tagged w/ Cannabis Consumer's
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Cannabis users will face new penalties when the drug is upgraded to class B from January next year, the Home Secretary said.
Jacqui Smith said those caught with cannabis for a second time will be fined £80 and after three strikes will be arrested.
The drug was downgraded to class C in 2004, but fears over the increased use of stronger "skunk" strains among young people prompted a policy review and U-turn.
Miss Smith said she was "extremely concerned" about skunk and its impact on mental health.
"While cannabis has always been illegal, reclassifying it to a Class B drug reinforces our message to everyone that it is harmful and should not be taken," she said.
"Fewer people are taking cannabis, but it is crucial that this trend continues. I am extremely concerned about the use of stronger strains of cannabis, such as skunk, and the harm they can cause to mental health.
"This is the next step towards toughening up our enforcement response - to ensure that repeat offenders know that we are serious about tackling the danger that the drug poses to individuals and, in turn, communities.
"We need to act now to protect future generations."Cannabis users will face new penalties when the drug is upgraded to class B from... more
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Alzheimer's patients might benefit from the use of cannabis. ITN's Sue Saville reports.
http://st0ckman.blogspot.com
The active ingredient in marijuana may stall decline from Alzheimer's disease, research suggests.
Scientists showed a synthetic version of the compound may reduce inflammation associated with Alzheimer's and thus help to prevent mental decline.
They hope the cannabinoid may be used to developed new drug therapies.
The research, by Madrid's Complutense University and the Cajal Institute, is published in the Journal of Neuroscience.
We would warn the public against taking marijuana as a way of preventing Alzheimer's
Dr Susanne Sorensen
The scientists first compared the brain tissue of patients who died from Alzheimer's disease with that of healthy people who had died at a similar age.
They looked closely at brain cell receptors to which cannabinoids bind, allowing their effects to be felt.
They also studied structures called microglia, which activate the brain's immune response.
Microglia collect near the plaque deposits associated with Alzheimer's disease and, when active, cause inflammation.
The researchers found a dramatically reduced functioning of cannabinoid receptors in diseased brain tissue.
This was an indication that patients had lost the capacity to experience cannabinoids' protective effects.
The next step was to test the effect of cannabinoids on rats injected with the amyloid protein that forms Alzheimer's plaques.
Those animals who were also given a dose of a cannabinoid performed much better in tests of their mental functioning.
The researchers found that the presence of amyloid protein in the rats' brains activated immune cells.
However, rats that also received the cannabinoid showed no sign of microglia activation.
Using cell cultures, the researchers confirmed that cannabinoids counteracted the activation of microglia and thus reduced inflammation.Alzheimer's patients might benefit from the use of cannabis. ITN's Sue... more
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With Over 600 Pre-1937 Medical Cannabis Products Documented;---a Great Resource book for the Antique Cannabis Collector or anyone who claims cannabis is not medicine, lot's of evidence here. Stop protecting Corporate interests and start protecting public interest.With Over 600 Pre-1937 Medical Cannabis Products Documented;---a Great Resource book... more
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5/31/08|The Times-Standard| by Thadeus Greenson - The Times-Standard
California's medical marijuana patients are one step closer to being protected against work place discrimination after a bill made its way through the state Assembly this week.
Assembly Bill 2279, authored by Assemblyman Mark Leno and co-authored by Eureka's Assemblywoman Patty Berg, would make it unlawful for an employer to discriminate against an employee because of their status as a medical marijuana patient or caregiver or for failing a drug test.5/31/08|The Times-Standard| by Thadeus Greenson - The Times-Standard... more
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The goal of the Cannabis Consumers Campaign is to create public policy changes by: 1) dispelling the myths and negative stereotypes that perpetuate marijuana prohibition and all its harsh consequences and 2) providing a more positive and accurate image of adults who consume cannabis. By coming out of the closet, we demonstrate to the general public, the media, and our political leaders that pot smokers are good, responsible, contributing members of society who deserve equal status and treatment before the law and in society as a whole. Come on out with us, Stop being afraid.The goal of the Cannabis Consumers Campaign is to create public policy changes by: 1)... more
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