Author Steve Elliott ~alapoet~

Marijuana Linked To Better Brain Function In Bipolar Patients

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on July 20, 2012 Medical, News

Results from a new study show indicate that bipolar patients with a history of marijuana use have better neurocognitive function than those who have never used cannabis.

The team, from The Zucker Hillside Hospital in Glen Oaks, New York, found that patients with bipolar I (BD I) disorder who used marijuana performed better on tests of attention, processing speed, and working memory than other BD 1 patients, reports Mark Cowen at News Medical.

“These data could be interpreted to suggest that cannabis use may have a beneficial effect on cognitive functioning in patients with severe psychiatric disorders,” said lead researcher Raphael Braga.

Humboldt Stories: The Family Farmhouse

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on July 20, 2012 Culture, Growing

North Coast Journal Blogthing

It’s not Weeds, it’s real.

By Sharon Letts

The property manager broke
it to her gently. The house she grew up in, the home she hoped would one day
help her through retirement was damaged by a grow operation she knew nothing
about. Of course, the property management people didn’t know either. No one
knew.

“That’s how it is,” she thought as she drove through her own
neighborhood. “All of these homes could be grow houses. You really can’t tell.”

Medical Marijuana Patients To Rally At Obama Fundraiser

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on July 20, 2012 Dispensaries, News

Rise & Pine

Patients Will Protest In Oakland Monday, Demand End To Federal Attacks

President Obama’s visit to Oakland follows aggressive DOJ actions aimed at shutting down city-permitted dispensaries

Hundreds of medical marijuana patients and advocates will stage a rally Monday in downtown Oakland at a fundraiser for President Obama’s re-election campaign. The president’s visit to Oakland follows a recent forfeiture action aimed at shutting down Harborside Health Center, a city-permitted dispensary that has operated since 2006 without incident.

Earlier this year, the Obama Justice Department raided and shut down another of Oakland’s permitted dispensaries, Blue Sky, leaving the city with a dwindling number of facilities to serve Oakland’s patient population. On Monday, protesters will demand an end to federal interference and call for the firing of Melinda Haag, the U.S. Attorney for Northern California.

Cannabis Leaders Call On Administration To Respect State Laws

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on July 20, 2012 Dispensaries, Legislation, Medical

Ohio Medical Marijuana

President Obama seeks campaign contributions from Oakland community after federal interference causes hundreds to lose jobs and healthcare benefits

News conference scheduled in conjunction with presidential visit: Monday, July 23, 2012 at 1:45 p.m.

Oaksterdam University, 1600 Broadway, Oakland, CA

President Barack Obama is scheduled to visit the heart of America’s medical marijuana community just days after his appointed U.S. Attorney, Melinda Haag, intentionally and admittedly targeted Harborside Health Center – a state-legal medical cannabis facility – in violation of administration policy.

On July 23, President Obama is scheduled to give a speech at the Fox Theater in Oakland. To coincide with this event, advocates are planning a permitted, peaceful protest originating at Oakland’s City Hall; a press conference at Oaksterdam University; and concurrent actions in Oregon, Washington, and Colorado.

Multiple businesses in the vicinity of the Fox Theater are also expected to display green flags on their storefronts in solidarity with local medical cannabis collectives targeted by the administration.

Toke Is Switching Comment Systems; Don’t Freak Out, Man

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on July 19, 2012 News

Spin Sucks

If all goes according to plan, Toke of the Town, along with all its Village Voice Media sister sites, will be rolling out the new Livefyre commenting system throughout the day tomorrow (Friday).

This is a big switch, so there might be a bit of weirdness while all the databases update. This isn’t proof of some sinister conspiracy, and it doesn’t mean that the Cops Are Watching You®.

It just might take a little while for all the older comments to be imported into the new system and appear.

Here are a few relevant points about the new Livefyre commenting system and the allied My Voice Nation, a global profile system.

World Leaders: We Cannot End AIDS Until We End War On Drugs

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on July 19, 2012 News

Virgin

2012 World AIDS Conference: Criminalization of Drug Use is Fueling the Global HIV/ AIDS Pandemic

Landmark Report Calls for Decriminalization and Expansion of Proven, Cost-Effective Solutions to Reduce HIV/AIDS

The International AIDS Conference, the world’s largest gathering of HIV/AIDS experts and activists, will be held in the United States for the first time in 22 years on July 22-27, in Washington D.C. Distinguished world leaders and public health advocates are mobilizing with a clear message: Criminalization of drug use is fueling the global HIV/ AIDS pandemic.

S.F. Marijuana Collective Offers Volcano Vaporizer Rentals

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on July 19, 2012 Dispensaries, Products

Vaporizers FTW

In an innovation sure to please patients who can’t afford to, well, cough up almost $700 for a Volcano vaporizer, one San Francisco medical marijuana delivery service is now offering the top-shelf vaporizers for rental.

Volcanoes, like other vaporizers, gently heat the herbal material without burning it, so you get pure flavor and aroma without smoke. Vaporization creates a fine mist, similar to steam, with the result being what many say is better flavor, increased purity, and greater effect.

Many patients who find cannabis smoke to be irritating report effective relief through inhaling vapor.

But with the latest digital model of the Volcano retailing for $669, many patients couldn’t afford to experience the healthy luxury of German vaporizer engineering (the Volcano is manufactured by the German firm of Storz & Bickel).

Medical Marijuana Access Point Has Drive-Thru Window

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on July 19, 2012 Dispensaries, Medical

Steve Elliott ~alapoet~

This collective, in Olympia, Washington, is a real innovator among medical marijuana access points

Washington’s Sonshine Organics Also Features A Marijuana Farmer’s Market Twice A Month

A medical marijuana access point in Olympia, Washington, has taken convenience to the next level, opening a drive-through window for patients.

Having visited about 70 collectives now in my capacity as “Toke Signals” marijuana/dispensaries reviewer for the Seattle Weekly, the drive-through window at Sonshine Organics is a feature I’ve never seen before. To my knowledge, this is the first one in the Pacific Northwest.

According to Sonshine’s Sarena Haskins, the drive-through window is open on Fridays and Saturdays for the convenience of patients. “For example, busy mothers who don’t want to leave their kids in the car,” she told me.

Drug Czar: No Marijuana For Veterans With PTSD

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on July 18, 2012 Medical, News

AllGov

A petition which aimed to persuade the Obama Administration to allow military veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder to use medical marijuana was rejected by the White House.

Drug Czar Gil Kerlikowske, director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), wrote last month that marijuana is not a “benign drug,” and does not meet standards for safe or effective medicine, reports Patricia Kime at USA Today. (Apparently, “real” medicines are supposed to kill people in droves — you know, like all the poisons Big Pharma is peddling. Pot doesn’t do that.)

It’s particularly ironic, in a crazy-making sort of way, for the Drug Czar to answer any questions about legalizing marijuana for any purpose, since he is bound by law to oppose marijuana legalization. But if Kerli was feeling any of the irony, he didn’t let on; he was a good robot, mouthing meaningless platitudes on a dead stage.

Belize To Consider Decriminalizing Marijuana Possession

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on July 18, 2012 Global, Legislation, News

Nick Miroff / The Washington Post

A sign greets visitors to Caye Caulker, Belize, with a warning: Though marijuana and cocaine are readily available to tourists, drugs are illegal in Belize

Belize Announcement on Heels of Uruguayan President’s Proposal to Legalize and Sell Marijuana

DPA Executive Director Ethan Nadelmann: Alternatives to Prohibition Growing Trend in Latin America and Caribbean

The government of Belize released a press statement on Monday announcing the appointment of a committee to evaluate a proposal to decriminalize marijuana possession. The committee – to be headed by a former police minister – was appointed by the Minister of National Security.

The proposal seeks to remove criminal penalties for possession of up to 10 grams of marijuana and instead impose fines and mandatory drug education. Currently, possession of less than 60 grams of marijuana is punishable by a fine of up to US $26,000 and/or up to three years in prison.

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