Pubdate: Thu, 03 Nov 2005 Source: Daily O'Collegian (OK State U, OK Edu) Copyright: 2005 Oklahoma State University Contact: http://www.ocolly.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1275 Author: Brent Battle Cited: Gonzales v. Raich ( www.angeljustice.org/ ) Cited: SAFER (www.saferchoice.org) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/opinion.htm (Opinion) EVIDENCE REVEALS GENUINE HEALTH POTENTIAL FOR CANNABIS Recent research and public opinion make a strong case for the legalization of medicinal and recreational hemp, or marijuana. Denver residents voted 54 percent in favor of an ordinance decriminalizing city hemp laws, letting citizens possess up to one ounce, according to The Associated Press. This is the latest in a hard-fought battle for changes in federal hemp policy, particularly the Angel Raich case over medical marijuana. Her case went to the Supreme Court in June, back-firing, with the high court saying local and state laws do not trump federal laws. Denver residents did not negate state and federal laws by passing the city ordinance. Recreational support relies on public opinion, but medicinal support weighs heavy on scientific analysis. Medical studies conducted in Canada by the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Calgary build a case for legalizing both forms of usage. The SU study states, "a synthetic cannabinoid -- similar to the compounds found in marijuana, but substantially stronger -- causes the growth of new neurons and reduces anxiety and depression," according to http://www.medpagetoday.com. The same report said researchers at the University of Colorado manipulated the cannabinoid receptors in the brains of ferrets, hoping to one day manipulate the receptors in humans to treat HIV/ AIDS patients, treat morning sickness and manage pain in other ways. In other words, the two studies re-affirm what a hemp advocate said when Denver residents approved their hemp-friendly ordinance. "We educated voters about the facts that marijuana is less harmful to the user and society than alcohol," said Mason Tvert, campaign organizer for Safer Alternatives for Enjoyable Recreation, according to the AP. Researchers at SU said something similar. "Most so-called drugs of abuse -- such as alcohol or cocaine -- inhibit the growth of new neurons, said Dr. Xia Zhang," according to the MedPage Today Web site. "Only marijuana promotes 'neurogenesis,'" he said. This growth of new neurons occurs when high doses of a synthetic compound similar to tetra-hydro-cannabinol were administered to lab rats. THC is the chemical in hemp linked to creating the high when used recreationally. Recapping the issue -- a drug that we know relieves pain for HIV/AIDS patients, reduces anxiety and depression in the average adult, is safer than alcohol in recreational usage and most recently creates a phenomenon called "neurogenesis" is illegal. Many pro-legalization activists point fingers at the corporate private sector, including the pharmaceutical, tobacco and alcohol industries--each estimated to be worth billions. Does the private sector have too much influence on government policy? Hemp is the cornerstone of the war on drugs, which has failed reducing crime and the number of drug users in prison, yet perpetuates propaganda campaigns and drug treatment programs used by law enforcement such as the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program. Prisons are not the answer. Neither is government ignorance. But they are not the only culprit. They play off the misinformed public, who knows little about how criminalizing certain substances is preventing society from providing adequate solutions to serious problems. By pushing certain substances into the black market, more criminals are created. These new criminals make larger problems, such as violent gang presence and the destruction of communities in urban areas. Law enforcement and government say the solution is to increase taxes, the police presence and build more prisons. Independent studies prove drug treatment facilities, not prisons, heal people's addictions. Expecting law enforcement to eliminate drugs on the black market requires police to spend more time searching for drug offenders, rather than terrorists, rapists, murderers and other criminals who pose a greater threat to the sanctity of life. It's time we did our part to inform others how the current solutions are not the best. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake