THE report 'Ganja worry' (Jamaica Observer, January 29, 2015), presents the thinking of William R Brownfield, assistant secretary of the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement, on the recent developments of the new ganja regime in Jamaica. He was quick to point out that this change will see increased export of the crop to the United States, and warned of Jamaica's legal obligation to the international treaties. He speaks as if Jamaica is the only country moving towards change. He is obviously oblivious about changes all over the world, including its major ally Israel. The international treaties Jamaica has signed are not written in stone. They were prepared for a world very much different from the present. Their foundations were built on myths and anecdotal evidence. Since 1922, there have been many commissions and research projects providing scientific studies, dispelling those myth and anecdotal evidence. The time has come to reform those treaties. Who will lead the process in Jamaica? [continues 961 words]
KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) - Jamaica's Senate on Friday started debating a bill that would decriminalize possession of small amounts of pot and establish a licensing agency to regulate a lawful medical marijuana industry on the island where the drug has long been pervasive but prohibited. Justice Minister Mark Golding, who introduced the legislation to the upper house, said it would establish a "cannabis licensing authority" to deal with regulations on cultivation and distribution of marijuana and industrial hemp for medical, scientific and therapeutic purposes. [continues 371 words]
Opinions Differ on Which Treatment Approach Is Most Effective for Cocaine Users In Montreal, it's relatively easy to find cocaine and get high. Even though the next day comes with a requisite crash of the neurochemical dopamine, one partygoer might sleep it off and continue to use casually, or not at all. Another might keep using, attempting to regulate short-term feelings and find that euphoria, eventually becoming addicted. As pervasive as the use of this drug may be, Sante Montreal says it has no specific information how many cocaine addicts there are in this city. Health Canada statistics from 2011 indicate that 9.4 per cent of Canadians had used illicit drugs over the last year, with 0.9 per cent using cocaine or crack. [continues 1855 words]
We have heard a great outcry for the legalization of marijuana in the past few years. Even so-called experts such as our party leaders and doctors are getting on the bandwagon. Dr. Jurgen Rehm, director at the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health states, "Canada's current system of cannabis control is failing to prevent or reduce the harms associated with cannabis use." Consider this logic: he admits it harms people's mental health and yet he would like to make it more accessible. [continues 520 words]
Ok new year, new ideas, new pothead thoughts. This is my 24th "Passing the Joint" column and I want to bring something new to it beginning next week. My column is every Thursday, my new idea I want to try out is to be on the streets of Trenton every Thursday, talking to the people of Trenton about my Column that day. I want feed back. Another pothead idea I'll be executing, beginning Thursday Jan. 15 I will be hosting a Cannabis Consumer Chess Tournament 6-10 p.m. [continues 494 words]
2014 was a weird year for me, and good riddance. I started out 2014 in the horrible Burlington County Jail and ended it as the writer of this weekly column for The Trentonian yeah, that's weird! My new year's resolution(s): to eat better and to open a religious temple in Trenton that provides marijuana to its congregants. I hope everyone has a happy new year, but we all know there will be a lot of unhappiness in 2015 as there is every year. Sorry to be a schleprock. My hope is marijuana legalization happens in 2015, but I'm not a dope. It won't, but we are winning the war on the herb. [continues 925 words]
Marijuana Brings a Relaxed Aspect to the Ancient Meditative Practice In a small South of Market studio, yoga is practiced on, shall we say, a higher level. As if doing child's pose, or balasana, in a candlelit room with tranquil music wasn't relaxing enough, Ganja Yoga adds cannabis to the experience as a way to help bring one's practice to a state of heightened spiritual consciousness that may otherwise not be reached. On a recent evening, instructor Dee Dussault talked her students through the various poses, encouraging them in a soothing voice how to breathe deeply through the diaphragm and, when the mood strikes them, to take a hit off a joint or vaporizer. [continues 936 words]
In the underground world of heroin, there is a legend of an African root called iboga, or ibogaine, that can cure addiction. Those in the depths of heroin use, often as a last resort, seek out the root, which can be dangerous to use. Some go to Mexico or to Europe to take it, as it is illegal here in the United States. It can be an expensive trip for the user, and often one made in a moment of final desperation. [continues 2893 words]
It's fair to say that Bob Marley probably could not have imagined that 33 years after his death, his name would be lent to what is about to be the newest entrant to the burgeoning legal marijuana market. The reggae icon was perhaps the most prominent and outspoken advocate of the drug throughout his life and at the height of his fame. He viewed it as a spiritual and creative force that was probably more likely to be legalized by "Christ's government" than governments here on Earth. [continues 602 words]
As a kid, other than the occasional mention of it in church I had never thought of suicide. That was the case until Freddie Prinze Sr, star of the 1970s sitcom Chico and the Man, did it on January 29, 1977, when I was in the seventh grade. At the time I thought it was fascinating and dwelled on it for months, but I knew better than to tell anyone. Just acknowledging you think about Suicide invites being locked up by the do-gooders. I thought of it a lot. At that time I thought of it as a far-off plan - to be accomplished when I was 50 and old. (Yeah at 14 50 seemed old). I thought it was dumb that Freddie would do it when he was just 22 and hadn't lived enough of life. I thought he was rich too, since he was on TV. [continues 717 words]
New Research on Psychedelics Is Unveiling Their Potential for Healing As university students, we know how prevalent substance use is. It's practically impossible to go through your degree (or your day) without being exposed to the use of coffee, energy drinks, alcohol, cigarettes, pot, Ritalin or other drugs for a variety of reasons ranging from partying to relaxing to studying. In our daily lives, the social acceptability of particular drugs is based heavily on stigma and the law, rather than on a sober evaluation of their effects and harms. [continues 738 words]
Addiction is a terrible thing. It impacts not only the person with the addiction but also their family, friends and the community. An addiction takes a financial toll, a spiritual toll, a moral toll and an emotional one. That toll-taken leads to the biggest hurdle for addiction treatment and recovery - the discussions about how to approach it are hindered by moral, emotional, spiritual or financial objections. This month Whitecourt jumped on board with a program created by HIV West Yellowhead intended to curb the spread of Hepatitis C, HIV and other blood-borne illnesses amongst those using needles to take drugs. It proposes to do this by providing free access to clean needles and supplies through a pharmacy. [continues 834 words]
Aloha. I'm fresh out of 50 months in federal prison for operating The Hawaii Cannabis Ministry where we helped to prevent and treat pain, disease and spiritual disconnection. Just reporting, not complaining. What a great and unexpected education I received in prison. Now, it's time for me to make some lemonade. Please know that there are now multiple U.S. Patents for cannabinoids in the prevention and treatment of pain and disease including for cancer. Also, the Nobel Prize in chemistry in 2012 was given to the study of the two main cannabinoid 'receptors' CB1 and CB2. [continues 147 words]
Each of us living in this great state knows Alaska offers many things to all residents. We are surrounded by amazing beauty that nearly a million people pay to experience each summer. We each receive an annual dividend from the natural resources developed in the oil fields and we are blessed with neighbors and friends who look out for one another. In Alaska, an ordinary citizen or group of citizens has the ability to decide an issue is so important that every registered voter in the state has the right to express an opinion on the topic. This November's general election ballot includes several such issues. Our Catholic Church teaching requires us to vote with an informed conscience on issues that will affect the greater good. These are my thoughts for consideration on Ballot Measure 2. [continues 606 words]
KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) - According to Jamaica's justice minister, legislation has been drafted to decriminalize marijuana on the island where the drug has been pervasive but prohibited for a century. Mark Golding told reporters that lawmakers should make possession of 2 ounces or less a petty offense before the end of 2014. He also expects decriminalization for religious purposes to be authorized by then, allowing adherents of the homegrown Rastafarian spiritual movement to ritually smoke marijuana, which they consider a "holy herb," without fear of arrest. [continues 286 words]
JAMAICA'S justice minister has said legislation has been drafted to decriminalise marijuana on the Caribbean island where the drug has been pervasive but prohibited for a century. Mark Golding told reporters that parliament should make possession of two ounces or less a petty offence before the end of 2014. He also expects decriminalisation for religious purposes to be authorised by then, allowing adherents of the homegrown Rastafarian spiritual movement to ritually smoke marijuana - which they consider a "holy herb" - without fear of arrest. [continues 417 words]
(AP) - Taking a deep draw on a pipe that glows with burning marijuana, reggae luminary Bunny Wailer gives a satisfied grin through a haze of aromatic smoke in his concrete yard painted in the red, green, gold and black colors identified with his Rastafarian faith. These days the baritone singer from the legendary Wailers, the group he formed in 1963 with late stars Bob Marley and Peter Tosh, has reason to feel good. There is unprecedented traction building in Jamaica to decriminalize pot, meaning the dreadlocked Wailer, 67, and other adherents of Rastafari - a homegrown spiritual movement that considers the drug divine - may soon be able to smoke without fear of arrest. [continues 416 words]
According to Statistics Canada, 20 per cent of youth aged 15 to 24 have used marijuana at least once in the past year and 6.5 per cent have tried one of five illicit drugs, excluding cannabis (cocaine or crack, speed, ecstasy, hallucinogens or heroin). Most freshmen will enter Western with no experience consuming narcotics. It's thus essential that if you do decide to indulge, you at least have some idea of what you're doing. Narcotics can kindle extraordinary experiences but they generally have health drawbacks. The high is only temporary and seeking drugs to escape personal troubles will ultimately prove unrewarding. Narcotics in moderation are a beneficial tool but they are habit-forming - and that's where the trouble starts. [continues 604 words]
The scientist talks to Laurence Phelan about fighting the establishment, battling preconceptions and breaking down egos On a hot evening in June, in a crowded room above a London pub, Dr Robin Carhart-Harris, a research associate in the Centre for Neuropsychopharma-cology at Imperial College, is giving a public talk about his work. He is having to make himself heard over the boozy commotion downstairs, where people are watching Chile put Spain out of the World Cup. But there is a slightly giddy atmosphere in the function room, too, because the doctor's area of research is as exciting as it is taboo: he is investigating the brain effects and potential therapeutic uses of psychedelic drugs. [continues 2697 words]
Chuck Ream takes his cannabis religiously. In fact he's evangelistic about it. "When you get out past your own ego, the teaching plants carry the message of right and wrong just like the Bible," says Ream. "That teaching from the magical plants could be the impetus to save our civilization, to move beyond absolute materialism. It's the only real religion." It's that kind of zeal that led to Ream receiving the High Times Lester Grinspoon Lifetime Achievement Award at the recent Michigan Medical Marijuana Cannabis Cup. It's a great honor, but Ream has bigger ambitions. [continues 1091 words]
