The Fifth Annual Medical Cannabis Competition

The winner for Best cannabis from seed Strain was Humboldt Royal Kush grown by EarthGreenCali Farms. The strawberry dread-headed gentleman that came to the stage to claim the trophy first thanked everyone in attendance for being there and a special shout-out to Kevin Reed for putting on the event.

The second and third place was won by the dispensary, The Green Door for the strains Platinum Cookies and Candy Jack. With all the good work that The Green Door does for the city, it was a fitting tribute to the political and spiritually minded pot shop that they were recognized.

The Patients' Choice includes both indoor and sungrown cannabis; the winner reminded everyone why he thought that outdoor, organic was the way to go. In summation, he professed his love for the herb and seeds would be available soon.

Carrying the heavy-duty trophy off the stage to heartfelt congratulations of high-fives and THC infused hugs, the winner held the award high and also up in the air.

When the night ended, I followed the winning group out. With the trophy in hand the gentleman grower and entourage enter one of the more swankier hotels in SF. I watched as the doormen, bellstaff and hotel employees read the gold plaque on the crystal cup stating 'Best Cannabis Strain of 2011."

My favorite quote of the evening: After the winners were announced, hash brownies were being distributed by a sponsoring company. There was a big Santa Claus like satchel left to the right of the door with a couple of hundred wrapped brownies still in the bag. A very medicated person turned to me when passing the sack of brownies and said, "That looks like a very comfortable chair."
(Source)

NORML throws down on the Fed's

The NORML attorneys allege the federal government has engaged in entrapment of California marijuana patients and their caregivers. They point to the courts’ dismissal of County of Santa Cruz, WAMM et al. v. Eric Holder et al.where the Department of Justice (DOJ) “promised a federal judge that it had changed its policy toward the enforcement of its federal drug laws relative to California medical cannabis patients.” So after 2009, California providers had reason to believe that the federal government had changed its policy. The legal argument is called ‘judicial estoppel’, which basically means that courts can’t hold true to a fact in one case and then disregard it in another.

Kumin, Michael, and Silber also argue the government has engaged in ‘equitable estoppel’, which most people commonly think of as ‘entrapment’. That is to say, you can’t bust a person for committing a crime when the authorities told him it wasn’t a crime to do it!

(Source)

San Jose Council Votes to Limit Medical Marijuana Dispensaries to 10

San Jose City Council voted Tuesday to approve rules allowing medical marijuana dispensaries, San Jose Mercury News reports.

The council voted 8-3 to allow only 10 clubs out of the nearly 12 dozen pot dispensaries that spread across the city over the last two years to survive.

Pot club activists, however, were not happy about the decision and called the new regulations unworkable and threatened to fight them in court or at the voting booth. "If we don't get our due process, we'll find somewhere else to get it, whether it's the court or the ballot box," Lauren Vasquez, an attorney and medical marijuana patient, told Mercury News.In April, the council moved toward limiting the number of dispensaries to 10, but marijuana activists lobbied against the decision, arguing that the cap would result in Costco-sized marijuana superstores that would invite federal drug raids.

The clubs, which city officials say have all been operating illegally, will also be restricted to certain commercial and industrial areas and required to grow all their medical marijuana on site. "We'll have something in place that will make it impossible for us to operate," Dave Hodges, founder of the All American Cannabis Club, one of the first marijuana dispensaries in the city, told Mercury News.

(Source)

How Can Medical Marijuana Improve My Quality Of Life

Demographic Study of People Seeking Cannabis Treatment
Information from the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML):
Thursday August 4th, 2011
This is a copy from NORML News, issued today, 8/4/11. Santa Cruz, CA: Patients in California with a physician's recommendation are predominantly using cannabis to treat symptoms of pain, insomnia, and anxiety, according to population data published in the present issue of the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs...

Medical Marijuana and Alzheimer’s disease
Published Studies Show Promising Results
Tuesday August 2nd, 2011
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with no known cause. It is characterized by a progressive deterioration of memory and overall cognitive functioning. Many patients have aggressive behavior, agitation, appetite loss, depression and difficulty walking...

Compound in Marijuana Prevents Chemotherapy Side Effect
Yet another study shows the tremendous medicinal benefits of Cannabidiol (CBD)
Tuesday July 26th, 2011
Researchers at the Temple University School of Pharmacy reported that nerve pain that results as a side effect of the chemotherapeutic agent paclitaxel can be prevented by cannabidiol, a compound in the marijuana plant...

New Study Explains Marijuana Tolerance
Reversible decrease in receptors explains tolerance and dependence
Monday July 18th, 2011
A new study from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) explains the mechanism of action for tolerance and dependence with marijuana use. In order to understand this, you must first understand that the medicines in marijuana, called cannabinoids, attach to the body's cells through a receptor, similar to how a key fits to a lock...

Migraine Headaches and Opioid Medication
Short-acting Opioids Not Appropriate for Chronic Long-term Use
Friday July 8th, 2011
Many migraine sufferers are often prescribed short-acting opioids. such as hydrocodone, for their pain. A headache expert reports that this may not be a good long-term solution and that these types of medications may cause side effects that promote more unfavorable outcomes...

Chronic Pain affects 116 million Americans
Institute of Medicine reports on pain as a public health problem
Wednesday July 6th, 2011
The Institute of Medicine reported this week that an estimated 116 million Americans suffer with chronic pain and are dealing with a health care system that is poorly prepared to treat them. Chronic pain patients are often treated, "with some prejudice, a lot of judgment and unfortunately not a lot of informed fact," according to Dr...

The Endocannabinoid System
Understanding the Science behind Cannabis
Thursday May 26th, 2011
Cannabis has been used for thousands of years, both recreationally and medically. People all over the world know the effects of cannabis, yet until 20 years ago, no one knew how it worked within our bodies...

Fibromyalgia Pain responds to Medical Cannabis treatment
Recent study shows reduction in pain and stiffness and increased relaxation and sense of well-being
Monday May 16th, 2011
A clinical study was conducted at the Institut de Recerca Hospital del Mar in Barcelona, Spain, to investigate effects of cannabis on symptoms and quality of life for 56 fibromyalgia patients. Half of the patients were cannabis users and 28 were non-users...

Vaporizer Studies - Take a look at the Science
No One should be smoking, Vaporizers save your lungs
Friday April 22nd, 2011
Here is a summary of three scientific studies that show that vaporization is the healthiest way to inhale your medication. Everything about vaporizing is better than smoking. If you find no effect from a vaporizer, it is possible that you have developed high tolerance and it would serve you well to take some time off (7-14 days)...

Venice Beach Medical Marijuana Doctors Raided
Why quality and price do matter
Wednesday April 20th, 2011
On Wednesday 4/20/11, three medical marijuana doctors' offices in Venice Beach were raided and closed. (Link below) The LA Times reported that the warrant was sealed so information on why the offices were raided is unknown at this time...

National Cancer Institute Acknowledges Benefits of Medical Cannabis for Cancer Patients
Tuesday April 12th, 2011
The National Cancer Institute for the first time gives information on its website on cannabis and cannabinoids (the active medicines in the cannabis plant). They report: "The potential benefits of medicinal Cannabis for people living with cancer include antiemetic effects, appetite stimulation, pain relief, and improved sleep...

Marijuana and Your Lungs – What is the real deal?
Saturday January 22nd, 2011
Is marijuana smoke really bad for the lungs? What about lung cancer? You can find out the answer to these questions by going to the link below. Dr. Donald Tashkin, Professor of Pulmonology at UCLA’s Geffen School of Medicine, gives an excellent summary of what he has found over many years of researching the effects of marijuana smoke on the lungs...

What is the California State or County Card?
Wednesday November 10th, 2010
Proposition 215, passed in 1996, allows a physician to recommend cannabis to a patient with a serious and chronic medical condition. This law only provides patients with a legal defense for possession and cultivation...

Medical Marijuana and Lung Disease
Monday April 12th, 2010
A recent study was done to determine the combined and independent effects of tobacco and marijuana smoking on respiratory symptoms and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the general population...

Medical Marijuana and Multiple Sclerosis
Tuesday April 6th, 2010
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic progressive neuro-degenerative disease where the brain and spinal cord are damaged by the gradual destruction of myelin, which is the tissue that covers and protects the brain and spinal cord...

Can I get addicted to Marijuana?
Sunday January 17th, 2010
Marijuana is not physically addictive. Marijuana users can use it regularly, even multiple times daily, without any problem giving it up. However some people do experience withdrawal, similar to caffeine withdrawal...

Medical Marijuana and Depression
Sunday January 10th, 2010
Clinical depression is a very serious illness. People with this condition have long-term, often debilitating feelings of sadness and low self-esteem. There can be suicidal thoughts. Depression makes ordinary tasks such as going to work, cooking, cleaning, even personal hygiene, very difficult...

Medical Marijuana and Spinal Cord Injuries
Sunday January 10th, 2010
Patients with spinal cord injuries with paralysis of their legs and/or arms, often have severe chronic pain and muscle spasms. The conventional treatment for these symptoms is synthetic medications, including high dose opiates, tranquilizers, and sedatives...

Medical Marijuana: First Time Use
Sunday January 10th, 2010
The first time use of cannabis is unique. Although no one yet understands why, many people don’t feel anything the first time they use cannabis. They do feel it the second or third time. At times the first time users are noted by the people around them to be acting differently but they themselves don’t notice it...

Medical Marijuana and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Thursday December 17th, 2009
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a type of anxiety disorder that’s triggered by a traumatic event that involved the threat of injury or death. Post-traumatic stress disorder can develop after someone experiences or witnesses an event that causes intense fear, helplessness or horror...

Medical Marijuana and Tourette’s Syndrome
Tuesday December 15th, 2009
Tourette’s Syndrome (TS) is a complex neuropsychiatric disorder that is characterized by involuntary tics. The cause of this disorder is unknown. Some patients with TS have small tics and others have debilitating tics...

Medical Marijuana and Sleep Apnea
Sunday December 13th, 2009
Sleep apnea is a medical condition characterized by frequent interruptions in breathing of up to 10 second or more during sleep. There are three types of sleep apnea: obstructive, central and mixed...

Medical Marijuana and Lung Cancer
Thursday November 19th, 2009
The big question about marijuana smoke has always been, “Will it cause cancer?” A review of the scientific literature still does not give a definitive answer but it appears that a leading and well known pulmonologist (lung specialist) from UCLA has found that marijuana is unlikely to cause cancer...

The Cost of Alcohol, Tobacco and Cannabis
Tuesday November 17th, 2009
A report published in the British Columbia Mental Health and Addictions Journal (Canada) stated that tobacco-related health costs are over $800 per user, alcohol-related costs are about $165 per user and cannabis-related health costs are about $20 per user...

Medical Marijuana and Fibromyalgia
Monday November 9th, 2009
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by diffuse pain in the muscles, ligaments and tendons, with associated fatigue and multiple tender points (places on the body where slight touch causes pain)...

How do I choose which kind of medical marijuana to use?
Monday November 9th, 2009
Many medical marijuana patients are finding natural relief of a variety of medical conditions with this amazing plant. But there are so many strains that it can be overwhelming to find which strain or plant will be helpful for certain conditions...

Medical Marijuana and ADHD
Sunday November 1st, 2009
Many people diagnosed with ADD/ADHD have turned to medical marijuana for treatment of their symptoms with positive results and minimal side effects. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is also known as hyperactivity or attention deficit disorder (ADD)...

Medical Marijuana and IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)
Wednesday October 28th, 2009
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common syndrome that affects the large intestine. The most common symptoms are cramping, abdominal pain, bloating gas, constipation and diarrhea. Although the symptoms can be severe, there appears to be no long term permanent damage to the bowel...

Medical Marijuana and Migraine Headaches
Monday August 3rd, 2009
Migraine headaches can be extremely severe and debilitating. Scientists and doctors are not sure exactly why some people get migraines but it appears that genetics and environmental factors both play a role...

Medical Marijuana: Safer than Prescription and OTC Drugs
Sunday July 12th, 2009
With the recent death of Michael Jackson, and last year’s death of Heath Ledger, both due to prescription drugs, more and more patients are examining their pill bottles and wondering what their future holds...

Medical Marijuana and Arthritis
Monday July 6th, 2009
Over 30 million Americans suffer from arthritis. There are many different kinds of arthritis – osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, infectious arthritis, gouty arthritis are just a few. In general arthritis occurs when there is swelling and pain in the joints with subsequent limitation of movement...

Medical Marijuana And Chronic Back Pain
Tuesday June 30th, 2009
Chronic Back Pain is one of the most common illnesses seen by physicians. Almost everyone has back pain at some time in their adult life. Back pain occurs most commonly between the ages of 30 and 50 due to the aging process and due to a more sedentary lifestyle that begins in this age group...

Medical Marijuana Tinctures
Tuesday June 23rd, 2009
Many medical marijuana patients are happy to learn about tinctures of cannabis. A tincture is an alcohol-based liquid mixture. It is like a concentrated extract. Currently there are tinctures of cannabis made with alcohol, oil or glycerin...

Medical Marijuana and Insomnia
Tuesday June 23rd, 2009
Are you one of the millions of Americans that is suffering from sleeplessness or insomnia? It is estimated that one-third of all adults have insomnia. Some people have difficulty falling asleep, some have difficulty staying asleep, and some have both...

Medical Marijuana: Inhalation vs. Edibles – Why is it so different?
Monday June 22nd, 2009
You have a choice as to how you want to take medical marijuana. You can inhale marijuana either through smoking it or through a vaporizer. Of course the healthier option is the vaporizer as there is no irritating smoke...

Anxiety, Panic Attacks, and Medical Marijuana
Saturday June 20th, 2009
Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Panic Attacks are common illnesses affecting many people. How do you know if you have anxiety disorder? Symptoms include excessive and persistent worrying that interferes with everyday functioning...

Fibromyalgia and Medical Marijuana
Saturday June 20th, 2009
Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain syndrome that is difficult to diagnose and whose cause is unknown. Patients have symptoms of musculoskeletal pain, chronic fatigue, and tender spots in the neck, spine, shoulders and hips...

Hempfest Hoax! Seattle Times Reporter MMJ Curious?

King douche Seattle Times reporter Jonathan Martin fools WA state mmj doctor! Get's medical authorization to possess cannabis for medical purposes in Washington state.

WA State law limits medical-marijuana use to patients with such debilitating conditions as AIDS-related wasting syndrome and multiple sclerosis. Intractable pain is defined as not easily managed, relieved or cured by other treatments.

He states that he did not embellish, although, with no medical records on hand, nothing would have prevented it. He went on to describe a four-year problem, "treated by physical therapy, prescription and over-the-counter pain remedies, with weekly flare-ups ranging from slight to severe. Most of my male friends and family have similar complaints."

Although Department of Health's (DOH) professional boards can discipline doctors and others for violating the medical-marijuana law, none has been cited, according to DOH records.

Nursing regulators recently looked into a complaint involving two Spokane nurses for allegedly improperly signing medical-marijuana authorizations, but did not take action. In March, the Medical Quality Assurance Commission, which regulates doctors, open and quickly closed an ethics complaint against a Seattle-area physician involving an advertisement promising authorizations that would "stand up in court."

Moyer, the DOH spokesman, said the department has not had a test case from a patient claiming to be inappropriately authorized for medical marijuana. Without such a complaint, regulators have treated authorizations akin to a second opinion, giving wide latitude for professional judgment.

"It's very hard to involve the regulatory authority in the patient-physician relationship," he said.

At the 4Evergreen tent, prospective patients began to queue up in the late afternoon. A 54-year-old woman, who gave her name only as Sharon, said she suffered from diverticulitis, a painful swelling of the colon. She hoped cannabis would halt her weight loss. "I'm past the point of trying anything," she said, but added that she was nervous about the process.

(source)

Marijuana News And Review "Pious Hypocrite" Of The Month!

Morning in Newport Beach CA. I was in the middle of my morning routine, scanning the day’s depression summaries of medical cannabis related stories, when I stumbled upon this month’s candidate for “pious hypocrite of the month” award.

It would seem that we have met the enemy and his name is ROBERT WATSON! Mr. Watson a “high”-ranking legislator from the state of Rhode Island was charged for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia on April 26, 2011. While ordinarily I would feel only pity for someone about to do battle with any type of governmental agency, this charlatan of the first order is overdue to be exposed.

Here are a few insights into Mr. Watson’s thought process:
“… Minority leader of the Rhode Island House, dismissed debate over the decriminalization of marijuana as not worthy of legislators' time”, I wonder if it’s worth his time now?

Watson created a firestorm in February when he gave a speech to the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce. During it, he criticized the state General Assembly by declaring, "I suppose if you're a gay man from Guatemala who gambles and smokes pot, you probably think that we're onto some good ideas here."

Reasonably, or not? Rather than just act contrite and move on, Watson -- while a guest on a radio show soon after that despicable case of foot-in-mouth, and in response to the understandable outcry over his comments -- said, "I reject the suggestion that it's insulting." He then went on to explain,"I apologize when appropriate and/or necessary," to the Providence Journal in February. "I identify this situation as representing neither circumstance."

“Dr. Feel-Good” Watson was pulled over at a police checkpoint on Friday, according to East Haven police. That’s when officers noted a "strong odor of marijuana" coming from the nervy Republican's car, and cited him with possession and driving under the influence.

The ordinarily blustering and intolerant representative seems to have precipitously acquired a love of privacy. (I think I hear a bong). His office manufactured…I mean released a statement on Monday. In this justification…I mean statement, he repudiated the fact he was driving under the influence. He stated he was in Connecticut to help a “friend” move (must have been 4.20), and was driving home from “dinner” (is that what they call it now) when he was stopped.

Why should I care what a legislator from Rhode Island says or does? I wouldn't, if not for the fact that its anal-retentive ass wipes like Watson that stand in the way of cannabis being viewed as something more than political fodder. He claims the "low" road with ridiculous statement’s like “…marijuana as not worthy of legislators' time” as budgets soar, and coffers are drained.

It’s time that “We” the people that elect these weak minded, fat wallet-ed and politically corrupt politicians take a good hard look at the candidates before we have that beer, and smoke that cig going into the voting booth next time. If you want a 420 friendly community, vote for a 420 friendly city council member in your local municipality. That’s where it all starts.



Monterey Bud.


"The prestige of government has undoubtedly been lowered considerably by the prohibition law. For nothing is more destructive of respect for the government and the law of the land than passing laws which cannot be enforced. It is an open secret that the dangerous increase of crime in this country is closely connected with this."

- Albert Einstein quote on Hemp

San Jose's Big Middle Finger To Medical Marijuana Tax Revenue

April 20, 2011 - It seems that San Jose’s City Council, in their infinite wisdom, has decided to close down 100 Medical Cannabis Dispensaries. Apparently the 10 medical marijuana collectives that the City Council will allow to remain operational will be split up into 5 separate districts. In each of these five districts they will allow two collectives. In addition to the restriction in numbers of medical marijuana collectives that will be allowed, the new MMJ collectives will also be required to grow all of their medicine on-site at the dispensaries.

While a lot of the MMJ collective owners queued up to speak before the City Council, of the 100 medical marijuana collectives to be closed in San Jose “Medmar” feels that it fulfills one of the biggest requirements of the new Medical marijuana regulations and that is that the marijuana is to be grown on the premises. While Medmar medical marijuana dispensary has only been in existence for 13 months they claim 3000 members and no doubt a nice little slice of tax revenue as well.

Does it seem strange to anyone else that the city of San Jose is trying to restrict the number of MMJ collectives from 110 to just 10, this with the looming state and city tax deficits? Steve DeAngelo executive director of Harborside health center which runs MMJ dispensaries in both the east bay and the south bay displayed a copy of a check for $35,416 to the San Jose city council, which represented one month’s worth of marijuana sales tax that goes to the city of San Jose. To which the San Jose city manager’s office quickly confirmed it was cashing harborside health center’s check to be quickly added to the general fund. So if one was to extrapolate the $35,416 number by 12 months, you could figure that the city of San Jose is now going to be flushing down the toilet approximately $420,000 from one medical marijuana collective in tax revenue for the city of San Jose.

Assuming that harborside health center does twice as much business as other medical marijuana collectives; let’s say the average collective pays $15,000 a month in taxes to the city of San Jose. Again, multiplying that by 12 months we come up with $180,000 per collective that could be added to the general fund for S. J. Take that same $180,000 and multiply it by the same 100 collectives that they are about to put out of business and we come up with a smooth $18,000,000 for the general fund of the city of San Jose. This during a time in which the city projects a $115,000,000 deficit.

In any event I’m done whining, I think. I’m off to celebrate our communities most important and media saturated day of the year. Stay safe and legal...HAPPY 4.20 people!

Monterey Bud.