Monday, October 31, 2011

"Doesn't Medical Cannabis Send the Wrong Message to Children?"

     Well, now that my break is over, I am ready to resume the blog.  Every now and then we need to take breaks, right?  Anyway,  I will be implementing some changes to my blog starting today.  For the foreseeable future, I have decided to focus primarily on medical cannabis education.  If there is pressing news on the political front or elsewhere, I will attempt to cover it.
     Today I present the first of many questions that people unfamiliar with medical cannabis ask those who support its use: "Supporting medical marijuana sends the wrong message to our kids, doesn't it?" Let me begin by citing the state-sponsored California Student Survey (CSS), which notes that marijuana use among teens rose annually until 1996 - then dropped significantly in subsequent years! By the way, 1996 was the year California'a Proposition 215 passed into law.  CSS researchers found that, "There is no evidence supporting that the passage of Proposition 215 increased marijuana use during this period." ( Skager, Rodney; Austin, Greg; and Wong, Mamie, “Marijuana Use and the Response to Proposition 215 Among California Youth, a Special Study From the California Student Substance Use Survey (Grades 7, 9, and 11) 1997-98.”)
This drop in teen usage has been consistent with the passage of compassionate-care laws in other states as well. ( O’Keefe, Karen et al., “Marijuana Use by Young People: The Impact of State Medical Marijuana Laws.” Marijuana Policy Project, June 2008)
     In addition to these findings, one has to ask himself, "What is really sending the wrong message: medical marijuana or the inconsistencies and hypocrisy of our current system of prohibition?"  Criminalizing sick and injured people for choosing their own health care by way of a natural plant is sending the wrong message to children.  Dishonesty by disseminating false "information" through PSAs and anti-marijuana campaigns is sending the wrong message to children.  Arguing that sick people should continue to suffer for the "children's sake" is sending the wrong message to children.
     Education is the right message for children.  They should be taught the difference between use and abuse.  The Physicians' Desk Reference (the industry standard in regards to FDA-approved drug information) includes over 1,100 of the most commonly prescribed drugs - NONE of which should be used for fun!  We do not teach our children to play with the pills found in a medicine cabinet.  Do you remember the time you first learned that cocaine was used in hospitals as an analgesic?  Did that cause confusion in your mind? Probably not.  Humans generally have the mental faculties to discern between good and bad uses of something.  I personally support gun ownership.  I also carry the responsibility to educate my children that guns are tools that can be used properly or improperly.  Why does society have a double-standard when it comes to cannabis?

Monday, October 24, 2011

Fall Hiatus... I'll Be Back!

     To all of my readers:

     I will be taking the next week off as I evaluate this blog and decide where I want to take it.  Changes are coming in regards to content and/or layout.  Never fear... I'll be back and am looking forward to more great articles on the politics, medicine, and culture of cannabis.  Until next week, feel free to peruse through my previous blog entries and SHARE them on Facebook or other sites.  Education is the key to combating the "anti-marijuana" propaganda lies of the government.  Thanks for reading!

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Hemp Seeds... For Your Health!

     Cannabis sativa, also known as hemp or simply "cannabis", is one of the most nutritionally balanced foods known to man.  In a day when health foods and supplements are billion-dollar industries,  it is crazy to think that society has not caught on to health benefits of this amazing seed.
     Hemp seeds have been used as a source of food throughout history.  It has been given to livestock and birds as a cheap, balanced food source.  Even today, many natural food advocates praise hemp seed for its high protein and high essential fatty acid (EFA) content.  The protein found in hemp seeds is close to two-thirds edestin and one-third albumin.  These two types of globulin proteins together contain all eight essential amino acids.  About 44% of the weight of the seed consists of healthy oils, which 80% of are EFAs like alpha and gamma-linolenic acids and linoleic acid.
     Medicinally, the oil from the seed has been used to treat skin disorders such as eczema, psoriasis, and acne.  The high "good fat" content of the oil promotes cardiovascular and joint health.  EFAs found in hemp seed oil are also essential for immune health as well as proper nervous system function.
     Currently, it is illegal for farmers to grow cannabis in the United States.  Hemp seed and its oil has to be imported into the country, which at that point can be sold or used as an additive in healthcare products and foods.  Hemp grows in a variety of climates and needs little or no herbicides and pesticides.  Hopefully in the near future, cannabis will be able to be freely grown for its many uses, such as for food, medicine, and industry.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Thyroid Cancer Thwarted by Cannabinoid Receptor Stimulation

     With over 48,000 new cases of thyroid cancer expected this year in the U.S., it is very possible that you may know someone personally who has or will develop thyroid cancer.  Once again, I have come across another study of the positive effects of the endocannabinoid system and how it may be our "answer for cancer".  For those just tuning in to my blog, the *endocannabinoid system* was first discovered in 1988.  Since then ,scientists have been studying the various effects of this system in our bodies.
     In 2003,  Italian researchers at the Universita' di Napoli Federico II found that stimulation of cannabinoid receptors (in living rats with thyroid cancer) with an analog of anandamine (a cannabinoid found in us naturally and similar to THC) caused an interference with angiogenesis in thyroid tumors.  Angiogenesis is the formation of new blood vessels, which tumors need in order to grow.  In addition, the study found that the cannabinoid receptor (CB1) stimulation had a more potent effect on the tumors that had formed as a result of metastasis than primary thyroid tumors.  They concluded that CB1 stimulation may not only help prevent tumor growth but also mitigate the spread of the cancer to other tissues and organs.  Please click on this *link* for the abstract of the report
     My one comment for this is WHY DOES THE U.S. GOVERNMENT CONTINUE TO KEEP CANNABIS LISTED AS A SCHEDULE 1 DRUG??? It is absurd to think that cannabis has no medical benefit whatsoever and keep it on par with heroin and worse than crystal meth.  As long as it stays a Schedule 1 controlled substance it will remain banned from U.S. medical research.  Let us educate, for as long as the people remain in ignorance, the representatives in office will not make a change.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Marijuana or Tobacco (Cigarette) Smoke... Which is Worse?

     I remember sitting in my 5th grade class listening to the D.A.R.E. officer speak about the dangers of marijuana. One thing that stuck with me was that smoking a joint was equivalent to smoking a whole pack of cigarettes in regards to the amount of lung damage incurred.  Fast forward to this year.  A common thought that has been passed around among cannabis smokers is that cannabis smoke is safer than tobacco smoke.  I decided to do my own homework and search for clinical studies and scientific explanations. The following is what I have found:

WARNING! 
THIS ARTICLE CONTAIN BIG SCIENTIFIC WORDS AND STUFF... 
IT MAY GET BORING!

     When comparing cannabis to tobacco, I am going to be a little unfair.  I will be comparing commercially manufactured cigarettes to organically grown cannabis.  Why?  Because the vast majority of tobacco that is smoked is in the form of a cigarette made by one of the giant tobacco companies while cannabis, because of its current legal status, has not been exploited by industry and is generally grown by individuals or businesses who only use safe, organic products on the plants.  It may not be fair but it is a more accurate way of representing common usage.
    Tobacco smoke is laden with carcinogens created from the incomplete combustion of organic matter (the tobacco leaf).  Couple that with the myriad of items added to tobacco and a bigger danger occurs.  This *LINK* has a list of nearly 600 government-approved additives commonly found in cigarettes. While these substances may not pose much of a problem when ingested (they are all approved for use in food), combustion of these same additives produces thousands of various chemicals, most with the potential to cause cancer or other harmful effects.   Wait! I just got started...  Let us not overlook the *radiation found in cigarettes*.  It is a known fact that the fertilizers used by these tobacco giants contains radioactive elements that accumulate in and on the plant.  Put that in your pipe and smoke it!  (Actually, don't.)
     Cannabis on the other hand, because of the care put into growing it by hand, is simply that - cannabis!  Cannabis growers will use natural fertilizers like earthworm castings and bat guano (poop).  Sure, "N-P-K"s  (like fertilizers you might purchase for your garden) are used by some growers but those that do perform a "flush" prior to harvest to ensure the purity of the finished product. 
     As we continue to delve into the contrasts of the two smokes, we find that science has revealed to us a distinguishing factor - a family of chemicals known as cannabinoids (found exclusively in cannabis).  I will not go into full detail of how cannabinoids work in our body or how our own bodies actually have  receptors exclusive to cannabinoids and their endogenous equivalents.  That will have to be a future blog entry.  For now, let us focus on a particular study...
     Researchers at the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of the UCLA School of Medicine, have pitted tobacco and cannabis against each other in how much they encourage cancerous growth through the  activity of the enzyme CYP1A1 in the liver.  Activity of this enzyme on *polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons* (PAHs) has been linked to the formation of carcinogens in the body, leading to cancer.  What are PAHs, you ask?  Stay with me here.  When we cook a steak on the grill, PAHs are formed.  When we burn a campfire, we have produced PAHs.  PAHs are a by-product of combustion.  Unfortunately, our bodies do not take too kindly to them.  Our liver metabolizes them into nastier chemicals that cause genetic mutations, even to the point of altering or halting a cell's normal apoptosis.This would ultimately lead to the development of cancer.  Anyway, the researchers discovered that cannabis does exhibit far greater tar build-up (meaning more PAHs) in the lungs (because it is generally packed looser than cigarettes when smoked, cannabis smoke is typically held in the lungs longer, AND cigarettes generally have filters).  The crazy thing is that the researchers found that THC found in cannabis tar reduced the effects of the PAHs in tar by inhibiting the actions of CYP1A1 .  The full findings are located  *here*.  The study is not to conclude that smoking is safe.  Anything you smoke will have some risks involved.  It is refreshing to know that scientists are discovering that cannabis and its exclusively-found cannabinoids may very well be the saving grace of the cannabis smoker.

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Bud of the Week - Hawaiian Snow

    About as rare as its namesake, Hawaiian Snow has become a favorite choice among connoisseurs of the haze variety.  Its parentage include three types of haze: Hawaiian, Pure, and Neville's.  The heavy-haze gives the user everything they would expect from a sativa - an uplifting, "I need to go accomplish something" stimulation with feelings of well-being.
     Growers will find Hawaiian Snow to be an ideal indoor grow due to its long grow cycle (unless tropical weather is typical of the area).  Like a typical sativa, this plant will need plenty of space and time.  Hawaiian Snow is best suited for the grower who has plenty of patience as the flowering stage can last over 14 weeks.
     Hawaiian Snow's aroma reminds one of spicy or musty pine, even astringent-like.  The flavor is described as being minty / musky with hints of lemongrass and moss.

Medicinal Uses: Chronic Pain, Cancer, Nausea, Crohn's Disease, GI Problems, Depression, MS, Migraines 

Friday, October 14, 2011

Does Cannabis Make You Stupid?

     I came across this article this week and knew that I had to share it on my blog.  I normally try to write my own articles on here but couldn't improve on what Jonah Lehrer says in his blog.  *Click here for a direct link to the article in reference.*  His article sheds some light on the myth that "marijuana use = stupidity".  I will say this: I have come across people who tell me "all the people I know who use marijuana are unproductive in their lives."  I feel like telling them that they don't get out much.  Should I mention to them that I know plenty of people personally who do not use cannabis and in my own opinion are unproductive as well?  Since we are judging other people's successes and failures, did smoking cannabis in office affect the productivity of Abraham Lincoln?  Let me guess... he wouldn't have been assassinated, right? (I'm being facetious, people!)  Who decides what is unproductive for another man?  Also, why assume that cannabis is the reason for the "lack of production" in their lives?
     When everything is taken into perspective, one can see that the prohibition of cannabis has been the biggest danger of its use.  Prior to the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937, cannabis was used on all levels of society - recreationally, medicinally, and industrially (is "industrially" a word?).  Once it was prohibited, use was restricted to only those willing to break the law - which is why prohibition never works!  Prohibition of cannabis created a subculture of "pot smokers" that became a bane to society in the minds of most who did not know the suppressed history of the plant.  It certainly didn't help that cannabis was given a bad name by government-sponsored media outlets (think "Reefer Madness").
     With the advent of state-sanctioned medical marijuana we are beginning to see a return to normalcy when it comes to society's acceptance of cannabis.  I say "beginning" because cannabis still has a long way to go before it becomes mainstream.  That is precisely why I created this blog.  Those that know the truth have an obligation to stand for it.  Please join with me by sharing this blog with people who do not understand the history, the cover-ups, the scientific discoveries, and the medical benefits of cannabis.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Breast Cancer Awareness Month - Are We Ready for a Cure Yet?


     I cannot go anywhere without seeing pink on someone or something... It's everywhere! From yogurt lids to NFL apparel, it seems that breast cancer awareness has become the "in thing". I do not necessarily have a problem with the pink - I just know that an answer to the problem has been discovered, but most "can't handle the truth" (thanks, Jack Nicholson!).
     *Cannabidiol* (CBD) has been found to induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) in cancerous cells. Many forms of cancer are a result of normal cells not dying on schedule. The typical healthy adult loses 50 - 70 billion cells each day from apoptosis. When certain body tissues fail to die, a malignant tumor develops. CBD stops the tumor in its tracks by encouraging the tumor cells to die - without adversely affecting healthy surrounding tissue. Chemotherapy and radiation cannot claim that!
     It has been brought to my attention that CBD's role in fighting cancer does not stop there. In a *2007 study* at the California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, scientists have discovered that CBD inhibits the function of a gene called Id-1, believed to be responsible for metastasis of breast cancer (as well as other common forms of cancer). Metastasis is the spread of disease from one location in the body to another. Breast cancer can become lethal when it spreads to the lymph nodes or other organs and tissue.  This breakthrough in cancer research is astounding, but most will not benefit from this because of current government regulations on cannabis.  
     Support the fight for breast cancer - support the legalization of cannabis!  When will we wake up to the truth?

Monday, October 10, 2011

Should Christians Smoke Medical Marijuana?

From Christianity Today (June 2011):

     Ah, those Californians—a bunch of grown-up hippies single-handedly keeping medical marijuana in the national consciousness. But wait. My wife and most of her family are from California, and they all seem surprisingly normal. Maybe medical marijuana is worth a careful Biblical look. Scripture raises important questions.
     First, is it moral? This is the most important question. Does Scripture prohibit or command using marijuana for medical purposes? If something is illegal, unless Scripture commands us to do it, we do not. Where medical marijuana is legal, this is no longer an issue.
     Second, are mind-altering drugs sinful? This one is a bit more slippery. Many prescription drugs—like psychiatric drugs—can be mind-altering, and so are legal drugs such as tobacco and alcohol. Christians have reasonable arguments on both sides. But I think we can agree that one's motivation is relevant. If someone puts their hope in mind-altering drugs, and these drugs become a way to turn away from the Lord, they are idolatrous and wrong. Even then, that does not mean that the person must stop taking the drugs. It means they must learn how to turn to the Lord in their troubles.
     Third, is it wise to smoke medical marijuana? This overlaps with the morality question. There are times when something is morally permissible, yet unwise. If you struggle with a desire for alcohol, it is permissible but unwise to work in a place where alcohol is served. With medical marijuana, that question could be reframed as, "Is it helpful or dangerous?" Are there deleterious consequences to this treatment? The brief answer, and I suspect there would be many heads nodding at this, is that every medical treatment has possible harmful side effects. In an era of full disclosure, many prescription warnings end, "Oh, and you might die too." When you line up modern pain relievers, marijuana looks quite tame. It is riskier than Tylenol but safer than Vicodin. The dangers ebb when the marijuana user is terminally ill, and Scripture supports palliative care for the dying (Prov. 31:6-7).
     Finally, is your conscience clear? Is it okay that people know you are taking medical marijuana? You do not have to announce it in front of the assembly, but you should not be ashamed if other people know. If your conscience bothers you, do not do it. For some people, the stumbling block might be that you smoke it. Put it in a pill form and use its technical name, and many consciences would probably be soothed.
     Many innovations have unwanted side effects. For example, the Internet is a purveyor of pornography. Yes, more people will use marijuana for non-medical reasons. People who would not cross the barrier between legal and illegal might be more prone to try something that is legal though restricted.
     How would I vote? Be wise and do not violate your conscience.

-Ed Welch is a counselor with the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation and author of several books on addiction and mental illness
Note from the Cannaculturist:  Please leave a comment on your take of this article... Do Christians have an obligation to truth in regards to cannabis?  Does our modern society's understanding of cannabis (or lack of) play a factor in how a Christian handles the issue? What are your thoughts?

Friday, October 7, 2011

Bud of the Week - Sour Diesel

     Just like its name suggests, Sour Diesel's pungency evokes the image of sticking your nose up to a lemon slice soaked in diesel fuel.  A 90s/10i hybrid, Sour Diesel's parentage belongs to Mexican Sativa and Chemo, giving rise to a strong psycho-trope without the haze.
     Being a strong sativa-cross, Sour Diesel grows fast and tall - perfect for Sea of Green grows.  Expect it to reach upwards of 6 feet on an indoor grow with the shape of a narrow Christmas tree.  Its wide, dark leaves become purple in hue as the plant ages.
    As I had previously mentioned, Sour Diesel has a strong odor.  This may be desired by the connoisseur but the grower may want to take precaution as the smell may draw unwanted attention! The taste mixes a creamy lemon with undertones of -what else?- diesel.  The "high" is described as being intense and uplifting, typical of a strong sativa.  If inhaled, it can last for two hours.

Medicinal Uses: Chronic Pain, Cancer, Nausea, Depression, MS, Migraines 

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Humidity: It's All Relative

     *Relative humidity* is the amount of moisture in the air compared to what the air can "hold" at that temperature. Technically, air doesn't "hold" water. It has to do with vapor densities, and thermal /barometric changes. As air temperature and pressure changes, it's relative humidity changes. 
     Although cannabis is a hearty plant, for the best medicinal results, keep your humidity in the plants' optimal range.  This range varies depending on the stage of growth that your plants are in. Here is a list of ideal humidity ranges for different life stages of cannabis:


80-90% - ROOTING CLONES AND CUTTINGS

60-70% - VEGETATIVE GROWTH

40-60% - FLOWERING


Higher humidity is needed for your precious babies as they do not have the root support to obtain the proper amount of water from their grow medium.  When your plants bud, too much moisture can accumulate in  the clusters of buds. Lowering the humidity helps control mold and other fungal contaminants from developing on your plant.  
     I caution you to not be reckless and go all "Death Valley" on your growroom.  Too little moisture will stress your plants!  However, I have heard of some growers deliberately stressing their plants by drastically dropping the humidity during the final few days before harvest to increase resin production. They claim that the  resin acts as the plant's natural "moisture-lock" on the buds in an attempt to protect the flowers for future pollination.  Little does the plant know that pollination is not in its future! 

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Being on the Right Side of History

     Is the picture big enough?  I was having some trouble trying to find the best picture for today's blog entry.  This one seemed fitting, as it sends a clear and concise message.  I believe that if one seeks truth sincerely, they will find it.  In many cases, it doesn't take much seeking - the truth is right under our noses. 

"I'm just glad it'll be Clark Gable who's falling on his face and not Gary Cooper." 
--Gary Cooper on his decision not to take the leading role in "Gone With The Wind."  

     "Hindsight is 20/20"... We have all heard that before.  However, I would prefer NOT to wait for truth to be in my rearveiw mirror before I recognize it as such.  Unfortunately, that is how many of us operate.  What is worse is when we realize we were wrong on some issue for so long and yet still refuse to change our stance. It may be fears or peer pressures. Maybe something darker...  
     If one is (1) willing to do a little homework, and (2) ready to be intellectually honest, he or she would discover that our own nation - the tall and proud U.S. of A. - has been on the wrong side of issues throughout  its existence.  Even when the truth smacks this nation in the face, we as citizens fight it as if truth is yanking our teeth out with pliers!  We round Japanese Americans in concentration camps out of fear. It wasn't until 1988 that our nation publicly declared it "wrong".  How about slavery?  Enough said.  We had discovered that Prohibition was not the answer.  Trail of Tears.  The Gulf of Tonkin incident.  Must I continue? 
     In previous blog entries, I had discussed the outright travesties by our own nation in regards to cannabis. I urge you to read my articles entitled "DuPont hates Cannabis" Parts 1-3.  I believe that if you and I are willing to educate ourselves and those in our circles of influence, we will see America get on the right side of history in regards to cannabis.  I mean, it certainly wouldn't be the first time America has been wrong.  I challenge you with this: 
1. Share this blog.  I mention this blog in discussions I have with people all the time. Certainly it helps when it's MY blog, but I am passionate about the truth.  Please join me in that passion.
2. Do your homework.  Challenge what you have been taught.  The Internet can be a great tool in discovering truth. Cross-reference sources - do not rely on only one source, even if I am that one source.
3. Be prepared to stand when confronted with opposition.  If you are new to the "world of cannabis", do not feel overwhelmed - take it one bite at a time.  If someone challenges you with their own "facts", don't let the pressure force you into a quick, sloppy answer. Let them know that you will come back to them and resort back to my second point.

Monday, October 3, 2011

Cannabis Helps Mother With Cerebral Palsy

     When referencing cannabis for health benefits, I typically try to avoid hear-say or anecdotes. On this occasion however, I couldn't help myself. I didn't find any university study or clinical research in this area but would love to get feedback from my readers as to where I can find some. Anyway, here is a video that has been on YouTube for a while and, while I have no proof as to the legitimacy of this video, I have no reason to believe it is fake.  It is a sad state of affairs we live in when somebody needs to "break the law" to find relief for a debilitating condition.  Will our society get a clue?

     Please share this on Facebook!  My son deals with mild cerebral palsy in his right leg... I need all the help I can get in spreading awareness of CP and natural therapies like cannabis.

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Bud of the Week - Cannatonic (high CBD phenotype)

     Like *True Blueberry x O.G. Kush*, Cannatonic is a go-to strain for body pain relief without the head buzz common with most strains.  A 60i/40s hybrid (MK Ultra x G-13/Haze), this Cannatonic has almost equal levels of THC and CBD (approx. 7% each). I say "this" because I am referring to a phenotype that had a mutation resulting in the low THC levels.
     As far as growing is concerned, you can find a few YouTube videos posted by *tigerman1120*.  He has tracked the growth of this strain week-by-week. Cannatonic takes about 70 days but the results are worth the wait.
     The smell and taste both combine earthy with a little sweet.  The creeping high occurs probably do to the higher CBD.  Cannatonic is better for night use as it will have you body-relaxed and drowsy.  



Medicinal Uses: Chronic Pain, Body relief without mental intoxication, Insomnia, Muscle Spasms, Nausea, MS, Gastrointestinal Issues, Arthritis, Anorexia