Yearly Archives: 2011

Worth Repeating: Marijuana Reduces Risk of Head & Neck Cancer

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on February 3, 2011 Medical

Photo: WebMD

Smoking marijuana from 10 to 20 years reduces your risk of head and neck cancer, according to a 2009 study.

By Ron Marczyk, R.N.

Health Education Teacher (Retired)

Welcome to all you “Tokies.” Class is now in session! And yes, this info will be on the test!

I am humbled by the large numbers of viewers who have shared “Worth Repeating,” my positive marijuana medical reports.

These are the studies that have been unreported or under-reported in the media. We will now control the real story on marijuana, Love will be our weapon, and Truth will be our Shield!

The U.S. government has had a monopoly for 75 years on the information that is reported on and broadcasted to the all of us regarding marijuana. They lied, and hid the truth to place profits over people. I believe we are at a tipping point to fix this and undo the damage done to millions of people by the criminalization of our peaceful herb.

Cannabis Advocates To GOP: Why Not Cut The DEA Budget?

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on February 3, 2011 Legislation, News

With Republicans in the House claiming they want to cut down on spending for the next fiscal year, marijuana advocates are suggesting they should start with the Drug Enforcement Administration’s budget.

Trimming the federal largesse that keeps the DEA fat and happy makes sense. Billions of dollars are thrown away annually on a quixotic and foolish War On Marijuana that is not supported by the public, that never achieves its goals, and that sees as its victims not only families but civil liberties and respect for law enforcement, as well.

Steve Fox of the Marijuana Policy Project told TPM that the idea makes a lot of sense, reports Ryan J. Reilly.

Medical Marijuana Repeal Bill Faces Heavy Opposition In MT

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on February 2, 2011 Legislation, Medical

Photo: Eliza Wiley/Independent Record

Kathy Moore of Three Forks, Montana waits at the Capitol in Helena to voice her opposition to House Bill 161, which would repeal the Medical Marijuana Act.

Opponents of a bill that would repeal a 2004 voter-passed medical marijuana law outnumbered supporters by 3-to-1 among those signed up to speak to the Montana House on Wednesday.

House Bill 161, sponsored by House Speaker Mike Milburn (R-Cascade) was at issue before the House Human Services Committee, reports Charles S. Johnson at The Billings Gazette. The preliminary count of people signed up to speak showed 86 opponents and 28 supporters of repealing the state’s medical marijuana law.

The committee took no immediate action on the bill.

Milburn complained about the huge increase in numbers of people obtaining medical marijuana cards, with more than 28,000 patients now in Montana. He bemoaned “what it has done to Montana” and its schools, cities and towns with “the increased use of marijuana by teens.”

“So it’s no longer an issue of medical marijuana,” Milburn claimed. “It’s an issue of marijuana. We’ve opened the floodgate. It’s like Hurricane Katrina. We’re not talking about the dikes holding back the water anymore. We’re talking about how do you rebuild the city.”

DEA Hits Michigan Again: Two Caregivers Raided, Charged

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on February 2, 2011 Growing, News

Photo: Addiction Inbox

Two Michigan men face federal marijuana charges in U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids, but the lawyer for one of the defendants said the men were in compliance with the state’s Medical Marihuana Act.

The number of plants seized was within state law because of the number of caregivers who were growing at the location, according to the lawyer, Bob Baldori, reports Andy Balaskovitz at Lansing City Pulse.

Randall Darling, 24, and Joseph Johnson, also in his 20s, each face counts of growing more than 100 marijuana plants, according to court documents.

The federal cultivation charges come with a five-year minimum prison sentence. Warrants were issued for Darling and Johnson on January 20. Both await pretrial hearings.

Both defendants were within the state’s medical marijuana law, according to Baldori, who represents Johnson. While the DEA confiscated more than 200 plants from a grow operation in Mason, Baldori said Johnson and Darling are both patients and caregivers with the maximum allowed five patients.

Arizona Cheba Huts Honor Passage Of Medical Marijuana Law

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on February 2, 2011 Culture, Products

Graphic: Cheba Hut

C’mon, dude, I know you want one of those (nudge, nudge) ‘Toasted’ Subs at Cheba Hut, “where the only thing fried is the occasional customer” (wink, wink).

This week, a counterculture-themed restaurant franchise will celebrate the passage of Proposition 203, the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act.

All day Thursday, February 3, Cheba Hut will sell four-inch subs for $2.03. There also will be live music, giveaways and raffles from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., reports the AZ Daily Sun.

“Hosting this event is another way of bringing our customers together and having an open forum on how Prop 203 can benefit Arizona,” said Cheba Hut CEO Scott Jennings.

Founded in 1998, Cheba Hut, home of (nudge, nudge) “toasted” subs, “where the only thing fried is the occasional customer” (wink, wink), has five restaurants in Arizona.

“Got the Munchies?” Cheba Hut’s website knowingly asks. “We have the goods you’re craving!”

As a delivery driver back in the 1990s, founder Jennings “noticed that on most of his late night deliveries, his customers were… um… inhaling!” the company website informs us. “Scott put two and two together and developed the Cheba Hut ‘Toasted’ Subs concept.”

Med Marijuana Advocates: Records Disclosure Will Hurt Patients

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on February 2, 2011 Medical, News

Photo: Fox 2

First, the state of Michigan said “Trust us, the medical marijuana patient records will be confidential!” But now the Attorney General says he’ll turn ’em over the the Feds with a court order.

The federal government’s request for patient records from Michigan’s medical marijuana registry will discourage legal use of cannabis, according to Jamie Lowell, founder of the Michigan Association of Compassion Clubs.

Lowell knows of a teacher who could use marijuana medicinally, but she is scared of being identified, reports John Agar at The Grand Rapids Press.

“When you get the application, you are under the impression all of the information will remain confidential,” Lowell said Tuesday, outside of U.S. District Court. “People aren’t going to have that peace of mind, and they’ll think twice.”

Marijuana Decrim In Arizona? Pot Could Become $100 Fine

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on February 2, 2011 Legislation, News

Graphic: Reality Catcher

Arizonans could be paying only a $100 fine for possession of two ounces or less of marijuana if Rep. John Fillmore’s bill passes and is signed by the governor

The penalty for possession of two ounces or less of marijuana could soon carry a fine of only $100 in Arizona.

Pot isn’t a gateway drug, as critics claim, and all the time and money spent on marijuana prohibition would be better spent elsewhere, according to State Rep. John Fillmore (R-Apache Junction). Under his decriminalization bill, minor pot possession would become a petty offense, reports Ray Stern at Phoenix New Times.

Fillmore said he’s currently looking into how much money the state would save if his bill, HB 2228, passes.

Dad Tells Cops 14-Year-Old Stole Weed From Son, 16

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on February 1, 2011 News

Photo: Gambling 911

Ahhh, gotta love life in suburbia, 2011. An Arizona man was arrested after he told police a 14-year-old neighbor took $400 worth of marijuana from his 16-year-old son and refused to pay for it.

Police in Surprise, Arizona (yes, that’s really the name of the place) found Sean Corwin, 35, beating on the front door of a residence, reports Taylor Hill at The Arizona Republic. He told the cops that an occupant of the home had taken marijuana from his son, according to Sgt. Mark Ortega.

Police said they suspected Corwin had used his son to sell marijuana to the 14-year-old at a nearby park. Cops believe the 14-year-old boy grabbed the cannabis and ran home without paying, leading Corwin to drive to the home to demand payment.

Experts: Medical Marijuana Patient Registry Working In Oregon

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on February 1, 2011 Legislation, Medical

Graphic: Potspot 411

Washington state has no medical marijuana patient registry, but the Legislature is considering following Oregon’s lead as part of a sweeping overhaul bill pending in Olympia.

Patients in Washington are anxious about the proposed registry, seeing it as an invasion of privacy and a tempting tool for police, who strongly favor it, reports Jonathan Martin at The Seattle Times. Reflecting those fears, the current proposal in Washington calls for a voluntary registry.

But Oregon’s 11-year experience with a mandatory registry has resulted in patient advocates, police, attorneys and health-care professionals describing it as the least controversial part of the Beaver State’s medical marijuana law.

Malaysia: 3 Sentenced To Hang For Selling Pot At McDonald’s

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on February 1, 2011 Global, News

Graphic: Cracked

If you get caught selling marijuana in Malaysia they’ll give you more hemp — a hemp rope around your neck.

If you are going to sell cannabis, please do it somewhere besides Malaysia. Three people, including one couple, were sentenced on Thursday to death by hanging by the high court at Temerloh, Malaysia for trafficking 4.5 kilograms (just under 10 pounds) of marijuana last year.

“Death by hanging is the only sentence provided for offenses under Section 39B (1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1952,” said Judicial Commissioner Datuk Akhtar Tahir, reports Bernama, the official Malaysian national news agency.

Tahir said the prosecution had proven a prima facie case against Ahmad Mukamal Abdul Wahab, 37; Suhana Kamarudin, 28; and her husband Shawal Hashim, 37.

Ahmad Mukamal and Shawal reportedly shook their heads when the sentence was announced.

“I am not guilty,” Suhana shouted from the dock. “I have a child and had promised to return,” the young mother said.

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