Legalise some drugs, outlaw others?

[Logique]

Watch Boardwalk Empire on Sunday nights. The Volstead Act served only to grow organized crime.

 

[DB008]

Could be BS, but I really hope that they are onto something as l have a very close relative who is fighting cancer.

Marijuana And Cancer: Scientists Find Cannabis Compound Stops Metastasis In Aggressive Cancers

A pair of scientists at California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco has found that a compound derived from marijuana could stop metastasis in many kinds of aggressive cancer, potentially altering the fatality of the disease forever.

"It took us about 20 years of research to figure this out, but we are very excited," said Pierre Desprez, one of the scientists behind the discovery, to The Huffington Post. "We want to get started with trials as soon as possible."

The Daily Beast first reported on the finding, which has already undergone both laboratory and animal testing, and is awaiting permission for clinical trials in humans.

Desprez, a molecular biologist, spent decades studying ID-1, the gene that causes cancer to spread. Meanwhile, fellow researcher Sean McAllister was studying the effects of Cannabidiol, or CBD, a non-toxic, non-psychoactive chemical compound found in the cannabis plant. Finally, the pair collaborated, combining CBD and cells containing high levels of ID-1 in a petri dish.

"What we found was that his Cannabidiol could essentially 'turn off' the ID-1," Desprez told HuffPost. The cells stopped spreading and returned to normal.

"We likely would not have found this on our own," he added. "That's why collaboration is so essential to scientific discovery."

Link - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/19/marijuana-and-cancer_n_1898208.html?utm_hp_ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false

 

[DB008]

The next few weeks in the USA will be very important regarding marijuana.

Fed Court to Review Marijuana Drug Status 1st Time in 20 Years

WASHINGTON ”” For the first time in nearly 20 years, a United States Court of Appeals is set to hear oral arguments in a lawsuit challenging the federal government’s classification of marijuana as a dangerous drug with no medicinal value: Americans for Safe Access v. Drug Enforcement Administration. This historic case will force a federal court to finally review the scientific evidence regarding the therapeutic efficacy of marijuana.

During a press briefing Thursday, plaintiffs in the case, along with leading medical researchers and clinicians, spoke about the necessity of the federal government recognizing current scientific data supporting marijuana rescheduling. Marijuana is currently classified in the same category as heroin despite calls from scientists, medical professionals, and policy makers to reschedule marijuana for medical use.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit will hear opening arguments on the case the morning of October 16, 2012. “Medical marijuana patients are finally getting their day in court,” said Joe Elford, Chief Counsel with Americans for Safe Access (ASA), who will be arguing the case before the D.C. Circuit. “What’s at stake in this case is nothing less than our country’s scientific integrity and the imminent needs of millions of patients.”

http://www.growswitch.com/blog/2012/10/fed-court-to-review-marijuana-drug-status-1st-time-in-20-years/#.UHEkqrR7h8x

 

[Trademyshoes]

Alcohol and tobacco are fine, yet presently they cause the most physical and mental damage to humans of any drug. Perhaps the biggest killers of humans on the planet, except for war.

Ecstasy and marijuana don't seem to do much damage, but because of illegality and limited use the potential damage is unknown.

Alcohol and tobacco are massive earners for corporations.

Ecstasy and marijuana only make money for underground drug cartels.

Some are legal.

Some are not.

Crappy Ecks, long term usage leads to physical damage to the body. That argument is flawed because long term use of Alchohol will lead to relatively the same damage. On the other hand Ecks would do the damage in a shorter period of time.

Best thing to legalize is Cannabis. I don't see why people can drink themselves stupid, cause anti-social behavior and force Gov't to impose rediculous restrictions on the entire population due to the actions of a very small percentage - yet smoke a joint and you end up on 2GB with Ray Hadley asking for the Death Penalty because he either deosn't understand the world beyond his high class suburbian settlement or is a two faced lier adheering to the consensus of his listeners.

 

[DB008]

SMH article from 2010

War on drugs? Now that's reefer madness

The NSW Government and local police forces regularly profess a determination to be harsh on drug dealing, and organised crime. A cursory look at the website of NSW Police reveals the tough stance the law enforcement agency has against commercial dealers, manufacturers, importers, and exporters of illicit drugs. According to the National Drug Strategy, the NSW Police Force should:
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• disrupt the manufacture and supply of illicit drugs;
• enhance efforts to control the inappropriate supply and diversion of pharmaceutical drugs and pre-cursor chemicals; and
• dismantle organised crime

For these high-minded aims, NSW Police and other state and federal law enforcement agencies are given more than $2 billion annually to conduct their operations, according to a 2008 article in the Drug Alcohol Review by the US economist Timothy Moore.

And how, exactly, is all this money spent? On breaking transnational drug networks? On getting violent drug dealers off the streets? On making sure pseudoephedrine is used only by those with a runny nose, not ice runners? One would think so, but official statistics show otherwise.

The NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics has collated information that demonstrates that between 2000-08, up to 75 per cent of all annual police charges in that state for cannabis-related offences were simply for its use, or possession. Simply put, police in Australia are spending the great majority of a multibillion-dollar "war on drugs" budget on arresting a bunch of stoners with the munchies.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/polit...efer-madness-20100629-zi1c.html#ixzz28c9ydSAw

 

[DB008]

How much money is wasted on policing marijuana in Australia? Probably billions each year.

Legalise it, tax it, stop wasting money on police enforcing a century old law. Anybody, and I mean 'anybody' can get marijuana in Australia. It's easy as pie.

Why not legalise it and get the Government to actually make money off it?

To me, it's like having an empty investment property that is costing a bucketload each year in repayments, with no tenants. Legalising marijuana (and collecting GST/taxes from sales), would be like having a positive geared property. Rent is paid plus extra = Savings in police/court/prison costs and money from taxes coming in.

Progressive Latin America.

How Latin America May Lead the World in Decriminalizing Drug Use

Even as the countries of the hemisphere are at the forefront of the war against narcotraffickers, they are also pushing alternative strategies--including the legalization of drugs, particularly marijuana.
Guatemalan President Otto Perez Molina has never been soft on crime. The 30-year military veteran rose to power last year on the wings of his law-and-order platform, crystalized in his campaign slogan: “Iron fist, head, and heart.” And he recently approved the creation of two military bases, outfitted with 2,500 soldiers, to guard against the growing presence of drug cartels that have turned Guatemala into a trafficking corridor and fueled some of the world’s highest murder rates.

Since February, though, Perez Molina has coupled his tough talk on crime with calls for a drastic change in crime-fighting tactics centered on the legalization and decriminalization of drugs. Legalization, he insists, should supplement military buildup to stem drug-related violence in Latin America. In September, Perez Molina proposed drug legalization at the United Nations General Assembly. The move angered Washington but was championed by the presidents of Mexico and Colombia, who appealed to the General Assembly with a similar message. And last week, Perez Molina repeated calls for a shift in the global war on drugs during a U.N.-sponsored gathering of regional leaders in Antigua, Guatemala. “The current plan,” he told the press, “is not going to give us results.”

and

While no Latin American nation has legalized drugs yet, several have taken steps to decriminalize narcotics. Argentina introduced a measure in congress this year that would decriminalize the possession of all drugs for personal use. Chile’s congress, meanwhile, is contemplating a bill that would decriminalize the cultivation of marijuana for personal use. And a Colombian court recently upheld a law that decriminalizes the possession of small amounts of cocaine. Like Mexico, Colombia has also decriminalized the possession of small amounts of marijuana.

But no country has proposed more drastic reform than Uruguay. President José Mujica’s center-left Broad Front party introduced a measure this summer that would not only legalize marijuana consumption, but also place the government at the helm of production and distribution. The bill, which would allow citizens to purchase up to 40 grams of cannabis per month, materialized as the tiny nation of 3.5 million inhabitants scrambles to battle drug-related violence.

http://world.time.com/2012/10/09/how-latin-america-may-lead-the-world-in-decriminalizing-drug-use/#ixzz28s3Que42

(By the way, I don't smoke or take any drugs, unless prescribed by a doctor for health)

**Just found this...interesting
Pot Tax Has $1.4B Potential in California

 

[DB008]

Just came across this

[video=vimeo;49976070]http://vimeo.com/49976070#[/video]

 

[DB008]

Article from 'The Guardian'

Decriminalise drug use, say experts after six-year study

Advisors say no serious rise in consumption is likely if possession of small amounts of controlled drugs is allowed

A six-year study of Britain's drug laws by leading scientists, police officers, academics and experts has concluded it is time to introduce decriminalisation.

The report by the UK Drug Policy Commission (UKDPC), an independent advisory body, says possession of small amounts of controlled drugs should no longer be a criminal offence and concludes the move will not lead to a significant increase in use.

The experts say the criminal sanctions imposed on the 42,000 people sentenced each year for possession of all drugs – and the 160,000 given cannabis warnings – should be replaced with simple civil penalties such as a fine, attendance at a drug awareness session or a referral to a drug treatment programme.

They also say that imposing minimal or no sanctions on those growing cannabis for personal use could go some way to undermining the burgeoning illicit cannabis factories controlled by organised crime.

But their report rejects any more radical move to legalisation, saying that allowing the legal sale of drugs such as heroin or cocaine could cause more damage than the existing drugs trade.

Link

 

[awg]

Cant see too much chance of any Govt in Australia legalising marijuana.

* Stated reason; smoke related health damage and driving complications, so while they are trying to crack down on tobacco and alcohol, cant see legalise and tax being an option at all

* Australia is USA submissive

* far too much money is being made, I simply dont believe that amount of money could not find a way to frustrate any move to legislate anything that would dent profit

lol, just noticed post #96, sums it up

 

[DB008]

Sorry, using my mobile, but Google this.
"Colorado, Washington first states to legalize recreational pot"

Interesting....

 

[Sean K]

Crappy Ecks, long term usage leads to physical damage to the body.

I thought that was just the impurities (non MDMA) that did the damage.

 

[Sean K]

Progressive Latin America.

Two things they may gain. 1. Better security. 2. Increased tax revenue through the regulation of production. It's in Latin Americas best interest to go down this path.

 

[So_Cynical]

Sorry, using my mobile, but Google this.
"Colorado, Washington first states to legalize recreational pot"

Interesting....

Amazing really...the US in some ways is really setting the standard for modern real world living, Pot, Gay Marriage, anti discrimination... except of course for gun laws.

 

[DB008]

Surprised?
People vote, politicians knock it back...

Marijuana legalization victories could be short-lived

(Reuters) - Votes making Colorado and Washington the first U.S. states to legalize marijuana for recreational use could be short-lived victories for pot backers because the federal government will fight them, two former U.S. drug control officials said on Wednesday.

They said the federal government could sue to block parts of the measures or send threatening letters to marijuana shops, followed up by street-level clampdowns similar to those targeting medical marijuana dispensaries the government suspects are fronts for drug traffickers.

"This is a symbolic victory for (legalization) advocates, but it will be short-lived," Kevin Sabet, a former adviser to the Obama administration's drug czar, told reporters.

"They are facing an uphill battle with implementing this, in the face of ... presidential opposition and in the face of federal enforcement opposition," Sabet said.

Link
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/08/us-usa-marijuana-votes-idUSBRE8A705E20121108

 

[DB008]

State Legislators in Rhode Island and Maine Are Announcing Marijuana Legalization Bills Tomorrow

State legislators in Rhode Island and Maine will announce bills tomorrow to legalize recreational marijuana, a spokesperson for the Marijuana Policy Project announced today.

Rhode Island Rep. Edith Ajello and Maine Rep. Diane Russell will hold a conference call tomorrow with the Marijuana Policy Project to announce the legislation.

Correction: This post originally said that the bills would be introduced tomorrow. They will be announced tomorrow, and introduced when legislative sessions begin.

http://reason.com/blog/2012/11/14/state-legislators-in-rhode-island-and-ma

 

[DB008]

Marijuana domino effect

Marijuana domino effect

Less than two weeks after Washington and Colorado voted to legalize and regulate cannabis, lawmakers in five other states say they are considering similar bills.

In Latin American, Mexican President Felipe Calderon says Uncle Sam now has lost the “moral authority” to ask other nations to maintain the cannabis prohibition and combat trafficking.

A fundamental change has occurred, he added, that requires the rethinking of public policy in the entire Western Hemisphere.

Calderon joined the leaders of Belize, Honduras and Costa Rica on Monday calling for the Organization of American States to study the change, and saying the U.N. General Assembly should hold a special session on the prohibition of drugs by 2015.

Washington State thinks there’s a half-billion a year in tax revenue waiting to be harvested and everyone understands the black market must be dismantled.

Legalization will mean kids aren’t saddled with lifelong criminal records, our communities will be rid of illegal grow-operations and gangs will lose a key profit centre.

It is estimated the U.S. could save $7.7 billion by legalizing pot and generate another $6 billion by taxing it at the same rate as alcohol and tobacco

http://www.vancouversun.com/Mulgrew+Drug+dominoes+begin+topple/7555366/story.html#ixzz2CWiO65aC

 

[DB008]

Half grow pot for health

The Australian November 19, 2012 12:00AM


ALMOST half of people growing small quantities of cannabis in Australia use it for medicinal purposes, a study has found.

In the first study of its size in Australia, the National Drug Research Institute is conducting an anonymous online survey to find out more about people who grow small amounts of cannabis in their backyards, cupboards and sheds.

A research fellow at the institute, Monica Barratt, said about 250 people had taken part so far and it was hoped the responses would double before the information was collated and compared with similar studies in the US, Canada, Britain and across Europe. "The majority grow for personal use and also to avoid contact with criminals," Dr Barratt said, ahead of her presentation at an alcohol and drug conference in Melbourne this week.

Almost half of the survey respondents said they grew cannabis for medicinal purposes, including people hoping to improve their appetite while taking medication for cancer and HIV, Dr Barratt said.

Nearly all of the respondents were men and the median age was 34. More than half of respondents lived outside major cities and were generally well educated and employed, she said.

AAP

Link - http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/health-science/half-grow-pot-for-health/story-e6frg8y6-1226519160624

 

[DB008]

This, today.

NSW inquiry on medical use of marijuana

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-11-23/nsw-inquiry-on-medical-use-of-marijuana/4387620

 

[DB008]

Good doco on Medical Marijuana

 

[DB008]

Interesting

60 minutes (USA) - Medical Marijuana: Will Colorado's "green rush" last?

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=50133577n