Ok Pot.com

by matteo_dudek

The Medical Uses Of Marijuana

Marijuana is an emotive topic. Some people consider it a harmless pleasure; others associate the word with pot heads and dope fiends. Or perhaps, like Bill Clinton, they experimented with it in their youth but now respect its illegal status. But controversy aside, the fact is that marijuana is a herb and like most such plants offers many medicinal benefits. Here’s a look at the properties of this drug and the many medical uses of marijuana.

Firstly, let’s look at what marijuana is, exactly.

Marijuana refers to the flowers, leaves and stalks of the cannabis plant. Other names include ganja or hemp. When compiled into a resin, it’s known as hashish or hash. Marijuana is mainly known as a psychoactive, recreational drug.

The main active component of marijuana is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). When inhaled or ingested, THC attaches to certain parts of the brain known as cannabinoid receptors. The result is the euphoria experienced by users of the drug.

As a herb it also possesses a number of medicinal properties. In fact, marijuana contains over 300 compounds, 60 of which are cannabinoids which are responsible for the plant’s medicinal properties. The main properties of cannabinoids for therapeutic purposes are analgesic (pain relieving), anti-emetic (nausea and vomiting relieving), and as an appetite stimulant.

In fact, before marijuana was branded an illegal drug, it had a long tradition of medical use. It first appears in print in a 2nd century Chinese medical tome and was used in the United States in the 18th century to treat insomnia, labour pains and as an appetite booster. And today, marijuana is still used therapeutically today in the Middle East and parts of Asia.

In countries such as the United States, it has been used in the treatment of chronic pain in conditions such as multiple sclerosis and the emergence of HIV/AIDS led to an increase in its therapeutic use. HIV sufferers can control the progress of the disease with anti viral drugs but tend to experience an array of unpleasant symptoms which marijuana is well equipped to alleviate. These symptoms include nausea and reduced appetite both from the disease itself as well as side effects of powerful anti-virals. People with HIV could use marijuana to stimulate appetite and to reduce nausea which can halt the progress to AIDS wasting, a serious stage in which the body tissue wastes away.

Marijuana can also relieve pain caused by peripheral neuropathy which causes burning and numbness in the hands and feet. And it may be useful to manage the anxiety and depression that accompanies a serious medical condition such as HIV/AIDS.

But all this doesn’t mean that marijuana is a safe substance. For all its medical benefits, marijuana does have its downside. It’s dangerous for pregnant or nursing mothers and those suffering from hepatitis C or with histories of heart disease or stroke. Marijuana has also been though to precipitate psychotic symptoms in people with a family history of mental problems.

Anyone considering the use of marijuana for medical purposes has to consider both legal and medical factors. The fact remains that in most countries it remains a controlled substance with harsh penalties for possession and use with certain exceptions. For example, in the UK, it’s legal to buy greenhouse seeds as souvenirs. It’s legal to buy seeds but not to germinate them. These green house seeds can be bought online and delivered by post. And of course certain liberal countries such as the Netherlands and Denmark do allow possession and consumption in limited amounts in a controlled environment.

Cannabis for recreational use is illegal in most parts of the world. However its use as a medicine is now legal in certain territories including the UK Canada, Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Israel, Italy, Finland, and Portugal, and parts of the United States. Such use is strictly controlled however. For example, in those American states where it’s legal, users need to get a Medical Marijuana Card.

Laws governing the possession and use of marijuana are in a state of flux and meanwhile medical research continues. One exciting recent research has shown that marijuana may be effective against tumours such as lung cancer. The fact is that marijuana can improve the quality of life for sick people and so the authorities need to maintain an equitable balance between controlling the recreational use of this drug while maintaining research and use for medicinal purposes.

by sniffette

What You Need To Know About Marijuana Dispensaries In Sacramento

If you have a serious condition such as AIDS, you know that it can be excruciatingly painful. The pain can make it hard to function in day to day life, and even more difficult to focus on anything. Prescription painkillers may work for a while but they are highly addictive and often have serious side effects. Another solution is medical marijuana. If you have applied for a Medical Marijuana ID card in Sacramento, you already know that a doctor needed to recommend marijuana for you, and that your card is valid for one year from the date that it was issued. If you have received your Medical Marijuana ID, you might be wondering how to go about purchasing your product. Like anything else, there are several ways to go about this. You can either grow your own marijuana, or purchase it from one of the many dispensaries in Sacramento.

Your ID also allows you to cultivate marijuana in Sacramento, meaning that you can choose to grow it yourself. This can be difficult though, and requires some work up front. There is also a space issue. To grow enough marijuana for your own use requires a significant amount of space. For obvious reasons it is safer to grow marijuana inside in Sacramento. This prevents people from stealing your hard work, but also makes it less likely that your crop will attract unwanted attention. Even with this precaution, growing marijuana indoors is not easy. Medical marijuana requires compact fluorescent lights to grow, which are not cheap. And of course, there is the issue of covering up the smell.

Instead of going to the trouble of growing marijuana, many people in Sacramento choose to purchase it from one of the many dispensaries in the area. One advantage of these dispensaries is that they are able to cultivate several different varieties of marijuana. Many people find that they prefer one variety over another for various reasons.  Of course, any dispensary that you visit will ask to see your Medical Marijuana ID to be sure that you are legally entitled to the product that you are purchasing. If you aren’t sure where to find reputable dispensaries in Sacramento, one way is by word of mouth. Ask the physician who wrote your letter of recommendation, or ask a friend with a medical condition similar to yours. If this doesn’t work, then go online. There are several websites that maintain directories of marijuana dispensaries in Sacramento. Some of these directories enable people to write reviews of their experiences at different dispensaries. This way you can be sure that you will be getting a quality product at a good price. If you do not have internet access, you can also find this information by phone. You can call 888-665-0420, enter in your zip code, and hear a list of dispensaries in your part of Sacramento.

Even though it is legal, purchasing medical marijuana for the first time can be an unnerving experience. Try to remember that these dispensaries are running a business just like any other business. They want repeat customers, so they will do their best to sell you a quality product at a far price. If you treat the purchase of medical marijuana like any other purchase, then it will all go smoothly.

Please visit http://sunnyfieldsgrow.org for more information.If you have a serious condition such as AIDS, you know that it can be excruciatingly painful. The pain can make it hard to function in day to day life, and even more difficult to focus on anything. Prescription painkillers may work for a while but they are highly addictive and often have serious side effects. Another solution is medical marijuana. If you have applied for a Medical Marijuana ID card in Sacramento, you already know that a doctor needed to recommend marijuana for you, and that your card is valid for one year from the date that it was issued. If you have received your Medical Marijuana ID, you might be wondering how to go about purchasing your product. Like anything else, there are several ways to go about this. You can either grow your own marijuana, or purchase it from one of the many dispensaries in Sacramento.

Your ID also allows you to cultivate marijuana in Sacramento, meaning that you can choose to grow it yourself. This can be difficult though, and requires some work up front. There is also a space issue. To grow enough marijuana for your own use requires a significant amount of space. For obvious reasons it is safer to grow marijuana inside in Sacramento. This prevents people from stealing your hard work, but also makes it less likely that your crop will attract unwanted attention. Even with this precaution, growing marijuana indoors is not easy. Medical marijuana requires compact fluorescent lights to grow, which are not cheap. And of course, there is the issue of covering up the smell.
Instead of going to the trouble of growing marijuana, many people in Sacramento choose to purchase it from one of the many dispensaries in the area. One advantage of these dispensaries is that they are able to cultivate several different varieties of marijuana. Many people find that they prefer one variety over another for various reasons.  Of course, any dispensary that you visit will ask to see your Medical Marijuana ID to be sure that you are legally entitled to the product that you are purchasing. If you aren’t sure where to find reputable dispensaries in Sacramento, one way is by word of mouth. Ask the physician who wrote your letter of recommendation, or ask a friend with a medical condition similar to yours. If this doesn’t work, then go online. There are several websites that maintain directories of marijuana dispensaries in Sacramento. Some of these directories enable people to write reviews of their experiences at different dispensaries. This way you can be sure that you will be getting a quality product at a good price. If you do not have internet access, you can also find this information by phone. You can call 888-665-0420, enter in your zip code, and hear a list of dispensaries in your part of Sacramento.
Even though it is legal, purchasing medical marijuana for the first time can be an unnerving experience. Try to remember that these dispensaries are running a business just like any other business. They want repeat customers, so they will do their best to sell you a quality product at a far price. If you treat the purchase of medical marijuana like any other purchase, then it will all go smoothly.
Please visit http://sunnyfieldsgrow.org for more information.

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by matteo_dudek

Get medical marijuana treatment with Medical Marijuana Card

We have known marijuana plant as a drug and its use has been prohibited ever since. Despite some reported medicinal properties of marijuana plant, it was not given much attention. Until lately, it is being studied and is seen to cure many diseases that afflict many people around the globe. To be given treatment with marijuana, you must secure first medical marijuana card. In acquiring medical marijuana card, you must ensure that the doctor you contacted for this is a medical marijuana doctor. He should possess a medical marijuana license. Qualified and certified professional doctors will set an appointment with you and make a medical examination to see if you really need to be treated with marijuana. This is done in proper medical marijuana clinic.

Do not be deceived by some companies that provide counterfeit recommendations. You should be able to delineate if you are dealing with the rightful authorities to avoid having problems with the law. If the law finds your card to be not genuine, you are subject for imprisonment or payment of penalties. Therefore, you must not trust any issuing company that transact and gives recommendation only through phone. Be cautious of some companies that issues counterfeit cards. Getting a medical marijuana card involves various steps and quite a long process before you can get an approval. Several forms are to be correctly filled-up and processed before you will be approved to have a medical marijuana card.
Patients with cancer, glaucoma, HIV or AIDS, cachexia, multiple sclerosis and those who suffer from severe pain, nausea resulting from chemotherapy for cancer treatment, seizures, and persistent muscle spasm can be legally treated with medical marijuana. It could also be used to treat arthritis, brain injury due to stroke, migraines and eating disorders. When one of these conditions is present, the patient will be issued a medical marijuana card.
You can now legally buy medical marijuana medicines when you already have the card. In Colorado, a law called Amendment 20 was approved that allows a patient to have in his possession up to 2 ounces of medical cannabis and grow up to six plants. Medical cannabis is another term for medical marijuana. There are already 13 states in the United States of America that have already enacted laws to make the use of marijuana legal. In addition to Colorado, the other states are Alaska, California, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington. Also, there are now other countries that have also legalized the use of marijuana to treat patients with debilitating conditions. These countries include Canada, Portugal, Italy, Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Spain, Finland and Israel.
The laws relating to the legal use of marijuana are subject to certain conditions and limitations so as not to abuse the use of this plant that is recognized to be prohibited in the earlier days. Although many countries have now seen its medicinal effects to persons in very weak conditions, there are still considerable arguments regarding its effectiveness. Some physicians are concern of its possible side effects.

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by sniffette

Who Can Sell Medical Marijuana?

Medical marijuana is now legal in fourteen US states and each one of these states has its own regime for distribution. If you want to start selling medical marijuana seeds in your own headshop or pharmacy you’ll still need to abide by the state rules. It is still a federal offence to sell or buy marijuana in the US so make sure all the correct protocols are in place, and only sell to approved patients whatever state you happen to be in.

 Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Montana, Nevada, Oregon and Rhode Island  

Although medical marijuana is legal in all of the above states, buying or selling marijuana is still very much against the law. Therefore, there is no legal way in which patients can procure the drug and how the patient gets hold of their marijuana seeds is strictly up to them. Patients that suffer from any of the symptoms for which medical marijuana is legalized are required to purchase a registry card which gives them a defence should they be caught red-handed with marijuana seeds on them. The registration card also requires a letter from a doctor, and any care-givers to medical marijuana patients will need to register for their own form of identification.

Arizona and New Mexico  

In the Lone Star State and neighbouring New Mexico, medical marijuana sellers must apply for a license from the state. This allows them to sell or distribute marijuana seeds to patients that are in possession of a medical marijuana registry card.

California

Medical marijuana in the Golden State can only be sold through co-operations and collectives. Although California’s liberal stance meant that it was the first state to legalize medical marijuana, selling marijuana seeds is by no means as easy as it is in certain states. Cannabis collectives must abide by rules covering everything from parking laws to the use of licensed contractors. Landlords also present a problem when dealing with owning a dispensary and can make the arduous task even more problematic.

Maine

The Pine Tree State’s medical marijuana laws echo California’s and sellers must belong to an established co-operation or collective. Unlike California’s collectives, which differ in their city based jurisdiction of how much medical marijuana sellers can distribute, the laws in Maine do not address this issue, and medical marijuana patients are advised to use their own discretion when collecting marijuana seed prescriptions.

Maryland and Michigan

The sale and distribution of medical marijuana is illegal in Maryland. However, unlike Alaska and Colorado where patients are required to register and fill in an identification card, these rules don’t apply to Maryland. Maryland’s laws only provide an affirmative defence in court to medical marijuana patients, but with no predetermined list of what ailments can construe a need for medical marijuana, this is often shaky ground. The only real way someone in Maryland can become a medical marijuana patient is with a letter from a doctor – a process much easier said than done.

Vermont

In Vermont, sufferers of debilitating conditions, such as HIV, AIDS, MS and cancer are required to register with their doctors as medical marijuana patients. After receiving a registration card patients can grow their own marijuana seeds, although they can grow no more than two mature plants at a time.

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by Soctech

Can Marijuana Cure Swine Flu?

The Age-Old Debate

Should marijuana be legal? This is a question that has been posed to many authorities many times. Certain countries will have more lenient marijuana policies than others, such as the Netherlands and India, for example. Conservatives will argue that it is a drug that should be treated in a similar way to cocaine and ecstasy, while liberals will argue that responsible adults should be able to make use of marijuana as they see fit.

This is perhaps a never-ending debate, and with no concrete argument from either side, it may go on for centuries. But recent research has shown the usefulness of marijuana as a medicine, presenting a new angle which needs to be considered in the argument around making marijuana legal.

Over recent years, research has shown that the cultivation of cannabis seeds may be more useful than simply creating a high, and one could go so far as to argue that it can be a life-saving medicine. From preventing disease in old age, to curing head-aches to aiding in controlling diabetes, the medical uses of marijuana are being discovered. And recent research shows that it could possibly lower the risk of death in swine flu sufferers.

Marijuana Could Save Swine Flu Patients

The latest flu epidemic to cause worldwide alarm is the H1N1 virus, commonly known as swine flu. While the death toll in this epidemic has remained relatively low, the virus has caused alarm and anxiety worldwide. Recent research into the use of cannabis seeds as an aid to surviving swine flu has shown some interesting results.

Cannabis Science Incorporated has been conducting research into the uses of cannabis sativa, marijuana. Marijuana is currently still illegal in the UK, but cannabis seeds in their uncultivated form may be purchased legally. Many see this as the first step towards making marijuana legal.

Cannabis Science has been conducting research into the potential medicinal use of phytocannabanoids found in cannabis seeds. These elements of the marijuana plant have proved to reduce inflammation. This may be a groundbreaking discovery in the search for a swine flu medication, as the primary cause of death in swine flu sufferers is due to asphyxiation, which essentially involves the inflammation of the lungs. And if these phytocannabanoids can reduce inflammation, they could significantly lower the chance of death in swine flu sufferers.

Phytocannabanoids found in cannabis seeds are similar in structure and effect to endocannabanoids, which naturally occur in the body to control inflammation. Taking marijuana would allow phytocannabanoids into the body, and these in turn would mimic the response of the body’s natural inflammation controllers. The human body would not recognise the difference because they are so similar.

Making Marijuana Legal to Fight Swine Flu

If it can be argued that marijuana can prevent death from the H1N1 virus, making marijuana legal would be the next logical step. The cannabis seeds would need to be cultivated to produce the phytocannabanoids, which could then be used to prevent death in flu-sufferers. Perhaps the recent research into marijuana’s medicinal uses may tip the argument in favour of making not only cannabis seeds, but marijuana, legal.

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by dooq

Federal Government Is Impelled to Support Medical Marijuana by the American Medical Association

The American Medical Association, which is the largest doctors’ organization in the USA, has reconsidered its position towards medical marijuana and currently supports exploration and medical research on marijuana for medicinal use. On Tuesday, the group has persuaded the federal government to re-evaluate its controlled substance categorization of marijuana in Schedule I, which unfairly maligns the plant alongside with some of the most hazardous narcotic substances, such as LSD and heroin.

AMA officer of board, Dr. Edward Langston specifies that just a least number of controlled, casual tests have ever been maintained on ingested marijuana in spite of medical research in by medical marijuana doctors and other experts, which encompasses more than thirty years. As for now, the group encourages new researches on medical marijuana’s effectiveness in spite of its support for the classification of marijuana in Schedule I, since 1997, because more and more medical marijuana doctors appear over time.

This year, Obama’s administration has also ordered federal narcotics agents to stop prosecuting people who use and distribute medical marijuana (including medical marijuana doctors) in the states that have legalized it, which indicated an alteration of the course from past administrations’ stringent opposition to the use of medical marijuana, even for people that have medical marijuana cards in the states that have legalized the plant for medical use. At the moment, fourteen states lawfully permit the use of medical marijuana and around twelve other states have started to think about doing so. The American Medical Association is interested in study, which takes in account alternative methods of using medical marijuana, apart from therapeutically smoking it. Lawyers for medical marijuana speak about other helpful modes of medical marijuana use, involving the THC-rich cannabis oil extraction, which is claimed to be able to heal cancer patients. Today, no one is persecuted for the use of cannabis if a legal Medical Marijuana Card is present.

The reaction of the federal government to the AMA’s stance has been pretty silent in spite of loosened federal prosecution of medical marijuana use and medical marijuana clinic workers. DEA – the Drug Enforcement Administration – repeated the status of marijuana as a Schedule I substance and the FDA – Food and Drug Administration – refused to give any commentaries on the situation. The American Medical Association was one of the sole groups to object the first federal limitation on cannabis, which were established back in 1937. It still persists to decline casual idea that medical marijuana is a myth, in spite of its past support of Schedule I narcotic classification. The organization even objected an offered amendment, which would have settled its managerial policies in resistance to ingested marijuana as a safe way of use for medical marijuana treatment. In fact almost any medical marijuana clinic provides edible products of medical marijuana for patients with medical marijuana cards.

Marijuana support groups are joyous about the new stance of the AMA and the extending change of attitude towards medical marijuana and everything related to it – medical marijuana doctors, medical marijuana clinics, etc. While federal administration still resists against the medical marijuana legalization, referring to the FDA consideration in objection to its secure use as medicine, popular belief persists to change in favor of further study and medical use of marijuana. Last year, the second largest doctor group, the American College of Physicians has uttered similar support for improved research and reassessment of medical marijuana. Also, the California Medical Association passed its own opinions that referred to marijuana criminalization as a “failed public health policy.”

The moods are changing towards frank research of the medical marijuana benefits. The attraction for further proof-based study by acknowledged medicinal organizations is a step in the proper direction on the way to legalizing medical marijuana for legal and safe medicinal purposes

by dooq

The Signs, Symptoms and Side Effects of Marijuana Drug Addictions

Marijuana is the flower, leaves, bud and branches of the hemp plant. Marijuana is the most used drug in the USA besides alcohol and cigarettes. It can be smoke or eaten for its narcotic side effects. Though you can smoke to get the high, eating it takes longer to feel the effected. When smoked this drug stays in the lungs for a few seconds and can last in your urine for up to 5-10 days. It can take between four to six weeks to leave your body. Smoking weed, which is another name for this drug, can cause numerous side effects.

It can cause:

Sleepiness

Hangover

Drowsiness

Slowed reaction

Short term memory

Increased heart rate

Increased blood pressure

Bronchitis

Chronic coughing

Increased risk of bronchitis and emphysema

Change in appetite

Diarrhea

Nausea

Sweating

Decreased body temperature

Depressed immune system

Dry mouth and throat

Lack of energy

Irritated eyes and soar throat

Hallucinations

Chemicals from the marijuana are stored in the blood stream and brain. The withdrawal effects from this drug are tremors, weight loss, nausea, sweating, hot flashes, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. chemicals which are transformed into 2,000 other chemicals when smoked. A person that is a heavy user, it can take up to three months for the drug to leave the body.

The potency of marijuana has increased by 275% over the last decade. It can range in colors of grey, green, brown, red and pale yellow. If marijuana has no seeds in it, it is more potent. Five joints have the cancer-causing capacity as 112 cigarettes. Because this drug affects the lungs, anyone who smokes it has a higher chance of developing lung cancer. It can also lower the testosterone in men.

Many think that this drug is not as harmful as other drugs, but this drug is dangerous to the body just like any other form of drugs. It can weaken your immune system and prevent it from fighting off colds, flu and other viruses. In women, the drug can interfere with ovulation, menstrual cycle, fertility and DNA. In male, it can cause impotence, swollen breasts that may come with pain, discharge and fluids. Despite the harsh side effects marijuana is legal is some states and prescribe to patients with certain medical conditions.

If you or someone you know, has an addiction. Please seek help life can get greater.

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Lorna Darden

by dooq

Is Marijuana Dangerous?

Is Marijuana dangerous is a question that could have as many different answers as the number of people you asked? Cannabis is a hot topic today as more and more states (not to mention countries) legalize medical marijuana more and more people become interested. There is a ton of information and most of it is contradictory. Anyone could win a debate on either side of the argument using articles based on findings from medical studies. It is as important to look closely at the company or organization that funds the study as well as the findings themselves. Politics often finds its way into such studies.
Is Marijuana dangerous can depend on what other substance we use for comparison? If we compare cannabis to a long list of FDA approved medications and the deaths and health complications attributed to said medications then Marijuana wins that argument. When pot is compared to other illegal “recreational drugs” it is the lesser of two evils. On the other hand just because there isn’t a line outside Drug Detox Clinics for those that smoke Marijuana doesn’t mean users are totally out of the woods.
A recent study at King’s College in London found that small amounts of trahydrocannabinol (THC), an active ingredient in marijuana, used by subjects in the study caused psychotic symptoms which included paranoia and hallucinations. Using MRI scans researchers discovered that the inferior frontal cortex which regulates paranoia is adversely affected by THC. Many patients in Drug Rehab Centers have a duel diagnosis; that is addiction and a mental health issue. Could there be a connection? There are no easy answers and in the end people have to make up their own minds. I just think there has to be more intense research by impartial laboratories before we have a definitive answer.

by sniffette

Drinking and Marijuana: Where Can They Lead?

John from Virginia asked, “What’s the big deal about drinking and smoking some weed.”

Drinking and Marijuana: Where Can they Lead?

”I had a bad day and just want to relax… I just want to fit in… No one loves me… I’m ugly and don’t want to feel anymore… I don’t care whether I live or die…” There are many reasons people turn to alcohol and drugs.

Most people start out drinking or doing drugs occasionally; they don’t set out to get addicted. No one really knows who will become addicted and why? Genetic make-up, psychological and environmental factors, some develop an addiction immediately and others it takes time.

Most people don’t realize that alcohol is a drug. In fact, it is a depressant and the most commonly used drug in the entire world. At first, it initiates a ‘happy’ feeling and relieves anxiety. Then it causes blurred vision, slurred speech, loss in motor function and at higher levels — poisoning and death.

According to studies, individuals who drink before the age of 17 are three times more likely to develop an addiction than those who starts drinking at the legal age of 21. If we examine the addiction rates of pre-teen drinkers, the numbers increase dramatically.

Marijuana, pot, weed, blunts, joints, one-hitters — this drug contains THC and is dangerous to the body because it acts like a stimulant and depressant, increasing the heart rate, lowering body temperature, interfering with muscle function and reaction time.

Don’t let the hype that marijuana is not a big deal fool you. Pot smokers have a higher rate of drop-out rates in school, depression and schizophrenia. More young people are in treatment facilities for marijuana dependency than all other illegal drugs combined.

Since both are depressants, the combination of alcohol and marijuana doubles the affects on the body. More importantly, Marijuana suppresses nausea, and one of the body’s primary mechanisms for alcohol poisoning is vomiting. With the presence of these two drugs, the stomach may not release the excess before it enters the blood stream.

When Alcohol and Marijuana are frequently used, you are likely to…

* Put yourself in dangerous situations and unhealthy relationships.
* Be sexually promiscuous and irresponsible.
* Develop an increased tolerance and need more frequent and larger dosages.
* Do other drugs — cocaine, prescription drugs, crystal meth, crack, heroin…
* Get arrested — perhaps serve jail time.
* Develop serious health problems — digestive, heart, lungs, neurological…

If addiction develops, the age a person starts drinking or doing drugs is where they stop maturing mentally.
”Well, that explains everything,” the unknown drunk laughed. “I started drinking and smoking before I started middle school.”

Drugs affect your body, brain, judgment — your self-control. Using them can harm or kill you and others around you. With those with an addictive personality, like the Unknown Drunk, one drink can quickly lead to two then four, ten, amphetamines, mescaline and cocaine.

”I should be dead,” the Unknown Drunk continued. “My brain’s mush, immune system’s shot… It makes me sick that I could have really hurt someone… I’m sorry, Susan… what was the question?”

by matteo_dudek

Marijuana Cultivation

Marijuana Cultivation

It is illegal to grow, or cultivate, marijuana. The California criminal jury instructions gives guidance to the factors that the prosecution must prove in order to successfully convict someone of this offense.

“Every person who plants/cultivates/harvests/dries/ or processes any marijuana or any part thereof is guilty of a violation of Heath and Safety Code Section 11358, a crime.

The word “harvesting” is defined as the gathering of crops of any kind.

The verb “to harvest” means:
a) to gather in a crop: reap…’
b) to gather a natural product as if by harvesting

In order to prove this crime, each of the following elements must be proved:
1. A person [planted] a marijuana plant; and
2. That person knew it was a marijuana plant or some part thereof.” CALJIC 12.24

The operative law that results in the above jury instruction is California Health and Safety Code Section 11358 which reads:

“Every person who plants, cultivates, harvests, dries, or processes any marijuana or any part thereof, except as otherwise provided by law, shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison.”

Medical Marijuana

Under federal law, sale, cultivation and possession of marijuana remain strictly illegal. However, the California Compassionate Use Act of 1996, known as Prop. 215 exempts patients and their primary caregivers from criminal prosecution for personal possession and cultivation of marijuana, but NOT for distribution or sale to others.
Medical cannabis may be legally used & cultivated by qualified patients in California under Prop. 215, provided they have a recommendation from a licensed physician.
State law SB 420 establishes Prop. 215 guidelines for possession and cultivation. State limits are set at 6 mature or 12 immature plants and 8 ounces marijuana, except where a physician declares more is needed, or where local governments authorize more.