By Dave Philipps

Sydni Yunek, 9, helps her mother, Holli Brown, decorate their Christmas tree Friday, December 6, 2013. Two months after her first dose of cannabis oil, Sydni’s seizures have dropped and she went nine days, a personal record, without a seizure. While Sydni is still experiencing some fluctuation in how she is feeling, Brown has noticed much improvement. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette
This is the first Christmas that the Swann family won’t spend with extended family in Alabama – a situation that makes members shake their heads in disappointment and tear up with joy.
They can’t go home because they moved to Colorado Springs this fall to treat their daughter Allie’s severe epilepsy with a marijuana oil that is illegal in Alabama. But, they say, their sorrow is overwhelmed by the joy they feel seeing their daughter’s rapid improvement.
After three weeks of taking the oil, her seizures are drastically reduced.
Full Article:
http://gazette.com/marijuana-oil-brings-relief-joy/article/1511475

Here’s the link:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/papsite-radio/2013/12/22/the-human-solution

By Courtney Vaughn, Hi-Desert Star

Courtney Vaughn, Hi-Desert Star
 
YUCCA VALLEY — Medical marijuana advocates pleaded with the Town Council Tuesday, Dec. 17, to reopen the Morongo Basin’s only medical marijuana dispensary. California Alternative Medicinal Solutions was the last one standing earlier this month, until a sunset clause kicked in and the dispensary had to close its storefront.
The dispensary was permitted in 2008. The Yucca Valley Town Council voted in 2010 to prohibit dispensaries in town, but allowed CAMS to wind down its operations over a few years.
CAMS was given until December of this year to shut down its operations.
“I’ve been closed now for about 10 days,” CAMS Director Brian Nicholson said. “I see patients everywhere. I have everyone telling me they’re in pain. They’re hurting. I really need you to revisit this. I operated for three years without any issues.”
 
Full Article:
http://www.hidesertstar.com/news/article_55741fec-6a12-11e3-b6fc-0019bb2963f4.html

by David Downs

By: Bill Redekop

 
The Composites Innovation Centre (CIC) in Winnipeg has completed an evaluation of a series of tractor parts based on hemp composites as an alternative to traditional glass.
The biocomposites were made from hemp and agave plants sourced from Manitoba and used to build a tractor hood, shields, fan shroud and fenders.
“We didn’t know if it would be possible yet or not, so we engaged industry to see if we could put our trial biofibre mat into a test tractor to see if it would endure the application it was meant to,” explained CIC project manager Andrea Kraj. The CIC partnered with Buhler, which manufactures Versatile farm equipment, and the Eastside Group of Companies to produce and test the components.
Kraj said the parts had performed well during the past harvest season and in testing on a ‘bump track’.
“The biotractor survived the environment and the conditions of the bump track, which is great because it shows that it can succeed in its application,” she said.
 
Full Article:
http://www.ecocomposites.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=10484%3Ahemp-composites-as-new-tractor-parts&catid=3%3Anews-free&Itemid=2

by Colleen Murphy

 
District residents busted for pot could soon see their cases sealed.
A D.C. Council committee discussed a bill Thursday that would wipe away criminal records for people caught possessing marijuana in cases that did not involve violence.
 
Full Article:
http://blogs.gwhatchet.com/newsroom/2013/12/19/d-c-council-considers-sealing-nonviolent-marijuana-cases/

By Rhoda Miel

Image By: PeugeotThe Peugeot 308 uses an injection molded biocomposite substrate, supplied by Faurecia SA, in the door panels.
 
Auto supplier Faurecia SA has launched production of an injection molded bio-composite combining hemp and polypropylene in Europe, and is looking for opportunities to expand the technology to North America.
 
Full Article:
http://www.plasticsnews.com/article/20131219/NEWS/131219914/faurecia-boosts-automotive-bioplastics

By: Sara Dilley

 
 
The holiday season is all about family, good food and, for some, religious tradition. In the spirit of the holidays, we at Leafly were curious about cannabis and religion. As a topic that’s seldom discussed, we wondered if cannabis had any ties to religion. What we found may surprise you.
 
Full Article:
http://www.leafly.com/(F(CPJmL5dJKHrC2TDn3v2JzOQjUBNHXCpl3Y6LiVnL8vYAaV19aeB7ff-LyYZBkYkBwD43kRpwjQvLpxXmM-SJVFqGvnCrNuIVl5OSk7nQURC6gP7wbaw_UHw2i_Km0YAJFEQzUNKEA64n1CFx0))/news/stories/cannabis-a-gift-from-the-ancient-gods