Prohibition // Current

An Hour with Bolivian President Evo Morales: "Neoliberalism Is No Solution for Humankind"

Bolivian President Evo Morales joins us in the firehouse studio to discuss the election of Barack Obama, US-Bolivian relations,... more

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Canada: Organized Crime Branching Out

This a clear case of Prohibition if you don't control the "drugs" (taxes, profits), then they will continue to... more

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Marijuana Legalization: The Time Is Now

The direction of the government is currently heading toward more enforcement and tougher penalties for marijuana use. However, it... more

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The politics of compassion have overcome the politics of fear.

Tonight, Michigan became the thirteenth state to legalize the physician supervised possession and use of cannabis. According to early returns, more than 60 percent of Michigan voters decided in favor of Proposal 1, which establishes a state-regulated system regarding the use and cultivation of medical marijuana by qualified patients.

Voters endorsed the measure despite a high profile, deceptive, and despicable ad campaign by Prop. 1 opponents — who falsely claimed that the initiative would allow for the open sale of marijuana “in every neighborhood, just blocks from schools.” (In fact, Proposal 1 does not even allow for the creation of licensed cannabis dispensaries.)

Michigan’s new law goes into effect on December 4th, at which time nearly one-quarter of the US population will live in a state that authorizes the legal use of medical cannabis.

Meanwhile, in Massachusetts, some 65 percent of voters (and virtually every town) decided “yes” on Question 2, which reduces minor marijuana possession to a fine-only offense. Like in Michigan, voters rejected a high-profile, deceptive ad campaign by the measure’s opponents, who argued that it would increase adolescent drug abuse, permit large-scale marijuana trafficking, endanger workplace safety, and sharply increase traffic fatalities.

Question 2 is expected to become law in 30 days — making Massachusetts the thirteenth state to decriminalize the personal possession and use of cannabis. (Note: Under state law, politicians have the option of amending the new law.)

NORML celebrates both victories and recognizes that neither would have been possible without the grassroots efforts of Michigan and Massachusetts state activists — who laid the groundwork for both campaigns by successfully passing a series of similar, municipal initiatives over the past several years.

Tonight, once again, voters have rejected the Bush doctrine on drugs. They’ve rejected the lies put forward by drug warriors and law enforcement, and demonstrated — overwhelmingly — that truth, compassion, and first-hand experience are more persuasive than the deception and scare tactics of those who would take away our freedoms and confine us in cages.

In short, it is the cannabis community, not the Drug Czar, that is shaping America’s marijuana policy, and tonight we go to bed knowing that millions of Americans will wake up tomorrow with a better, brighter, and more tolerant future than they had today.The politics of compassion have overcome the politics of fear. Tonight, Michigan became the thirteenth state to legalize the... more

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14 days ago

Tree of Life

A music video educating about the industrial uses and health benefits of the American Hemp plant. Featuring the song "Tree of... more

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24 days ago

BRE to build hemp house at Innovation Park - Building

A house made from hemp and a dwelling by the Prince's Foundation will be among the star attractions at the BRE's Insite... more

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28 days ago

Ely firm’s new take on automotive plant

Dashboards, door panels and other internal car parts are usually made from injection-moulded plastics or glass fibre, but Ely-based Eco-Composites is developing a green alternative that it says offers advantages in cost, performance, and resource use.

“We have already made prototypes for some major car manufacturers using a mixture of plant fibres held together by a synthetic matrix and we are achieving good results,” said Ben Schadla-Hall, marketing manager for Eco-Mats, the parent company of Eco-Composites.

The company was founded in 2004 to take advantage of the waste plant fibres that farmers were burning, ploughing under, or in some cases paying to dispose of.

Initial products included absorbent mats for soaking up industrial spills, weed suppressing blankets for horticulture, and insulation materials for the construction industry.

“We discovered that by changing the blend and exposing the mats to heat and pressure – such as in a press mould – they would become rigid and stiff,” says Ben.

“We experimented with different shapes and found that there was almost no limit to what could be made. So far we’ve made chairs, a bed-head, and of course internal car parts.

“The benefits to the automotive industry are the most significant. Injection-moulding plastic is a very energy intensive process, and of course plastics use a lot of oil and are not biodegradable.

“Our plant fibre alternatives can be formed by press-moulding which uses much less energy. The raw materials are plant fibres, often saved from the waste stream, and providing a second income to farmers.

“In terms of performance, the plant fibre panels are stronger and more rigid than plastic, and less brittle – they don’t shatter on impact and can absorb shock, giving them potential safety advantages too. They have improved acoustic and thermal properties, which can help to isolate the cabin from engine heat and noise.

“The panels are typically lighter than their plastic equivalents, which reduces the weight of the finished vehicle, leading to savings in fuel utilisation and making the car more efficient.”

As well as the factory team, Eco-Composites has a technical director who works alongside automotive companies, ensuring that their products are tailored to the needs of the industry. The company’s expertise with plant fibre means that they can formulate mixtures to achieve precisely defined parameters of flexibility, weight, strength, and other properties, as required.

Ben is confident about the company’s abilities. “We are discovering new uses for traditional crops like hemp, linseed, and flax, and showing how these can be combined with technological expertise to create innovative products.”
Dashboards, door panels and other internal car parts are usually made from injection-moulded plastics or glass fibre, but... more

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28 days ago

Pot prohibition promotes 'dog-eat-dog' values

Scientists miss key 'factor' : It's a no-brainer ! Another expensive research study finds alcohol and other drug abuse under the age of 15 probably contributes directly to subsequent health and social problems.

The Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party also says it is bizarre that the research, published internationally and conducted on data from the multidisciplinary study at Otago university, appears to omit consideration of a prohibition environment as a factor in youth damage, alienation and deviancy.

"Are the researchers not factoring in the social cost and effect of cannabis prohibition?" says party president Kevin O'Connell. "There is also a 100% correlation of 'criminality outcomes' because of the criminalisation of widespread cannabis use. Why is it news that there are bad behavioural outcomes observed? It is disturbing to me as a science graduate, that experts in statistical analysis can completely pretend that a repressive social context is not in any way relevant to observed social outcomes."

The ALCP say the social and health context surrounding intoxicant use in NZ is riddled with hypocrisy, dysfunctional 'prevention' as well as extreme public double standards (eg. alcohol/tobacco vs cannabis). This context creates a disrespectful and toxic environment for young New Zealanders, particularly those exposed to alcohol and other drug abuse at an early age.

It is our view that cannabis prohibition and criminalisation promotes 'dog-eat-dog' values, staunch anti-social behaviour - grow your underclass! - and is a key factor in many young people growing up confused and their lifetime health and social outcomes turning out badly.

Prohibition has made alcohol and other drug use 'cool' and normal among young Kiwis. The longitudinal Dunedin cohort study has famously found that 70-80% of teenagers are experimenting with cannabis. The prohibitionist deterrent protects nobody.

Unfortunately the 'general public' support our mainstream media in NZ having this prurient interest in prohibition. It creates never-ending crime stories and, although it covers erroneous researchers, any other dissenting comment - no matter how valid - is left out of the picture.

The ALCP say NZ cannabis research academics are letting the real criminals get off scot free.Scientists miss key 'factor' : It's a no-brainer ! Another expensive research study finds alcohol and other drug... more

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28 days ago

Organic meets fast food in latest green trend

CHICAGO Reuters - Professional snowboarder Tim Gargiulo is about as all-American as you can get - he's entrepreneurial, prone to overworking, and passionate about fast food, especially popular favorites like burgers, fries and shakes.

But the fledgling restaurateur won't eat - or serve - anything that's not made from organic, plant-based ingredients such as grains, beans, vegetables and nuts. His burgers are formed from soy flour and wheat gluten; he blends "milkshakes" from hemp; even his fountain drinks are sweetened with agave syrup.

"It's a cleaner way to eat," says the 34-year-old founder of Boulder, Colorado-based VG Burgers, noting that most of his consumers don't even consider themselves to be vegetarians. "A lot of people just want to come in and eat something that doesn't make them feel like taking a nap afterwards."

Gargiulo's venture, which is slated to open its second store next year and begin selling franchises after that, represents the latest niche in the organic food market: fast food. U.S. sales of organic food and beverages are set to reach $23.6 billion in 2008, up from roughly $20 billion last year and just $1 billion in 1990, according to the Greenfield, Massachusetts-based Organic Trade Association, an industry group.

NPD Group, which tracks national U.S. food consumption trends, says 26 percent of all Americans eat at least one product with an organic claim every two weeks.

"People are going to be interested in this issue and if you supply them with product, I'm sure they're going to take a look," says NPD Vice President Harry Balzer, noting that there are more consumers are eating organically these days than dieting.

Until recently, most of the demand for ready-to-eat organic meals was met by specialty groceries such as natural foods giant Whole Foods Market Inc. Organic restaurants had a presence, but existed primarily as full-service operations in the form of stand-alone cafes or upscale eateries such as Berkeley, California's renowned Chez Panisse.

"Demand was there in the retail sector," says Gargiulo, who plans to use the presence of Whole Foods stores as a gauge for potential markets able to support VG Burgers locations. "Whole Foods seems to be a goodCHICAGO Reuters - Professional snowboarder Tim Gargiulo is about as all-American as you can get - he's entrepreneurial, prone... more

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28 days ago

The lady of the manor is out to bend the nation’s mind

It could be a scene from a photo shoot for Country Life. A log fire crackles in the baronial hall of Beckley Park, Oxfordshire, a grand Tudor house whose ancient walls are hung with tapestries. Large vases cascade with fresh flowers. Outside, there is not one, but three moats.

The lady of the manor, Amanda, Lady Neidpath, is dressed in velvet and tweed, with not a scrap of make-up on her face. Her appearance is arresting, in a shabby-chic manner. Only when she opens her mouth to speak is this deeply traditional scene somewhat shattered.

For this morning we are talking about her fondness for illegal drugs. In the world of psychoactive substances, she is an acknowledged expert: her charitable trust and think tank, the Beckley Foundation, is devoted to the investigation of consciousness and the aim of reforming drug policy. Which all makes perfect sense when I discover she has spent a lifetime dabbling in mind-altering substances. As she tells me enthusiastically: “I have always considered myself my own best laboratory.”

This month her foundation published a 226-page document – the global cannabis commission – that contains the measured considerations of five internationally respected scientists on the use, prohibition and control of cannabis. The commission’s report, which cost her more than £80,000, was launched with some fanfare at a conference in the House of Lords, with grandees from the United Nations and the European Union in attendance as well as leading scientists, legal advisers and drugs specialists.

Neidpath hopes it will be the definitive guide to all available evidence on the cannabis issue. It doesn’t quite recommend that the drug be legalised, but urges the lifting of criminal convictions for use or possession, and suggests low fines or counselling as an option for countries that prohibit the drug.

“We should have anormal relationship with cannabis,” says Neidpath, who is 65. Unlike some campaigners, she doesn’t think it’s harmless – but she does think it’s a lot less bad for us than tobacco or alcohol. She snorts. “It’s a fallacy to think that after a few puffs of cannabis your child will be lost in a psychotic quagmire.” However, Neidpath points out, much of today’s cannabis has been genetically modified to be up to three times as strong as it should be. “Which needn’t be damaging, if people know how to use it,” she says.

“The natural mixture is being changed, and the antipsychotic element in it is being left out. If cannabis was authorised, it could be properly labelled, and government-controlled.” Rather like the tar content on cigarettes or the percentage of alcohol in wine? “Quite.”

Can she see this ever becoming a reality?

“Society has to grasp the nettle. One wants people to make educated choices, as long as they don’t affect other people. It’s a terrible infringement on personal liberties that your cognitive freedom – how you play with your brain in the privacy of your own house – is controlled.” Neidpath is clearly all too accustomed to playing with her own brain, merrily listing the drugs she has taken: “Psychedelic drugs and cannabis. Mushrooms, mescaline, LSD – these have been used since the beginning of humanity.”

It’s quite an impressive-sounding range, but she draws the line at over-the-counter drugs: “I’m more nervous about things which deaden the brain. I hardly ever take painkillers. Do you know that 2,500 people die of painkillers a year, which is a lot more than die of illegal drugs? I’m very puritanical about what I take.”

According to Neidpath, ancient cave paintings demonstrate that even Stone Age man enjoyed a bit of dope. “In cave paintings, the lines they use are the same that people produce when they are on certain substances.” The great thinkers of ancient Greece were almost certainly on drugs too, she thinks. She is not, however, interested in drugs such as heroin or opium – and calls cocaine, which she’s taken “once or twice”, a thoroughly boring substance.It could be a scene from a photo shoot for Country Life. A log fire crackles in the baronial hall of Beckley Park, Oxfordshire, a... more

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1 month ago

Dr. George Wagoner: Patients need relief marijuana gives

As a practicing physician of 29 years, I dedicated my life to caring for people. After my wife of 51 years was diagnosed with ovarian cancer last year, I knew uncertainty lay ahead.

Beverly's prognosis was grim. Cancer treatment is an emotional roller coaster, yet we kept hope until the last day. She underwent surgery and several courses of grueling chemotherapy. The resulting nausea robbed Beverly of her quality of life. She couldn't keep anything down, lost considerable weight and literally wasted away before my eyes.

Over the years, I heard marijuana was a helpful treatment for nausea. We consulted with our family physician. "Of course you know that isn't available," he said, "but Marinol is." Marinol is a synthetic version of THC, one of the active chemical components in marijuana. But it also had a distressing side effect - hallucinations. Beverly refused to take any more.

We were running out of options as Beverly's condition worsened.

I decided to procure marijuana for her. After taking just the smallest amount, her nausea was gone. It was miraculous.

Many families go through what we did - being forced to break the law to provide loved ones with relief. But on Nov. 4, Michigan voters can change this by approving Proposal 1.

To think my wife could have been thrown in jail for using a miniscule amount of marijuana to cope with her nausea is outrageous. Proposal 1 would protect seriously ill patients from arrest and jail. It's about compassion and common sense.

Years of study show compounds in marijuana can safely relieve pain, certain symptoms of disease and the side effects of treatment.

The debate over whether to allow people to use marijuana with the recommendation of a licensed physician should be about science and compassion for seriously ill patients who suffer debilitating pain. It should not be about fear tactics that marijuana use will skyrocket or that some might take advantage of the law. These arguments are largely baseless and haven't materialized in the 12 states with medical marijuana laws. Indeed, Proposal 1 incorporates many of the lessons we've learned from those 12 other states.

Proposal 1 establishes a statewide registry of patients, who must apply for ID cards and have the written recommendation of a physician. Police verification will be a mouse click away.

While some disagree with Proposal 1, the science is sound. More than 1,200 medical professionals in Michigan publicly support Proposal 1, as do prominent organizations like the Michigan Nurses Association. The American College of Physicians, the largest specialty physician group in the country, has acknowledged the efficacy and medical applications of marijuana.

Patients should be able to choose the medicine that works best for them with their doctors' guidance, and without fear of arrest or jail. That is precisely what Proposal 1 will allow.

Keeping a safe and effective medicine away from sick people is inhumane. Michigan can and should do better for some of the most vulnerable members of our families and communities.As a practicing physician of 29 years, I dedicated my life to caring for people. After my wife of 51 years was diagnosed with... more

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1 month ago

Hemp and the Rule of Law

Excerpt from the 55 minute documentary, "Hemp and the Rule of Law" chronicles the movement to legalize the growing of... more

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1 month ago

Hedge fund king Andrew Lahde says grow hemp

“Lastly, while I still have an audience, I would like to bring attention to an alternative food and energy source. You won’t see it included in BP’s, “Feel good. We are working on sustainable solutions,” television commercials, nor is it mentioned in ADM’s similar commercials. But hemp has been used for at least 5,000 years for cloth and food, as well as just about everything that is produced from petroleum products. Hemp is not marijuana and vice versa. Hemp is the male plant and it grows like a weed, hence the slang term. The original American flag was made of hemp fiber and our Constitution was printed on paper made of hemp. It was used as recently as World War II by the U.S. Government, and then promptly made illegal after the war was won. At a time when rhetoric is flying about becoming more self-sufficient in terms of energy, why is it illegal to grow this plant in this country? Ah, the female. The evil female plant — marijuana. It gets you high, it makes you laugh, it does not produce a hangover. Unlike alcohol, it does not result in bar fights or wife beating. So, why is this innocuous plant illegal? Is it a gateway drug? No, that would be alcohol, which is so heavily advertised in this country. My only conclusion as to why it is illegal, is that Corporate America, which owns Congress, would rather sell you Paxil, Zoloft, Xanax and other additive drugs, than allow you to grow a plant in your home without some of the profits going into their coffers. This policy is ludicrous. It has surely contributed to our dependency on foreign energy sources. Our policies have other countries literally laughing at our stupidity, most notably Canada, as well as several European nations (both Eastern and Western). You would not know this by paying attention to U.S. media sources though, as they tend not to elaborate on who is laughing at the United States this week. Please people, let’s stop the rhetoric and start thinking about how we can truly become self-sufficient.

With that I say good-bye and good luck.

All the best,

Andrew Lahde”“Lastly, while I still have an audience, I would like to bring attention to an alternative food and energy source. You... more

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1 month ago

UK Government challenged on drugs law

Last week, Edwin Stratton, appeared in magistrates court to defend himself on a charge of cannabis cultivation. He had refused a caution on arrest.

His legal defence was put together by Casey Hardison and he was represented by Darryl Bickler in court.

He is running a brilliant and innovative defence claiming that the Government is abusing its power by unlawfully discriminating against those who are in possession of drugs that have been criminalised.

...

3. The abuse:

a. The defendant believes that the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 c.38 (“the Act”) is being applied to him in an arbitrary and discriminatory manner based on historical and cultural factors that lack a consistent and objective basis contrary to Article 14 and within the ambit of other convention rights. This denies equal protection to the defendant, alleged to be engaged in property activities with “controlled drugs”, as defined by s2(1)(a) of the Act, with respect to analogous persons engaged in the identical property activities with the dangerous or otherwise harmful drugs alcohol and tobacco.

b. The Government’s Position:

"The Government's policy is and has been to regulate drugs which are classified as illegal through the 1971 Act and to regulate the use of alcohol and tobacco separately. This policy sensibly recognises that alcohol and tobacco do pose health risks and can have anti-social effects, but recognises also that consumption of alcohol and tobacco is historically embedded in society and that responsible use of alcohol and tobacco is both possible and commonplace".

c. The Government’s position admits discrimination on the grounds of legal status and property within the ambits of Article 1 of the First Protocol, “protection of property”, Article 8 respect for private life, inter alia. More, the Government’s position includes errors of law and fact.

...

Edwin is a part of a campaigning network known as the nascent DEA (Drug Equality Alliance). Individuals can register their support by visiting www.drugequality.org - the group is seeking to achieve one million site hits this year to illuminate support for a much needed transformation of the impasse causing so much harm to people who use drugs of all kinds.Last week, Edwin Stratton, appeared in magistrates court to defend himself on a charge of cannabis cultivation. He had refused a... more

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1 month ago

Green Your Booty

Nothing says sex appeal more than soft, sensual and sustainable underwear. Eco-underwear has come a long way since the 60s when there was nothing arousing about off-brown organic cotton grandma underwear. Today’s eco-gal has a wide selection of sexy underthings to choose from. Guaranteed to make any man or woman’s blood boil – from the laidback hippie to the randy redneck. We have compiled a list of some of our favourite eco-underthings –a guide to how to go green down there.

“There are very real and interesting opportunities to make a difference in each part of our lives - and sustainable lingerie just shows how it can be sexy,” explains Stacy Anderson, owner of Eco-Boudoir. However, sustainability isn’t the only reason people are reaching for organic underwear and lingerie. Individuals with chemical sensitivities also benefit from organic intimates. Rawganique co-founder Mr. Quo Yong Fu explains that “…purchasing 2 organic cotton men's boxer briefs will eliminate one fourth of a pound of chemicals that would be used to produce the same underwear using conventional cotton.”

Eco-Boudoir offers the upmarket luxurious lady something organic and sustainable to choose from. Their sumptuous eco-lingerie collection consists of organically produced silk, organic cotton, bamboo, hemp silk and organic lavender. All their products are made exclusively in the UK. “Not only are these intimates the fashion items closest to your skin and should therefore be most natural, but they are changing stigmas that green fashion cannot be sexy or sensual. We offer naturally sexy pieces, true luxury with a conscience,” explains Stacy Anderson, Eco-Boudoir. http://www.eco-boudoir.com/
Enamore

Enamore offers a wide range of sumptuous products for the discerning international woman. Enamore’s designs are soft, sexy and are influenced by the pin-ups of the 1950s. “A greener lifestyle promotes general well being for both your body and your mind,” explains Jennifer Ambrose director of Enamore.

Their Bedrock Betty line is making waves in the fashion world with their leopard print bamboo jerseys with pink bows. Enamore lingerie is made from hemp/organic cotton, organic silk, bamboo, tencel, soya and vintage fabrics. Garments are made locally in the UK. Ambrose believes organic underwear has evolved significantly over the years into something fabulous: “The first eco-underwear was plain unbleached organic cotton basics. Now you could kit out your whole under-wardrobe in organics and you wouldn't be giving up nice underwear.” http://www.enamore.co.uk/

GreenKnickers is a funky, hip British eco-lingerie company that has taken the ethical fashion world by storm. Their hemp and bamboo lines include sexy underwear and cycling shorts. The soft breathable antibacterial nature of bamboo makes it ideal for sports which is why we use it to make our cycling knickers, explains their website. GreenKnickers offers fair trade organic undies for nice people. http://www.greenknickers.org/

Luva Huva’s best selling products are their handmade sustainable bamboo range that feature beautifully soft camisoles and brief style knickers, trimmed with English lace and bow details. British designer and Luva Huva owner Joanna Ketterer is definitely evoking the English rose motif in her sexy creations. “It is Luva Huva’s goal to provide ethical designs that are both pretty and luxurious while also being eco,” explains Ketterer.

In the past, eco underwear was more about substance over style but now people can make a decision about looking stylish while being eco, remarks Ketterer. Bamboo is a great option for eco-underwear, as it is a sustainable crop that grows rapidly and requires no fertilizers or pesticides. “It is difficult to lead an entirely ‘green’ life but if everyone makes a small difference then a small difference will become a big difference, offers Ketterer. http://www.luvahuva.co.uk/Nothing says sex appeal more than soft, sensual and sustainable underwear. Eco-underwear has come a long way since the 60s when... more

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1 month ago

Herculaneum finds feted

(ANSA) - Naples, October 15 - Some of the greatest discoveries pulled from the ruins of the ancient Vesuvian town of Herculaneum... more

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1 month ago

Naturally Advanced Technologies in Trials to Commercialize CRAILAR Technology

PORTLAND, OR, Oct. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Naturally Advanced Technologies Inc. (NAT, OTCBB: NADVF, TSXV: NAT), a pioneer in commercializing the use of bast fibers including industrial hemp for use in casual apparel, performance yarns, industrial filters and absorbent pulp and paper products, is conducting bulk commercialization trials with a leading U.S. apparel brand, and one of North America's largest pulp and paper producers. The results of these tests are expected to determine the next steps to bring its CRAILAR(R) Organic Fiber and Advanced Materials technology to market and are expected to be announced by the end of November.

"These trials are a significant milestone in our long-term strategy to commercialize the patented CRAILAR Technology Platform, which we developed in partnership with the National Research Council of Canada and the Alberta Research Council. We are very excited to reach the final stages of the trials and look forward to discussing the results and our preliminary plans to apply this technology on a large commercial scale," said Ken Barker, CEO of Naturally Advanced Technologies.

CRAILAR technology capitalizes on the superior natural properties of industrial hemp, such as greater tensile strength, thermo regulation properties, anti-microbial, and abrasion resistance. In addition, industrial hemp does not need pesticides and herbicides, thrives in cool climates, is drought tolerant, benefits soil and helps to eliminate greenhouse gases.

NAT transforms hemp into organic fibers that are an effective alternative to organic cotton for use in comfort apparel and into advanced materials for use in performance apparel, advanced composites, bio polymers, industrial filters and absorbent pulp and paper products. NAT's cost-effective, environmentally advantageous solutions are designed to meet the rapidly growing demand for organic fibers and advanced materials as consumers and corporations reduce their environmental footprint and the cost of petroleum-based synthetics continues to rise.

About Naturally Advanced Technologies, Inc.

Naturally Advanced Technologies Inc. is committed to unlocking the potential of renewable and environmentally sustainable biomass resources from hemp and other bast fibers. The Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Crailar Fiber Technologies Inc., is developing proprietary technologies for production of bast fibers, cellulose pulp, and their resulting by-products, in collaboration with Canada's National Research Council and the Alberta Research Council. CRAILAR(R) technology offers cost-effective and environmentally sustainable processing and production of natural, bast fibers such as hemp and flax, resulting in increased performance characteristics for use in textile, industrial, energy, medical and composite material applications. The Company is also a provider of sustainable, environmentally friendly fibers and fabrics through its apparel division HTnaturals. Founded in 1998 in response to the growing demand for environmentally friendly, socially responsible clothing, the Company adheres to a "triple bottom line" philosophy, respecting the human rights of employees, the environmental impact of the Company's operations and fiscal responsibility to its shareholders. See www.naturallyadvanced.comPORTLAND, OR, Oct. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Naturally Advanced Technologies Inc. (NAT, OTCBB: NADVF, TSXV: NAT), a pioneer in... more

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1 month ago

Mass protest at drugs laws

REDDITCH is getting set for a mass protest against “out of date” cannabis laws which has attracted attention from across the globe.

The protest is being organised by a campaigner called Pinky, from the Protest London organisation, who said he wanted to “hit” Home Secretary and Redditch MP Jacqui Smith “where it most hurts”.

Thousands of people are expected to gather in Redditch Town Centre on Saturday from 11am to voice their support for the legalisation of cannabis.

Pinky, who uses cannabis for medicinal purposes, said: “Cannabis should be controlled, taxed and licensed. The current law is completely out of date.

“Redditch is the home of Jacqui Smith. We will hit her where it hurts most – home.

“We are still being ignored, but this protest is going to be big. We have a large PA, and reggae MC Ras Bruno will be attending. I’m the most talked about activist online at the moment. People are watching this protest worldwide, I’ve received emails from as far as Australia.

“I’ve also had emails from people in Paris and Holland who want to come and join the protest.”

Pinky said he and fellow campaigners had contacted Jacqui Smith but received no response and that Ms Smith had ignored advice given to her by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, where most of its members judged that cannabis should remain a Class C drug and not be upgraded.

He added: “Jacqui Smith and this out of date government have a lot of questions to answer. I would personally like to invite her to our protest. She has made a mistake – not us.”

Alun Buffry, a founder-member of the Legalise Cannabis Alliance said: “Several years ago, we challenged the Home Office to explain why our government insists on punishing people for possession or cultivation of cannabis plants for their own use in their own private homes if they do no harm.

“We feel it’s time the Government answered this simple question: Why do you arrest people for cannabis even when they’ve done no harm to others and even when they claim medical or other benefit from its use?

“That is why we call upon the Home Secretary to come and tell us in Redditch. However we expect the usual response – the diary is full.”

A spokesman for Jacqui Smith said: “As ever Jacqui will be glad to meet any constituent at one of her surgeries – we have had no request for a meeting or an appointment from anyone connected with the campaign.” REDDITCH is getting set for a mass protest against “out of date” cannabis laws which has attracted attention from... more

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1 month ago

As the violence soars, mexico signals it's had enough of America's stupid war on drugs

The U.S.-financed War on Drugs has had savage results in Mexico, and now its president wants to decriminalize pot, cocaine and heroin possession.

Even on his most homicidal of days, Al Pacino's character in Scarface couldn't even approach the level of drug trafficking-related brutality bleeding down Mexico's streets. It is no longer unusual for the Mexican news media to report on yet another, freshly decapitated head stuck atop a fencepost or a metal spike, or a garbage bag filled with body parts, usually with a hand-scrawled note or placard attached. That amounts to a cartel's calling card, and it's usually delivered in the form of a warning to a rival cartel, or for the Mexican authorities to stay away and stop seizing their drugs. Other times, it's just a chilling placard intended to strike terror into the hearts of the people who come across the gory scene and the text: "Ha Ha Ha." To be sure that their message is heard, cartels are known to send regular text messages to newspaper reporters, place newspaper advertisements, or to even upload their own killing videos (sometimes accompanied by narco-corridos as background music) to YouTube.

Mexican drug cartels are, rather effectively, fighting the government's War on Drugs with their own War of Terror, often swelling their ranks (and combat/terror tactics) with former members of law enforcement. The Zetas, for instance, are members of former Mexican counter-narcotics squads (some with U.S.-assisted training under their belts), who have become the self-proclaimed and much-feared hit men of the Gulf cartel.

So far this year, roughly 3,500 murders have been directly attributed to the drug war in Mexico, surpassing last year's estimate of 2,500. (These numbers include the murders of at least 500 soldiers, cops, judges, politicians -- and their family members -- in nearly two years. The drug war rages across Mexico's urban and (mostly) rural terrain, and murders are usually targeted toward pronounced rivals, but increasing numbers of victims are innocent bystanders, including women and children who were previously considered off-limits where acts of drug war-related retaliation were concerned.

Reports of attacks are rolling in daily, sometimes several times a day. This Sunday, unidentified gunmen shot up the United States consulate in the northern Mexican city of Monterrey. While no injuries were reported there because the consulate was closed, six young adults attending a private celebration were killed on Saturday in the violence-and-drug-plagued Mexican border state of Chihuahua, in Ciudad Juárez. Those murders, as yet unsolved, followed on the heels of 11 homicides in a Chihuahua bar, when a gunman opened fire on unsuspecting patrons, including a prominent journalist who may or may not have been a specific target.

It should be of note that much of the worst drug war violence is happening right at the border: Tijuana, adjacent to San Diego, saw nearly 40 people murdered in the last week of September alone, in addition to nearly 25 deaths of male and female prisoners the previous week due to two major riots at the vastly overcrowded Tijuana State Prison. (Prisoners alleged frequent incidents of torture and sexual violence, sometimes leading to death, at the hands of guards.)

(Please see original link for full story.)The U.S.-financed War on Drugs has had savage results in Mexico, and now its president wants to decriminalize pot, cocaine and... more