news of the weed

cannabis blog news of the weed moves home

2009-12-04T05:47:00.003Z

This blog has moved to improved (we hope) premises at www.newsoftheweed.com

5 million facebook petition for Obama to legalize weed

2009-10-07T00:35:00.011Z

A Facebook group organised by the US campaigning organisation NORMAL is aiming to get 5 million members to pressure Obama to legalise marijuana. They say:

"OBAMA was originally for the decriminalization of marijuana but, soon after talking to his advisers he changed his position. We hope Obama will stand for what he first said and probably believes in himself".

They suggest that President Obama should instead take the advice of ex President Jimmy Carter; "Penalties against possession of a drug should not be more damaging to an individual than the use of the drug itself."

• Obama on marijuana: "I inhaled ... frequently."

death penalty for pot

2009-10-06T23:46:00.007Z

This video features the intrepid duo, Dana Beal (recently busted with 150lbs of medical marijuana) and arch 'Pieman' Aron Kay, up against the forces of evil. Music by Benedict Arnold & The Traitors.

• Dana Beal's address is currently Irvin Beal #6669, Saunders County Jail, 387 North Chestnut Wahoo, Nebraska 68066, USA. A court hearing will be held on 12 November.

leading marijuana campaigner dana beal arrested

2009-10-04T21:33:00.032Z

Is it just coincidence that within the space of just two days, two of the leading organisers of the annual Global Marijuana March, first Marc Emery (28th Oct) and then (30th Oct) Dana Beal (above, photo New York Times) have been arrested and are now both behind bars, at the mercy of the cruel American 'justice' system?

The extradition of Marc Emery to the American Gulag had been expected despite a majority of Canadians being against it and a long campaign, but Dana Deal's arrest in Nebraska, allegedly in possession of 150 lbs of marijuana, is a double wammie for the global movement against marijuana prohibition.

Dana Beal is founder and main coordinator of the annual 'Global Marijuana March' which this year held simultaneous marches in nearly 200 cities worldwide, campaigning for medical marijuana and an end to marijuana prohibition. He has also devoted his considerable energies towards developing anti addiction treatments, particularly using the natural drug Ibogaine.

Now Marc Emery and Dana Beal are two more victims of the drug war they have campaigned so hard to end. They are not criminals, they are political prisoners.

• Dana and two others have been charged with "possession with the intent to deliver and having no drug tax stamp." Possession of marijuana for personal use has been decriminalised under Nebraska State laws, but they still allow draconian penalties for the sale and distribution of the popular herb.

• A Free Dana Beal Facebook site and a Free Dana Beal Blog have been started to support Dana and raise funds for his defence.

LATEST: (via kind friends stashblog): Dana Beal is in the Saunders County Jail, write him at Irvin Beal #6669, Saunders County Jail, 387 North Chestnut, Wahoo, Nebraska 68066. He needs 50k for bailman. First court date is Nov 10th. Dana is in a dorm with 18 other “drug offenders".

marc emery farewell press conference

2009-10-04T21:30:00.003Z

get ready to be itemised

2009-03-06T12:48:00.001Z

Above: the Itemiser by GE Security Products (click image to enlarge).

All over Britain people are being 'itemised' by a new machine called the Itemiser which is being used by the police to test for drugs and explosives.

More than 400 people were 'Itemised' in one night by police in Reading recently.

The Itemiser is a desktop testing lab which can detect traces of all kinds of drugs and explosives in 7 seconds - and make life hell for the innocent recreational or medical cannabis user.

Designed to be highly portable it can run for 60 mins on rechargable batteries and can easly be set up at stations, airports, or outside cool clubs, major city financial institutions, weddings, funerals and at events like Ascot and the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace.

Unless you play it safe and never go out ever again it is fairly likely that you will encounter this desk top civil liberties zapper sooner rather than later.

• GE Security Products should re format the Itemiser so it ignores cannabis and just looks for explosives, guns, knives and the stench of corruption.

cannabis prohibition - it's so stupid and boring

2009-03-04T10:02:00.001Z

"Why don't they pass a constitutional amendment prohibiting anybody from learning anything? If it works as well as prohibition did, in five years Americans would be the smartest race of people on Earth."

Will Rogers

US ends DEA medical marijuana raids

2009-03-02T18:48:00.017Z

Medical marijuana advocates and users confront Los Angeles police [above] during a Drug Enforcement Administration raid of a medical marijuana dispensary on July 25, 2007.

Years of campaigning, thousands of busts, lives ruined, and untold needless pain may be coming to a close in the US as it seems that the strange medical and legal taboo against medical cannabis may finally be over.

The new attorney general Eric Holder, has announced that the DEA is being ordered to stop raiding state approved medical marijuana dispensaries.

President Obama, who has admitted he was a regular teenage marijuana toker, said during the presidential campaign that he supported the controlled use of marijuana for medical purposes, saying he saw no difference between medical marijuana and other pain-control drugs.

“My attitude is if the science and the doctors suggest that the best palliative care and the way to relieve pain and suffering is medical marijuana, then that’s something I’m open to,” Obama said in November 2007 at a campaign stop in Audubon, Iowa. “There’s no difference between that and morphine when it comes to just giving people relief from pain.”

• This is a dramatic, although not unexpected turn about for Federal government policy. So dramatic that the official White House web site for drug policy has not yet been up dated. The Bush era Drug War propaganda which denied the medical value of cannabis is still there. Thankfully it is now just historical evidence of past ignorance and bigotry.

kelloggs shares crash as cannabis users 'k flakes' boycott continues

2009-03-02T10:18:00.008Z

Kelloggs share price has crashed ever since they sacked Michael Phelps for toking on a bong, and were immediately hit with a boycott by cannabis users worldwide.

The 'cannaphobic' decision by Kelloggs to sack Michael Phelps has proved to be a well deserved disaster bong.

According to The Vanno Reputation Index, which monitors the public image of leading corporations, out of the 5,600 company reputations Vanno monitors, Kellogg ranked ninth before it rudely snubbed Phelps. Now it's ranked 83.

Of course Kellogg's share price drop may not just be due to the cannabis boycott, but the main stream bad publicity for Kelloggs it has generated has certainly added to Kellogg's general credibility crunch crisis.

Kelloggs need to realise that indulging in Reefer Madness is bad for business, and it is just not healthy for the individual or society, but they can join a treatment program.

• More at stopthedrugwar.org

california considers $50 an oz tax on marijuana

2009-02-25T04:52:00.014Z

Above: one of this months 'cream of the crop' weed porn photo competition contenders at uk420 [click on photo for larger image].

California would legalize marijuana for recreational use and charge a $50 per oz sales tax under a bill introduced on Monday.

As California teeters on the verge of bankruptcy, the 'pot tax' bill has the public backing of Betty Yee, who chairs the state Board of Equalization, which collects taxes in California. The state would collect an estimated $1.3 billion a year from tax revenues and a $50-an-ounce levy on retail sales if marijuana were legal.

The proposal would sensibly regulate marijuana like alcohol, with people over 21 years old allowed to grow, buy, sell and possess cannabis - all of which is stupidly barred by federal law.

The proposal also has the support of San Francisco's top cop Sheriff Michael Hennessey, but some pot smokers are saying a tax of $50 an oz is too high.

• Reuters - taxing drugs could help US pay for bail outs

kellogg's 'crack' flakes banned worldwide for michael phelps pot bong sponsorship snub

2009-02-11T21:13:00.018Z

Kellogg's Corn Flakes, which irresponsibly uses the word 'CRACK' in it's advertising, has been officially banned by the worldwide cannabis movement, a powerful global network with weed connections in every part of the planet and supporters from every cast, creed and class of humanity.

Cannabis users from every part of the globe are outraged that Kellogg's Crack Flakes has stopped their sponsorship of swimming hero Michael Phelps after he was pictured proving how good his lungs are with a bong of weed.

The ban on all Kellogg's products worldwide starts immediately, and is for grievous insults to the marijuana/cannabis plant and marijuana/cannabis users, plus actions likely to confuse, misinform and frighten young people.

Many young people enjoy both swimming and toking on bongs and see Michael Phelps as a great role model, and he is. Kellogg's on the other hand has shamelessly exploited and targeted young people for years. They ruthlessly market their 'crack' junkie food mix of sugar and bits of over cooked corn, cut with preservatives and other chemicals which may cause testicular cancer. Kellogg's adverts groom young people for a life time addiction to sugar and junk food. Michael Phelps is well out of there.

Kellogg's, who's global market for 'crack' flakes is tiny in comparison to the multi national cannabis industry is now facing a massive backlash as millions of people all over the world say "SNAP" and boycott Kellogg's forever. Hemp flakes and muesli is so much better for your health.

• free the phelps 8 - further outrage has been caused by the arrest of 8 people and a bong by american police who say the accused may have shared the same bong as phelps. One of the arrested had tried to sell the famous bong on ebay for 100,000 dollars, on hearing of this the local police 'bong squad' mounted a raid and are now proud owners of the historic and valuable item, claiming 'finders keepers' rights.

reefer madness to hit britain

2009-02-11T14:46:00.010Z

Reefer Madness - the musical - is opening at a West End theater in London on March 24th after sell out runs in LA and 'off-Broadway' in New York.

The musical attempts to blow away the global cannabis policy credibility crunch with music and song as part of an amusing theatrical satire on the classic anti marijuana film 'Reefer Madness' which set a benchmark for being hysterical about marijuana, spreading dangerous miss information, and being utterly racist, all at the same time.

• Reefer Madness sanity talk - On Sat March 28th the 2.30pm matinee performance of Reefer Madness at the Bridewell Theatre, Fleet Street will be followed at 4pm by a free post-show discussion and Q&A with Ben Goldacre, Mike Jay and Steve Rolles on "The Demon Weed! The Past and Present of Cannabis Propaganda". Tickets are £12 Standard for unreserved seating, or you can even get a £20 Reefer Addict Sponsorship Ticket.

obama backs medical marijuana

2009-02-11T14:22:00.001Z

Repeating a promise made during the presidential campaign, the Obama administration yesterday vowed to stop the federal government from interfering in states with medical marijuana laws as soon as they can appoint a new head of the DEA.

"The president believes that federal resources should not be used to circumvent state laws, and as he continues to appoint senior leadership to fill out the ranks of the federal government, he expects them to review their policies with that in mind," White House spokesman Nick Shapiro told reporters.

Obama promised a hands-off policy on medical marijuana during his campaign, but since he took office the DEA, led by Bush appointed Acting Administrator Michele Leonhart, has nonetheless raided at least three medical marijuana dispensaries in California, each time seizing money and medicine, but making no arrests.

The administration's renewed commitment to respecting states with medical marijuana laws follows thousands of phone calls to the White House, plus a flood of comments on change.gov, all calling for the President to make good on his campaign promise. Americans for Safe Access, the nation's largest medical cannabis advocacy organization, greeted the statement with strong approval.

"Americans for Safe Access acknowledges President Obama's continued pledge to end federal interference with state medical marijuana laws," commented Caren Woodson, Director of Government Affairs. "We look forward to working with the President and his Administration to enact long-term policies that support safe and legal access to cannabis for therapeutic use and research."

Meanwhile, Sarah Pullen, a DEA spokeswoman refused to offer any explanation for the raids. "I can't get into details as to the probable cause behind the warrants," she said. "Except for the fact that they're dealing with marijuana, which is illegal under federal law."

Perhaps the DEA dead enders were trying to throw down a challenge to the incoming President, lest he get any ideas about actually reforming our disastrous war on drugs. Or perhaps it was just an easy payday.

An employee of Beach Center Collective in Playa del Rey told the Los Angeles Times that DEA officers confiscated so much property that the dispensary would not be able to reopen.

"They took everything," said the 32-year-old employee, who asked not to be named. "You name it, they took it - right down to the television. The computer, patient files, medicine, cash in the register - that's it, we're done. It's just too bad. [Our patients] have epilepsy, cancer, MS, diabetes - two of our patients have one leg. They're gonna have to travel a lot farther and go to places that aren't as safe for them."

• COOL COP DRUG TZAR - Apparently Obama is planning to appoint Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske as the next US 'Drugs Tsar'. Kerlikowske has a good reputation for being sensible and rational about drug policy and believes that arresting people for personal possession is a waste of national resources. Reacting to the news of the likely appointment, Joanna McKee, co-founder and director of Green Cross Patient Co-Op, a medical-marijuana patient-advocacy group said "What a blessing — the karma gods are smiling on the whole country, man.

class b baloney bodge job

2009-01-25T23:35:00.004Z

There's a lot of bad dope on cannabis going round at the moment, enough to make any decent cannabis user suffer from paranoia.

The worst strain of bad stuff is of course the government's decision to make their cannabis policy 'Class B' for baloney. This comes into effect tomorrow [Jan 26th] and has cannabis users freaking out to the point that some of them can even be bothered to organise a protest, even if it is only a few days late, on Weds January 28th, which is actually perfect timing for Prime Minister's Baloney Time.

In fact cannabis users, and their natural allies in the police force, can relax and chill, because Class B for cannabis really, really is baloney. This is because, on January 26, in an amazing coincidence worthy of the Fortiean Times, cannabis possession will be made Class B .... and put on a special 'PND' list of minor offences which are exempted from court prosecution, to the horror of the Daily Telegraph and the Magistrates Association.

Under these rules a first offence attracts a warning, a second offence gets a fine of 80 pounds. Even better is the fact that first offence warnings will not be registered on the police computer, so it will be difficult if not impossible for anyone to be fined for a second offence. This is really good news, especially for tax payers. When cannabis was previously Class B there were about 100,000 prosecutions a year, costing about 10,000 pounds each according to Hansard; that's a cool one billion a year blown on cannabis baloney. But now, with their Class B for baloney policy, the government can look really stupid about cannabis, and talk a load of 'class b' baloney about cannabis, all without it costing anything.

There is just one problem. The government's cannabis prohibition policies cost a fortune in lost tax revenues thanks to Inland Revenue rules which allow several million people to use cannabis tax free paying no VAT what so ever, while traders do not have to pay tax on any of their cannabis profits.

By giving cannabis tax free status that is even better than given for aviation fuel, Gordon Brown is in fact subsidising the cannabis industry at vast public expense in an invisible bailout costing several billion a year in lost tax revenue. This is why Cannabis Prohibition is still the most expensive and stupid mistake in British legal history. It really is baloney.

• How to avoid prosecution for cannabis possession - carry your cannabis in a bag or envelope clearly marked "For The Police". If stopped by the police say you found the cannabis and put it in the envelope in order to hand it in to the nearest police station. This makes a successful prosecution for cannabis possession almost impossible, or at least of some entertainment value.

• 'the government's drug policy, is it working' was an interesting house of lords debate last week.

• massive cannabis civil disobedience campaign

New Advances for Medical Marijuana

2007-07-05T13:43:00.000Z

Source: Boston Globe Date: July 3 2007
Author: Lester Grinspoon MD

Marijuana Gains Wonder Drug Status

A new study in the journal Neurology is being hailed as unassailable proof that marijuana is a valuable medicine. It is a sad commentary on the state of modern medicine -- and US drug policy -- that we still need "proof" of something that medicine has known for 5,000 years.

The study, from the University of California at San Francisco, found smoked marijuana to be effective at relieving the extreme pain of a debilitating condition known as peripheral neuropathy. It was a study of HIV patients, but a similar type of pain caused by damage to nerves afflicts people with many other illnesses including diabetes and multiple sclerosis. Neuropathic pain is notoriously resistant to treatment with conventional pain drugs. Even powerful and addictive narcotics like morphine and OxyContin often provide little relief. This study leaves no doubt that marijuana can safely ease this type of pain.

As all marijuana research in the United States must be, the new study was conducted with government-supplied marijuana of notoriously poor quality. So it probably underestimated the potential benefit.

This is all good news, but it should not be news at all. In the 40-odd years I have been studying the medicinal uses of marijuana, I have learned that the recorded history of this medicine goes back to ancient times and that in the 19th century it became a well-established Western medicine whose versatility and safety were unquestioned. From 1840 to 1900, American and European medical journals published over 100 papers on the therapeutic uses of marijuana, also known as cannabis.

Of course, our knowledge has advanced greatly over the years. Scientists have identified over 60 unique constituents in marijuana, called cannabinoids, and we have learned much about how they work. We have also learned that our own bodies produce similar chemicals, called endocannabinoids.

The mountain of accumulated anecdotal evidence that pointed the way to the present and other clinical studies also strongly suggests there are a number of other devastating disorders and symptoms for which marijuana has been used for centuries; they deserve the same kind of careful, methodologically sound research. While few such studies have so far been completed, all have lent weight to what medicine already knew but had largely forgotten or ignored: Marijuana is effective at relieving nausea and vomiting, spasticity, appetite loss, certain types of pain, and
other debilitating symptoms. And it is extraordinarily safe -- safer than most medicines prescribed every day. If marijuana were a new discovery rather than a well-known substance carrying cultural and political baggage, it would be hailed as a wonder drug.

The pharmaceutical industry is scrambling to isolate cannabinoids and synthesize analogs, and to package them in non-smokable forms. In time, companies will almost certainly come up with products and delivery systems that are more useful and less expensive than herbal marijuana. However, the analogs they have produced so far are more expensive than herbal marijuana, and none has shown any improvement over the plant nature gave us to take orally or to smoke.

We live in an antismoking environment. But as a method of delivering certain medicinal compounds, smoking marijuana has some real advantages: The effect is almost instantaneous, allowing the patient, who after all is the best judge, to fine-tune his or her dose to get the needed relief without intoxication. Smoked marijuana has never been demonstrated to have serious pulmonary consequences, but in any case the technology to inhale these cannabinoids without smoking marijuana already exists as vaporizers that allow for smoke-free inhalation.

Hopefully the UCSF study will add to the pressure on the US government to rethink its irrational ban on the medicinal use of marijuana -- and its destructive attacks on patients and caregivers in states that have chosen to allow such use. Rather than admit they have been mistaken all these years, federal officials can cite "important new data" and start revamping outdated and destructive policies. The new Congress could go far in establishing its bona fides as both reasonable and compassionate by immediately moving on this issue.

Such legislation would bring much-needed relief to millions of Americans suffering from cancer, AIDS, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, and other debilitating illnesses.

Lester Grinspoon, an emeritus professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, is the coauthor of "Marijuana, the Forbidden Medicine." © 2007 Independent Media Institute. All rights reserved.

uk hemp expo 2007 is on this weekend (5,6,7th May)

2007-05-04T12:44:00.001Z

HEMP EXPO 2007: 5,6,7th MAY, Telford International Centre (10am-6pm).

Please note: there is no cannabis march or festival planned for this year in london but there are protests against cannabis prohibition, including marches and other events, going on in over 200 cities worldwide as part of the Global Marijuana March

More at: schmoo on the run

Hemp & Hydro Expo 2006 cancelled

2006-07-07T09:23:00.000Z

schmoo has just heard that the massive 'Hemp Expo 2006' organised by the cannabis magazine 'Weed World' at the newly opened Ricoh Arena in Coventry, has been banned by the local council.

more at schmoo on the run

medical cannabis: MP's and Lords join with patients campaigners and experts

2006-05-25T12:08:00.000Z

Medical cannabis patients, campaigners, and experts plus two MPs went to 10 Downing street to demand urgent action on Medical Cannabis. Later they met with other MP's, plus Lords and supporters at a packed meeting in the Houses of Parliament.

Above: Medical cannabis campaigners including Labour MP's Paul Flynn and Brian Iddon (Chairman of the 'All Party Parliamentary Drugs Misuse Group') take the issue to 10 Downing Street.

Above: Anita Curzon who suffers from Fibro Myalgia outside 10 Downing Street to deliver a petition to Tony Blair calling for action on medical cannabis. At the meeting in Parliament afterwards she said: "After using pharmaceutical drugs and having the horrific side effects that come along with them, it actually makes me very, very angry that I have to be made a criminal for using what is a natural based drug, which does not have nearly the side effects that pharmaceutical drugs have."

Above: The event was organised by the Cannabis Education Trust because of 'intermiable' delays and 'foot dragging' by the government despite election promices.

At meeting in Parliament Lord Rhy, who was closely involved in writing the ground breaking 'House of Lords Report on Medical Cannabis'. He said that the government had been "sitting on it for a very long time. It is taking an intermiable time for the license to be given to Sativex, which is the best product on the market at the moment. There is a very deep counter campaign going on (against medical cannabis). We want to know who is it that is influencing the decision making that is holding this thing up."

more soon

we need the NHS: natural healing service

2006-05-23T23:54:00.000Z

Above and below: We need the NHS - the Natural Healing Service. Today campaigners will be going to Downing Street and Parliament Square to call for medical cannabis to be supplied free by the NHS to treat pain, MS and many other ailments. They also want specialist 'cannabis clinics' run by experts to be set up, and the end to all prosecutions for the private use of medical cannabis.

Campaigners say these policies could save the NHS millions, if not billions of tax payers cash which currently goes into the pockets of big pharmaceutical 'drug dealers' for drugs that often do not work as well as cannabis.

Petition to Downing Street - Wednesday 24th May 2006

To raise awareness of the issues and injustices that face medical cannabis users, would-be users, growers and those who supply sick and disabled people.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To the Prime Minister, Right Hon Tony Blair,

We respectfully request that you consider the following questions:

1. Who benefits from the prosecution of medical cannabis users?

2. Who benefits from medicinal cannabis prohibition?

We also invite you to consider the following issues:

• The fact that Sativex (mouth spray) is still virtually unobtainable for UK patients.

• The relative real costs of each form of medicinal cannabis, and the potential savings to the National Health Service budget if 'herbal' medical cannabis was allowed, as well as the more expensive pharmaceutical preperations.

• The effectiveness of natural 'organic' cannabis tinctures, and hemp-based creams, along with vaporised, smoked or ingested herbal cannabis.

What is really in the best public interest?

1. Recognition of the unique medicinal benefits of the cannabis plant in pharmaceutical and 'organic' herbal preperations.

2. The establishment of medical 'cannabis clinics' run by experts.

3. An end to the prosecution of medical cannabis users, growers and those who supply sick and disabled people in the UK.

4. Further and broader medicinal cannabis research.

5. The establishment of a Committee of those with expertise in this field to examine the above issues with urgency.

6. A programme of honest education about the real issues surrounding medical cannabis.

Best wishes, from members of the CANNABIS EDUCATION TRUST

www.cannabistrust.com

medical cannabis: winston churchill used it, why can't everyone else?

2006-05-23T20:11:00.000Z

Above: Winston Churchill in London yesterday. Tomorrow campaigners will be going to No 10 Downing Street to take to deliver a letter asking his predecessor Tony Blair to pull his finger out and make medical cannabis available on the national health, like he promised he would if the research was positive - and it is!

cannabis: queen victoria's healer, why not everyone elses?

2006-05-23T19:36:00.000Z

'Medical Cannabis Awareness Day' is tomorrow (24 May) in London @ Parliament Square: time table.

cannabis grandma for number 10 downing st, May 24th

2006-05-19T21:59:00.000Z

Above: Cannabis Grandma, Pat Tabram says the biggest dangerous drug dealers in Britain are the pharmaceutical companies. She says they are the real rats. She will be leading a delegation of medical cannabis users and experts to No 10 Downing Street on Weds 24th May, to give Tony Blair a good ticking off. He still has not kept his promises on medical cannabis.

There will also be a 'Medical Cannabis Awareness Day' demonstration all day in Parliament Sq, and a lobby of MP's.

thc4ms will be at parliament 24 may: sign their petition

2006-05-19T20:30:00.000Z

One of the groups supporting the Medical Cannabis Day of Action are THC4MS who have been making and supplying medical cannabis chocolate to MS suffers for years but now face prosecution.

If you have not already done it: sign their petition.

McCartney split: previous wife Linda used medical cannabis, current 'ex' says 'I hate it'

2006-05-18T12:25:00.000Z

Heather Mills, Paul McCartney's ex, demanded that he quit smoking cannabis before she would marry him. She said choose between me or the spliffs.

'Him and (his first wife) Linda smoked it every day for the whole of their lives together,' she said of a relationship that lasted more than 30 years. 'But I would not get married to him if he was taking drugs. I hate it.'

What Heather did not mention of course is that Linda McCartney who died of cancer, benefited greatly from using the drug medically to off set the effects of chemo therapy.

Much more gratuitous gossip at 'schmoo on the run'

cannabis: effective pain relief after major surgery says new study

2006-05-17T17:04:00.000Z

Scientists at Londons Imperial College have just announced research that shows cannabis gives effective pain relief after major surgery, such as knee operations, "with minimal side effects, at low doses."

Dr Anita Holdcroft, from Imperial College, the lead researcher said: "Pain after surgery continues to be a problem because many of the commonly used drugs are either ineffective or have too many side effects. These results show that cannabinoids are effective, and may lead to the development of a wider range of drugs to manage postoperative pain."

Previous research has shown that cannabinoids help top up the bodys natural system for reducing pain sensation.

The researchers used a cannabis extract called 'Cannador' which is taken orally. 'Cannador' was developed by a non-profit group, the 'Institute for Clinical Research' in Berlin, Germany.

cannabis never killed anyone - untill they tried to 'make it safe'

2006-05-17T15:41:00.000Z

Above: GW Pharmaceuticals share price

CAN'T GET NO SATISVEXION

Thousands of people in Britain who could benefit from the cannabis based drug 'Sativex' made by GW Pharmaceuticals can't get it, and campaigners believe this could be because of a widely reported but flawed inquest held in Sheffield last year.

The inquest ruled that Sativex played "a significant role" in the death of Mrs Anderson, a 69 year old diabetic - but failed to consider the fact that Sativex contains a significant amount of alcohol.

Diabetics are very sensitive to alcohol - it can kill them!

During the inquest it emerged that Mrs Anderson, who took Sativex every day for several weeks, was probally given too much, and her dose was reduced after she complained of side effects.

In his ruling the coroner, Chris Dorries said: "On the balance of probabilities, I find that the initial drug reaction (cannabis) must have been a significant contributory factor in at least the initiation of the illness which continued."

But he failed to mention the other drug involved - alcohol. Unlike cannabis, alcohol kills thousands of people every year.

The coroner recorded a 'narrative verdict', finding that Mrs Anderson died from kidney failure due to Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome "following resolving pneumonia due to immobility arising from toxic brain syndrome".

The coroner ordered that a transcript of his findings be sent to the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regul-atory Authority, a government agency responsible for ensuring that all medicines are acceptably safe.

News of the Weed adds: Sativex is a very useful cannabis preperation and should be made available now, but if Mrs Anderson had been given the correct dose of a non alcoholic version of Sativex as used by the Cannabis Grandma, or THC4MS (cannabis chocolate) she would have been ok.

This is why campaigners are calling for 'Cannabis Clinics' - run by people who know what they are doing.

Ironically there is no record of anyone ever dying from cannabis - untill a drug company tried to 'make it safe'.

• GP Pharmasecticals published the Preliminary Results from their 'Sativex® Phase III Multiple Sclerosis spasticity study' in March this year. Every study they have done looks good - but the government is still dragging it's feet. Meanwhile thousands of people suffer.

sativex

save rooney's foot campaign: this THC cream could help win the world cup for britain

2006-05-17T12:35:00.000Z

Above: This jar of 'Hemp Cream' could help win the World Cup for Britain - except for the crazy rules that out law the use of medical cannabis.

Doctors are doing everything they can to speed up the healing process for brilliant goal scoring British football star Wayne Rooney who may not be able to play in the World Cup because of a broken foot.

They are making Wayne Rooney sleep in an oxygen tent, they may be using lazers on him, and if they had access to alien technology they would use it - but they won't use medical cannabis.

Britain's chance to win the world cup could be lost because of a crazy law. If Rooney was to use the cannabis cream he could heal quicker - but fail a drugs test and be out of the world cup anyway.

Meanwhile thousands of people are 'out of life' because of the ban on medical cannabis. It can help MS sufferers stay out of wheel chairs, and help recovery from anti cancer treatments, and off set the side effects of drug treatments for AID's.

The only people who benefit from the ban on medical cannabis are the drug companies selling products that do not work as well.

That is why there is a worldwide campaign to legalise medical cannabis - and why representatives of the campaign in Britain, and medical cannabis users will be meeting MP's on the 24th May to demand urgent action.

new drugs minister Vernon Coaker: he toked but never coked

2006-05-16T16:43:00.000Z

Vernon Coaker the new drugs minister really is called Vernon Coaker! And, before anyone asks, he has admitted not taking coke, er ... but claims he was a toker.

In a frank interview with the Coventry Evening Telegraph he said "I took one or two puffs of marijuana but that was it. I think it was once or twice."

Mr Coaker told the newspaper he had not enjoyed the experience and decided not to do it again.

He added, perhaps suffering from long term memory loss: "I think it was at a party or something."

News of the Weed says: "Mr Coaker must be already sick of cocaine jokes, so we will just say 'welcome dude, chill out and enjoy the vibe, no need to be paranoid".

On a tour to see how 10 cities and towns tackle drug abuse, the new New Labour Drugs Minister said: "I'll be asking: 'If you have one wish, one demand you think could be done, what would that be?'"

'News of the Weed' is happy to make a suggestion: "Here is an easy one, there are no excuses, it really could be done: legalise Medical Cannabis NOW; it is even good for getting off coke".

Meanwhile Cannabis Trust spokesperson Andy Cornwell said:

"MPs from all parties have admitted prior cannabis use, but are there any prepared to admit current cannabis use, even for medical reasons? Hypocrisy has always prevented an honest drugs debate."

* Vernon Coaker and all the posse are invited to the 'Medical Cannabis Action Meeting', Committee Room 18, Palace of Westminster, London, May 24th.

News of the Weed says: Be there, or be a croaker.

london demo: medical cannabis on the menu, Weds May 24

2006-05-12T22:30:00.000Z

Medical Cannabis Day of Action, London, Weds May 24th, 10 am - 5 pm.

Time Table:

10 am - Medical Cannabis Demo starts Parliament Sq, plus lobbying of MP's.

1 pm - Delegation to Downing St.

3pm - 4pm - Press Conference & group lobby of MP's in the 'House of Parliament', Palace of Westminster, Committeee Room 18.

4 - 5pm - Demo continues Parliament Sq, plus there will be a further chance to lobby MPs in lobby area, photo opportunities etc.

Organised by members of the Cannabis Education Trust which is calling for the government to give GW Pharmaceuticals the go ahead now to distribute Sativex in Britain, for the establishment of 'Medical Cannabis Clinics', and for the end of prosecutions of people using and growing cannabis for medical purposes.

Above: The right to choose your own medicine.

more info

medical cannabis

shoe sue: dea agent who shot himself in the foot to sue the dea

2006-05-11T10:07:00.000Z

DEA Agent Lee Paige, 45, loved to lecture on the perils of drugs, but in front of a class room of Florida school kids, it was he who ended up in peril - of himself.

Paige produced a Glock .40 hand gun in front of the kids, told them he was the only one in the room professional enough to carry the weapon - and then shot him self in the foot.

Once the target of dangerous drug dealers, Paige says he is now the "target of jokes, derision, ridicule, and disparaging comments" thanks to a video of the incident being put on the internet - by colleges in the DEA.

Now he is suing the DEA because he has suffered "emotional pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of the enjoyment of life, loss of reputation, loss of opportunity, loss of money, embarrassment, humiliation and anxiety."

'News of the Weed' says: maybe Paige should join the CIA - the 'Cannabis Inhalers Association'.

new brain scan research technique finds no cannabis effect on teenage tokers

2006-05-09T18:13:00.000Z

DIFFUSION TENSOR IMAGING, a newly developed magnetic resonance imaging technique, enables researchers to gain a better understanding of the effects of cannabis on the brain.

In a preliminary study published today in the open access journal Harm Reduction Journal, researchers used diffusion tensor imaging to compare the brain tissue of young people who had used cannabis moderately as teenagers, and young people who had not.

The researchers failed to find any indication that damage to the developing adolescent brain occurred.

Lynn DeLisi and colleagues from the Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research and New York University School of Medicine used diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to scan the brain of 10 young people who had smoked cannabis during adolescence. The participants were between 17 and 30 years old, they had smoked at least two to three times a week for one or more years during adolescence and had no personal or family history of mental health problems. They were matched for sex, age and social class of parents with 10 controls who had not smoked cannabis regularly as teenagers.

DTI is a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique that enables a detailed look at the organisation of nerves in the brain and the measurement of brain volume.

DeLisi and her colleagues found no significant differences in brain integrity and brain volume between cannabis smokers and non-smokers.

Their preliminary study suggests that moderate cannabis use has no direct adverse effects on brain structure and integrity.

The authors warn however, that more research is necessary, both in a larger group of people, and to see the effects of heavier use. Hopefully they will be given more cash for research.

supporting THC4MS: cannabis confessions required

2006-05-09T17:28:00.000Z

Supporting THC4MS: Alun Buffrey of the Legalise Cannabis Alliance calls for cannabis confessions now:

The Judge has indicated that the THC4MS x 3 will be taken for trial. Grandma Pat Tabram is also likely to be put on trial as a medical cannabis user.

In North Wales, Jeff Ditchfield is facing charges of conspiracy and others. Previously, Chris Baldwin, Colin Davies have been sent to prison, and the late Biz Ivol and Tony Taylor and others have been taken to court - there are MANY others who have been prosecuted for medical cannabis cultivation or possession.

Quite clearly - and remembering that the law says still that cannabis has no medicinal value - this is an ATTACK on medical users and suppliers.

In the US, Cheech was locked up for running an on-line paraphenalia shop; in the UK several shops selling growing equipment have been told not to sell seeds.

This is an attack on cannabis users.

Meanwhile, with respect to the campaigners and organisers, 2006 promises already two forms of protect: one in the cause of cannabis medicine, the other in the name of hemp. Prohibitionists have for some time accused the medical cannabis movement, as well as the pro-hemp movements of being in reality, legalisers. Now it's like the reverse is happening: the legalisers are becoming the medical activists and hemp activists!

Whilst the prohibitionists accused those of trying to legalise cannabis by the back doors (false in the past, maybe), legalisers are now saying to me that medical and industrial cannabis based campaigns meet with less public and authority resistance.

Make no mistake: the UK and US Governments are "at war" with cannabis users: sure, the law may have changed to allow police to focus on crack cocaine etc, but wherever that problem of hard drugs is solved (in small communities at least), police turn their attention on cannabis growers and users! It's just that they seldom get mentioned in the press.

WE ARE AT WAR.

The question is are we all now prepared to STAND together side by side against this prohibition?

The ONE reason why people say "no" is out of some type of fear: fear of getting busted, of losing a job, of losing a friend or disrupting a family = all the things that happen in a "war" - all the things that may ultimately happen to each one of us anyway. So many people have said they would like to be more actively involved but cannot because of their jobs etc - and yet I know of not ONE cannabis campaigner who has lost their jobs - even those few brave professionals like Linda Hendry,
Derek Williams, Pat Cadman ... not one.

THE REALITY

The Court is not going to legalise cannabis for us - they are about law, rules, games, debates, NOT justice There's more "heart" in mathematics! If some of those judges and barristers were told to take THC4MS x 3 out and shoot them, believe me, they would (maybe also out of fear).

The Politicians are not going to legalise cannabis for us as they have no reason to. The People are not going to do it - even 5 to 10 million users - mostly too afraid to act. The media will not do it. the dealers will not do it. Neither will the church.

WHO?

The ONLY people who will bring on legalisation is the campaigners. Let FEAR defeat us now and we have LOST. Stand arm in arm and we can win. A "conspiracy of three" is an easy target. Of 40 a little more difficult. Of hundreds even more difficult.

WE NEED to stand side by side in Court - to demand that we are charged too with conspiracy however small our involvement (simply telling people about the work and media who have given THC4MS free adverts, universities, doctors, patients, organisers of fairs giving free space, leaflet distributors, donors - all guilty!

SO I AM ASKING NOW ..

.... that each person who gets this letter:

1. joins us in our "Confessions" in the ACTION forum at http://www.lca-uk.org/lcaforum. This is where 46 people so far have already shown solidarity can be seen.

2. passes on this letter to at least three more people

3. prints out ONE PAGE for signed confessions (three people) and tries
their hardest to find three people to sign it and post it to LCA, PO
Box 198, Norwich, NR3 3WB (email me for the form)

Divided we may fall. Together we can move a mountain.

It's up to YOU

Alun Buffrey

MEDICAL CANNABIS LOBBY/DEMONSTRATION @ HOUSE OF PARLIMENT + PARLIAMENT SQUARE & 10 DOWNING ST, 24th May 2006, 10 am - 5pm.

crimes against humanity: suppression of marijuana research

2006-05-09T16:03:00.000Z

'Counter Punch' reports that the US American Food and Drug Administration chose the 20 of April (4.20) to issue a total lie: the assertion that "no scientific studies" supported the medical use of marijuana.

"The statement was not the work of a panel of experts reviewing recent research. It was issued, supposedly, in response to numerous Congressional inquiries, but actually at the behest of the DEA and the Drug Czar's Office. Its release on 4/20, a day of special significance to marijuana users, shows the juvenility of its authors, who apparently regard Prohibition as a little game they're playing with the American people".

However the American people may be waking up to the fact they may be the most lied to and ripped off people in the world.

The day after the 4.20 Drug Czar's statement the New York Times quoted Dr. Daniele Piomelli, a professor of pharmacology at the University of California, Irvine, in a front page story refuting much of the official government line. Dr. Piomelli said he had:

"never met a scientist who would say that marijuana is either dangerous or useless."

• More at the excellent 'Counter Punch' which publishes an extensive feature, by Fred Gardner editor of 'O'Shaughnessy's' the Journal of the California Cannabis Research Medical Group. He traces what happened after a study into the effects of marijuana use by pregnant mothers found no harmful effects: the study was buried, and funding for a follow up study was refused.

News of the Weed says: Seems the US government pays more attention to the Witch Doctors at the Drug Czars office, than to real scientists.

Meanwhile Republican and Democratic senators have called for drug czar John Walters to be fired because of his focus on marijuana instead of methamphetamine, which really is a killer.

marches in 200 cities worldwide demand legalisation of cannabis

2006-05-06T19:21:00.000Z

Above: Opps... schmoo sparked off a minor security alert taking this picture in the rain outside The Cabinet Office in Whitehall today. The 'Anti Terrorist Squad' were very nice, once they realised we were not part of the radical 'Bring Back Charles Clarke Campaign', and were in fact supporting Medical Cannabis as part of the 'Global Cannabis Action Day'. We were shocked how rusty the Cabinet Office sign has been allowed to get.

Today is the begining of 'global cannabis action' month and there are events in 200 cities world wide.

How safe is cannabis? How dangerous is cannabis prohibition?

schmoo says: I have given up using cannabis, but I still support the end of cannabis prohibition worldwide and in Britain - for health reasons. The government says cannabis prohibition should continue because it is a dangerous drug, and the law should protect people's health. Certainly for some people cannabis does have it's dangers, and they should not use it. But prohibition is much more dangerous than cannabis, as we know from the days of Al Capone. That is why cannabis should be legalised now - to protect people's health.

Above: Medical cannabis campaigners visited the the 'Home Office' in London today as part of the Global Cannabis Action, but there was no one in, as sadly the previous occupier, Charles Clarke, has been evicted.

'News of the Weed' says: Charles Clarke was one of the best Home Secreteries ever. This is not a difficult accomplishment, after people like Michael Howard, but we will miss him.

• As part of the Global Action there will be a MEDICAL CANNABIS DEMONSTRATION, @ PARLIAMENT SQUARE & 10 DOWNING STREET, WEDS MAY 24th 2006 (10am-5pm).

More information on cannabis and medical cannabis @ www.cannabistrust.com

cannabis goes to coventry: global marijuana music awards 2006

2006-05-05T00:52:00.000Z

There may not be a cannabis festival this year, but the closest thing will be at the UK Hemp Expo 29 & 30 July at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry.

As part of the 'Global Marijuana Muic Awards'which will be happening at the Hemp Expo, there will be live performances from Los Guys, Jules Levy, Tony England & the Coffeeshop Band from the UK, Assi Rose from India and Ruffstar Family from Holland. Paul Bullock, Pot Poet from Texas will be MC, assisted by the Hot Pot Pixie also from the US. For more info check out marijuanamusicawards.com"

2006 GMMA ALMOST FINAL TALLY

The Almost Final Tally for the 2006 Global Marijuana Music Awards is a
whopping 223 entries from 7 countries! Marijuana musicians entered from the US, UK, Australia, Holland, India, Austria & Germany. Music styles range from Punk Rock to Texas Country Music, from Chicago Gangster Rap to Calypso from India, all with one thing in common - they're all about Marijuana!

Meanwhile there are still 3 weeks left to enter: entry details at: www.marijuanamusicawards.com

parliament square medical cannabis protest: why we filled in the form

2006-04-30T17:18:00.000Z

Above: Pills or Herb: the right to choose your own medicine.

MEDICAL CANNABIS DEMONSTRATION, PARLIAMENT SQUARE & 10 DOWNING STREET, WEDS MAY 24th 2006 (10am-5pm).

In many countries all demonstrations are either illegal or subject to police attack even if they are supposedly within the law. Many overseas readers will therefore be amazed to know that until recently in Britain it was not necessary to ask permission from the police to demonstrate outside the Houses of Parliament (Parliament Square) in London.

But now a new law requires advance permission to demonstrate in front of the 'Mother of Parliaments' - although the law also obliges the police to agree to any reasonable request. All that is required is the filling in of a simple form. Demonstrations elsewhere still do not require permission.

Some people have been campaigning against this new law by defying it and holding demonstrations without permission. However over 150 other demonstrations have been held legally outside the Parliament building since the new law was passed, by organisers filling in the form.

Given the importance of the medical cannabis issue, and our policy of trying to work with the authorities when organising public events to change the law on cannabis, we decided to also go the legal route in organising this demonstration. The event is therefore legal, although we are promoting the use of an illegal herb as a medicine - cannabis. We have also organised a 'legal' room - inside the Parliament Building!

As part of publicising the Medical Cannabis Demo in Parliament Square (May 24th) we put up a notice on Indymedia, which says it offers "grassroots, non-corporate, non-commercial coverage of important social and political issues."

The only responce our message had was from an obvious 'fundamentalist' to ask if we had asked permission for the Parliament Sq Demo, implying we were 'sell outs' if we had:

Will you be seeking police permission for the demo? Or will you be exercising your rights, regardless of the oppressive SOCPA law?

This was our answer which we hope was ok (comments welcome):

Yes, we have asked for permission - because this event is about medical repression, not the politics of form filling. Filling in a form was not nearly as repressive as being denied medicine which could give you relief when you are suffering a serious illness and in pain.

Imagine being ill - and then being raided by the police, having the only medicine you have that works taken from you, and being thrown in jail. That is real repression, and it is happening to people all over the world, including Britian. Repression is what this protest event is about - globalised medical repression. We are trying to stop repression in support of multi national drug companies who are selling a slow, complicated and profitable death; when a simple herb can bring relief.

Sorry if it upsets you, but we leave the politics of form filling to others, who obviously have more time - and more freedom - on their hands. We are fighting for our lives and our health, and the lifes and health of our friends and relations, and the lives and health of millions of people world wide.

Please join us - don't slag us off for filling in a form!

• This event is part of the Global Marijuana March 2006.

cannabis action: global marijuana march sat 6th may 2006

2006-04-30T03:07:00.000Z

Above: Howard Marks supporting the Global Marijuana March Sat May 6th 2006: so far events are planning in 196 cities.

doors of perception: mexico decriminalises marijuana and other drugs

2006-04-30T00:05:00.000Z

Above: Marijuana Demo, Mexico. More action in Mexico City as part of the global marijuana march, Sat May 6th 2006.

Mexico's Congress has approved a law which will bring in 'Class C' decriminalisation for possession of small amounts of cannabis or 'marijuana' ... cocaine and heroin.

And, despite pressure from the US DEA it looks like the Mexican President Vicente Fox, who could block the new law will sign the go ahead for the bill.

The Mexican government is following the footsteps of the British 'Class C' for cannabis policy, which allows police to focus on large-scale trafficking operations rather than minor drug busts.

In Britain 'Class C' is saving the tax payer about £1 billion a year.

The Mexican law also stipulates allowable quantities for an array of other drugs, including LSD, ecstasy and amphetamines. Again their policy is very like the plans suggested by Britain's forward thinking 'New Labour' government which would allow cannabis users to possess surprisingly large amounts of the drug before they would be accused of dealing.

However again the Mexicans go much further than Britain where 'magic mushrooms' have been made a 'Class A' drug along with heroin. Under the new Mexican law it will be ok to possess more than two pounds of peyote, the button-sized hallucinogenic cactus used in some native Indian religious ceremonies.

Mexico's cops, famous for their corruption and bribe taking will have to look elsewhere for extra cash, but the country can expect a massive tourist boom.

Mexico produces some of the best marijuana in the world, the strongest 'magic' mushrooms the natural source of Psilocybe (supposedly sampled there by the Beatles). 'Peyote' is also found in Mexicio - this is the natural source of the psychedelic Mescaline as described in the Doors of Perseption by Aldous Huxley.

cannabis mystery: hash stash found at home of Defence Secretary John Reid

2006-04-29T15:38:00.000Z

IT COULD BE MEDICAL - or from Afganistan, or Iraq ...or Wales

Police have found cannabis with an estimated street value of 85pence at the home of John Reid, the British Minister of Defence, a well known war campaigner and activist.

Reid, has been a frequent traveller to the middle east, including Iraq, and the Lebanon where much of the world's best quality cannabis is produced.

He is also an associate of British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who's father in law is a famous actor, and self confessed six spliffs a day, cannabis smoker.

Police discovered the drug stash while Reid, who comes from Scotland, a center for drug abuse, was on a secret trip to Afganistan, famous for producing the best quality heroin in the world. He is known to have associated with several Afgani 'war lords' who are involved in the heroin trade.

Well known at labour parties as a 'pusher', insiders say Reid may have got 'hooked' on drugs while working as the Minister of Health with responsibility for the national (NHS) drugs cupboard.

However there is a theory that the drugs stash could be part of a consignment sent to Reid by cannabis campaigner Jeffrey Ditchfield, 45, in November of last year.

Police are investigating, but due to a change in the law brought in by a known accomplice of Reid's, (THC hero David Blunkett), possession of cannabis, is now only a 'Class C' offence, (along with the 'crustie' drug 'Ketamine', and mothers little helper 'Valium'). Because of this Reid has not been arrested and thrown in jail over the Bank Holiday Weed End.

Also his squat has not been trashed, his dogs have not been put down, and the weeds in his garden have not been taken away for analysis, as would have been the case a few years ago under the Tory Drug Lords.

As he has no kids they have not been put into care, and he will not be deported back to the impoverished Scottish Block, but the telephone taps by the CIA, MI6, and Charles Clarke's 'Home Office' remain, in case of further offences.

smoking advice: join the 'slave uprising' - rebel & quit!

2006-04-28T21:21:00.000Z

schmoo smoked cannabis (weed/hash) 'off' and mostly 'on' for over 35 years with tobacco, but now he's quit both 'weeds' for nearly four months. He does not plan to smoke tobacco ever again, but he advises daily cannabis smokers to "Quit cannabis - so you can really enjoy it!"

I would recommend the 'no cannabis' experience to anyone who uses it every day. The best bit for me is remembering my dreams, which I hardly ever did when I was smoking spliffs all the time. Dreams are way better than most DVD's - and they are free.

Even if you grow your own, you will save loads of cash quitting weed, some of which I advise spending at a dental hygienist, and on some 'good stuff', like food.

I don't miss my 'friendly local dealer' much at all. I used to pay for his holidays - now I'm going on holiday.

I started off only planning to stop using cannabis for 28 days, but I enjoy being 'high as a kite' for free so much, I've now quit for over 3 months.

I used to wake up at 'high noon' (12am), now I am a 'Farmers Today' regular (5.30am, Radio 4).

I will use weed once in a while in the future, but my chronic abuse of the holy herb is over; I want to really enjoy it!

I also quit tobacco - that evil stuff really is addictive - but the physical withdrawl is only two days. Don't believe the properganda - it is not that difficult to quit the multi national corporation, mind enslaving, zombie weed.

Forget patches - just do it. De-hypnotise yourself.

'News of the Weed' tobacco advice: Join the Slave Uprising - rebel & quit!

• Test yourself for cannabis abuse.

thc at 10: medical cannabis on the menu at Downing Street and Parliament, 24th May

2006-04-27T20:48:00.000Z

MEDICAL CANNABIS LOBBY/DEMONSTRATION @ HOUSE OF PARLIMENT + PARLIAMENT SQUARE & 10 DOWNING ST, 24th May 2006, 10 am - 5pm.

A day of medical cannabis action is CONFIRMED for Weds 24th May 2006 to raise awareness of the issues and injustices facing medical cannabis users, growers and their friends and relatives in the UK.

A Petition will be delivered to Downing St at 1pm by a group which includes a Grandmother who self-medicates by adding cannabis to her food (Cannabis Grandma), an MS sufferer, the founder of a clinic dispensing cannabis-based creams and tinctures, an organic medical cannabis grower and a human-rights lawyer.

An organiser said: "Many thousands of people in Britain are being denied treatment with a effective drug, not because of scientific or medical reasons, but because of bigotry, because the drug is called 'cannabis'. As a consequence it could be you who dies early, or who ends up in a wheel chair unnecessarily, or who suffers pain that can't be treated by other drugs without terrible side effects. Or it could be your Mum or Dad, a child or your grandparents. That is why legalising medical cannabis now is a family issue. Meanwhile the only people who benefit from the continued prohibition of medical cannabis are the companies who supply drugs that don't work as well as cannabis - and funeral directors."

There will be a Press Conference, and Lobby of MP's 3pm - 4pm inside the 'House of Commons', Committee Room 18, Palace of Westminster (entrance St Stevens Gate), and a all day demonstration outside at Parliament Square from 10am to 5pm.

Organised by members of the 'Cannabis Trust' - bookmark 'News of the Weed' for more information & regular up dates.

Respect Cannabis - The Law Doesn't
The Right To Choose Your Own Medicine

highway caution: secret drug testing of disabled drivers for cannabis

2006-04-27T20:38:00.000Z

HOW TONY LOST HIS LICENCE

Tony recently phoned the Cannabis Legal Support Service helpline and explained how he lost his driving licence. Tony who is disabled, has to have annual health checks ordered by the DVLA to continue driving. The doctor who carried out the check last year assured Tony that the DVLA was not looking for cannabis. This turned out not to be correct. The DVLA informed him that since in his medical he had shown a positive test for cannabis, his licence would be withdrawn for a year. As a result, Tony who has a clean driving licence, has had no other accidents and lives in an isolated part of the country, has been unable to drive for a year. Tony is anxious to warn people that anyone who has a medical test ordered by the driving licence authority, and which proves positive for cannabis, is liable to have their licence removed regardless of the circumstance. And there appears to be no procedure for appeal against this.

Cannabis Legal Support Service helpline : Tel:01508 480528

Advisory Council says ‘Leave it in Class C’

2006-04-27T20:31:00.000Z

report by Steve Barker

It was back in March 2002 when the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs published their report which recommended that cannbabis was moved to class C.

In March 2005 Home Secretary Clarke asked the Advisory Council to reconsider their recommendation in the light of recent research into the relationship between cannabis use and mental illness. This report, entitled ‘Further Consideration of the Classification of Cannabis under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 was published last December and concluded that cannabis should stay in class C; but that a publicity campaign should be run to advise people of possible dangers of cannabis use.

Initially there were rumours that the Home Secretary, with the backing of the Prime Minister was planning to override the ACMD and have cannabis returned to class B regardless. However, the word ‘misuse’ in the title of the Misuse of Drugs Act is a value judgement and it is the task of the Advisory Council to make the judgement as to what ‘misuse’ constitutes. Their role in this is clearly spelled out in the text of the Misuse of Drugs Act itself.

Rumours then spread that if the HS over ruled their recommendation the Advisory Council would resign en bloc. The government would then have had to introduce a completely new Act to control drug classification, and considering that the original vote on moving cannabis to class C was carried both in the Commons and the Lords with a two to one majority, any vote to return it to Class B without the backing of the Advisory Council, would most likely be lost.

The 30 page report started by reaffirming the original report in saying that there are health dangers in smoking cannabis as there are in smoking tobacco. Cannabis intoxication can effect sustained attention and motor activities, and acute cannabis intoxication can lead to a sense of confusion, panic attacks and even paranoia. In a small number of cases, users may need hospitalisation and anti-psychotic medication for a few days. The number of patients admitted to hospital with a diagnosis of acute cannabis intoxication has remained stable in England at under 150 a year for the last five years.

On the issue of dependence , the Council’s enquiry found that if cannabis dependent users stop using they may suffer decreased appetite, lethargy, irritability, insomnia and mood changes. Reinstating the cannabis use terminates these symptoms. In other words, the ACMD is conceding that withdrawing cannabis use from these users reduces the quality of their life.

Schizophrenia Psychosis and other drugs

The onset of schizophrenia usually occurs in the late teens or early twenties, the age at which cannabis use is most prevalent, and association, though not necessarily a causal one, is therefore inevitable. The current evidence suggests that at worst, the use of cannabis increases the lifetime risk of developing schizophrenia by 1%. There may also be an inherited factor here based on the catechol-omethyl transferwase gene.

The report goes on to state that although perhaps 20% of the population experience psychotic symptoms at some time in their lives, The association between the amount and frequency of cannabis use and the development of psychosis is very weak. As is the evidence that use at a young age can trigger psychosis in later life; although cannabis use at a young age is to be discouraged. Recent data does not find a causal association between cannabis use and the development of depression or bipolar disorder; even those studies with positive findings only show small effects. Studies have not necessarily sought information about users’ consumption of other drugs such as amphetamines, which commonly lead to agression, psychosis, schizonphreniform illness and dependence.

The effect of this report now seems to ensure that future governments will recognise that cannabis consumption is an established social activity that needs to be regulated rather than suppressed.

A link to the report is available in PDF format on the front page of the Home Office website [www.drugs.gov.uk]

LCA Party Conference Report

2006-04-27T20:23:00.000Z

report by Steve Barker

This was the 7th Legalise Cannabis Party conference. It seems amazing to consider what has been achieved in the last seven years. It was on the University of East Anglia campus as the last six have been, in a down stairs hall in a block called the Congregation Hall.

This was a much more attractive and relaxing space than the lecture theatres which we have been allocated before; more space to move about, and with tea, coffee and refreshments in the hall rather than elsewhere .

Speakers included Chris Baldwin, Don Barnard, Rocky van de Benderskum, Alun Buffry, Tom Corser, Andria Efthimiou, Chris Jackman, Winston Matthews, Steve Pank, 'Granny' Pat Tabram and Derek Williams. Farooque Ahmed was MC.

The L C A Party Political Broadcast which appeared on ITV and BBC in Wales a week before the 2005 general election, was shown, and received rapturous applause. There were about 100 people there and among those who attended were was the founder of Release, Caroline Coon. The conference concluded with an auction of varied items and cannabis memorabilia.

In the early evening we were entertained by a quality performance from the Coffeeshop Band from Worthing fronted by hard man campaigner Winstone - performing unforgettable anthems about the toker's life and the woes of prohibition . Standup comic James McLeavey gave all a hearty chuckle with his one-man comedy show, and Vincent won the gruelling quiz beating 13 contestants including last year's winner! The speeches are up on the UKCIA website in the library.

Steve Barker

2006-03-30T00:45:00.000Z

'News of the Weed' is back after an extended 'holiday'.

Above: 'global marijuana march 2006' poster, shipping worldwide now from www.cures-not-wars.org

DESPITE every effort by DEA/MI5/Green Party/Nazi/ and so called 'Anarchist' infiltrators, plus social workers, corrupt schizophrenic psychiatrists, double agents, double crossers and informers, not to mention cocaine/ heroin dealers in London, New York and Kabul, plus CIA agents, internet censors in China, and the President of the United States (even though he's a toker), the 'Global Marijuana March' goes ahead this year with 189 cities confirmed (so far) as planning some kind of 'Fuck the Fucking Stupid Fucking 'Prohibition' Fucking Laws, I may Fucking want to Fucking Get Fucking High on Fucking Weed, FUCK You if you don't Fucking Like It' event. (If you don't like the slogan, don't blame the organisers, blame 'fucking' schmoo). Watch this space, plus get in the loop at : www.cures-not-wars.org and Cannabis Culture and www.globalmarijuanamarch.com

• Also check out 'schmoo on the run' our 'brother and sister' news/info/satire 'shock' blog

cannabis forcast 2006: heavy snow, but tiny lights seen at end of tunnel

2005-12-23T23:16:00.000Z

sativex: inquest could wipe out GW Pharmaceuticals cannabis cure in death scare

2005-12-12T22:49:00.000Z

AN INQUEST into the death of a 70 year old woman who took Sativex in clinical trials started today in Sheffield, UK, reports The Guardian:

"Questions will today be raised about the safety of pain relief medicines based on cannabis, as an inquest opens into the death of a 70-year-old woman who took part in drug trials."

"The spotlight on Sativex, the first ever cannabis-derived medication, comes amid rising concern in the medical world over the impact of the government's reclassification of the raw drug."

The Guardian, ominously continues:

"Today's inquest at the medico-legal centre in Sheffield will hear that Rene Anderson, who had diabetes, joined the trials of Sativex at the Royal Hallamshire hospital. Doctors thought the experimental drug might alleviate the nerve pains she had in her hands and feet. Shortly after starting the drug she developed psychosis and went to hospital. The psychosis was not controlled and after 10 weeks in hospital she develop.ed physical problems, including pneumonia and kidney failure. She died on March 3."

"This inquest will explore how and why Mrs Anderson died. It will examine the drug trial, [her] psychiatric illness and physical deterioration that ultimately led to her death," said Richard Starkie, of the solicitors Irwin Mitchell. "If it is found Sativex did play a part in her illness or death, it would clearly raise very important questions [on] the safety of the drug."

If the inquest proves that Mrs Anderson was killed by Sativex, which is made from THC extracted from cannabis plants, this would be the first cannabis death ever recorded.

Of course it could be the other ingredients that effected the unfortunate woman, or something unrelated.

Share holders in GW Pharmaceuticals should not panic, yet. Pharmaceutical drugs kill 100,000's of thousands every year with no dent in profits it seems.

However, access on the NHS to a cannabis based drug like Sativex, which does work, and has minimal side effects for most people, will certainly hurt the profits of some of the biggest pharmaceutical companies in the world.

They won't mind at all if GW Pharmaceuticals is wiped out.

• The rate of deaths caused by prescription drugs climbs roughly 25 percent at the beginning of each month. Mrs Anderson died on 3rd March.

UPDATE: SATIVEX INQUEST RESULT

Cannabis Never Killed Anyone - Untill They Tried to Make it Safe

The inquest in Sheffield found that Sativex played "a significant role" in Mrs Anderson's mental ill health, which ultimately led to the Frecheville pensioner's death five months later in March 2004.

Coroner Chris Dorries said: "On the balance of probabilities, I find that the initial drug reaction must have been a significant contributory factor in at least the initiation of the illness which continued."

The coroner ordered that a transcript of his findings be sent to the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regul-atory Authority, a government agency responsible for ensuring that all medicines are acceptably safe.

He recorded a narrative verdict, finding that she died from kidney failure due to Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome "following resolving pneumonia due to immobility arising from toxic brain syndrome".

News of the Weed adds: What the Coroner did not mention or take into account was that Sativex not only contains an extract of cannabis but also a significant amount of alcohol - and Mrs Anderson was a diabetic! It is well known that diabetics are very sensitive to alcohol. If Mrs Anderson had been given the correct dose of a non alcoholic version of Sativex as used by the Cannabis Grandma, or THC4MS (cannabis chocolate) she would have been ok.

This is why campaigners are calling for 'Cannabis Clinics' - run by people who know what they are doing.

Ironically there is no record of anyone ever dying from cannabis - untill a drug company tried to 'make it safe'.

woody harrelson: "The cops could nail me"

2005-12-12T20:00:00.000Z

WOODY HARRELSON, hemp campaigner and famous Hollywood weed toker was asked in an interview in todays London Evening Standard if he still smoked weed.

He answered without a wiff of paranoia:

"Sure. If the cops [in London] want to nail me they just have to find me on a Saturday night."

"If you're banning something because it's harmful, then freaking outlaw McDonald's."

A long time cannabis campaigner, his latest latest venture involves forming an environmental "cartel" to oppose the petrochemical giants; check out his campaignng website: www.voiceyourself.com.

Woody may not be worried about being 'nailed' by the cops, but we hope the oil and pharmaceutical companies don't get him instead, presumably he is 'sorted', so he won't get picked up in the ongoing Brixton police cull of 'skunk tourists' trying to buy weed in the area.

Currently living in Islington, North London, Woody told the Evening Standard:

"This is a cool town."

But London won't be nearly as cool if Tony Blair makes cannabis 'Class B' again; Woody will have to move to Amsterdam.

• Woody Harrelson is currently performing at the Lyric Theatre, London.

london oil explosion: inhaling toxic cloud worse than cannabis?

2005-12-12T17:06:00.000Z

Hemel Hempstead - use hemp instead ...

mental health: concern for blair as plot to make cannabis 'Class B' again is revealed by the independent on sunday

2005-12-11T08:19:00.000Z

TONY BLAIR has an deep seated, unresolved desire, to make cannabis 'Class B' again according to the the latest revelations about the mental health of the British Prime Minister in todays 'Independent On Sunday' which reports:

"Tony Blair is planning a controversial U-turn on cannabis laws and the reintroduction of tough penalties after an official government review found a definitive link between use of the drug and mental illness."

"The Independent on Sunday can reveal that the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) has detailed evidence showing cannabis triggers psychosis in regular users. The findings are expected be used by Mr Blair to overturn the decision made two years ago to downgrade the drug. The reports makes it "an open door" for ministers to change the law, according to one official."

According to the Independent On Sunday, Tony Blair's greatest fear is the police, who will hate his plans, and him for bringing them up, after all their help and advice:

"Obstacles to a U-turn remain, however, particularly the attitude of the police. Ministers must overcome police fears that it will reduce their ability to focus on class A drugs such as heroin."

"Most senior officers supported the original decision to downgrade because it helped them to focus on class A drugs".

The police may try to track Blair down, to stop him spending an extra billion pounds a year of tax payer's cash on about 100,000 prosecutions for cannabis possession every year (average cost; £10,000 per prosecution)."

Meanwhile the news will shock millions of Britains, who regularly enjoy cannabis more than any other nation in Europe.

According to the Prime Minister they could be suffering from mental illness, despite the fact that a lot of them voted for him.

Doctors have been asked to be prepared for a flood of cannabis using patients on Monday morning fearing they may be mad, or are going mad, because they have used cannabis - or because they voted 'New Labour' in the last election.

The emergency services are also preparing for large numbers of patients who will be suffering from parinoia brought on by the news, plus depression and 'emotional outbursts' due to unresolved relationship issues with their prime minister.

Reading the British Journal of Psychiatry may be the cause of Blair's cannabis parinoia according to the Independent On Sunday:

"A Danish study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry found that almost half of patients treated for a cannabis-related mental disorder went on to develop a schizophrenic illness. People who had used the drug developed schizophrenia earlier than those with the illness who had not smoked marijuana".

"In light of these new warnings, Mr Clarke asked the ACMD in March this year to review the classification of cannabis."

However, 'News of the Weed' can reveal that the Danish study failed to make a link between cannabis and the development of schizophrenia. The British Journal of Psychiatry press release says very clearly:

"Whether cannabis caused the development of schizophrenia could not be determined in this study, as it was not possible to control for other factors such as hereditary predisposition, other drug use and socio-economic status."

According to the British Journal of Psychiatry this is how the experiment which could effect British government policy on cannabis was done:

Information on patients treated for cannabis-induced psychotic symptoms between 1994 and 1999 was obtained from the Danish Psychiatric Central Register. Those previously treated for any psychotic symptoms were excluded from the study.

The remaining 535 patients were followed for at least three years. In a separate analysis, the sample was compared with 2721 people referred for schizophrenia-spectrum disorders for the first time, but who had no history of cannabis-induced psychosis.

It was found that 44.5% of those with cannabis-induced psychotic symptoms were later diagnosed with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders. This proportion increased with length of follow-up.

'News of the Weed' should not have to reveal to any normal, balanced and sensible person that this procedure is so full of holes, you could make a religion out of it.

Just as sightings of the 'Virgin Mary' and 'Elvis' come in waves, so it seems do studies linking cannabis to "schizophrenia-spectrum disorders."

In March this year, Dr van Os, a psychiatrist at the University of Maastricht, Holland, hit world headlines with his 'discovery' that marijuana is responsible for up to 13 per cent of schizophrenia cases in the Netherlands. What the headlines did not report was Dr van Os had based his whole study on yet another utterly discredited study done on teenagers in New Zealand.

'Normal' New Zealand reports in a damming expose:

"The study of 759 people born in Dunedin in 1972-3, reported in New Scientist magazine, claimed to have found a 10 percent higher chance of suffering the symptoms of schizophrenia among those who had smoked cannabis three or more times by the age of fifteen, compared to those who had not".

"However only 29 of the sample of 759 had used cannabis three times or more by the age of fifteen, and just three went on to suffer schizophrenic symptoms".

Then on Sep 18th the Sunday Times prominently carried a story headlined “Mental Health Problems Soar Among Children Using Cannabis.”

'Addaction', a leading UK drug and alcohol treatment charity whose research data the Sunday Times had twisted into the shape of Rupert Murdock on XXXX, immediately issued a statement saying the story was "entirely misleading."

Rosie Brocklehurst, Director of Communications at Addaction said:

“This report on Page 7 of the paper was a distortion and factually wrong. We have therefore written a letter of complaint to the Sunday Times asking for clarification as to how this story came to appear in the form in which it was published, and to ensure that the truth is given in a correction of the original story.

"We suspect the story was influenced by the 'Sunday Times' wish to write a piece before the imminent deliberations by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs."

Tony Blair, obviously mentally exausted after his recent holiday with Cliff Richard, plus the mental lobby group 'SANE' (very American/DEA) who have been trying to campaign in Britain for cannabis to be 'Class B', should study this report from the Independent On Sunday, 16 Oct:

'High-dose cannabis stimulates growth of brain cells in rats'

"CANNABIS, the third most popular recreational drug after alcohol and tobacco, yesterday won an unlikely accolade from scientists who said that it could boost brain power."

"Experiments on rats given a potent cannabinoid have shown the drug stimulates the growth of new brain cells. Canadian researchers found that the drug caused neurons to regenerate in the hippocampus, an area that controls mood and emotions, after one month of treatment."

They say a week is a long time in politics, so maybe a month's treatment will not be fast enough for our troubled PM, who could be discharged from his current institution at any moment.

• Test Your Self For Cannabis Abuse is a quick, free, easy, D.I.Y. test, by the 'Cannabis Education & Research Trust', estimated value: £275 an hour on Harley Street.

brixton 'cannabis clamp-down': it is a government 'S Bend', not a 'U Turn'

2005-12-09T19:40:00.000Z

" On the 12th Day of December, the good lord said to me - you're busted'

THIRTY to forty 'skunk' street dealers in Brixton could be made redundant for Christmas, or forced to travel miles to be able to work, some as far as 'front lines' outside the 'Hilton Hotel' in Mayfair, on the Kings Road in Chelsea, or in Pimlico, Golders Green, Hampstead, or even Hendon.

This is all thanks to 'Operation No Deal' which is due to start in the Brixton area on 12th December.

In 'Operation No Deal', Brixton police have issued a public warning that for a three month 'trial' period, they are going to arrest anyone found in possession of cannabis on the streets of Brixton, however small the quantity. They have been seen handing out leaflets outside Brixton Tube Station with the warning, yards from the dealers themselves, who did not complain, despite the threat to their trade.

Brixton Police say the aim is to stop the trade by unlicenced cannabis street dealers, who annoyingly whistle, or say 'skunk' to passers by.

Above: Checkpoint Cannabis, Brixton. (photo: will rogers)

Part of the police 'not-at-all-softly' strategy is to target 'skunk tourists' who come to Brixton to buy the herb, but local restaurants catering for the spin off 'munchie' trade could also be hit.

Above: Cops, Cash, Cannabis = Chaos; booty from the 'Green Leaf Cafe' bust which closed down a popular but discreet, off the street, cannabis supply service near Brixton in 2004. The owner, Errol Anderson, is now serving six and a half years, his wife, Audriana Witter, got two and a half years. The raid came shortly after the popular Brixton police chief Inspector Paddick was removed from his post. City analysists say the bust gave up to a 66.6% boost to the local street market, which was also boosted by a publicity campaign in the 'Evening Standard' and the 'Daily Mail.'

The whole problem is caused by the governments stubborn refusal to give licences to any form of enterprise involving the sale of cannabis, despite a massive ongoing 'civil disobedience campaign' by over three million uk cannabis users who want a 'New Deal for Cannabis', not a 'No Deal', or a 'Bad Deal' which is mostly what they get.

The police say their 'No Deal' is for foreign 'skunk tourists' and is responding to nationalistic local demands to end the unlicensed, 'in your face' cannabis street trade which mainly caters to 'outsiders'.

Above: Stop & Search Brixton. During the 'experiment' more people were stoped than ever before. (photo: will rogers)

Flying in the face of the governments 'Right To Work' policy, the police say they will be making as many of the dealers 'unemployed' as possible, in what they mysteriously call an 'intelligence led' clamp down, involving a massive 'publicity sweep operation' through the British media.

Critics complain that Government 'restart' employment grants to help the redundant street traders start up cannabis coffee shops, or 'private' licenced premises, will not be given. They say this will only cause the street dealing problem to continue and/or go elsewhere, rather than stop.

Local cannabis users fear it will not only be 'foreigners' or 'outsiders' trying to score who could end up being arrested for possession this Christmas; it could be them!

Above: A border patrol checks for 'illegals' at Brixton 'front-line'; tourism will be hit. (photo: will rogers)

A 'Brixton Citizens ID Card' could be next if the 'Pass Port to Pimlico' mood in the area continues.

However, the police anti-dealer operation has wide spread support in the local community, where there were huge anti-police riots in the 1980's, similar to those recently in France.

Above: "You're busted" Brixton; young, black & weed toking. Green arrow marks possible bag of 'organic' missed by police. (photo: will rogers)

The '80s Brixton/UK riots were mainly due to the stop and search 'suss law', that allowed police to harrass anyone they did not like the look of, which at the time was almost everyone in Briton, especially young, black and weed toking.

There seems little chance of similar riots now in Brixton, although the new 'No Deal' strategy certainly improves the odds.

Even the trendy leftie Brixton based 'Urban 75.com' forum, famously frequented by the 'Anarchist Police Man' Inspector Paddick, who brought in the 'Brixton Experiment' which pioneered the 'confiscate-don't-arrest' 'Class C' for cannabis policy, is full of praise for the police:

"I doubt you'd find many people in Brixton who aren't mightily fed up with all the open drug-dealing. If it were put to a referrendum, I expect you'd get a huge majority saying they want it stopped. Having people hanging about mumbling "skunkskunkskunk" (or not even mumbling it sometimes - almost shouting in fact) makes a horrible atmosphere".

".... and the whistling, don't forget that.. gets right on my wick that does, been very close to saying I AM NOT A SHEEPDOG! several times".

"... aye, and the bloke who bellows about the bible, and geezer with the staff who rants about the white man, and the old chap with the ghetto blaster and the lady with the comb and the various groups of christians and the lefty paper sellers and him with the joss sticks and the tube touts and the white rasta with the flyers and the grubby junkies and the counterfeit DVD sellers and them ones with the knockoff fags and the women with the clattering high heels and the blokes that walk too slowly and as for the kids on push-bikes on the pavement, don't get me started. Sweep them all away, they make the place too untidy".

Above: Cannabis Festival, Brockwell Park Brixton, June 16th 2001.

It was problems with 'in your face' dealers offering weed and 'Class A' drugs to Lambeth Council officials at the 2004 Cannabis Festival, held in Brockwell Park, Brixton, that led to it not being given a licence by Lambeth Council in 2005, after five trouble free years. A 'Cannabis Education March' march to Trafalgar Square, central London, was organised instead.

But, as someone also said on Urban75.com:

"Repression will not diminish demand. Where there is demand there will be supply. The only way to long term get rid of the street dealers is to license and regulate legal outlets - cafes, chemists, whatever".

In fact, Brixton residents can look forward to the same 'No Deal' from the police as 'successfully' carried out in Camden, another London 'skunk pot spot', where the weed dealers have taken to stealing each others stashes, and having pitched battles on residential side streets, having been largely moved off 'the bridge' on Camden High Street.

Residents who have been 'shooting' the dealers with high powered water pistols have been warned they could be arrested by the police for assault.

Recently 'News of the Weed' heard of a case in Camden where two men caught muttering 'gear' to strangers on the street in Camden, were released with no charge by the police after the small plastic bags they had filled with 'herb' were found to contain a non-tobacco herbal mix, but no cannabis.

Once again there is no justice, and 'No Deal' for the hapless cannabis consumer - if the men had been selling fake DVD's they would have been charged for selling forgeries, but because it was 'only' fake cannabis they were released. The law obviously does not care about cannabis enjoying citizens being robbed by thieves.

We have also heard that a man has been given an 'ASBO' for talking to known weed dealers in Camden, which seems a bit excessive; he could have been saying "No thanks, I grow my own."

Meanwhile the majority of cannabis users in Britain will continue to purchase their herb of choice as usual - not from a street trader, but from a friend, relative or work collegue, connected to the massive underground 'cannabis railroad' distribution network. They will be providing the 'Next Deal'.

• Final Deal: A 'skunk' street trader was shot recently in Brixton - apparently because he was part of a group of ethical cannabis traders who refused to sell 'crack'.

tory leadership election: 'cannabis candidate' wins; Mr Cameron-Blair could legalise cannabis in five year plan

2005-12-07T16:11:00.000Z

Pictured above: Mr Cameron-Blair caught 'shape-shifting' on British television last night.

The 'cannabis candidate', who has said he wants "a thousand flowers to bloom" and has promised he will renegotiate the 'UN Single Convention on Drugs' to legalise cannabis, won the 'New Tory' leadership election yesterday ... breaking story - more to come ......

Right: Mr Cameron-Blair, new leader of the 'New Tory' party.

Cannabis Grandma applauded by delegates at government drugs conference

2005-12-02T14:55:00.000Z

The Cannabis Grandma received the only real applause of the day at the government sponsored 'Tackling Drugs, Changing Lives' conference held in London (Nov 30th) when she questioned Home Office Minister, Caroline Flint in front of hundreds of drug workers, senior policemen and government officials. She said:

"Since 1975 I have suffered from 14 side effect health problems from prescription medication - and am afraid to ever use it again. I medicate with fresh cannabis bud in my food. How can I, and millions of other people in my position, obtain and use fresh cannabis without the fear of prosecution?"

At this the audience burst into spontaneous applause!

The canny grandma left the minister, who was obviously not briefed on Sativex or medical cannabis, struggling and unable to answer the question, but the Newcastle pensioner, 67, would not let her get away with it.

As the Minister tried to escape by fielding a question from someone else, the Cannabis Grandma refused to sit down.

Then TV presenter Jon Snow who was chairing the debate noticed her; "You are not very happy with that answer are you? he said.

"No" said Cannabis Grandma "We are afraid to take anything made from pharmacological substances".

Realizing that the Minister knew nothing about the subject in question, Jon Snow pointed to Home Office drugs policy 'Mr Big' VIC HOGG sitting in the audience. He said "Ask Vic" (who is boss of 'Frank'), and suggested that the Cannabis Grandma should send her question to him.

It is a very important question and a lot of people are very excited about it" said Jon Snow, who has supported drug rehabilitation projects for many years.

"Hey Presto, there you are" he said as the Grandma finally sat down, mollified but not satisfied, and determined to track Vic down where ever he was.

Afterwards 'News of the Weed' found Vic Hogg (right) drinking Methodist mulled wine in the 'chill zone' at the conference after party. He is actually a very cool geezer, who supports 'Harm Reduction' and 'User Engagement' and knows the truth about drugs policy; "It's all politics' he once explained to a frustrated, foot stamping drugs reform campaigner.

'News of the Weed' will be the first to reveal his written responce to Cannabis Grandma's question.

Meanwhile Caroline Flint (above), who helped make 'magic mushrooms' illegal, yet bears a striking similarity to the marijuana dealing star of the 'WEED' soap opera on SKY TV (below), looked like she could do with a dose of Sativex - or maybe she would prefer grannies 'organic' hot chocolate?

'carry on cannabis prohibition' farce to continue says Charles Clarke

2005-12-01T23:58:00.000Z

HOME SECRETARY Charles Clarke has promised that the early 1970's comedy farce 'Carry On Cannabis Prohibition' is set to continue running on the BBC and other news channels at government expense, with back up articles and features in the newspapers, plus radio broadcasts, mobile phone downloads, internet 'fansites', 'podcasts', free DVD's and a spin off to be called 'Carry On Frankly."

This is despite the massive cost to tax payers, and the fact that almost no one in the country can be found who finds the tacky production either funny, or danceable, unlike the popular original 'Carry On Regardless' starring Sid James.

Clarke's shock announcement came in a speech to a government sponsored 'drugs convention', called "Tackling Drugs, Changing Lives', chaired by Jon Snow of Channel 4 News, held on Wednesday (Nov 30th) at a venue opposite the Houses of Parliament, which is owned by the abstensionist Methodist Church.

In his speech the Home Secretary also said "We must do all within our power to reduce the use of drugs, and reduce the harm they cause".

However, 'News of the Weed' can reveal that at the request of the Home Office, run by Charles Clarke, the tee total Methodists were asked to break with their strict traditions and serve alcoholic 'hot mulled wine' at the drugs conference, whose delegates included members of recovering alcoholic support projects, and 'Class A' drug 'user groups'.

The 'straight-edge' mystic methodists finally agreed to serve the mulled Home Office "devil's water", but only on one condition; each person could drink just one glass. This alcohol 'harm reduction' policy collapsed within minutes of the bar opening, proving once again that prohibition of any kind, even liberal and 'Class C' in nature, just does not work.

After his speech, which came with an amazing psycadelic lightshow, Charles Clarke was frankly questioned about his plans to continue forcing 'lifers' (people living in Britain), to watch the 'Carry On Cannabis Prohibition' program (and similar US imports) from morning to night, in what he ominously referred to as 'community prisons', (presumably this is home office jargon for housing estates and residential areas).

"Do we have a Drugs Problem, or a Prohibition Problem" asked DANNY Kuslick of the enlightened 'Transform' drug policy reform organization; "We are not tackling drugs, we are tackling prohibition, at a cost of £20 billion a year."
• Check out Transform's excellent statement on the reclassification of cannabis.

I simply don't agree" said Charles Clarke, "I do not believe consumption would go down if we made drugs legal."

Charles Clarke is worried that if he legalises cannabis, consumption will go up, but he forgets an important fact: most people who try cannabis do not like it! They experiment, often as teenagers, but discover it is not for them.

Anyone who wants to take cannabis in Britain is already doing so, unless their dealer is not answering their mobile. But, according to the governments own figures, consumption is going down.

Currently in Britain about 45% of teenagers try cannabis, but far less adults use it on a regular basis. This is mirrored by the Home Secretaries very own case: he tried cannabis as a teenager, but did not continue, instead preferring to drink, like many members of the House of Commons.

• Whispered to 'News of the Weed' at the conference: "The consumption of alcohol in the bars at the Houses of Parliament has doubled." Hopefully they will not all end up like George Best, who would still be alive if he had only stuck to cannabis like the Hippies, and avoided booze like the Methodists.

'News of the Weed' says:

Charles Clarke is a well meaning politician who also wants his party to win the next election. We want him to have a successful drug policy. Lives, families and whole communities are at stake.

The key to success in drug policy requires having the courage of the convictions he claims. He says he cares about young people, about the victims of crime, and communities of every day working people all over the country.

In that case he must have the pure-and-simple guts required to take the sale and distribution of currently illegal drugs out of the hands of the gangsters who dominate the lives of thousands.

He needs to reverse the chaos caused by Thatcher's biggest 'privatization'; that of the British heroin, cocaine and cannabis transportation and distribution industries, which took off under her leadership, and have boomed ever since.

The only way to do this is by ending prohibition (a charter for crime) through legalization, with regulated distribution via doctors, clinics, therapists and responsible 'user groups'.

In the case of cannabis, there should be licensed clinics for medical supply, and licensed premises for recreational use and supply.

We must do all within our power to reduce the abuse of drugs, and reduce the harm they can cause.

i can't get no sativexion: cannabis 'airlift' to britain in race against pain

2005-11-30T22:10:00.000Z

SATIVEX, which is pure THC extracted from cannabis plants, could be 'airlifted' to Britain, as MS sufferers and others, all over the country, go to their doctors demanding the drug.

Sativex is made by extracting the active ingredients of cannabis from 'skunk' plants, which are grown indoors under a 'Home Office' license, in a 'secret' location (Porton Down), 'somewhere' in Britain. The same effect can be achieved by making a cup of tea using cannabis, but this is illegal under the 'Misuse of Drugs Act'1971.

Thanks to the Misuse of this law (1971-2005), medical cannabis 'compassion club' distribution networks have recently been shut down, or laid under siege in 'New Cromwell' purges against 'organic' users of natural cannabis in Britain, who are being treated like witches were in the Middle Ages.

People who use cannabis for the relief of pain or other symptoms have been cut off from their guaranteed pure quality supplies, or had them interrupted, and some are getting desperate.

Jeff Ditchfield, a leading medical cannabis campaigner, is planning a 'Sativex Airlift' to get the drug as quickly as possible to members of his 'Budbuddies' organisation, based in Wales, who get a legal prescription from their doctor.

He says: "We are going for a freight company, an application for an import license, and a Pharmacy in Canada to fulfill the prescription. Once that is done we will then approach the members Health Authority to see if they will fund it."

The government have recently said that people can get 'Sativex' legally from their doctor as an unlicensed drug, but because it is unlicensed, it is only legal if it is imported from Canada. This is despite the fact that the drug is supplied by a British company, GW Pharmaceuticals based in Porton Down, England.

Doctors also have to make a special application to the Home Office on behalf of each patient, and they have complained that their insurance does not cover them for prescribing unlicensed drugs.

'News of the Weed' has heard of old ladies going to bars just to try and find a friendly underground trader with some real cannabis, often to no avail. Mrs X who can't be named because of her husband's job in the Church of England said:

"It's mostly just what they call 'soap bar' on tap down the pubs, and you can't cook with that, it's not cannabis. I've already asked my doctor for satisvex, but he said he had to write to the Home Office which could take some time. He said no to worry as it might not work as well as the skunk I was getting by mail order from the place he told me about, but they've suddenly stopped sending the parcels."

Last week BudBuddies wrote to all of it's medical members requesting they visit their GP to order Sativex 'on a named patient basis' as announced by the Home Office. One member has already had Sativex prescribed by their GP, but so far she has yet to receive it.

• BudBuddies have just joined the blogosphere with an on the spot 'bud blog'; worth a look for 'news of the weed' from the welsher side of the border.

cannabis grandma: "I don't Want No Satisvexion"

2005-11-30T22:09:00.000Z

PAT TABRAM, the Cannabis Grandma, has told 'News of the Weed' that she does not intend to ask her doctor for Sativex, although she would probally be eligible to use it, and she would not take it even if she was offered it.

"I am not condeming Satisvex, or anyone who uses it, but just as Tony Blair has said he is "terrified of drugs", I am terrified of pharmacological prescription drugs, which have made me very ill".

Currently in London to attend the government sponsored 'Tackling Drugs, Changing Lives' Conference she said: "Sativex has got alcohol in it, and I do not drink because my father was an alcoholic".

She points out that Beta Interferon costs £200 per week per patient, Sativex costs £100 per week per patient, paid by taxpayers in this country.

On the other hand, she says "Cannabis chocolate costs £7.00 per patient, but is free to them, because the cannabis community donates the cannabis and the chocolate, and THC4MS distribute it. Pure cannabis in food is free (if home grown) to £10 a week per patient, paid for by the patient, or their relatives".

"Tell me which one is most beneficial to the patients and the NHS financial problems?" asks the Cannabis Grandma, who makes her own hot 'bud' chocolate, as well as 'traditional' chicken and leek pie with cannabis.

"Since 1975 I have collected fourteen side effect illnesses from prescription medicine, and I am afraid to ever use it again. I now medicate with fresh cannabis bud in my food".

At the Conference she will be asking Home Secretary Charles Clarke and other 'top brass' in the twisting corridors of power this question:

"How can I and millions of other people in my position, obtain and use fresh 'organic' cannabis, without the fear of prosecution".

• Professor Grinspoon, a leading expert on medical cannabis, has said in an interview that Satisvex tastes "horrible".

• The 'Rolling Heads' have announced that they will be releasing a new single. The 'A' side will be called 'I Can't Get No Sativection'. The 'B' side will be called 'I Don't Want No Sativection'.

mystery court summons for THC4MS + how to get satisvex® + safe? just? tolerant?

2005-11-28T14:22:00.000Z

THE THREE THC4MS 'conspirators' being charged with conspiracy to supply cannabis chocolate, have mysteriously been summoned by the trial judge to an unscheduled hearing this Wednesday for an "announcement".

There may of course be no connection, but this happens to be the same day that Home Sec CHARLES CLARKE is also expected to make an "announcement" at a government sponsored 'National Drugs Conference' in central London.

While we wait to see what happens ('News of the Weed' will be at both places at the same time), it is not too late to gain immortality by signing the THC4MS petition now if you want to give some support - it does not take long. Often it is the little things that count.

A little background: Over a five year period, THC4MS have sent over 33,000 bars of CannaBiz chocolate to bode-fide sufferers of MS. Everyone knew what THC4MS were doing. Everyone including the Police, Local Government, the Post Office and the MS community as a whole. A blind eye was turned at every opportunity. That blind eye was turned because THC4MS were doing nothing but good. Hundreds of well qualified doctors have allegedly "conspired" with THC4MS to help their patients. Thousands of good and honest victims of MS have had relief from the THC4MS product. Now they are being dragged through the courts and face serious penalties. Their full trial (if charges are not dropped as they should be) is scheduled to start at 10-am on the 1st February, 2006, at Carlisle Crown Court, Earl St, Carlisle, Cumbria. (Photo above right: the THC4MS organic chocolate fountain @ recent Hemp Expo, London)

HOW TO GET SATIVEX®: if you, or some you know wants to get Sativex®, the Home Office has issued the following guide:

Your GP will need to apply to the Home Office to prescribe Sativex® to you (address below). Your GP will need to provide the following information:

a) your personal details - full name, address, age, gender.
b) a brief indication of the clinical need.
c) the dosage total amount required (the manufacturer, GW Pharmaceuticals can help with this information; tel. (01980 557026), or email enquiries@gwpharm.com).

GPs should forward this information to: Mike Evans. Home Office, Drugs Branch, 6th Floor, Peel Building, 2 Marsham Street, London. SW1P 4DF.

'News of the Weed' says: It all sounds more or less acceptable as an emergency stop gap measure, but while we wait (since 1971), and while good people like THC4MS and the Cannabis Grandma continue to get harassed, the jury is still out on New Labour's current medical cannabis policy, which is neither safe, just, or tolerant.

medical cannabis: House of Lords reject 'medical necessity' defence appeal petition

2005-11-21T23:40:00.000Z

MEDICAL CANNABIS users and suppliers who are prosecuted under the cannabis prohibition laws (1971 Misuse of Drugs Act), have been effectively banned from using the best legal defence argument they have, thanks to a decision by three House of Lords 'Law Lords', Lords Bingham, Carswell and Rodger.

The three guilty 'Law Lords' from the 'House of Lords', the 'highest' court in the land, (pictured above), have rejected a 'petition to appeal' to them after the 'Court of Appeal' rejected appeals by lawyers in several medical cannabis cases in which the 'medical neccessity' defence was refused by the original trial judges, who would not even allow juries to hear it.

The 'medical necessity' defence argues (simple version); that as it is legal to 'steal' a boat under English Common Law if you are doing it to save someone from drowning, or yourself from drowning, it therefore must be legal to use, or supply cannabis, if this brings effective relief to a person suffering pain or disease.

In one case heard by the Appeal Court (Jeff Ditchfield, Bud Buddies), the original trial judge allowed a jury to hear the medical necessity defence and he was aquitted. However the Crown Prosecution Service chose to appeal his "not guilty" verdict. His aquittal stands, but the the Court of Appeal said in effect that he should not have been allowed to present his 'medical necessity' defence.

Lawyers acting for the appealing defendants then 'petitioned to appeal' to the House of Lords, but they have received a terse letter from the Law Lords which says:

"Permission is refused because the petition does not raise an arguable point of law of general public importance which ought to be considered by the House at this time, bearing in mind that the cause has already been the subject of judicial decision and reviewed on appeal."

'News of the Weed' translation: "Go away and die in agony, we don't care; people who are sick are so dispensable we can't be bothered to even listen to their pathetic appeals for mercy. Buy shares in GW Pharmaceuticals, and score off them, or the cops will kick your door down on the shareholders behalf."

When 'News of the Weed' rang up the House of Lords, a clerk told us that the Lords were "finished" with the case.

The decision comes as a blow, and a surprise, to those involved in the case, especially as it involves LORD BINGHAM of Cornhill, who is the most senior Judge in Britain (not to be confused with Lord Bingham, son of Lord Lucan), and is considered to be one of the most in touch and generally 'cool' Law Lords ever, having gone on record to call the cannabis laws in Britain "stupid".

Lord Bingham (right: portrait by Cathy Fenwick) said; "It is stupid having a law which isn't doing what it is there for ... Everybody thinks our system is becoming soft and wimpish. In point of fact, it is one of the most punitive systems in the world." (Spectator 2002).

There is an fascinating lecture by him online about the future of Human Rights in Britain, which considering he is the 'Lord Chief Justice of England & Wales', and has raved about the "the priceless gift of individual freedom", is worth a read.

However, Lord Bingham's 'Human Rights' street cred may not save him from grief in this case, because the Law Lords decision on the 'medical necessity' defence is a massive snub to BARONESS RUNCIMAN whose credibility is excellent. She chaired the 'Police Foundation Report of 2000' which called on the government to specifically allow the 'necessity' defence for medical users. In the last few years many people have been acquitted by juries on this basis of this defence, thanks in part to her work.

At a recent drug policy conference Baroness Runciman was shocked to be told that people were still facing prison in Britain for their use of medical cannabis, in fact she would not believe it, and got quite heated on the subject. She needs to talk to the Cannabis Grandma who not only faces prison, but eviction from her home, just for using medical cannabis.

The 'Law' Lords decision comes as a further blow to medical cannabis users like CANNABIS GRANDMA who want to use a natural 'organic' preparation of the cannabis herb for medical purposes. It comes after a series of well publicised raids and arrests of medical cannabis users and suppliers in Britain, such as the Cannabis Grandma and THC4MS.

Cynics who said these arrests were the ground being prepared for the sale of pharmaceutical cannabis products may have been proved correct with the launch of Sativex® and the subsequent rise in the value of GW Pharmaceutical shares, which were as low as 59p earlier in the year and are currently up to £109.50.

Interestingly enough the THC4MS defendants have just been summoned to an unscheduled court hearing this coming Wednesday, the same day as the Home Secretary, CHARLES CLARKE (who has admitted more than inhaling cannabis in his youth), is due to make a major speach on drug policy. Will THC4MS be offered a deal; use Sativex® and the prosecution will be dropped?

A lawyer for Tony's Holistic Centre one of the defendants who attempted to appeal to the House of Lords told us:

"It is now a matter of urgency that the Director of Public Prosecutions issues guidelines to all his Crown Prosecutors telling them not to prosecute medical users at least where there is clear medical evidence provided. The government always stated that medical users would be treated sympathetically by the criminal justice system – we say they should not be there in the first place".

Now the only recourse left is an 'appeal to appeal' to the European Human Rights Court, which is currently being prepared by lawyers for some of the Appeal Court appellants.

In the meantime medical cannabis users facing prosecution can try to persuade the CPS that medical cannabis prosecutions are not in the public interest. Failing that, they can plead "not guilty", and seek to persuade the jury to return a 'perverse verdict' under the present mis-application of the law.

'News of the Weed' says: Sativex offers users guaranteed purity, and strength, and a legal path to the use of cannabis for medical purposes, all of which is good news. We say "congratulations" to GW Pharmaceuticals and Dr. Geoffrey Guy for managing to overcome all the hurdles they have had to cross to enable this to happen. However Sativex only works because it contains cannabis, and people who want to use 'organic' medical cannabis products, such as the THC4MS chocolate, should be allowed to do so. THC4MS should be given a license to supply medical cannabis to MS sufferers, and other licenses should be given to acknowledged experts in the field such as 'Tony's Holistic Centre', and others who follow agreed protocols. Instead we seem to be witnessing the 'pharmaceuticalization' of cannabis as outlined by PROFESSOR GRINSPOON, associate professor emeritus of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, and a leading expert on medical cannabis. If this happens it will be to the detriment of public health in Britain.

• 'I Can't Get No Sativexion' is to be released soon by the 'Rolling Heads'.

Cannabis Grandma faces 6 months jail and eviction from her home.

2005-11-10T13:00:00.000Z

MRS. PATRICIA TABRAM, otherwise known as 'The Grandma Who Eats Cannabis' visited her local police station today, but it was not for a cup of 'tea'. Instead she got an invitation to appear in Hexham Magistrates Court, Northumberland on 22nd November, for what could lead to one of the cannabis trials of the century.

Today police charged the 'Cannabis Grandma' with one of the most serious cannabis 'offences' you can get prosecuted for; "Production" which comes under 'trafficking' in Section 4 of the Misuse of Drugs Act, maximum penalty 14 years.

She was also charged with possession of cannabis (powdered skunk, perfect for making hot medicinal beverages). Both charges were related to the discovery of four cannabis plants in her home in September, by Northumberland police.

Due to the fact that she is currently on a suspended sentence for cannabis supply she also faces an automatic six month prison term on top of the potential 14 years, if convicted for the new offences.

The Cannabis Grandma, 67, has also been warned by her Housing Association that she faces eviction from her home after police contacted housing officials to inform them of her arrest. Her housing officer has officially informed her that if she is found guilty she will face eviction from her bungalow home in Humshaugh, near Newcastle. The house was allocated to her due to her severe arthritis which made it impossible for her to use stairs.

The prosecution have said they would like to see the Cannabis Grandma 'tucked up by Christmas', but the Canny Grandma is determined to defend the right to "keep myself well" by eating cannabis. She has become famous for her 'traditional' potato & leek cannabis pie, and her cannabis hot chocolate beverage.

Two years ago the then 65 year old pensioner was in a neck brace, used two walking sticks, was on a cocktail of NHS prescription drugs, had blotches all over her face, and had been told she would soon be in a wheelchair. Since she started using cannabis, the sticks, neck brace and blotches have gone, she no longer uses any prescription drugs, and she has been able to sleep soundly for the first time in years.

GW Pharmaceuticals, the UK company given a Home Office licence to develop cannabis for medical use has just released the results of a study which demonstrates it's significant effect on easing pain and suppressing the debilitating symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

Yet the government is still holding back on allowing doctors to prescribe GW's cannabis medicine, which is made by extracting the active ingredients of cannabis direct from the plant. This is the pharmaceutical equilavent of making a cup of cannabis hot chocolate using a few pinches of the herb. According to the Cannabis Grandma and thousands of others this works amazingly well. Their natural herbal method is also a lot cheaper than the GW Pharmaceuticals method.

The Cannabis Grandma, who suffers from severe arthritis asks "Can someone please explain why it is deemed in the public interest to prosecute me and also threaten me with eviction from my home just for making my self better?"

If found guilty this time the Cannabis Grandma will have two convictions for 'production' (growing cannabis) against her. Under the draconian 'Misuse of Drugs Act' anyone found guilty of 'production' three times faces a mandatory seven year sentence on the third offence.

'News of the Weed' says: Currently GW Pharmceutical shares are worth half their original value on the London Stock Exchange. If responsible 'self-help' medical cannabis users like the Cannabis Grandma and THC4MS are put behind bars, GW shares will probally go up in value. This will be thanks to the continued criminalization of the D.I.Y. competition, who will be eliminated in what is turning into a 'turf war' over who has the right to use cannabis for medical purposes.

Gordon Brown take note: let people like the Cannabis Grandma look after themselves, and you will save the NHS billions, plus you will be a real hero for grandma's, grandpa's and grand children all over the country.

Above: Cannabis Grandma, her son and friend at the Hemp Expo in Wembley last week end. For further information and interviews with the Cannabis Grandma please contact: 07976825086/07869125620.

Cannabis Education Trust: www.cannabistrust.com

'one hundred cone billy' by herb superb - free mp3 download

2005-11-03T00:45:00.000Z

As part of the 'Use It, Don't Abuse It' cannabis education campaign, the 'Cannabis Trust', sponsored by the 'Global Marijuana Music Awards', is offering a free, 100% legal download of 'One Hundred Cone Billy', by Herb Superb, from his classic CD 'Potsongs' (P&C Darbalara Music / Undercover Music).

The CD also features songs from the film 'Potluck' starring 'Chong' of 'Cheech and Chong'.

'One Hundred Cone Billy' is an amusing cautionary song regarding the daily consumption of large amounts of cannabis. It is worth the download just for the laughs; and it's a pretty sad and messy story, plus the music is good as well.

Herb Superb was the 2004 Winner of the 'Global Marijuana Music Awards, Best Recorded Track' with 'Rollin Hills of Nimbin'. Entries are currently flooding in from all over the world for the 2006 GMM Awards, which will be held in Britain and look like being the most varied yet, with 14 categories of music covered.

News of the Weed says: The 'Global Marijuana Music Awards' are great but they don't have a 'Garage' or 'Ragga' category so send them some samples and they won't be able to resist. More 'punk-hippy', 'neo-goth' and 'psycho-jazz' also required.

Meanwhile, in case anyone still thinks that the only problem with cannabis is when you don't have any, the Cannabis Trust and the THC Club are offering the chance to test your self for cannabis abuse.

cannabis breakthrough? Charles Kennedy, leader of Liberal Democrats supports the right to grow your own.

2005-10-04T13:52:00.000Z

THE Cannabis Trust has published two letters from Charles Kennedy, leader of the Liberal Democrats, in which he supports the right to grow your own cannabis and says he will seek to put "the supply of cannabis on a legal, regulated basis."

This is a major advance on his parties previous 'sitting on the fence' policy. The two letters, written by Charles Kennedy to a member of the public, show how the Liberal Democrats have moved from just calling for a 'Commission of Enquiry' on drugs, to laying out a viable plan to "break the link between cannabis use and organised crime" by essentially legalising it "subject to securing necessary re-negotiation of the UN Conventions"

The increasingly popular Lib Dem leader Charles Kennedy, writing in a letter dated August 11 2005, published by the Cannabis Trust says; "it is not in the public interest to prosecute individuals for possession of cannabis for their own use, cultivation of small numbers of cannabis plants for their own use, or social supply of cannabis."

He says the Liberal Democrats will be "seeking to put the supply of cannabis on a legal, regulated basis, subject to securing necessary re-negotiation of the UN Conventions". But in typical liberal fashion he warns it would be "unrealistic to expect this to happen quickly".

However the Cannabis Education Trust has analysed the 'Bible of Prohibition' otherwise known as the 'UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs 1961' (pdf), which was ammended to make it even worse in 1972.

The Trust says: "Charles Kennedy may not be aware that any party to the UN Convention may legally withdraw from it on six months notice".

The Cannabis Trust analysis of the UN Convention says that: "The commonly used argument that if Britain did this, it would lead to a breakdown in the international system of control of opiates, or even prevent the UK from obtaining opiates for legitimate use, is simply not true. The reality is the system of control is applied to every country in the world whether it has signed the Convention or not. The International Narcotics Control Board is specifically authorised to do this by Articles 12, 13, 14 and 21 of the Convention".

"In fact the 'Single Convention' places no obligation on any signatory to make possession, production or distribution of any drug for personal use a criminal offense. The working papers of the 'Shafer Commission' contain a detailed discussion of this point, reaching the conclusion that: “although a country may decide that possession for personal use should be a punishable offense, there is nothing in the Convention which requires it to do so”. (Marihuana: Signal of Misunderstanding: The Shafer Report, Appendix, Vol. 1,Technical Papers, p 533.)

This view is backed up by the 'Canadian Foundation for Drug Policy'. whose extensive analysis of the UN convention concludes: "Canada, as a party to the Single Convention, is not required to treat possession of cannabis products for personal use as an offense, or to impose criminal sanctions on such conduct even if it does choose to maintain a criminal prohibition".

Adolph Lande, who as 'Deputy Executive Secretary of the Plenipotentiary Conference', acted as chief draftsman of the Convention agrees: “.... unauthorised possession and acquisition of narcotic drugs for personal consumption need not be treated under the Single Convention either as punishable offenses or as serious offenses”.

The U.N. Convention even says that people can smoke 'proper weed' (ie the whole plant) legally, but not just the buds on their own (which is also what a lot of Rasta people say): "The prohibition on non-medical use of drugs does not extend to cannabis leaves, and the prohibition of cultivation of the cannabis plant does not extend to cultivation for any purpose which does not involve the separation of the flowering and fruiting tops, or the resin, from the rest of the plant. (A Lands The International Drug Control System in Drug Use in America: Problem in Perspective, Appendix, Technical Papers, Vol III, p 129.)".

'News of the Weed' says: Charles Kennedy's heart and soul are obviously in the right place to be a great leader, now he needs to get his parties brain into gear. They need to stop hiding their light under a pile of papers, and come out hard for a program that seriously addresses Britain's spiraling drugs & booze crisis. They know this involves legalising cannabis, and being honest about corruption.

But Lib Dems should watch out: There is an outside to good chance that the Tories may do the clever thing and elect David Cameron (pictured above) as their leader. He told the Independent recently that the UN should consider legalising drugs. He said he favoured a "fresh thinking and a new approach" toward British drug policy, adding "we have to let 1,000 flowers bloom and look at all sorts of treatment models" for heroin addicts. Could this include growing weed and giving addicts ibogaine?

If they stay too fluffy the Liberals could even be left out of the looming cannabis vote bonanza.

This would be a shame because Charles Kennedy is a better man than any Tory, the Milk Snatchers Party. David Cameron may be playing 'hip' to the street, he may hug Hells Angels, but he is still a member of the party that stopped free milk for school kids and sold the family silver.

Wikipedia has an extensive section on the Single Convention.

dea go away: cannabis kidnapping of marc emery could be thwarted

2005-10-01T00:53:00.000Z

A DESTRUCTIVE but very legal 'wrench' has been thrown into the carefully laid DEA plan to kidnap 'Prince of Pot', Marc Emery and two other Canadians (pictured right), and put them in an American concentration camp for selling cannabis seeds by mail order.

David McCann, a Canadian philanthropist and businessman has announced that he has hired prominent lawyer Peter Leask to file three charges of conspiracy under the 'Controlled Drugs and Substance Act' and the 'Criminal Code of Canada' naming Marc Emery and his two associates.

Quoted in the Canadian Press McCann said "If he gets charged in Canada that will have major legal consequences for that extradition request."

"Canada has been hypocritical in allowing Emery to sell marijuana seeds and collecting thousands of dollars in taxes while the city of Vancouver gave him a business license for his pot paraphernalia store"

"We have let him operate and now we let the Americans walk into our country and charge a man who they will probably lock away for the rest of his natural life in the United States for doing something that the government of Canada condoned. And you know, I got a problem with that as a Canadian."

"He broke the law in Canada and so if we are going to let him be charged he should be charged here, where he did the offense," said McCann, adding he's never met Emery.

McCann noted that Health Canada even referred patients, many of them terminally ill, to Emery if they wanted medicinal marijuana.

McCann, who now runs an art shop, hit the headlines in 1990 as a crusader against sexual abuse who triggered one of the largest sexual abuse investigations in Canadian history. He told Vancouver's '24 Hours' that now he wants to spark a national debate on Canadian sovereignty and drug policy.

Kirk Tousaw, one of Emery's lawyers, said it's possible that the United States' attempts to extradite his client would be thwarted.

That's because Section 47 of the Extradition Act says the justice minister has the discretion to refuse extradition if he's satisfied that the same conduct is the subject of criminal proceedings in Canada.

Emery, leader of the Marijuana party in British Columbia, said he sees McCann's private prosecution attempt as something positive because he's always felt he should be charged in Canada for his activities.

"His intent is to stop the extradition and have me charged under Canadian law in a Canadian courtroom," Emery said.

"I'd much rather be in front of a Canadian jury in a Canadian court. It'd probably still keep me out of the seed business for the rest of my life, alas, but it certainly would lay people's fears of a sovereignty intrusion to rest."

58% of Canadians said they were against the extradition in a poll after the kidnapping proceedings were started by the DEA at the end of July this year. At the beginning of September there were international protests in 40 cities including London and every Euro MP was given a bag of seeds and a strongly worded but polite protest letter.

Above: Cannabis Grandma says "DEA Go Away" in protests outside US Embassy in London

boost for blair: uk to host 'Global Marijuana Music Awards 2006'

2005-09-29T16:25:00.000Z

TONY BLAIR will be over the moon: Not only has the UK won the Olympic bid, but now 'Merry Britain' has also been chosen to host the 'Global Marijuana Music Awards 2006' in what some will see as a further blow to Paris and worldwide alcoholism.

With the highest consumption of cannabis in Europe, Blair's Britain was always a front runner against the French bid, despite their close historical connections with Morocco, which supplies about 80% of the E.U. market for hashish.

The 'Global Marijuana Music Awards 2006' to be held in Britain will be the third such event, following previous 'Marijuana Music Awards' at the Seattle Hemp Fest in the USA (2004), and at the Nimbin 'MardiGrass' festival in Australia (2005).

The news that Britain has been chosen to host the event may be a welcome 'feel good' boost to the LABOUR PARTY CONFERENCE now underway, as it reels from the rash of attacks on pensioners within their midst, and the recent arrest of the 'Cannabis Grandma', plus todays 'Evening Standard' exposure of wide spread cocaine use amongst the partying 'comrades', which could endanger their various modeling contracts.

INSIDERS say the good news about the 'Global Marijuana Music Awards' coming to Britain could also mean that guitar playing 'party man' Tony Blair will now be more likly to step down soon to give him time to work on a few tracks, while interest rates may lower thanks to the expected boost in tourism. Extra tourist cash for London will also help beleagured Marks & Spencers, British Airways, and top London head shop 'So High Soho', plus newt lover and 'Mayor of London' Ken Livingstone, who supports cannabis decriminalisation, but has yet to go further.

'New Labour' sources also rushed to discredit stories sweeping the conference floor that the bass player in Blair's 1970's rock band 'Ugly Rumors' was allegedly a cannabis dealer. Apparently the name for the band was chosen because if you hold the 'Mars Hotel' album by the 'Grateful Dead' upside down in the mirror, the stars spell the words 'ugly rumors'. We can't help wondering what else they were doing with "the mirror".

FAR AWAY from the spinning world of "Class A' politics, 'News of the Weed' met up with 'Marijuana Music Award' organisers 'Rainbow Records', at London's plush 'Access All Areas' centre, one of the hubs of the ever mutating UK dance and 'party' scene, based in the vibrant bohemian quarter of Kentish Town.

Rainbow Records have just moved to London (also known as 'The Big Smoke'), from Australia's marijuana mecca 'Nimbin'. This is the OZ town famous for it's hedonistic annual 'MardiGrass' festival in May, where 'the biggest joint in the world' is paraded though the town, surrounded by beautiful dancing girls and large crowds of fresh faced, healthy looking people, high on the 'holy herb'. Next year the Nimbonians are "thinking of" walking the 'Big Joint', which is 12 meters long, to Canberra, which would put Mao Tse Tungs 'Long March' into the pale.

Other attractions at the Nimbin 'MardiGrass include the 'Joint Rolling Gold Medal' for the 'Speed Roll' which this year was won by Smurf in 22 seconds for the standard 3 paper and filter, a new record. Bob the Builder won the 'Creative Roll' with a model of Schapelle Corby behind bars for 20 years in Indonesia. When the joint was lit the jail burnt down, and she was free!

Nimbin was also not surprisingly a perfect location for this years 'Global Marijuana Music Awards' (2005).

Just to give you an idea of the scope of the Awards here is a full list of this years winners at Nimbin:

Winners included the 'Spliffmasters'for Best Recorded Track, and the 'Herballists' who flew in from Philadelphia (best live act). Album of the year was 'Hit After Hit' by Marijuana The Band from California, Best RAP was 'How We Do It' by The Individuals from Chicago who also won the Reggae section with 'Blaze It Up'. 'Marijuana The Band' by Marijuana The Band from California was the best rock track, 'Steady High' by Rich Hardesty from Indiana won the Pop Section, best Country music track was 'The Dooby Song' by Rich Hardesty from Indiana, and the 'Experimental Section' was won with 'Dakka Damage' by The Stealth Beats from Tasmania. The Jazz section was won by the 'Back Porch Vipers' from Texas who also won the Blues Section with 'When I get Low'. Best comedy was 'My Dog' by Mona Lizard from Nimbin, 'Car Pool Mom' by Paul Bullock from Texas won the poetry section, and the winner of the 'Instrumental Section' was 'Symphony in Grass' by Andy & Tim from Sweden.

The doors are now open for 'Global Marijuana Music Award 2006' entries (the fee is just £10). There is a lot more information on the Rainbow Records website. Watch this space.

'stop the war' march london: bongs not bombs

2005-09-26T13:38:00.000Z

The 'Stop the War' coalition expected 100,000 people for their 'Troops Out Now' march on Saturday, but got about 10,000 - we were there to check it out. Yet, spinning like mad, the SWP dominated 'coalition' is saying on their website that they got "up to 100,000" people. Of course this is not a lie, but to say "up to 100,000" when you know you only got 10,000??? It does make you wonder if we can trust them any more than the one they like to call 'Bliar', and his not so secret lover.

If you want a real laugh download the excellent Bushblair love song 'Read My Lips' movie by Kristina Lindström at 'albinoblacksheep.com' which also has a lot of other funny stuff.

Also in Hyde Park was Mr Free Cannabis (see last post), who expected a few more than ten people for his 'free cannabis give away', and got ten people. If we were the 'Stop the War' coalition, that would be "up to 100,000 people came to support ending cannabis prohibition on Saturday". And that is not even counting the various lost souls operating in the 'GMT' time zone (Ganja Mean Time); thay all turned up late and missed what ever there was to miss at "High Noon" (pictures to come).

Meanwhile 'News of The Weed' tried to find out what the 'Respect' party line on cannabis is. Answer: They don't have one. In fact they do not have a drugs policy at all. It emerges that they have never discussed the issue either of cannabis or drugs policy in general. 'News of the Weed' is shocked!

So what is the George Galloway line on cannabis? The Respect spokesman would not say, but a good indication is on 'They Work For You'; the 'rebel' MP was strictly loyal to the government when voting for the 'Criminal Justice Bill'. Amongst other things this 'prohibitionists charter' turned the mild mannered 'magic mushroom' into a 'Class A' drug, putting it in the same bracket as heroin and crack cocaine.

But every school kid in Britain knows that 'shrooms' are not as bad as 'smack'.

This is the bill described as "garbage" by Labour MP Paul Flynn who told Parliament: "This Bill was conceived in prejudice, written in ignorance and is being enacted with incompetence. Those who are supporting it will come to rue the day when this piece of legislative garbage went through the House. It is the worst Bill in my parliamentary experience since the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991."

'News of the Weed' says: We can smell a prohibitionist from 10 miles away, and it does not need a sniffer dog to tell that 'Stalinist George' smells of prohibition; the stench is as strong as 'skunk', but not nearly so nice.

Above: A very mini 'free festival' gathered round a bicycled powered main stage, supplied by the wonderful 'Rinky Dink' who have been regular performers at cannabis marches and festivals through the ages. A sight for sore ears.

mr cannabis i presume: free hash cakes in the park, sat 24th, 2.00pm, speakers corner, hyde Park, london.

2005-09-23T11:17:00.000Z

THE irrepressible Mr Free Cannabis (he's got the passport to prove it) is 'doing his own thing' at Speakers Corner, Hyde Park tomorrow (24th Sep) for his annual 'Free Cannabis In the Park' event, billed as a 'free cannabis give away.'
The event flyer, and informative website (although some of the links sadly don't work), says Mr Cannabis will be giving away free hash cakes at Speakers Corner, Hyde Park (2.00pm), and then heading up to Mary(jane)lebone Police Station with a live Cannabis Plant.
'News of the Weed' wonders about the wisdom of all this; why is Mr Cannabis exposing a cannabis plant to face almost certain execution at the hands of babylon???? For the plant this is a suicide mission, we hope it is worth it. Still, one thing we can be sure of; the hash cakes will be 100% organic.
The controversial Mr Cannabis, who looks sickenly healthy and younger every day on his hemp seed diet, was one of the stars of the show at the recent 'Cannabis Education Rally' in Trafalgar Square (may 15th), where he performed his amazing 'Free Cannabis Rap'.
Unfortunately, he then proceeded to slag off the organisers in his newsletter for trying to stop him speaking, despite the fact that he was given two slots, while everyone else got one! Still, thats genius for you, and there is certainly a lot of good sensi in the 'Mr Free Cannabis' mix.
'News of the Weed' says "Mr Cannabis should put out a 'rap' single; he could be 'Top of the Pops'.

'sunday times' report on mental health and cannabis was a “distortion and factually wrong” says Addaction.

2005-09-21T12:10:00.000Z

LAST WEEKEND'S extremely worrying 'Sunday Times' story “Mental Health Problems Soar Among Children Using Cannabis” (Sep 18th), was "entirely misleading" says a statement published on the website of 'Addaction', a leading UK drug and alcohol treatment charity.

Rosie Brocklehurst, Director of Communications at Addaction is quoted: “This report on Page 7 of the paper was a distortion and factually wrong. We have therefore written a letter of complaint to the Sunday Times asking for clarification as to how this story came to appear in the form in which it was published, and to ensure that the truth is given in a correction of the original story.

"We suspect the story was influenced by the 'Sunday Times' wish to write a piece before the imminent deliberations by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs"

“If Addaction had such evidence we would have been sure to let the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs know about it, “ said Rosie Brocklehurst. “If we had such evidence as the paper claims, it would have made the front pages of every national newspaper in the country. But we do not have such evidence.”

The Advisory Council is reviewing the scientific evidence on cannabis use and misuse, and will be making recommendations to the Government in the light of those deliberations in the near future.

They could ignore the fears of senior policemen, reported in the 'Guardian' today, and advise a return to 'Class B' for cannabis as a whole, or 'skunk' in particular. These are both unworkable and 'psychotic' ideas being propergated by the prohibitionists and their corporate dinosaur allies who control large sections of the media.

Many fear the Advisory Council could be swayed by widely circulated distortions of research data, and of the truth, by some large media organisations, who have been fanning a wave of exaggerated scare stories about mental health and cannabis in recent months.

Meanwhile research published recently by the UK government confirms what many cannabis reform campaigners predicted would occur: teenage use of cannabis DECREASED in the year following the reclassification of cannabis to 'Class C' in Britain. Download official report (pdf).

'News of the Weed' says: "What we need is some cannabis sanity, and to end cannabis prohibition by putting it in 'Class 0'. That way, everyone can be a winner."

'sativa', 'indica', and now 'rasta': DNA researchers discover new cannabis strain

2005-09-20T00:18:00.000Z

AUSTRALIAN researchers have discovered a third strain of cannabis, and given it the name 'rasta' after checking the DNA of plants taken from all over the world. They have also discovered that 'Rasta' produces higher levels of THC than the commonly known 'Indica' or 'Sativa' strains, which until now were thought to be the only ones in existence.

The scientists have called the new strain 'rasta' presumably because it is found in Jamaica as well as Africa, Mexico, south-east Asia and India. Their research showed that 'Sativa' is most common in Western Europe while 'Indica' is mainly found in central Asia.

According to the New Scientist the research involved catagorising 196 sample plants according to the DNA in their mitochondria and chloroplasts. The samples included plants grown for drugs and hemp as well as wild varieties from Europe, Asia, Africa, Mexico and Jamaica.

Researcher Simon Gilmore of the 'Canberra Institute of Technology' is quoted with a fascinating theory: "What we might be uncovering is really an ancient relationship," he said.

"Cannabis has been used a lot by humans in the last few thousand years and while we have a signature that there might have been three different types of cannabis, what could have happened with human cross-breeding [is] that those distinctions could have been lost by now.

"Three different mitochondrial DNA types in the cannabis that's grown these days, it might imply that cannabis had been domesticated on three separate occasions.

"It seems the first use was for food - cannabis seeds are highly nutritious apparently but not all that tasty."

Sadly, the main aim of the research was to find markers to help police forensic scientists track the origins of illegal cannabis. Shame on you Mr Gilmore!

We would also like to point out that Mr Gilmore has obviously not extended his research to eating organic hemp seeds which are very tasty indeed.

swiss witch hunt: leading hemp advocate gets 29 months for growing hemp: 'freedom to farm' campaign statement

2005-09-19T18:55:00.000Z

ANDRE FURST'S farm buildings are made of hemp, he wears hemp clothing, he eats hemp, even his farm tractor runs on hemp oil. He is also one of Europe's leading experts on the production and use of hemp, one of the most valuable but under utilised plants known to humanity. Now Andre Furst faces 29 months in a concrete box.

'New of the Weed' has recieved the following statement, which we reprint in full:

On 23 August 2005 the District Court of Morat (Switzerland) sentenced Andre Furst, the owner of Hemp-Info, to 29 months of prison (unconditional sentence) and to a fine of 150.000 Swiss francs (approx. 98.000 euros).

Mr. Furst's crime was the development of agro-industrial ecological methods of hemp utilization. Andre has become one more victim of the incomprehensible twist in Swiss drug policy.

The authorities of many Swiss cantons were still until recently applying a pragmatic and humanist approach. Now the same authorities have started a witch hunt obviously inspired by the US War on Drugs, which has already proved to have disastrous impact on the drugs scene. In the future, Swiss people will be able to adopt a model properly adjusted to their local conditions due to the Pro-Hemp grass-root movement. In the meantime, activists of this honorable cause are under pressure from the police, judiciary and media, which is absolutely unworthy of a democratic country.

Considering Andre Furst as a criminal, the judiciary is pushing hemp farmers to illegality, patients using cannabis will be deprived of their medicine and cannabis users will turn to organized crime. Apart individual personal tragedies, this policy will cause a considerable harm to the whole Swiss society. And all this is happening because of a plant, which is less harmful than legal tobacco and alcohol.

The Court refused to make any clear decision on different methods of the hemp analysis, whose results can be so erratic that they may easily show from 0,3% of delta9THC to 3% THC in the same sample of hemp. At the same time, the Fribourg Court refused to make an assessment on the legality of this standard of 0,3% of THC, inspired by French law, which is missing any undeniable scientific or agronomic basis and is having no ground in the Swiss legislation.

The Court has neither assessed on the fact that hemp is not a drug, nor in the strict sense a narcotic, or in the spirit of authors of the drug legislation.

As we have not received any response to these fundamental questions and because there are also other reasons to reject this sentence, Andre Furst will continue his struggle for the hemp and will make an appeal to the Cantonal Court of Fribourg.

The following is the French version of a letter, fax, email to advocate hemp reform in Swiss and worldwide, to stress against the war on drugs and to demonstrate for Furst and Emery, freedom to farm!

La Suisse ne doit pas faire la guerre au chanvre

Monsieur (Madame),

Je vous manifeste mon indignation de la condamnation d’Andre Furst, patron de Chanvre-Info, à 29 mois de detention pour une affaire de chanvre. Cette injustice entache l’image exemplaire de la democratie suisse. M. Furst est victime d’un scandaleux revirement politique sous pressions occultes. Une victime de plus dans l’inefficace guerre à la drogue que G.W.Bush vous impose pour faire oublier l’Irak, l’Afghanistan et autres turpitudes.

Depuis le 11 septembre, l’administration US, relayee par un lobby international religieux, sectaire et neoconservateur, fait pression par tout moyen sur les gouvernements, les politiciens et les media des pays reformateurs en matière de drogues. Le president Bush veut renforcer la prohibition et couper la tête des leaders pro-cannabis. La scandaleuse tentative d’extradition vers les USA du grainetier canadien Marc Emery est un autre exemple recent de ces methodes totalitaires. La Suisse comme le Canada doivent defendre leur politique, et ne pas suivre ce fou dangereux.

Le long processus suisse d’elaboration d’une strategie efficace etait un modèle d’expertise et de concertation. La plupart des Cantons appliquaient par avance une politique tolerante envers les usagers et des centaines de magasins et de chanvriers. La Suisse devait depenaliser la consommation et reglementer le marche. Toutes les commissions scientifiques ou politiques, le Conseil Federal et même le Parlement en première lecture ont approuve cette demarche novatrice. Fallait-il renier ces avances et pourquoi revenir à la repression brutale ?

Andre Furst a respecte les recommandations de votre projet avorte de reglementation. Il a milite et investi pour un chanvre biologique aux multiples usages, utile tant pour sauver l’agriculture sans subventions que pour reguler un problème social majeur. Sa cause semblait triompher jusqu’au revirement du Parlement et ses consequences judiciaires inacceptables. Andre Furst est coupable d’avoir anticipe, comme tant d’autres, une reforme consensuelle enterree sans motif valable. Au 21ème siècle, en Suisse, on ne peut pas jeter un homme en prison pour avoir participe à l’amelioration de la societe. C’est une purge stalinienne, d’abord on suscite la reforme pour mieux pendre les leaders. Vous devez intervenir pour retablir l’equite et la morale.

Pour faire cesser cette parodie avant qu’elle ne fasse trop de victimes, vous devez user de votre influence pour l'instauration d'un moratoire, une amnistie generale et des graces à titre exceptionnel sur les affaires concernant le chanvre pendant la periode de 96 à 04. En attendant le vote de l’initiative populaire Pro-chanvre, je vous demande de stopper les condamnations des personnes engagees que vous avez laisse faire pendant tant d’annees. Ce n’est pas juste, ni moral et encore moins efficace ou pragmatique. Les guerres de Bush ne sont pas notre combat. Poursuivez la reforme de la politique des drogues, en Suisse comme à l’ONU. Freedom to Farm !

Name:
Profession:
City:
Country:

Please copy this document, sign it and send it to:

For all:
President de la Confederation Helvetique,Samuel Schmid, Palais federal est,CH - 3003, Berne.
tel.: 031 324 50 33. fax: 031 323 57 82. samuel.schmid@gs-vbs.admin.ch

For Swiss people:
Conseiller federal, Chef du Departement Federal Justice et Police, Christoph Blocher, Palais federal ouest, CH - 3003 Berne.
christoph.blocher@gs-ejpd.admin.ch

For foreigners:
Conseillère federale, Departement federal des affaires etrangères, Micheline Calmy-Rey, Palais federal Ouest, CH-3003 Berne. Tel. (+41) 031 322 21 11. Fax (+41) 031 324 90 47. www.calmy-rey.admin.ch/f/contact/cntrequest.aspx/

For NGOs and CSOs:
Division politique III - Nations Unies, Organisations internationales, Environnement, Culture, Francophonie, Bundesgasse 28, CH-3003 Berne. Tel.: (+41) 031 323 23 46. Fax: (+41) 031 323 21 30. PA3A@eda.admin.ch.

For all:
Direction de la securite et de la justice (DSJ) du canton de Fribourg, Claude Grandjean, Conseiller d'Etat, Grand-Rue 26, Case postale, CH-1701 Fribourg. AND: Chancellerie d'Etat, Rue des Chanoines 17, Case postale 1701, Fribourg .
Tel: 026 305 10 45. Fax 026 305 10 48. http://admin.fr.ch/cha/fr/pub/meta_navigation/contact.cfm

THANK YOU!!!!

a bust too far: cooking interrupted as uk's 'cannabis grannie' is raided again in sinister move

2005-09-19T11:50:00.000Z

Patricia Tabram, otherwise known as the 'Grandma who eats Cannabis', has been busted again at her home. She was raided on Friday (Sep 16th) by Northumberland police, armed with a search warrent, acting on 'information received'.

They found a few "not growing very well" cannabis plants, and arrested the 66 year old grannie for cultivation. Because she is already on a suspended sentence she has been warned by police that she will "definately go to prison this time."

Sky News is reporting that Grannie remains defiant: "I realise I am going to go to prison," she said. "Emmeline Pankhurst had to go to prison three times before women got the vote so I am not going to be worried about it. She added: "I'm just an old, grey, tubby grandma and I'm going to fight this."

This has got to be one of the most PETTY police actions in a long time - so petty indeed that it is sinister. Why on earth did the police bother to raid a close to 70 year old lady for a couple of plants? How in any way can this use of police resources to 'break a butterfly' be anything but a political attack on an outspoken campaigner. They know she is not a criminal nor a danger to anyone.

Was it because grannie has been asking too many embarrassing questions about local police practice? Was it because only a few days before the latest police raid, she was outside the US Embassy protesting against the D.E.A. and the attempted kidnapping of fellow campaigner Marc Emery? Where did the 'information received' come from? Could it have been the DEAland Embassy in Grosvenor Sq?

One thing is for certain; this police action was not ordered 'in the public interest' to save us from a dangerous criminal in our midst. In fact a pattern is now begining to emerge; 'show trials' similar to those carried out by the Communists in the darkest days of Soviet Russia.

The pattern is always the same; using the full weight of the law the authorities go out of their way, bypassing thousands of real criminals, and attempt to crush leading cannabis campaigners.

Local police forces suddenly swing into action, not against the local 'sex slave' industry, not against the thriving local crack scene which is devistating local communities, not against local politicians taking kick backs from property developers.

Instead our 'defenders' zero in on dangerous grandma's, people growing hemp to save the planet, book writers, medicine suppliers and magazine publishers.

The escalating 'Bush War' hit list now includes: Ed Rosenthal (writer, USA), Marc Emery (magazine publisher, Canada), THC4MS (medicine suppliers,Uk), Andre Furst (hemp farmer, Switzerland) and Cannabis Granndma' ('dangerous' grandma, Uk). Not forgetting of course the several million people a year world wide who are persecuted, attacked, beaten, dragged from their homes, imprisoned for years and even executed.

The message is clear: "Stick your neck out for cannabis and we will try to chop off your head".

All this because of a herb that poses little danger to anyone except oil companies, drug corporations, and corrupt politicians, few of whom are really so stupid that they actually believe they are doing the right thing.

'News of the Weed' supports the 'Rule of Law' and professional police people everywhere when they do their difficult job, often risking their necks defending the general public from selfish idiots, 'nutters' and some very evil people, including robbers, rapists and corrupt corporations.

However, we can't support the 'Rule of Evil Stupidity'. This is a bust too far. It stinks!

'joint' venture: the 'Guardian' reports Canadian government is conspiring with U.S. to have Marc Emery extridited

2005-09-14T02:55:00.000Z

The 'Guardian' has finally woken up, having emerged from it's usual deep slumber when it comes to reporting cannabis news. At last, weeks late, they are reporting the Marc Emery case in todays issue: 'US takes the war on drugs to Canada's Prince of Pot'.

In the last line of the story, Duncan Campbell, an authoritative writer on international drug politics, reports that the U.S. authorities say the extradition is a 'joint venture' with the Canadian government.

This could be simply the Americans trying to drag the Canadians into the dirt with themselves; a 'coalition of the willing' etc etc. More seriously it implies that there actually is a 'conspiracy to kidnap' Marc Emery going on, organized by the U.S. and Canadian governments TOGETHER, rather than just the U.S. 'bully' on it's own.

There is some evidence to support this, with quotes in the press suggesting the Canadian authorities have been frustrated at their failure to be able to get Emery and 'throw away the key'. Apparently there are those in the Canadian police services who believe the only way to destroy Emery is to get him to the States, where he could even face the death penalty, while in Canada the most he could ever get would be a few months.

If true, this revelation will be embarrassing to the Canadian Government, as polls show 58% of the Canadian population are against the extraditions. It will also be a dent in Canada's international image as a progressive and independent nation.

If he is not very careful indeed, the Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin could end up like Tony Blair, who is very unfairly known worldwide as Bush's 'poodle'.

Below are links to some photo galleries and photo threads for Marc Emery protests worldwide:

gallery 1 (marihemp.com)
gallery 2 (marihemp.com)
gallery 3 (marihemp.com)
cannnabisculture.com (forum)
cannabisculture.com (forums)

Canadian press report: Pot activist rallies support ahead of extradition

Information from Warsaw (if you can read Polish).

Listen to Marc Emery discuss his case (POT TV).

marc emery extradition case starts Sep 16th

2005-09-14T01:58:00.000Z

The attempted kidnapping of Marc Emery and two associates by the United States Government proceeds further in just a few days on Sep 16th with the start of extradition proceedings, which could take over 2 years, and cost enouph to rebuild several blocks of New Orleans.

Meanwhile the Canadian Government needs to know that people all over the world are watching this case. And ... if you feel like being an effective 21st century 'armchair activist', you can do it right now without hardly moving.

All you have to do is send send a friendly short email message to Canada's Minister of Justice IRWIN COTLER, hasseling him about the Marc Emery case, and encouraging him to end cannabis prohibition once and for all, what ever the American 'bossman' say.

If you have the energy, be really encouraging about the positive reforms in Canada regarding medical cannabis, and how Canada is known all over the world for being a friendlier place than the 'evil empire'.

The email address is: webadmin@justice.gc.ca. Fax: 613-954-0811. Postal address: The Honourable Irwin Cotler, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, 284 Wellington Street, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1A 0H8.

Even easier option: get hold of your M.P., put them in the picture, and ask them to write the letter and send it for you, as they are paid for that kind of thing. Check out 'They Work For You'.

"They came for the cannabis users and I did not speak out, and then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak out for me".

every euro MP gets free bag of cannabis seeds as marc emery protests continue

2005-09-14T00:26:00.000Z

European Parliament, Brussels, 13 September 2005:

All 730 Members of the European Parliament (M.E.P's) became 'in possession' of a bag of cannabis seeds on Tuesday (13th Sep), courtesy of the 'European Coalition for Just and Effective Drug Policies' (ENCOD), which represents 120 'grass roots' drugs action organisations throughout Europe.

The European M.E.P's were asked by ENCOD to talk to the Canadian Minister of Justice Irwin Cotler, in order to ask him not to extradite Marc Emery, a Canadian citizen who is wanted by the United States where he risks imprisonment for life for the sale of cannabis seeds. In Canada, the sale of cannabis seeds has not merited a single prosecution for many years. In some EU countries, it is not even an offence.

ENCOD also asked the M.E.P's to take action against the current escalation of the war on drugs, which it describes as a major threat to the democratic principles of free societies.

Additionally, ENCOD requested the Members of European Parliament to challenge the recently approved 'EU Action Plan on Drugs for 2005 - 2008'. According to ENCOM this 'action plan' does not draw any significant conclusion from the official evaluation of the 'European Monitoring Centre on Drugs and Drug Addiction' (EMCDDA), which clearly indicated that EU drug strategies have had no favourable results whatsoever.

In spite of the recommendations of the European Parliament (formulated in the Catania report of 15 December 2004) and those of numerous experts, civil society organisations and local authorities, the new 'Action Plan' does not contain any significant innovative approaches what so ever.

According to ENCOD, drug policy has long been designed in a vacuum, ignoring the signals from the public and the parliament, that something is going very wrong. Ignoring in fact, what goes on right in front of them.

ENCOD has also invited the M.E.P's to participate in a common effort to create space for innovative drug policies such as have been put forward by local and regional authorities across Europe.

'News of the Weed' says: "If any of the M.E.P's don't want their seeds, we'll have them. E mail us, and we will send our address."

SIGN THE PETITION FOR A CHANGE IN EU DRUG POLICIES - 'European Coalition for Just and Effective Drug Policies'

free the ganja seed hostages: london protests

2005-09-10T19:34:00.000Z

Outside the U.S. Embassy, London, Sat 10th Sep: Despite wind and rain, and the prospect of being in one of the hottest places in Britain, plus never getting a VISA to the USA, cannabis campaigners in London joined others in nearly 40 cities worldwide today to protest at the threatened 'cannabis kidnappings'; the attempt by the U.S. government to extradite three Canadians, Marc Emery, Greg Williams, and Michelle Rainey, for selling cannabis seeds mailorder.

This is a minor charge in Canada, but it is a very different story in 'Gulag America' where they even have the death penalty for large scale marijuana production. Amnesty International has described U.S. jails as "inhuman". There are 600,000 people currently rotting in those 'inhuman' jails for cannabis possession right now.

Above: 'War on Drugs, Tug of War'. Be on the U.S. government 'Bush War'/DEA(LERS) side, or with 58% of the Canadian population who are against the extraditions and freedom for cannabis; you choose.

The U.S. government's 'Drug Enforcement Agency' (D.E.A.) website is a very bad website indeed. It is only worth reading to see how many lies and pieces of misinformation you can find. 'News of the Weed' is offering a prize to the person who can list the most, we lost count.

EVEN WORSE is the website produced by the U.S. Government's 'National Institute on Drug Abuse'(N.I.D.A.). It has a tasteless design, but don't let that fool you; you are looking at power and influence. These are the people BEHIND the D.E.A! They are up to every dirty trick in the book. Watch out for these fundamentalists, they are active worldwide and are using every devious method at their disposal to fight a bogus 'War on Drugs', while supporting the biggest heroin producers in the world in Afganistan. Let them explain that to their kids if they have any.

Above: Cannabis Grandma gives Bush a right ticking off outside the Canadian Embassy where he was stalking for victims to kidnap.

Below: Bush finally gets the picture, gets some respect and joins the 'Cannabis Trust':

"Hey Guys, I've just had a cool idea! What the kids need is some cannabis education they can trust, not a load of baloney."

Meanwhile the global campaign to free all cannabis prisoners will continue to grow. Whatever the rights and wrongs of cannabis use, no one deserves jail for it, much less being kidnapped from your own country. It also costs poor tax payers all over the world a fortune, which would be far better spent elsewhere. Watch this space (and the many others).

U.K. says "D.E.A. Go Away": stop the cannabis kidnappings protest launch

2005-09-08T19:48:00.000Z

America Bullies Canadians; Britain, or anywhere, could be next.

London 8th Sep:: A 'protest' against attempted extraditions for cannabis took place outside the U.S. & Canadian Embassies today.

A protest letter was also delivered to each Embassy in London for the attention of the Ambassador. The full text of letters of protest are posted below.

This was a prelude to the main protest event planned in London this Sat 10th Sep at Grosvenor Sq, London W1. 2.-5pm. Other protests are taking place in 36 cities worldwide on the same day.

The demonstrations are against the extradition of three Canadians to the U.S. for selling cannabis seeds, and the 'Bush War' which targets cannabis users at home and abroard.

latest world news: www.cannabisculture.com

london organisers: www.cannabistrust.com

Protest letter to the U.S. Ambassador in London: free the pot hostages

2005-09-08T19:08:00.000Z

To the Ambassador of the United States, London..

Dear Sir,

We are writing to you regarding the attempt by your government to extradite three Canadian citizens, Marc Emery, Greg Williams, and Michelle Rainey, to the United States to face charges related to the sale of cannabis seeds by mail order.

If these extraditions go ahead the victims will face very serious penalties in the United States for what is a relatively minor infringement of the law in their own country.

We believe this is an abuse of extradition treaties which are in place to bring serious criminals to justice for serious crimes.

Extradition treaties should not be used by any country to push their domestic social policies or the laws that inforce them, on citizens of another nation.

In this case your government is attempting to use extradition treaties to extend its very harsh and prohibitionist laws regarding the use and sale of cannabis in the United States to people living in Canada a nation that is developing a different, more human approach.

The people of Canada, and their government have largely rejected the theory that prohibition and harsh penalties is the way to deal with the use of cannabis, a recreational drug that is not addictive and has far less harmful effects than alcohol (with is addictive).

Canada has led the world in ending the unjustifiable ban on the medical use of cannabis. Their lead is being followed in most of Europe (including Britain) and an increasing number of nations throughout the world.

We would like to know why the United States government rejects science and continues to argue that cannabis has no nutritional or medical value. Many people believe your treatment of medical cannabis users in the United States amounts to a crime against humanity.

It is sad to see that the United States government stands out in its refusal to learn from the disastrous failure of cannabis prohibition as an effective social policy. Currently you have 600,000 people in prison for cannabis and prosecute about 700,000 people a year. It has been estimated that cannabis prohibition costs United States tax payers more that $10 Billion a year to enforce.
Your government has failed to accept that cannabis prohibition does not protect peoples health or safety in any way, and instead puts people, especially their young people in far more danger.

As citizens of Britain, a nation that has very close cultural and political ties to the United States, we are deeply concerned about this, and especially at your attempts to export your failed and ‘fundamentalist’ drug policies worldwide. We have friends and relatives in the United States and we know what is going on.

We believe that it is the policy of cannabis prohibition that creates a dangerous ‘gateway’ to the use of hard drugs, not the use of cannabis as your government continues to argue. Cannabis prohibition exposes people, most worryingly young people, to an unregulated and illegal market which often includes hard drugs. This market is dominated by criminals, when it should be run by buisness people operating under the law.

We therefore hope very much that your government will order an immediate end to these unjustifiable extradition proceedings, and that it seriously reviews its failed prohibitionist policies regarding the sale and use of cannabis, for the health of the American people and people everywhere.

Cannabis Education Research Trust

Please note: The display of the U.S. flag upside down is a legitimate signal of distress, not an insult to the flag or the American people.

Protest letter to the Canadian Ambassador in London: stop the cannabis extraditions

2005-09-08T18:35:00.000Z

To the Canadian Ambassador, London.

Dear Sir,

We are writing to you regarding the attempt by the United States government to extradite three Canadian citizens, Marc Emery, Greg Williams, and Michelle Rainey, to the United States to face charges related to the sale of cannabis seeds by mail order.

If these extraditions go ahead the victims will face very serious penalties in the United States for what is a relatively minor infringement of the law in their own country. Amnesty International says many U.S. prisons are “inhuman”.

We believe this is an abuse of extradition treaties which are in place to bring serious criminals to justice for serious crimes. Extradition treaties should not be used by any country to push their domestic social policies or the laws that inforce them, on citizens of another nation.

In this case the American government is attempting to use extradition treaties to extend its very harsh and prohibitionist laws regarding the use and sale of cannabis in the United States to people living in Canada a nation that is developing a different, more human approach.

This is a direct attack on the independence and sovereignty of Canada, and a recent poll shows that 58% of the Canadian people are against these extraditions.

The people of Canada, and their government have largely rejected the theory that prohibition and harsh penalties is the way to deal with the use of cannabis, a recreational drug that is not addictive and has far less harmful effects than alcohol (with is addictive).

Canada has led the world in ending the unjustifiable ban on the medical use of cannabis.

However the United States government rejects science and continues to argue that cannabis has no nutritional or medical value. Many people believe the treatment of medical cannabis users in the United States amounts to a crime against humanity.

It is sad to see that the United States stands out in its failure to learn from the disastrous failure of cannabis prohibition as an effective social policy. Currently they have 600,000 people in prison for cannabis and prosecute about 700,000 people a year. It has been estimated that cannabis prohibition costs United States tax payers more that $10 Billion a year to enforce.

The United States has failed to accept that cannabis prohibition does not protect peoples health or safety in any way, and instead puts people, especially their young people in far more danger.

As citizens of Britain, a nation that has very close cultural and political ties to the United States, we are deeply concerned about this and especially at U.S. attempts to export their failed and ‘fundamentalist’ drug policies worldwide. We have friends and relatives in the United States and we know what is going on.

We believe that it is the policy of cannabis prohibition that creates a dangerous ‘gateway’ to the use of hard drugs, not the use of cannabis as the U.S. government continues to argue. Cannabis prohibition exposes people, most worryingly young people, to an unregulated and illegal market which often includes hard drugs. This market is dominated by criminals, when it should be run by buisness people operating under the law.

We therefore hope very much that your government will reject these unjustifiable extradition proceedings, and encourages the United States to seriously review its failed prohibitionist policies regarding the sale and use of cannabis, for the health of the American people and people everywhere.

Cannabis Education & Research Trust, London

your chance to sign the THC4MS petition - click and vote

2005-08-26T12:07:00.000Z

Over a five year period, THC4MS have sent over 33,000 bars of CannaBiz chocolate to bode-fide sufferers of MS. Everyone knew what THC4MS were doing. Everyone including the Police, Local Government, the Post Office and the MS community as a whole. A blind eye was turned at every opportunity. That blind eye was turned because THC4MS were doing nothing but good. The law itself turned a blind eye on several occasions! Good honest people helped whenever they could. Hundreds of well qualified doctors have allegedly "conspired" with THC4MS to help their patients. Thousands of good and honest victims of MS have had relief from the THC4MS product.

Click & Vote: Please sign the THC4MS petition now at www.petitionthem.com

Find out more at the THC4MS website.

free the Pot Hostages - stop the extraditions to the U.S. for cannabis, global protests Sep 10th

2005-08-24T18:10:00.000Z

PEACEFUL PROTEST outside Canadian and US Embassies, Grosvenor Sq, London, W1. Sat 10 September 2005. Meet in centre of Square (small park). 2pm - 5pm. Nearest tube: Bond Street.

The United States is attempting to extradite Marc Emery, editor of Cannabis Culture Magazine and two of his colleagues from Canada for offences related to supplying cannabis seeds by mail order.

Thease are relatively minor charges in Canada, but if these judicial kidnappings go ahead the Canadian 'pot hostages' face draconian penalties in the U.S. which they would not get in their own country. Amnesty International has described the US prison system as 'inhuman'.

Marc Emery is a leading cannabis activist and magazine publisher known internationally for his campaigning work. He has obviously been singled out for attention for political reasons.

Despite paying taxes on all profits from his seed buisness Marc is also being charged with ‘money laundering’, because he spent his seed profits on the campaign to end cannabis prohibition.

At very short notice, international protests have been organised for 10th Sep 2005, with protest events confirmed in 36 cities including London.

The issue of concern for people everywhere is the attempt to extradite non U.S. citizens for cannabis 'offences' to face harsher penalties than they would ever receive under the law of their own countries. It could be anywhere next. For anything.

Other issues are the 'Bush War on Drugs', the Afghan Heroin Scandal, and solidarity with US medical cannabis users also facing extradition to US prisons from Canada.

We will be advising the Canadian Government to retain their legal independence and their sovereignty as an independent nation, and refuse these extraditions. Canada has a good reputation in the world to uphold! According to a recent public opinion survey, 58 per cent of Canadians oppose Marc Emery's extradition to the USA.

We are calling on the US government to stop taking hostages in their failed 'War on Drugs' and end cannabis prohibition now. Currently over 700,000 Americans are prosecuted in the USA just for marijuana possession, costing over 10 billion dollars a year. Under U.S. law you can even face the death penalty for large scale ‘ganja’ cultivation, while their treatment of medical cannabis users is a crime against humanity.

Despite their total failure, the US is still attempting to export its drug policies worldwide, including Britain, with networks of DEA agents interfering in local politics, and causing problems. This seems to result in the increased use of heroin and crack cocaine where ever they go.

The DEA's 'fundamentalist' drug policy stubbornly flies in the face of scientific evidence, claiming that cannabis has no therapeutic or nutritional value. It is time they turned over a new leaf for the sake of the American people, and people everywhere.

"They came for the cannabis users and I did not speak out, and then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak out for me".

PEACEFUL POT PROTEST @ Canadian and US Embassies, Grosvenor Sq, London, W1. Sat 10th September 2005. Meet centre of Square (small park). 2pm - 5pm. Nearest tube: Bond Street.

Free The Pot Hostages Sep 10th CONTACTS:

London organisers: www.cannabistrust.com
World listings: www.cannabisculture.com
Latest news: www.newsoftheweed.com

DOWNLOAD London event flyer for printing and local distribution: freepothostages.pdf (A4 3up b/w 220k).

global demonstrations planned as owner of Cannabis Culture magazine sits in Canadian jail facing extradition to USA

2005-08-02T00:12:00.000Z

In a move that could bring them nothing but trouble, the American government has forced the Canadian government to arrest Mark Emery, founder of Cannabis Culture magazine, and are trying to extradite him to one of their concentration camps, along with two other Canadians, for selling marijuana seeds to Americans.

The extradition process could take anywhere from six months to two years. A court hearing regarding bail is due in Vancouver on Tuesday starting 10am. According to Cannabis Culture's website the Canadian authorities are trying to block bail for Mark which is very unusual for a non-violent offender. One of the others is now out on $25,000 bail which is unusually high.

The legal reasons for refusing an extradition order in Canada are:

(a) the surrender would be unjust or oppressive having regard to all the relevant circumstances; YES!

(b) the request for extradition is made for the purpose of prosecuting or punishing the person by reason of their race, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, language, colour, political opinion, sex, sexual orientation, age, mental or physical disability or status or that the person's position may be prejudiced for any of those reasons. YES!

c) allowing it to go ahead would "shock the conscience" of Canadians. YES!

According to Neil Boyd, professor of criminology at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, B.C., "What's unusual about this case is that they are arresting a person for conduct that attracts very serious penalties in one country and potentially no penalties in Canada," Boyd said.

All three defendants were charged with conspiracy to distribute marijuana, conspiracy to distribute marijuana seeds and conspiracy to engage in money laundering. The distribution charges alone carry potential punishments of 10 years to life imprisonment.

Emery and two accomplices, Gregory Williams, 50, and Michelle Rainey-Fenkarek, 34, were arrested by Canadian authorities on a warrant issued by federal officials in Washington state. The Seattle-based office of the Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation which started 18 months ago.

According to the Seattle Times, Mark Emery, known in Canada as the "Prince of Pot", was arrested on a U.S. indictment charging him with selling millions of dollars worth of marijuana seeds to customers throughout the United States. They are saying that at least 75 percent of his seed transactions involved U.S. customers.

Vancouver Police Department spokesman Howard Chow, is quoted saying the authorities likely thought there was a better chance of conviction and harsher punishment in the U.S.

In Canada being busted for selling pot seeds is a minor issue usually involving a fine of which Mark Emery has had many, although according to his Web site, he was most recently sentenced to 92 days in jail for trafficking and possession. In Britain marijuana seeds are legal as long as you do not mix them with water, earth and light in such a way that they grow.

There has already been a spontaneous demo in an area of Vancouver known as 'Vansterdam' of about 100 people, but this could just be the beginning unless the Canadian authorities do the sensible thing and refuse to extradite the three Canadians to a country Amnesty International has said runs inhuman prison facilities.

Meanwhile the story is going international, and could turn into a public relations disaster for the American government and their so called 'War on Drugs'. Something like the McLibel case maybe, or hopefully worse.

Mark Emery is known all over the world for publishing his excellent 'Cannabis Culture' magazine and supporting campaigns all over the world to end cannabis prohibition. On several occasions he helped the Cannabis March and Festival in London. This move against him is politically motivated, aimed particularly at closing down Cannabis Culture magazine and ending the work of one of the most important campaigners against cannabis prohibition in the world.

Canada could also suffer from an international backlash ending their image as a relative oasis of freedom next to its totalitarian neighbor. But if Canada now holds up to their sovereign rights against the power of the United States, they will be international heros. It is their choice, although the pressure from the US will be massive.

Tommy Chong, one-half of the stoner comedic partnership of Cheech and Chong was shocked when told of Emery's trouble with the DEA as he used to live in Vancouver. "They're going to extradite him down to the [U.S.] for something that's not really a crime in Canada. If Canada goes for that, they really suck."

International phone lines have been buzzing as cannabis campaigners plan a global protest action for September 10th, if Emery and his two colleagues are not released. An international media campaign with demos targeting US embassies worldwide is being discussed.

Amnesty International is being asked to take on the case, making the three, 'prisoners of conscience'.

It is arguable that US policy towards cannabis users is genocidal because one of the internationally accepted definitions of genocide is any attempt to "obliterate the way of life' of someone.

Over 750,000 people a year are arrested just for marijuana possession in the USA, and if you get caught with over 60,000 marijuana plants you can get the death penalty.

THC4MS to be prosecuted: free medical cannabis service that may have saved NHS £10 million, under legal attack

2005-08-01T01:34:00.000Z

They helped provide a service called 'THC4MS' that has delivered FREE home made cannabis chocolate to MS suffers all over Britain for the last ten years. In hard cash terms they may have helped save the NHS a million pounds a year, (thats £10 million so far), but you can't put a value on the human benefits of their work.

So what is their reward? A Knighthood from the Queen might be in order, but instead they are being being prosecuted for 'conspiracy to supply cannabis', and could be sent to jail for 14 years! "Guilty of intent to heal" more like. What a crazy world! How can this be in the public interest?

MS patients who use cannabis report a soothing of the painful muscle spasms and improved muscle coordination. Some are able to walk unaided when they were previously unable to do so. It also helps blurred vision, tremors, loss of bladder control, insomnia and depression.

The people 'THC4MS helped may now be forced to buy cannabis on the black market, or go without the benefits it gives. That means they may be in hospital again sooner, be more likely to be wheel chair bound, less likely to be able to work, and for some it may mean they will be dead sooner.

A Knighthood is not good enough for these THC4MS saints who give medical cannabis free to suffering people genuinely in need; the Queen should make them THCLORDS.

There is some surprise that the prosecutions are going ahead as their service had been running for 10 years, and was doing such good work. After the police raids which have resulted in the prosecution, one of the three now charged, Mark Gibson, told the Scotsman; "We were an open secret. We were sending to people from Orkney to Penzance."

On May 15th, Mark Gibson spoke in Trafalgar Square at the Cannabis Education Rally, organised by the Cannabis Trust. In his speech he called for an amnesty for medical cannabis users and suppliers. Now we need that amnesty even more urgently.

Has Britain gone mad? We know about 'reefer madness', but this is 'choco-madness'. These prosecutions should be stopped now 'in the public interest'. Britain can't afford to waste time and money like this.

One thing you can do to help is write to Charles Clarke, Home Secretary, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA. Ask him to look into this case, as a prosecution is surely not in the public interest. Please be sure to use that term "not in the public interest", because our legal advisors say this is a reason that allows the Home Secretary to intervene in such cases. ALSO send the same letter by e-mail to clarke@norwichlabourcampaign.info

Our 'Medical Cannabis Users Guide', gives a lot more information about the many Uses of Medical Cannabis.

So remember, be nice and influence people: Write to Charles Clarke, Home Secretary, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA. And please ALSO send the same letter by e-mail to clarke@norwichlabourcampaign.info

We hope never, but one day it could be you, or a friend or relative who is denied the medicine that works, mostly just to protect the profits of companies selling medicines that do not work.

man gets 15 years for two joints in philippines as 'reefer madness' continues to rage worldwide.

2005-07-27T18:14:00.000Z

A Philippines court in Cebu City has sentenced Emilion Lapay Jr. a local man, to 15 years in prison for possessing just two joints, according to a report in the local newspaper the Cebu Freeman.

After a trial in which the only evidence was the word of two police officers, Judge Ingles ruled Lapay was "guilty beyond reasonable doubt," and sentenced him to 15 years in prison. But in a magnanimous gesture, the judge left open the possibility he could be free in only 12 years.

The draconian sentence is just the latest indicator that the Philippines "remains mired in an on-going, full-blown anti-drug frenzy" according to stopthedrugwar.org

People caught in the Philippines with more than 500 grams of cannabis (a little more than one pound) face a possible death sentence, while possession of as little as five grams is punishable by life. Small time offenders possessing less than five grams face 12 years.

Meanwhile China has launched a 'Peoples War' against drugs. This can only mean one thing; more executions for cannabis. Last year China celebrated the UN 'International Day Against Drugs' (28 June) by executing 231 people found guilty of drug trafficking.

In the United States, home of reefer madness, and private prisons profiting from the prohibition of cannabis, there are over 600,000 people in prison just for marijuana related offences. In Sweden you can be arrested by police just for looking like you might be a cannabis user.

Unfortunately, 'reefer madness' is still alive and well and raging world wide. The virus, which effects the brain and can be spread by the written word, is at large in Britain too judging by the recent outpourings of some of the British press who are known carriers of the mental disorder, which has been tragically known to strike down politicians in their prime, for example Ann Widdecombe.

Know about a crazy bust or a choice example of reefer madness? 'News of the Weed' wants them now. Every one we use gets a free copy of 'Council Flat Paradise' the guide to growing weed in a council flat.

Ahmad Saidin, 57, faces mandatory death sentence for 1.6kg of cannabis in Malaysia

2005-07-26T02:40:00.000Z

The Star in Malaysia reports that Ahmad Saidin, a 57 year old carpenter, has been found guilty of having 1.6kg of cannabis and has therefore been given the mandatory sentence of death under Malaysian law.

His defence counsel is appealing against the High Court decision. In general, there is a two year gap between the passing of a death sentence and the execution of the condemned. Some appeals processes have exceeded ten years. This means there is up to two years to bring so much international pressure to bear on Malaysia that it backs away from the action

Malaysia has executed 358 prisoners by hanging in the past 24 years mostly for drug-trafficking. During a recent debate in the Malaysian parliament (April 05) on how to handle drug addicts there was a suggestion that addicts should be supplied with drugs by the government and exiled to a remote island.

The case of Ahmad Saidin is just the latest in a long line of tragic cannabis executions in several parts of the world especially China, Singapore and Malaysia. Amnesty International has pointed out that the people who are caught and hanged are usually the poor in society. Meanwhile the big dealers enjoy the liberal banking laws.

Recently there was the case of Shanmugam s/o Murugesu in Singapore who was hung for just over a kilo of cannabis on May 15 2005. But while users and small time dealers are executed on a regular basis in this corrupt nation ruled by criminals, major drug barons dealing in heroin continue to operate untouched, and make an significant contribution to Singaporean state coffers.

One such druglord is Lo Hsing-han, a Burmese heroin producer who has massive business interests in Singapore with the full support of the government that executes people for cannabis.

Meanwhile Malaysia's hangmen and floggers are celebrating they have been granted a pay rise. Hangmen will get a 60% rise. For every hanging they will now be paid 500 ringgit ($131) instead of the current 300 ringgit. For every swing of the cane, floggers will now get $3.30 - up from $1.10.

Above: The surreal mural wall of Pudu Prison, Kuala Lumpur from the website of international anti death sentence campaigning organisation Save A Life.

SOMETHING MUST BE DONE. Boycott Singapore and Malaysia. Any ideas? Watch this space.

'skunk summit' announced by US and Dutch Governments

2005-07-26T00:29:00.000Z

The Washington Post is reporting that U.S. Drug Czar John Walters, and Dutch Health Minister Hans Hoogervorst, have reached an accord on dealing with "high potency marijuana" and announced plans to hold a 'skunk summit' this autumn. Heaven knows what they will come up with, but 'News of the Weed' will be there.

According to the Washington post the 'skunk summit' is being held because of concerns about a "new high-potency form of marijuana, known as THC, because of its psychoactive ingredient delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol." The US Drug Czar is quoted saying that on his visit to Holland he had discovered that "20 percent of homegrown marijuana was THC."

Very scientific sounding, but as almost every 14 year old in Britain knows THC is just one of many active ingredients in ALL cannabis, not some new chemical produced only by 'skunk' plants. Seems like what they need is some CANNABIS EDUCATION.

A good start might be the AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT 'Department of Health & Ageing' report: The health and psychological consequences of cannabis use' which states:

"it is not obvious that more potent forms of cannabis inevitably have more adverse effects on users' health than less potent forms. Indeed, it is conceivable that increased potency may have little or no adverse effect if users are able to titrate their dose to achieve the desired state of intoxication, as some have argued they do (e.g. Kleiman, 1992; Mikuyira and Aldrich, 1988). If users were able to titrate their dose, the use of more potent cannabis products would reduce the amount of cannabis material that was smoked, which would marginally reduce the risks of developing respiratory diseases.

"[ . . .]even if users do not titrate their dose of THC, (or if they do so inefficiently), any increase in the average dose received would not inevitably have an adverse impact on users' health. The effect would depend upon the type of health effect in question, and the relative experience of users."

'News of the Weed' will be watching to see if the Australian 'Department of Health and Aging' is invited to participate in the promised 'skunk summit'.

The excellent Latin american blog 'NarcoSphere' believes that the Dutch may be caving in to American pressure, and they may be right, but perhaps (hopefully) something else is happening.

The Dutch may want to humor the Americans especially after they recently withdrew their troops from Iraq. However they have steadfastly stood by their sensible and rational drug policies through years of attack from all sides. This new agreement paves the way for a summit between U.S. and Dutch researchers, information sharing between drug addiction experts and the assignment of a Dutch researcher to the American 'National Institute on Drug Abuse'.

It may just be possible that the Dutch are about to give the American Government the Cannabis Education they so clearly need. We will be watching.

renee boje faces 10 years mandatory in US prison for watering pot plant - free protest track download

2005-07-25T23:21:00.000Z

In a medical cannabis case which is begining to have international repercussions American cannabis exile Renee Boje is currently fighting a fast track extradition order from Canada to the US and she needs your help.

The US federal authorities want to imprison Renee for a 10 year MANDATORY sentence in a federal prison, basically for watering some pot plants for a medical marijuana patient in California, where medical marijuana is legal under state law.

On June 17, 2005 the Canadian Minister of Justice, Irwin Cotler, ordered Renee Boje surrendered to the US authorities. Renee surrendered herself into custody, but was thankfully released on bail pending an appeal to the Canadian Court of Appeals. They are now waiting to hear whether or not the appeal will be accepted.

In order to ensure Renee Boje's freedom in Canada, she and her lawyer will have to convince the Canadian Court of Appeals that to surrender her to the US authorities to serve a lengthy prison sentence in a violent and inhumane US prison would shock the conscience of Canadian citizens.

There may be hope, as Amnesty International, the UN and Human Rights Watch have all condemned womens prisons in the US due to the extreme violence & inhumane conditions that women are enduring in American prisons today.

As part of the campaign to free Renee Boje and spread information about her case, a free song download has been created where you can get the excellent protest track RENEE AND THE DRUG SQUAD by Johnny Punish and the Shabbab. Please forward this link and information to others who may be interested in doing something about this important case.

To support the campaign further check http://www.reneeboje.com

boy george was early morning smoker of "huge" spliffs

2005-07-25T16:58:00.001Z

The Scotsman has an historical item about Boy George's 'guest star' appearance as a member of the 'A Team', involving the consumption of a "huge marjuana spliff" EVERY morning.

In an especially surreal episode of the popular 1980's TV series, entitled 'Cowboy George' ('A Team',1986), an ultra camped up 'Boy George' explains to lovable if macho hulk 'Mr T' how to kick a door down. As an ex South London squatter 'Boy George' may have known almost as much about this as 'Mr T', who was super cool, previously being a body guard for Muhammed Ali, and once saying unscripted "When I was growing up, my family was so poor we couldn't afford to pay attention".

Apparently however cool Mr T was, Boy George had mixed feelings about being a member of the 'A Team' which was full of gratuitous violence and bad jokes. The Scotsman quotes him saying; "I'd get up every morning, have a huge marijuana spliff and just get through it." What he does not mention is if he shared his "huge" spliffs' with anyone else on the 'A Team'.

Of course the chronic early morning consumption of 'huge spliffs' is not to be recommended, being the 'cannabis alcoholic' version of having whiskey every morning for breakfast, although not nearly as damaging. However most cannabis users have shared Boy Georges early morning 'huge spliff' experiences at some point, if not often. But, unlike alcohol drinkers with a hang over using the 'hair of the dog' recovery method, early morning cannabis users are not recovering from the previous nights abuse of a dangerous drug by taking more of the same. They just want to get high as early as possible.

For cannabis users the danger can come if they are starting the day as they intend to continue on a regular basis, which means they may end up not getting out of bed at all. This may be the safest place in these troubled times, but regular smokers of a strong type of skunk actually called 'Chronic' may be at particular risk of bed sores.

For those who do not remember the 'A Team', it was a 1980's TV series for kids featuring crazy 'don't do this at home' stunts and psychopathic violence by a 'likable' gang of mercenary killers cracking jokes. One of the side effects of watching the 'A Team' for some young people was almost certainly hearing voices. For parents however, the worst mental health effect was the 'A Team' reenactments all over the house, including 'armed' assaults on the front door, thanks to Boy George, much as we love him.

'Under the Influence' is a listing of people through the ages who have allegedly made an important contribution to the arts, politics, religion, science etc and have used cannabis, or advocated the ending of cannabis prohibition. Contributions (with evidence) always welcome.

top us economists tell bush: tax marijuana and make $10-14 Billion a year

2005-07-22T01:45:00.000Z

In an important development in the United States, more than 530 distinguished US economists have signed an open letter to President Bush and other public officials calling for "an open and honest debate about marijuana prohibition' adding, "We believe such a debate will favor a regime in which marijuana is legal, but taxed and regulated like other goods."

They are endorsing an academic paper entitled "The Budgetary Implications of Marijuana Prohibition," by Dr. Jeffrey Miron, visiting professor of economics at Harvard University, which says that replacing marijuana prohibition with a system of taxation and regulation similar to that used for alcoholic beverages would produce combined savings and tax revenues of between $10 billion and $14 billion per year.

These estimates may be conservative according to the Marijuana Policy Project which is the largest marijuana campaigning organization in the United States. For example, Miron based his figure for prison costs due to marijuana prohibition on an estimate that one percent of state prisoners are imprisoned for marijuana related offenses. However a report released this May (05) by the 'White House Office of National Drug Control Policy' put the figure at 1.6 percent, acknowledging that tens of thousands of Americans are incarcerated in state or federal prisons for marijuana offenses.

In Britain, the Blair government did a report into the annual cost of prosecuting nearly 100,000 people for cannabis possession, discovered it cost over £1 billion a year, and soon after brought in the 'Class C' policy, which ended most prosecutions for possession. They saved Britain plc £1 billion a year at a stroke.

In the States the emergence of this economic report could well be the begining of major change as happened in Britain; as usual it's money that talks.

So could we see George Bush legalising Ganja Bush? It is hard to imagine, but Bush seriously needs the cash so anything is possible. Also he used to smoke loads of weed, so he knows it's not as bad as his dad used to make out..

What ever happens, this new report, and the unusual public support it is getting from important US academics from both the left and the right, is an important development. It is now more likely that if there is a change in policy in the US, it will be to full legalisation including distribution and sale, rather than opting for the current British half way house policy of 'Class C' for possession, but supply still illegal.

The Independent Drug Monotoring Unit in Britain has estimated cannabis could bring the government extra annual tax revenue of £606,889,748 for hash and £735,304,101 for skunk, plus the income from VAT.

If cannabis was legalised and taxed in the US, we can be sure the British government will not be far behind the Americans - as usual. What won't be normal is that we won't be complaining, except when the Chancellor puts another 20 pence on an eighth in the Budget and only a penny on a pint. Then cannabis will be just part of our everyday culture.

However, "anarchist" and right wing libertarian cannabis users who do not want to pay taxes need not worry; there will always be a dodgy 'blackmarket' as with tobacco and alcohol. And, if the government adopts the Cannabis Trust policy, as they will have to eventually, people will be able to legally grow their own organic, GM free, tax free, non corporate, totally PC weed, just like you can brew your own tax free wine or beer now. This is why, when we end cannabis prohibition, everyone wins!

Dr. Miron's full report, the open letter to public officials signed by
more than 500 economists, and the full list of endorsers are available at
http://www.prohibitioncosts.org

londoners devour cannabis education at ken's 'London United' festival

2005-07-16T19:54:00.000Z

The annual London "Respect Festival" organised by the GLA, uncomfortably became the "Rise Festival" this year, only to be renamed 'London United' in the wake of the attack on the city by suicide bombers 10 days ago. The 'Cannabis Education Trust' ran a stall among the community stalls section at the event, giving us a chance to gauge opinions and experiences from a wide range of people forming the 100,000 audience. A fascinating range of nationalities, faiths and creeds were drawn to our stall - all eager for information and to share their experiences of cannabis and prohibition. Our leaflets were devoured by visitors of all ages. Teenagers arrived with parents in tow, parents brought their kids over for some honest cannabis education and a healthy debate ensued. Only two negative reactions were observed- one from an obnoxious drunken oaf who told us we were a bunch of "####'s" because we declined his demands for a free supply of weed; the other a decidedly sober woman who denounced us as "evil ##### liars" for not agreeing that cannabis causes cancer.

'Frequently Asked Questions' and comments at the stall included:

How do vaporisers work?
Whose side are you on?
Will there be a Brixton Cannabis Festival again?
Where can I get organic (no-additives) tobacco to mix with my ganja?
Why didn't the Panorama programme on Skunk and teenagers interview anyone connected with the Trafalgar Square Rally apart from the Rethink bloke?
Why don't ya tell tha yout about real ganja and sinsy - and steer them away from chemical-ridden skunk and toxic 'soap bar' hash?
Err got any free samples?
Can you sell us a bit?
How do you grow organic skunk?
Is it true mushrooms are illegal and class A to possess?
I wish we had honest cannabis education in Chile, many people still think it is like heroin and crack.
My friend in Poland just got 6 months for possessing half a joint.
A lot of us used to use cannabis on the Kibbutz.
Did you hear about the guy in Singapore who was executed for half a kilo of weed?

Thanks to everyone, including Ken Livingston, for a great 'united front' day. It was cosmopolitain London at it's best.

education not executions

'hemp aid' campaign; draft text & layup for new flyer

2005-07-09T15:49:00.001Z

The Cannabis Trust is planning a coordinated 'Hemp Aid' education campaign. A draft text for a suitable flyer has been produced and more research is being done. Help is required. We are looking for more information, especially regarding hemp in Africa, and US policy towards hemp. Once the text is fully checked and agreed it will become part of an ongoing 'Hemp Aid' education and action campaign.

Further research is being done to find the exact legel situation regarding Hemp Farming in each African country. So far we have discovered considerable variation: In S. Africa the ANC government has long been aware of the value of hemp in alleviating poverty in Africa and is now investing millions in hemp production. However in Ghana you can get 10 years hard labour simply for saying (or singing) anything that could be construed as advocating the use of cannabis and that includes hemp! Just like the American Drug Enforcement Authority (DEA) which works all over the world spreading misinformation about cannabis and hemp, Ghana's government lumps hemp together with 'cannabis', and thinks that you can eat a hemp burger and get high! More information on current hemp policies in other African nations is urgently required.

We are also looking for more evidence to back up the statements in the draft text regarding the imposition of an anti hemp policy on many of the poorest African countries by the US using blackmail, bribery and corruption.

'Hemp Aid' draft text

'Hemp Aid' Flyer layup: designed for easy download, printing, photocopying and local distribution: hempaid.pdf (a4, '3up', b/w, 316k).

some links about Hemp in Africa:

African Cannabis Agriculture, Politics, Poverty And Disease: http://www.utopiasprings.com/vcanagra.htm

S. African government minister's speech on hemp:
http://www.info.gov.za/speeches/2001/010705345p1003.htm

Swaziland (S.Africa): http://marijuananews.com/news.php3?sid=662

Malawi: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/708649.stm

Ghana: http://www.info-ghana.com/ghana's_ganja_policy.htm

Hemp in the USA:
motherearthnews.com 'Hemp, Hemp Horray'

DEA hemp policy

Hemp in Afganistan: Hemp Could Replace Opium Crop - Hemp would provide a feasible and profitable alternative to growing poppies for heroin, argues development worker Marc Deeley talking to the BBC. Cannabis Culture have another interview with Marc Deeley, who works for 'Spirit Aid'.