Marijuana opponents in the federal government are up against the wall and the wall is crumbling. The feds have fought marijuana use for decades, disregarding its medicinal applications, in a senseless war against the herb.

The demonized killer weed is turning out to be anything but that. As myths about this ancient herb are dispelled, scientists are using it to treat everything from chemotherapy-induced nausea to different cancers.

In August, The British Journal of Cancer published the results of a study that found THC (the main active component in marijuana) is effective in fighting prostate cancer. Reportedly, pot attacks prostate cancer cell types that do not respond to the usual hormone treatments.

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Marijuana advocates further discussed the possibility of legalization Saturday at the 38th annual National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, emphasizing arguments for its positive side effects on crime and California's poor economy.

With panels on Mexican drug cartels and using marijuana legalization as a source of revenue for the government, NORML members discussed wasted law enforcement resources and the benefits.

Former NORML Director Richard Cowan estimated that 90 percent of the Mexican drug trade involves marijuana.

Drug Policy Alliance Director Ethan Nadelmann said the best way to deal with the violence of the Mexican drug cartels would be to end the prohibition of marijuana.

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After being put on disability, Sonia Sanchez said she has been able to become the artist she was feels like she was meant to be.

A longtime medical marijuana patient, Sanchez, 51, who was diagnosed with epilepsy in 1997, said creating posters for the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws has helped her develop a new style of art she really enjoys.

Using lots of color and various icons for inspiration, the former graphic designer and art director creates fun, bubbly art with a 1960s vibe.

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SAN FRANCISCO -- Citing a worsening economy, high profile support and greater education through the Internet, marijuana advocates say the public is more open to marijuana legalization than ever before.

On the second day of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws 38th annual conference Friday, marijuana activists said America is ready to talk about legalization, largely due to a "sea change" in the way the public sees marijuana smokers, and a growing recognition that marijuana is a cash crop.

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I would like to know what is up with all the young adults who are lining up to buy medical marijuana with their prescriptions (which are being handed out like candy on Halloween)? The farmers are force-growing their crop to keep up with the demand. As a result, it is quite obvious that the strength of the medicine has decreased significantly.

Still, I have seen so many college-age clients, driving up or riding their bikes to the line. Personally, I think that a lot of the clients look healthy and very young -- they just don't look sick as they laugh and talk about how cool this is.

I believe that everyone realizes that prescriptions for pot are very easy to get, and that (due to high demands) the potency has decreased, but still it goes on, growing larger. How much longer can this go on?

Scott Rentzer

Arcata

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Secretary of State Debra Bowen announced Tuesday that the proponents of two new initiatives may begin collecting petition signatures for their measures.

The first measure would legalize marijuana and allow it to be regulated and taxed. The measure permits people 21 years old or older to possess, cultivate, or transport marijuana for personal use, but prohibits people from possessing marijuana on school grounds, using it in public, smoking it while minors are present, or providing it to anyone under 21 years old.

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Months ago, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said it's "time for a debate" on the legalization of marijuana in California. Now, some want to skip the debate and get to the legalization.

Wednesday, the first of three initiatives seeking to effectively legalize marijuana possession, cultivation and sales entered circulation. While there seems to be a rising tide of support for such a state policy change, it remains wholly unclear if any of the three initiatives would garner support from a majority of the state's voters. And, if one does, the potential impacts on Humboldt County are murky.

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Seeking to get out in front of issues surrounding the use and growing of medical marijuana in Humboldt County, the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday appointed supervisors Mark Lovelace and Jimmy Smith to a subcommittee charged with brainstorming possible regulations.

Lovelace, representing the county's 3rd District, said the goal would be to explore various options -- without hurting patients who legitimately need their medicine -- to eliminate some of the consequences that can arise from medical grows, such as fires and building code violations, among others.

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Dennis Turner isn't afraid to walk between two worlds if it means he can achieve his goal of helping people. He knew when he started The Humboldt Cooperative in Arcata in November of 2003 that nothing but challenges lay ahead.

Challenges don't bother him. He's used to them. His roots are deep in Humboldt County's history, since his family first moved to the area in 1890. While Turner grew up in the Santa Rosa area, he was no stranger to Humboldt County and often visited his "Uncle Jimmy," who lived in the area. He also married a local girl named Martha.

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The Fortuna City Council may prohibit or limit the growing of medical marijuana within the city limits.

At Tuesday's council meeting, City Manager Duane Rigge is seeking direction from the elected officials on whether they are interested in an ordinance outlawing or limiting the cultivation of medical marijuana.

The inquiry comes a little more than a year after the City Council adopted an ordinance prohibiting medical marijuana dispensaries in Fortuna.

"A number of California cities have taken local action by either limiting or prohibiting the establishment and operation of medical marijuana cultivation activities within their jurisdictions," Rigge wrote in a report to the council. "The city of Arcata recently adopted an ordinance that established standards for both medical marijuana cultivation and dispensaries."

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I'd like you to meet Dr. Mahmoud ElSohly, the only person in the United States who can grow tons of marijuana and not worry the Feds will bust him.

If your company wants to do research on marijuana, he's the guy to see. Dr. ElSohly's lab at the University of Mississippi has an exclusive contract with the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), which supplies the pot to approved researchers who study its ill effects.

Despite the federal government's efforts to suppress marijuana's positive aspects for the last 72 years, researchers everywhere watch with interest as Big Pharma gets involved with the controversial herb and its therapeutic qualities.

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Oakland marijuana activists are looking for nearly 434,000 signatures statewide to support a ballot measure that would allow adults 21 and over to possess up to an ounce of pot.

Organizers filed the measure with the California Attorney General's Office Tuesday with the hopes of getting enough signatures to include the measure -- which would also allow homeowners to grow marijuana for personal use on garden plots up to 25 square feet -- on the November 2010 ballot.

The initiative comes on the heels of several initiatives moving toward legalizing and regulating marijuana, prompting some local activists and officials to point to California's failing economy and changing attitudes as impetus.

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FORTUNA -- The City Council is scheduled to discuss a few options Monday in the event that an ongoing court case determines that banning marijuana dispensaries is not allowed.

Almost exactly one year ago, the council adopted an ordinance prohibiting medical marijuana dispensaries within Fortuna city limits. At the time, City Manager Duane Rigge said the intent wasn't to prevent those with 215 cards from using medical marijuana, but to prevent the crime that can be associated with dispensaries.

In a report to the council by City Attorney David Tranberg and Rigge for Monday's meeting, it's noted that the city of Anaheim was sued shortly after the municipality banned medical marijuana dispensaries.

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Humboldt County already has de facto legalized marijuana because the existing laws regarding this substance are not being enforced. That's why Mr. Evans sees so many youth in trouble from its use.

Marijuana should become formally legalized with no sales allowed to individuals under 18 years of age, the rules enforced regarding its growth, and most importantly, its sales taxed. Taxes from these sales would help ensure that our teachers keep their jobs, our parks and libraries stay open, the zoo thrives, our streets are maintained, traffic safety is restored and Mr. Evan's efforts are enhanced or his job secured.

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Governor Schwarzenegger said he is open to hearing the debate on legalizing marijuana for adults, and Assemblyman Tom Ammiano has a bill (AB 390) pending before the California Legislature to do just that.

There will certainly be much debate here in Humboldt around this issue, particularly on its effects on our local economy. If and when legalization comes, the best-case economic scenario for local growers and our local economy may be a model similar to that of the wine industry, where there is a market for small-scale operations to compete with larger commercial growers, based on vintage and variety.

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The annual financial agreement between the federal Drug Enforcement Administration and the county got the Board of Supervisors' nod Tuesday, but not before a little debate.

The DEA is providing $180,000 to assist with salary costs in marijuana eradication efforts.

The item was pulled from the consent calendar for further discussion. Second District Supervisor Clif Clendenen, noting that the DEA funds were used for the most egregious cases, moved to approve the agreement.

However, 3rd District Supervisor Mark Lovelace said he had a few questions about the agreement, but noted the sheriff wasn't present.

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A quiet McKinleyville neighborhood was jolted last Sunday night by the echo of three gunshots and the sound of breaking glass, as three suspects in an alleged home invasion robbery frantically drove away from a marijuana grow house.

Home-invasion robberies at houses with pot gardens occur with disconcerting regularity in Humboldt County, law enforcement officials say. And the potential for violence in any robbery is high. Within the past six months, at least three people have been shot during suspected grow house robberies in Humboldt County.

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Fighting a problem as pervasive and damaging as the methamphetamine scourge will take a partnership that spans the gamut from public to private, religious to secular.

We therefore applaud the efforts of the new nonprofit organization, Business Against Methamphetamine Use, for its groundbreaking efforts to raise money for a public agency charged with exterminating the drug.

Methamphetamine, as most are aware, is a heinous drug that has had an extreme detrimental impact on our society over the past few decades. To this mind-warping drug can be attributed a recent and massive spike in property crime, not to mention the breakdown of millions of families and the destruction of millions of life. Any effort to contribute to the ongoing efforts to lessen its impact should be encouraged.

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Eureka will not be following in Arcata's medical marijuana footsteps anytime soon.

The Eureka City County Tuesday night voted three to one not to look into the possibility of creating a medical marijuana dispensary ordinance.

In the absence of Councilman Jones, Mayor Virginia Bass was the deciding vote against the measure, saying that the issue needed to be discussed at a later time.

Bass's comments about the abuse of medical marijuana and the need to address the issue of illegal grow houses echoed those of Councilmembers Frank Jager and Jeff Leonard.

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As Eureka talks about establishing some regulated medical marijuana dispensaries as a way to increase the city's tax revenue, Arcata said it's still working on collecting years' worth of sales tax from its dispensaries.

At a Eureka City Council budget goal-setting session Tuesday night, Councilwoman Linda Atkins suggested that the city pursue a way to establish regulated medical marijuana dispensaries as a way to increase revenue and tackle problems associated with grow houses in the community.

"It's already there, it's happening in our community and if we continue to let it happen ... underground, it's going to be detrimental to our community," Atkins said.

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