN data underlines another aspect: Cannabis use is prevalent everywhere, from the South Pacific islands to Russian steppes, mining communities in the Canadian wilds to Brazilian favelas and from the Himalayas to the Congolese Blue Mountains. Oceania reported some of the highest cannabis use, between 9.1 and 14.6% of the adult population, followed by North America (10.8%), Western and Central Europe (7%) and West and Central Africa (5.2-13.5%). In Latin America, about 2.5% of the adult population used cannabis, while in Asia it was between 1 and 3.4%, an underestimate with China barely counted.
 
Complete article:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Mankind-and-grass-go-back-5000-years/articleshow/17165592.cms

Longtime marijuana advocate wins $25M

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BOB ERB, left, seen here working on the Sportsplex construction in July 2007 says he’ll still continue working even though he’s now a $25 million lottery winner.
 
LOCAL MARIJUANA advocate Bob Erb can now boast another claim to fame: lottery winner.
Erb won $25 million of the $50 million Lotto Max drawn Nov. 2 and says it’s his first huge win after 43 years of buying tickets.
“It absolutely is [true]. And friggin’ unbelievable,” said Erb when called Nov. 9.
On his way down and back to  his dad’s funeral in Calgary, he stopped to gas up at several places including the Hazelton Chevron where he believes he bought the ticket.
He heard that one winner was in north central B.C. and thought it may be his ticket, he said.
It was an $11 ticket and he always buys a quick pick and an extra and he gets two draws for two weeks in a row, he said.
“In Hazelton, I got my mini dips as well. I take two consecutive draws and the extra on Lotto Max,” he said.
The price was $11 and the ticket wasn’t what he asked for, but he decided to keep it.
“He (cashier) was going to delete that one. I said ‘I might as well take it, it might be the one,’” said Erb.
Erb plans to give away money to the Hazelton Chevron where he thinks he bought his ticket and to Terrace soup kitchens, homeless shelters and others.
Erb, who ran for the BC Marijuana Party here in 2001 and for city council in that year’s municipal election, says the party will also get some money.
 
Complete article:
http://www.terracestandard.com/news/178184891.html

King County dropping misdemeanor marijuana possession cases

BY STEPHANIE KLEIN
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The King County Prosecutor’s Office says it’ll dismiss all its misdemeanor marijuana possession cases because of the passage of I-502. (AP Photo)
 
The King County Prosecutor’s Office says it’ll immediately dismiss all of its misdemeanor marijuana possession cases because of the passage of I-502, legalizing marijuana possession of one ounce or less.
There are currently 175 cases currently filed or referred for filing with the county prosecutor’s office that involve someone who is 21-years-old or older, and who had an ounce or less.
Prosecuting Attorney Dan Satterberg says it’s the right thing to do in light of the voters’ decision.
“Although the effective date of I-502 is not until December 6, there is no point in continuing to seek criminal penalties for conduct that will be legal next month,” Satterberg said.
Possessing an ounce or less of marijuana will become legal in Washington on Dec. 6.
 
Complete article:
http://mynorthwest.com/11/2124852/King-County-dropping-misdemeanor-marijuana-possession-cases
 

2 Indiana lawmakers consider pot decriminalization

CHARLES WILSON, Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana is a long way from considering legalizing recreational marijuana as Colorado and Washington did this week, but key lawmakers from both parties plan to introduce measures next year that would decriminalize possession of small amounts of the drug.
Democratic state Sen. Karen Tallian of Portage said Friday that she will again introduce a bill that would decriminalize possession of up to three ounces — about 85 grams — of marijuana. The bill received a Senate hearing this year but was not brought up for a vote. Tallian, however, said attitudes are changing even among her fellow lawmakers.
“Two or three years ago when I started talking about that it was, ‘You’re crazy,'” she said. “Now, it’s like: ‘I’m all right with that.’ I’ve gotten that from a lot of people. ‘I wouldn’t put my name on it but I’ll support you.'”
Complete article:
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/article/2-Indiana-lawmakers-consider-pot-decriminalization-4024316.php

Medical Marijuana Grower Chris Williams Faces 80 Years in Prison


 
On September 27th, Chris Williams, co-founder of Montana Cannabis, was found guilty on eight counts of marijuana and related firearms charges, despite his state’s medical marijuana law. These charges carry a mandatory minimum sentence of more than 80 years in prison — and expose the grave human consequences resulting from the existing disparity between federal and state laws pertaining to the medical use of marijuana.
I started filming Chris and his business partners during the last Montana state legislative session, as part of my feature-length documentary Code of the West. They seemed determined to create a model for a responsible medical marijuana caregiving operation, and routinely offered growhouse tours to law enforcement officials, politicians and community leaders, any number of which accepted this invitation.
Chris Williams had reason to believe his risk of federal prosecution was minimal, following the release of a 2009 memo by the Justice Department stating that the federal government should not focus federal resources on medical marijuana growers and patients who complied with their own state laws. But in March 2011, federal agents raided Chris’ growhouse during a statewide crackdown across Montana.
 
Complete article:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rebecca-richman-cohen/medical-marijuana-montana_b_2095609.html

Market opportunities created for hemp producers

On Nov. 5 the federal government announced investments in projects with the Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance (CHTA) that will help determine the best hemp varieties by region and will give growers the tools they need to promote Canadian hemp in international markets.
An investment of more than $64,000 from the Agricultural Innovation Program (AIP) will be used to test and evaluate different hemp varieties across Canada for their food and non-food uses. This project will help the industry identify the best hemp varieties to grow in each region for grain yield and fibre yield.
A second investment of over $31,000 through the AgriMarketing Program will support the CHTA in increasing Canada’s presence in new and existing international hemp markets. It will help the CHTA develop promotional material, participate in key international tradeshows, attract new clients, and undertake market research to identify market opportunities.
 
Complete article:
http://www.atlanticfarmfocus.ca/Canada%20/%20World/2012-11-08/article-3116572/Market-opportunities-created-for-hemp-producers/1
 

Company Uses Hemp To Help Build Homes, Despite Costly Regulations

Reporting Bill Hudson
 
A 3,400-square-foot hemp home was designed by green builder Anthony Brenner in Ashville, N.C. He says home is heated and cooled for about $45 a month.
“It’s easily about 75 percent less to operate that home compared to a conventional home,” he said.
 
Anderson’s company promotes industrial grade hemp as the perfect building material. It’s non-toxic, mold and mildew resistant and non-flammable. A fully encapsulated wall will not ignite even when the hot flame of a soldering torch is held to the surface for five minutes. In comparison, conventional building products can give off toxins like formaldehyde, which get trapped in today’s air tight construction.
 
Complete article:
http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2012/06/12/company-uses-hemp-to-help-build-homes-despite-regulations/

Legalizing medical marijuana in Alabama

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) – There are currently 16 states allowing the use of medical marijuana.  And since the Tuesday elections, there’s even one allowing recreational use of the drug.  The question is, “could Alabama be next?”
Currently, there is a bill circulating through the state house that would legalize the drug for it’s medicinal properties.  Ben Crumpton, executive director of the Alabama Medical Marijuana Coalition, says there are at least 24 illnesses that marijuana can be used to treat.  Glaucoma, cancer and HIV/AIDS are just a few.
 
Complete article:
http://www.cbs42.com/content/localnews/story/Legalizing-medical-marijuana-in-Alabama/-3tAk-6u2UinNNu_vqOEvg.cspx

All The Reasons Pot Is Good For You

Randy Astaiza
Marijuana Weed Cannibus is Medicine
 
Colorado and Washington both passed legislation that legalizes the recreational use of marijuana on Tuesday.
 
While recreational marijuana is controversial, many people believe that the drug should be legal, especially for medical uses.
See the good side of pot >
Psychiatrist Tod H. Mikuriya, who helped develop Proposition 215, the state ballot that allowed doctors to recommend marijuana for patients in California, began researching marijuana’s therapeutic possibilities in the 1960s.
He believed the symptoms of over 200 ailments could be treated with marijuana including stuttering, insomnia, premenstrual syndrome, and writer’s cramp. Even the National Cancer Institute agrees with Mikuriya — specifically the use of marijuana for treatment of side effects of chemotherapy, preventing nausea and vomiting, increasing appetite, relieving pain, and improving sleep.
 
Complete article:
http://www.businessinsider.com/health-benefits-of-medical-marijuana-2012-11?op=1