Washington: A new study has revealed that taking marijuana soon after a traumatic event can prevent PTSD-like (post-traumatic stress disorder) symptoms in rats, caused by the trauma and by trauma reminders.
The importance of this study is that it contributes to the understanding of the brain basis of the positive effect cannabis has on PTSD and thus supports the necessity to perform human trials to examine potential ways to prevent the development of PTSD and anxiety disorders in response to a traumatic event.
 
Full Article:
http://zeenews.india.com/news/health/health-news/marijuana-can-prevent-ptsd_1466463.html

By Rachel Warmke, rwarmke@qconline.com

 
His gait is slow, and his eyelids often battle against the weight of sleep.
Benton Mackenzie struggles, pausing to rest on each step as he climbs to the main floor of his parents’ two-story home, tucked between Eldridge and Long Grove. His eyes close and his back hunches from the effort as he finally reaches the top step.
Enveloped in a heavy blanket, the 48-year-old takes halting steps towards the dining room table. He stops to arrange a stack of pillows on his chair then sinks down, his face clenched in pain, the shape of his tumors obvious beneath the folds of his gray sweatpants.
The bulbous cysts are painful reminders of an aggressive form of cancer he has tried to combat by growing marijuana and self-treating with cannabis oil. Benton says the oil — which has low amounts of THC, the psychoactive chemical that makes smokers high — has kept his tumors at bay for more than four years.
Illegal in Iowa, his actions drew the attention of Scott County prosecutors.
 
Full Article:
http://www.qconline.com/archives/qco/display.php?id=694179

By Sarah Fruchtnicht

 
An injured worker who was prescribed medical marijuana by a doctor will be covered by worker’s compensation, the New Mexico Court of Appeals ruled.
Gregory Vialpando claims he experienced severe pain after failed spinal surgeries to fix a back injury he suffered on the job.
He met the threshold for payments under workers’ compensation laws and his doctor recommended marijuana to manage his pain.
 
Full Article:
http://www.opposingviews.com/i/society/drug-law/court-rules-workers-comp-must-cover-medical-marijuana

by Elizabeth Renter

 
Among the many benefits of marijuana, such as its ability to inhibit cancer growth and halt seizures, the treatment of glaucoma has been long-standing and widely accepted. Well, a new study indicates the herb could also work to prevent blindness from another eye disease—retinitis pigmentosa.
Retinitis pigmentosa is a condition that destroys the light sensors of the eye. This degenerative condition acts on the millions of microscopic photoreceptors and can lead to blindness. Currently, there is no known solution. But in this most recent study, researchers made headway in establishing cannabis as a potential treatment.
Full Article:
http://naturalsociety.com/new-study-finds-marijuana-prevents-blindness/

by Lori Zimmer

 
Freitag has made a name for themselves repurposing truck tarpaulins into stylish messenger bags and purses. Now, the Zurich-based company is coming out with a small apparel line, made from their newly developed biodegradable textile, F-abric. Made from fibers sourced in Europe, the F-abric clothing will begin to decompose within three months when thrown into compost, making a virtually footprint free line of clothes.
 
Full Article:
http://www.ecouterre.com/freitag-launches-100-percent-compostable-fabric-made-from-plants/

by T Goodman

 
“THC is known to be a potent antioxidant with neuroprotective properties, but this is the first report that the compound directly affects Alzheimer’s pathology by decreasing amyloid beta levels, inhibiting its aggregation, and enhancing mitochondrial function,” said lead author of the study, Chuanhai Cao.
Dr. Cao reported that the concentrations of THC used in the study were at the nanomolar (10^-9) level, a level so low it would not cause any adverse effects.
 
Full Article:
http://inventorspot.com/articles/thc-cannibis-has-potential-therapeutic-effects-alzheimers-diseas

By: Irreverent Vet

 
I would absolutely give my dog marijuana if it would improve his quality of life in the face of pain and anorexia. I would even go so far as trying to find someone that knew someone that would sell me a dime bag and make special cookies if I must! Of course, I would exhaust all the traditional medications first and try the hemp supplement. Actually, if my dog was ill, anorexic and diagnosed with something terminal, I would order the hemp supplement immediately while trying traditional medications. I would not try the prescription drugs. They don’t seem to be that effective for my purpose. 
 
Full Article:
http://www.petplace.com/dogs/medical-use-of-marijuana-for-dogs/page1.aspx?utm_source=Newsletters&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Irreverent%20Vet&utm_content=CL-20140902%20(1)

Raylan Campbell

 
Italy is poised to release about ten thousand inmates due to a shift in sentencing laws that eases punishment for cannabis use, growth and possession. The change comes as a result of the striking down of a law that previously tripled cannabis related sentences.
The estimate is that about 40% of Italian inmates were convicted of drug related crimes. In reality, this “new” law is not new at all. The Italian judicial system is rather reverting back to the previous law (prior to the ludicrous mandatory tripling of sentence law). After this takes effect, hard drugs like cocaine and heroin will result in much longer sentences than cannabis infractions. For some it means they would be released on time served, for others it’s a reduction in sentencing from 6-20 years down to 2-6 years.
 
Full Article:
http://www.weedist.com/2014/09/italy-poised-release-10000-cannabis-inmates/

By Leah DeAnda

LAKE COUNTY, California >> According to attorney Joe Elford, a lawsuit was filed Friday at the U.S. District Court in San Jose against Lake County authorities. Elford said the suit was on behalf of residents who claim they were subject to warrantless searches and unlawful abatement procedures by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) in violation of Measure N.
Complaints were originally aired publicly during a Board of Supervisors meeting on Aug. 19. At that meeting, county residents alleged that LCSO officers had visited more than 30 properties in Spring Valley without warrant. Some residents claimed they were not notified or contacted before the officers went on their property, other residents said their locks were cut and LCSO officers allegedly cut down marijuana plants without providing abatement notices or allowing time for a summary abatement to be disputed.
 
Full Article:
http://www.record-bee.com/news/ci_26451690/federal-lawsuit-filed-against-warrantless-seizures

By Roger Stone

 

Richard Nixon (1913-94) could be quite naïve.

In the late 1950s, the U.S. State Department made jazz legend Louis Armstrong (1901-71) a “Goodwill Ambassador” and underwrote a concert tour in Europe and Asia. On his return from the first two tours, Armstrong and his entourage were waived through customs without a search based on Satchmo’s ambassadorial status, but when he landed at Idlewild Airport in New York in 1958, he was directed toward the customs lines. Customs agents had been tipped off that contraband was being imported into the country. Armstrong joined a long line of travelers lined up for inspections. Unfortunately, the jazz trumpeter was carrying three pounds of marijuana in his suitcase. Once Armstrong realized he was about to be busted and would bring shame on the country he was traveling on behalf of, he began sweating profusely.

Full Article:

http://www.niagarafallsreporter.com/Stories/2014/SEP02/nixon.html