Sheriff Pays Woman $20,000 To Replace Her Medical Marijuana

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Photo: PennLive.com
In yet another embarrassing loss for law enforcement in California, who have tried for years to ignore the fact that medicinal cannabis is legal in the state — and has been for 14 years now — San Luis Obispo County cut a $20,000 check on Monday to a patient whose medical marijuana was wrongfully destroyed.
The county paid 46-year-old Kimberly Marshall the equivalent of $3,333 per pound, the replacement value for six pounds of a specially grown outdoor strain of pot, reports Karen Velie at Cal Coast News.
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Scientists Uncover How CBD Treats MS, Alters Cholesterol Metabolism

Cannabidiol

5/25/2011 – Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychotropic compound found in the Cannabis plant that is currently being exploited by researchers for its therapeutic properties. CBD is usually the second most abundant compound found in the plant.
A research team devoted to studying the effects of Cannabidiol (CBD) on the immune system has made a series of breakthroughs that may have uncovered a mechanism of CBD’s actions (Kozela 2009, Rimmerman 2011, Juknat 2011). The team may have discovered the specific genes responsible for some of CBD’s therapeutic effects. This type of research could be a big leap forward.
Previously the same team had shown that CBD can effectively treat the symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis in mice. This is in agreement with earlier research published by other labs throughout the world.
This collective body of research demonstrates that CBD that is isolated from the plant (as well as Cannabis preparations containing CBD) have been shown to ameliorate the symptoms of multiple sclerosis in animal models and clinical trials. The effects of CBD on disease progression include decreased inflammation, neuronal protection, and decreased immune cell activity.
In other words, this is even more science that shows how CBD from natural cannabis plants works to treat MS in animals and humans.
Read complete article here:
http://www.freedomisgreen.com/cbd-in-marijuana-treats-ms-alters-cholesterol-metabolism/

Fiber resource: When wood is not wood

By Skip Wenz
Hemp is a versatile, robust and, in the U.S., vastly underused source of fiber. It’s underused here because it’s illegal to grow industrial hemp, which has been confused with its cousin the marijuana plant, though it’s grown commercially in virtually every other country in the world. (Industrial hemp has no pharmacological properties.)
Hemp’s main potential is as a softwood substitute. Proponents of hemp paneling believe that hemp’s long strands make it the ideal fiber for all types of engineered wood products. Some foreign growers claim that hemp’s biomass yield is four times that of plantation softwoods.
It is legal to manufacture products from imported hemp, and a variety of attractive medium-density hemp fiberboards are available in the U.S.
Read complete article here:
http://helenair.com/lifestyles/health-med-fit/article_4ad15a62-8696-11e0-a330-001cc4c03286.html

Medical marijuana provided free by Namaste Hospice for end-of-life relief

By Joel Warner
In a striking example of medical marijuana’s growing legitimacy, the Denver-based Namaste Hospice will begin offering free medical marijuana to patients with terminal illnesses. While end-of-life care might not seem like the most cutting-edge of industries, Namaste, which has been providing Denver-area hospice services since 1998, seems to be downright forward thinking when it comes to medical marijuana 
“One of our guiding principles is patient self-determination, autonomy and choice. To this end Namaste respects the needs and desires of the patient and family before those of the health care system, staff, or the organization,” says Namaste President Jan Bezuidenhout in a media release. “If cannabis can help us better manage the pain for our patients and at the same time eliminate the negative effects of morphine and similar drugs, then it is our obligation to offer that choice to our patients.”
Read complete article here:
http://blogs.westword.com/latestword/2011/05/medical_marijuana_namaste_hospice_free.php

Inhaled Cannabis Beneficial For Fibromyalgia Patients, Study Says .

Barcelona, Spain–(ENEWSPF)–May 20, 2011. The use of cannabis is associated with beneficial effects on various symptoms of fibromyalgia, including the relief of pain and muscle stiffness, according to the results of an observational case-control study published online in the journal PLoS (Public Library of Science) ONE. Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain syndrome associated with musculoskeletal pain and fatigue. Symptoms of fibromyalgia are poorly controlled by conventional medications.
Investigators at the Institut de Recerca Hospital del Mar in Barcelona, Spain, assessed the associated benefits of cannabis in patients with fibromyalgia (FM) compared with FM patients who did not use the substance. Twenty-eight users and non-users participated in the study.
Authors reported: “Patients used cannabis not only to alleviate pain but for almost all symptoms associated to FM, and no one reported worsening of symptoms following cannabis use. … Significant relief of pain, stiffness, relaxation, somnolence, and perception of well-being, evaluated by VAS (visual analogue scales) before and two hours after cannabis self-administration was observed.”
Cannabis users in the study also reported higher overall mental health summary scores than did non-users.
Read complete article here:
http://www.enewspf.com/latest-news/health-and-fitness/24362-inhaled-cannabis-beneficial-for-fibromyalgia-patients-study-says.html

Dr. William Eidelman Responds To Dr. Drew’s Cannabis Claims

The other day we asked our readers what they thought of Dr. Drew’s assertion that, not only is marijuana addictive, it has a “rather severe withdrawal syndrome.” Our readers responded, but we also wanted to get a professional medical opinion on the TV doctor’s claims.
I contacted Dr. William Eidelman in Los Angeles, CA and asked him what he thought of Dr. Drew’s statements. “Dr. Drew’s assertions are not based on any science I’ve seen,” Dr. Eidelman told me. “The real experts say that cannabis is not addicting. Of course, it can cause dependence, as can many classes of phenomena. People can be dependent on television, books, music, corn flakes, sugar…. There is really not much if any withdrawal syndrome. The statements of a heavy withdrawal are not based in reality. Even the FDA/DEA say that any withdrawal is mild, if it exists at all. These kinds of statements are really just to back treatment programs that are usually unnecessary.
420times 000010782490XSmall 150x1501 Dr. William Eidelman Responds To Dr. Drews Cannabis Claims
“That being said, there are people who misuse and abuse cannabis, but compared to the severity of the misuse and abuse of other drugs, cannabis is very benign. And most of the people who are regular users of cannabis are self-medicating their anxiety or depression. For this, cannabis is much safer than Prozac and related drugs. Much, much safer than Seroquel and related drugs.
Read complete article here:
http://the420times.com/2011/05/dr-william-eidelman-responds-to-dr-drews-cannabis-claims/

Industrial Hemp – A Golden Opportunity for California Business

by Senator Mark Leno
 
Ed Note: Senator Leno’s hemp bill will be heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee on Monday
 
If you like shopping at your local natural foods or specialty grocery store, you’ve probably noticed the growing popularity of hemp as an ingredient in food and skin care products. Hemp seed, which is high in protein and essential fatty acids, is found in everything from bread, energy bars and waffles to coffee and protein powder. Thanks to its natural antioxidants and moisturizing oil, hemp is also a common ingredient in soaps, shampoos and lotions. Perhaps your favorite T-shirt is even made of hemp, which is an excellent alternative to cotton.
Even though most of these consumer products are created by California companies, our farmers are prohibited from growing industrial hemp. Instead of buying hemp from local farmers, local manufacturers are importing thousands of dollars of hemp seed, oil and fiber from growers overseas.
California farmers are missing out on a golden opportunity to tap into the growing industrial hemp products business of food, clothing, shelter, paper and fuel, which would greatly benefit our state’s economy and family farmers. Industrial hemp is a perfect, environmentally sustainable crop for our state. It requires little or no pesticides and herbicides and produces two to four times more fiber than an acre of timber. Hemp grows quickly, can be harvested every 90 days and is a great rotational crop, especially for organic farmers.

Read complete article here:
http://www.beyondchron.org/news/index.php?itemid=9179
 

Raided pot providers sue government

By MATT VOLZ Associated Press

HELENA, Mont. – May 12, 2011 (WPVI) — Two medical marijuana providers have accused the U.S. government of civil rights violations in what may be the first lawsuit of its kind in response to a federal crackdown on pot operations across the nation.
 The owners of Montana Caregivers Association and MCM Caregivers claim federal raids on pot businesses across Montana in March were unconstitutional, exceeded the government’s authority and pre-empted the state’s medical marijuana law.
Since then, federal agents have raided two Washington state dispensaries, and federal prosecutors have sent letters of warning to leaders in most of the 15 states with medical marijuana laws.
The lawsuit was filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Missoula against the government, Department of Justice, Attorney General Eric Holder and U.S. Attorney for Montana Michael Cotter.
The plaintiffs claim the intent of the raids was to shut down the medical pot industry.
“The federal government has made clear its intent to threaten and eventually eliminate any business or enterprise related to the medical use of marijuana,” Christopher Williams of the Montana Caregivers Association and Randy Leibenguth of MCM Caregivers claimed in the lawsuit.
The Department of Justice did not comment when contacted Wednesday. Cotter spokeswoman Jessica Fehr also declined comment, saying the U.S. attorney’s office had not been served with the lawsuit.
New Mexico attorney Paul Livingston, who is representing the plaintiffs, believes this is the first constitutional challenge of the government’s actions.
“I’m surprised nobody’s raised a 10th Amendment challenge,” Livingston said. “This is a process going on in all the states that have approved medical marijuana. They’re trying to set limits.”
The 10th Amendment says powers not delegated to the U.S. or prohibited by the Constitution are reserved to the states. Current Montana law says a marijuana provider can’t be arrested, prosecuted or penalized if they do not exceed the amount of pot they are allowed to keep per patient.
Read complete article here:
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news%2Flocal&id=8126707

Rep. Ron Paul Introduces H.R. 1831, The Industrial Hemp Farming Act, on Heels of Successful Second Annual Hemp History Week

PR Newswire

WASHINGTON, May 12, 2011
Senate  Bill  In  Support  of  Industrial  Hemp  Farming  Expected  to  Follow
WASHINGTON, May 12, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — For  the  fourth  time  since  the  federal  government  outlawed  hemp  farming  in  the  United  States  over  50  years  ago,  a  federal  bill  was  introduced  on  May  11,  which  if  passed,  will  remove  restrictions  on  the  cultivation  of  industrial  hemp,  the  non-drug  oilseed  and  fiber  varieties  of  Cannabis.  The  chief  sponsor,  Rep.  Ron  Paul  (R-TX)  circulated  a  “Dear  Colleague”  letter  last  week  seeking  support  for  H.R.  1831,  The  Industrial  Hemp  Farming  Act  of  2011.  H.R.  1831  is  almost  identical  to  H.R.  1866,  which  was  introduced  in  the  111th  Congress  in  2009.  
“We  are  pleased  to  see  the  re-introduction  of  the  Industrial  Hemp  Farming  Act  in  Congress.  Vote  Hemp  is  currently  working  with  a  Democratic  Senator  who  is  preparing  to  introduce  companion  legislation  in  the  Senate  in  support  of  industrial  hemp  farming,”  says  Vote  Hemp  President,  Eric  Steenstra.  “It  is  due  time  for  the  Senate  as  well  as  President  Obama  and  the  Attorney  General  to  prioritize  the  crop’s  benefits  to  farmers  and  to  take  action  like  Rep.  Paul  and  the  cosponsors  of  H.R.  1831  have  done.  With  the  U.S.  hemp  industry  valued  at  over  $400  million  in  annual  retail  sales  and  growing,  a  change  in  federal  policy  to  allow  hemp  farming  would  mean  instant  job  creation,  among  many  other  economic  and  environmental  benefits,”  adds  Steenstra.  
U.S.  companies  that  manufacture  or  sell  products  made  with  hemp  include  Dr.  Bronner’s  Magic  Soaps,  a  California  company  that  manufactures  the  number-one-selling  natural  soap  in  the  U.S.  as  well  as  best-selling  hemp  food  manufacturers,  such  as  French  Meadow  Bakery,  Living  Harvest,  Manitoba  Harvest,  Nature’s  Path,  Nutiva  and  Sequel  Naturals  who  make  their  products  from  hemp  grown  in  Canada.  Sustainable  hemp  seed,  fiber  and  oil  are  also  used  by  major  companies  such  as  Ford  Motors,  Patagonia  and  The  Body  Shop.  
“Public  support  for  industrial  hemp  farming  is  growing  in  leaps  and  bounds  in  the  U.S.,”  explains  Steenstra.  “The  second  annual  Hemp  History  Week,  celebrated  from  May  2-8,  2011  featured  over  550  events  in  all  50  states.  The  campaign  mobilized  the  support  of  tens  of  thousands  of  consumers,  grass-roots  activists  and  many  high-profile  celebrities  from  health  and  wellness  experts  to  TV  and  entertainment  personalities,  professional  athletes  and  renowned  musicians.”  
Read complete article here:
http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/306878#ixzz1MCLOxhcK

Organic business to unveil unique straw-built barn

Farmer Tim Sellers in a field of spelt

 
AN “ECO” open day is to be held at an organic farm and bakery on Sunday to celebrate the opening of a straw bale barn that is thought to be the only one of its kind.
Tim and Caroline Sellers of Carr House Farm and Side Oven Bakery, at Foston on the Wolds, are inviting people to join them for an interactive day that will include demonstrations of hemp plastering, nest boxes for wildlife and nature walks.
The addition – called the Gingerbread Barn – was built exclusively from Wolds-grown straw from organic primitive wheat species spelt and plastered with lime and clay mixed at Brandesburton and reinforced with home grown hemp.
It was commissioned by the Sellers as a sustainable storage area that would also serve as a teaching room for the increasing number of educational visits they host.
The barn took eight months to build and needed 350 bales of straw.
Mr Sellers said: “Straw bales are a superb natural, sustainable building material.
“They provide a high level of insulation that can significantly reduce the energy needed to heat or cool a building and when combined with plaster on both sides, straw bale walls are fireproof, vermin proof and airtight.
Read complete article here:
http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/around-yorkshire/local-stories/organic_business_to_unveil_unique_straw_built_barn_1_3365160