For some the Global Marijuana March is a day they would not miss, while some will have or will only become aware of its existence for the first time this year. So what is the Global Marijuana March and what can you do once you've heard of this event? Apart from attending of course.
While there has been marches and other events against cannabis prohibition for many years in various countries, the Global Marijuana March in its current format began in 1999 and some cities will be holding their 10th event this coming May, while some like in Cork in Ireland will be holding their first. Some of the well known organisers since 1999 include Dana Beal, a social and political activist who runs the website cures-not-wars.org and who has been involved in the cannabis movement for decades. The Cannabis Culture Magazine and its contributors such as Marc Emery as well as other famous faces from the cannabis scene have also played their part in making the Global Marijuana March what it is today, along with every single person who has turned up and shown their support and who will I hope continue to show their support for as long as it takes.
According to the organisers themselves over 544 cities from 54 nations have signed up since 1999, thus showing the strength this march has and no doubt in the coming years the number of cities and nations involved will continue to grow as more and more people realise that cannabis prohibition just does not work. The Global Marijuana March is a celebration embracing cannabis culture as a personal lifestyle choice and is a day out where you can meet like minded people in mass, something which is not always possible when cannabis users are treated like criminals. Participants at the events and the groups behind the marches unite to promote cannabis as the medicine it is, how prohibition is a failure and more, the events are also to entertain and educate both consumers and non-consumers alike.
Its well under two months until it will be that time of the year for the worldwide cannabis community to unite and to call on their governments to end the unjust cannabis laws. In early May of this year, either on the first or second Saturday of the month over 200 cities across the globe will take part in the annual event, recreational and medical users and even non cannabis users who see prohibition as a failure will turnout in mass globally to voice their opinion. The event is also known as the worldwide marijuana march or even the million marijuana march and some cities have local names for it like J-Day etc. Depending on the location and size of the protests events range from marching/rallies to concerts and festivals and much more. At some of the events around the globe crowds of thousands are expected, last year in Toronto around 15,000 people reportedly attended the march.
Having taken part in my first march last year and from reports, videos and photos of other marches I can say that it is generally a great day for cannabis lovers, regardless if it is for recreational or medical users, regardless if you are a long time activist or taking your first steps as one, even non cannabis users can enjoy the atmosphere that comes with the event. For many of us it is the only day you will be surrounded by as many like minded people at the one time, the feeling is unique. While it varies from country to country and even city to city these events usually go down without any problems from law enforcement, the marches are legal, peaceful, fun and there seems to be a smell in the air and a cloud of smoke. But it is a pro cannabis event so I think law enforcement should be expecting some if not all the protesters to light one up. Of course if one chooses to he does so at his own risk.
If you are attending your nearest event and possibly helping out with it then kudos to you, if you want to help with the protest then organizers you will be happy to know are usually grateful for the help. So once you find out where the nearest event is then speak with like minded people on forums, download and print fliers or get some from the organizers and spread the message about the events. Even if you can only contribute a few hours from now until the day of the march it does not matter as every little helps.
The events are not too far off, so now is the time for the promotion of the events to be pushed further. If you want to spread awareness of the marches then tell your friends offline and online, even if they live thousands of miles away as their might be an event near them, so getting talking, texting and e-mailing now. We can use social networking websites like Bebo, Facebook, Myspace etc. to put information up on the marches on our personal pages and also by sending out messages to our friends. Online forums and websites are also great places to make people aware of the march, most cannabis forums probably have some discussion of the topic already but if not then get posting. There are many ways we can promote the march and we all need to play our part.
Cannabis prohibition is a failure and over the first two weekends of May this year we have a chance to voice our opinions! Like I said the Global Marijuana March for many of us is an unique day and a great social event that will become a regular thing for many.... so get involved now!
More information:
To see a list of cities involved this year visit http://www.globalmarijuanamarch.org and http://cannabis.wikia.com/wiki/Global_Marijuana_March
To see a list of the cities that have been involved since 1999 visit http://cannabis.wikia.com/wiki/Globa...a_March_cities
Showing posts with label medical marijuana. Show all posts
Showing posts with label medical marijuana. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Medical Marijuana: A summary and an opinion
The cannabis plant has a long history of being used as a medicine in many cultures and there has been many positive studies involving the use of cannabis as a medicine. It has helped the life's of sick people but still many countries reject the idea cannabis has any medical value
What Is Medical Marijuana?:
Medical Marijuana refers to the use of cannabis/marijuana as a herbal therapy and also the use of synthetic THC and cannabinoids.
A Brief History:
The first use of cannabis as a medicine is hard to pinpoint but in China its believed its been used as a medicine for around 4000 years, Egyptian texts like Ebers Papyrus and the Ramesseum III Papyrus, both from over 1000 years BC describe medical marijuana. Other cultures also have references to medical marijuana from texts thousands of years old. In modern medicine cannabis was used more in western civilization from the 19th century onwards following experiments and promotion from Irish doctor William Brooke O'Shaughnessy. The creation of aspirin is considered by some to be responsible for the decline of the use of cannabis as a medicine, along with the anti-cannabis campaign in the early part of 20th century, with movies like Reefer Madness cannabis went from medicine to a drug that makes you insane. In more recent times only a few countries recognize cannabis as a medicine and there is some pharmaceutical companies looking into the many compounds within the plant for medicinal purposes.
Where?:
Lots of countries class cannabis as having no medicinal value so Medical Marijuana is only available in either herbal or synthetic form in Austria, Belgium, Canada, Finland, Israel, Spain, the Netherlands, the UK and in 13 states of the US. The laws are different in all countries with medical marijuana and gaining access maybe difficult. You will need a doctor's recommendation so your doctor is the best person to speak to if you live somewhere where medical cannabis might be available for you. The situation in the US is complicated with the 13 states having passed state laws, but medical marijuana is not recognized by federal law. This means patients who use and grow medical marijuana legally under state law still have to live in fear of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) raiding and possibly arresting them. As I spoke about before, there is hope that thing will change under the new president but only time will tell
Uses:
Cannabis has been used as a medicine for years for pain relief and is considered especially good for relieving neuropathic pain (pain from nerve damage). Cannabis also helps with nausea, spasticity, glaucoma, and movement disorders, cannabis is also a powerful appetite stimulant and is specifically good for patients suffering from HIV and other illnesses that reduce your appetite. Some newer research finds cannabis properties may protect the body against some types of malignant tumors and are neuroprotective. There is many more uses for cannabis medically and no doubt further research will show more benefits of the plant.
Future:
It should be easy to say that the future of cannabis being used as a medicine is bright but with most countries worldwide rejecting the idea that cannabis has any medical value it makes progress much harder. I hope soon more countries and all the states of the USA will have access to medical cannabis. Awareness needs to be spread about the medical value of cannabis as there is more people who could benefit from the plant.The use of cannabis as a medicine is nothing new and the fact that some pharmaceutical companies are looking closely at the plant and some of its compounds does not surprise me. Since they cannot patent a plant those looking into making money from the plant will look at making a synthetic version that they can make millions of. It would be easier and better for the patients simply to grow their own medicine but of then how would the pharmaceutical companies make money then?
People might argue that smoking your medicine is not a healthy way of taking medicine, but with the vaporizers available on the market for healthy inhalation and the fact you can make edible or drinkable goodies form cannabis or a hemp oil then cannabis does not need to be smoked.
The difference among recreational use and medical use of cannabis needs to be recognized by more people. While I believe that a responsible adult should have the right to use cannabis recreationally, I do think that there should be no doubt about allowing a sick person use a plant with a long history of medical value should be accepted and legal. What might be considered just the munchies by a recreational user is for some medical users the difference between having an appetite or not.
Cannabis has a great potential as a medicine and more awareness, and acceptance is needed. Read up and spread the word
If you would like more information on the medical use of cannabis and to read studies and more on the subject then please check out the following websites. There is plenty of more information out there.
NORML
Medical Marijuana Pros and Cons
MPP
CannabisMD.org
What Is Medical Marijuana?:
Medical Marijuana refers to the use of cannabis/marijuana as a herbal therapy and also the use of synthetic THC and cannabinoids.
A Brief History:
The first use of cannabis as a medicine is hard to pinpoint but in China its believed its been used as a medicine for around 4000 years, Egyptian texts like Ebers Papyrus and the Ramesseum III Papyrus, both from over 1000 years BC describe medical marijuana. Other cultures also have references to medical marijuana from texts thousands of years old. In modern medicine cannabis was used more in western civilization from the 19th century onwards following experiments and promotion from Irish doctor William Brooke O'Shaughnessy. The creation of aspirin is considered by some to be responsible for the decline of the use of cannabis as a medicine, along with the anti-cannabis campaign in the early part of 20th century, with movies like Reefer Madness cannabis went from medicine to a drug that makes you insane. In more recent times only a few countries recognize cannabis as a medicine and there is some pharmaceutical companies looking into the many compounds within the plant for medicinal purposes.
Where?:
Lots of countries class cannabis as having no medicinal value so Medical Marijuana is only available in either herbal or synthetic form in Austria, Belgium, Canada, Finland, Israel, Spain, the Netherlands, the UK and in 13 states of the US. The laws are different in all countries with medical marijuana and gaining access maybe difficult. You will need a doctor's recommendation so your doctor is the best person to speak to if you live somewhere where medical cannabis might be available for you. The situation in the US is complicated with the 13 states having passed state laws, but medical marijuana is not recognized by federal law. This means patients who use and grow medical marijuana legally under state law still have to live in fear of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) raiding and possibly arresting them. As I spoke about before, there is hope that thing will change under the new president but only time will tell
Uses:
Cannabis has been used as a medicine for years for pain relief and is considered especially good for relieving neuropathic pain (pain from nerve damage). Cannabis also helps with nausea, spasticity, glaucoma, and movement disorders, cannabis is also a powerful appetite stimulant and is specifically good for patients suffering from HIV and other illnesses that reduce your appetite. Some newer research finds cannabis properties may protect the body against some types of malignant tumors and are neuroprotective. There is many more uses for cannabis medically and no doubt further research will show more benefits of the plant.
Future:
It should be easy to say that the future of cannabis being used as a medicine is bright but with most countries worldwide rejecting the idea that cannabis has any medical value it makes progress much harder. I hope soon more countries and all the states of the USA will have access to medical cannabis. Awareness needs to be spread about the medical value of cannabis as there is more people who could benefit from the plant.The use of cannabis as a medicine is nothing new and the fact that some pharmaceutical companies are looking closely at the plant and some of its compounds does not surprise me. Since they cannot patent a plant those looking into making money from the plant will look at making a synthetic version that they can make millions of. It would be easier and better for the patients simply to grow their own medicine but of then how would the pharmaceutical companies make money then?
People might argue that smoking your medicine is not a healthy way of taking medicine, but with the vaporizers available on the market for healthy inhalation and the fact you can make edible or drinkable goodies form cannabis or a hemp oil then cannabis does not need to be smoked.
The difference among recreational use and medical use of cannabis needs to be recognized by more people. While I believe that a responsible adult should have the right to use cannabis recreationally, I do think that there should be no doubt about allowing a sick person use a plant with a long history of medical value should be accepted and legal. What might be considered just the munchies by a recreational user is for some medical users the difference between having an appetite or not.
Cannabis has a great potential as a medicine and more awareness, and acceptance is needed. Read up and spread the word
If you would like more information on the medical use of cannabis and to read studies and more on the subject then please check out the following websites. There is plenty of more information out there.
NORML
Medical Marijuana Pros and Cons
MPP
CannabisMD.org
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Medical Marijuana user says police need further education on his medicine
Medical Marijuana user says police need further education on his medicine
A Canadian medical marijuana user who has had his license from Health Canada to legally use marijuana for the past three years is calling for further education for the police force after discovering officers that arrested him were unaware of the license. A license from Health Canada entitles a medical marijuana user to carry 150 grams of cannabis, or the equivalent of one month’s supply, at any time and to grow for medical use. Only around 2,000 people in Canada currently have a license from Health Canada.
On February 4th in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada a medical marijuana user who only wants to be called James was pulled over by Police officers. During what was referred to as a routine stop, James while searching for his driving documents took three grams of marijuana out of his glove box and placed it on the seat beside him. After stepping out of his truck and following police procedure to place his arms on the vehicle, James informed the officers of his license and he even produced it for them.
James was searched and placed in the back of the police cruiser for around 20 minutes while the officers searched his truck for more marijuana. None was found and James was eventually allowed to go home, James later told a reporter for the Leader-Post that it was the worst feeling he had in his life after being treated like a criminal. The next day after the incident James went to the police station to file a complaint as he wants to raise awareness about medical marijuana. To his shock James found out at the station that the officers had no idea what the license card was, which is strange considering it legally allows people with the card to carry and grow marijuana.
Lara Guzik Rostad a spokeswoman for Regina Police Service there aren’t any rules specific to medical marijuana and traffic stops, and officers must consider many factors. Regina police currently do not have in-house training specific to medical cannabis the spokeswomen also told the Leader-Post reporter.
Yes it’s true an officer stopping someone and seeing or smelling marijuana cannot tell if the person in question is a medical or recreational user of marijuana but you would like to think that police officers are aware of the laws they protect. I think its especially important they are aware of laws that protect sick people, a law that allows them much needed medicine.
While marijuana is only recognized in a few countries around the world as a legitimate medicine it is vital where the law actually protects ill people that those who enforce the laws are aware of the laws.
One thing is for certain though, at least James has a license to carry his marijuana because if this happened somewhere else to a medical user without permission to use his medicine things could have been worse than around 20 minutes spent in the back of a police cruiser.
That is not to say I justify this medical marijuana user being treated like a criminal. I also cannot find it acceptable that police officers are unaware of this license and I feel more education on medical marijuana is badly needed globally.
A Canadian medical marijuana user who has had his license from Health Canada to legally use marijuana for the past three years is calling for further education for the police force after discovering officers that arrested him were unaware of the license. A license from Health Canada entitles a medical marijuana user to carry 150 grams of cannabis, or the equivalent of one month’s supply, at any time and to grow for medical use. Only around 2,000 people in Canada currently have a license from Health Canada.
On February 4th in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada a medical marijuana user who only wants to be called James was pulled over by Police officers. During what was referred to as a routine stop, James while searching for his driving documents took three grams of marijuana out of his glove box and placed it on the seat beside him. After stepping out of his truck and following police procedure to place his arms on the vehicle, James informed the officers of his license and he even produced it for them.
James was searched and placed in the back of the police cruiser for around 20 minutes while the officers searched his truck for more marijuana. None was found and James was eventually allowed to go home, James later told a reporter for the Leader-Post that it was the worst feeling he had in his life after being treated like a criminal. The next day after the incident James went to the police station to file a complaint as he wants to raise awareness about medical marijuana. To his shock James found out at the station that the officers had no idea what the license card was, which is strange considering it legally allows people with the card to carry and grow marijuana.
Lara Guzik Rostad a spokeswoman for Regina Police Service there aren’t any rules specific to medical marijuana and traffic stops, and officers must consider many factors. Regina police currently do not have in-house training specific to medical cannabis the spokeswomen also told the Leader-Post reporter.
Yes it’s true an officer stopping someone and seeing or smelling marijuana cannot tell if the person in question is a medical or recreational user of marijuana but you would like to think that police officers are aware of the laws they protect. I think its especially important they are aware of laws that protect sick people, a law that allows them much needed medicine.
While marijuana is only recognized in a few countries around the world as a legitimate medicine it is vital where the law actually protects ill people that those who enforce the laws are aware of the laws.
One thing is for certain though, at least James has a license to carry his marijuana because if this happened somewhere else to a medical user without permission to use his medicine things could have been worse than around 20 minutes spent in the back of a police cruiser.
That is not to say I justify this medical marijuana user being treated like a criminal. I also cannot find it acceptable that police officers are unaware of this license and I feel more education on medical marijuana is badly needed globally.
Friday, February 6, 2009
White House vows to end DEA raids on Medical Marijuana dispensaries
White House vows to end DEA raids on Medical Marijuana dispensaries
During his campaign and since presidency began one word has surrounded the new US president Barrack Obama, change. Some people in the US and worldwide observers genuinely believe change will come but only time will tell. One thing is for sure is that the medical marijuana users in the 13 states that have passed laws making medical marijuana legal must have been pleased to hear that one change Obama was set to make was the ending of DEA raids of medical marijuana dispensaries. These dispensaries which provide medicine for sick people, places that are legit under state law but not under federal law have been under pressure from the DEA especially under George Bush’s eight years in office.
Those in the cannabis community who felt Obama would bring change must have been disheartened when within the first two weeks of him taking office there was four raids on dispensaries in Los Angeles. In the four raids which took place all in the one day 200 kg (400 pounds) of cannabis, edible cannabis products and about $10,000 in cash was confiscated according to a DEA spokeswoman.
In this day and age with the Internet and other means of connecting with people the cannabis activists were quick to respond and pressure has been piled on to Obama and others to end the raids in the wake of the raids. While there was many reasons for the concern, one reason was considering the new president said last year that if he was president he would not waste law enforcement resources undermining state medical marijuana laws and then for this (the DEA raids) to happen seems to show there maybe no change.
In a statement on February 5th from White House Spokesman Nick Shapiro reacted to new Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) raids at medical cannabis collectives in California, saying he expects President Obama to end that policy when a new DEA Administrator is seated. Now this may seem like news to make those in the cannabis community jump for joy but is it really that simple?
Stopping the DEA from raiding dispensaries is not making medical marijuana legal in the US but it's likely to be seen by Obama’s opposition in government as a wrong move, especially considering some of the politicians stance on the devil weed.
With the current economic crisis and other issues the new president is unlikely anytime soon to make drastic changes or even consider drastic changes to marijuana laws, even if he does plan to make changes there is unlikely anything to happen soon with other issues taking priority. But if he did at least stop the DEA raids on the dispensaries he will have done a lot more in a matter of weeks in power than Bush who’s DEA administration is still in place did in his eight years in power. I hope it would be a sign of better things to come as far as medical marijuana users and their rights go, it could raise the possibility of some changes (that word again) during Obama’s presidency, though I would not start holding my breathe just yet.
I guess we will know just how likely change will take place by the amount of time it takes for him to change things in the DEA. If it happens soon it could be taken as a good sign but the longer it goes on with the Bush administration in control the more likely things will stay the same, despite any promises made.
Let's keep in mind this was a promise made while on the campaign trail.
During his campaign and since presidency began one word has surrounded the new US president Barrack Obama, change. Some people in the US and worldwide observers genuinely believe change will come but only time will tell. One thing is for sure is that the medical marijuana users in the 13 states that have passed laws making medical marijuana legal must have been pleased to hear that one change Obama was set to make was the ending of DEA raids of medical marijuana dispensaries. These dispensaries which provide medicine for sick people, places that are legit under state law but not under federal law have been under pressure from the DEA especially under George Bush’s eight years in office.
Those in the cannabis community who felt Obama would bring change must have been disheartened when within the first two weeks of him taking office there was four raids on dispensaries in Los Angeles. In the four raids which took place all in the one day 200 kg (400 pounds) of cannabis, edible cannabis products and about $10,000 in cash was confiscated according to a DEA spokeswoman.
In this day and age with the Internet and other means of connecting with people the cannabis activists were quick to respond and pressure has been piled on to Obama and others to end the raids in the wake of the raids. While there was many reasons for the concern, one reason was considering the new president said last year that if he was president he would not waste law enforcement resources undermining state medical marijuana laws and then for this (the DEA raids) to happen seems to show there maybe no change.
In a statement on February 5th from White House Spokesman Nick Shapiro reacted to new Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) raids at medical cannabis collectives in California, saying he expects President Obama to end that policy when a new DEA Administrator is seated. Now this may seem like news to make those in the cannabis community jump for joy but is it really that simple?
Stopping the DEA from raiding dispensaries is not making medical marijuana legal in the US but it's likely to be seen by Obama’s opposition in government as a wrong move, especially considering some of the politicians stance on the devil weed.
With the current economic crisis and other issues the new president is unlikely anytime soon to make drastic changes or even consider drastic changes to marijuana laws, even if he does plan to make changes there is unlikely anything to happen soon with other issues taking priority. But if he did at least stop the DEA raids on the dispensaries he will have done a lot more in a matter of weeks in power than Bush who’s DEA administration is still in place did in his eight years in power. I hope it would be a sign of better things to come as far as medical marijuana users and their rights go, it could raise the possibility of some changes (that word again) during Obama’s presidency, though I would not start holding my breathe just yet.
I guess we will know just how likely change will take place by the amount of time it takes for him to change things in the DEA. If it happens soon it could be taken as a good sign but the longer it goes on with the Bush administration in control the more likely things will stay the same, despite any promises made.
Let's keep in mind this was a promise made while on the campaign trail.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
