[Headstrong]

andyt andyt:

Curtman Curtman:

When asked if he believes marijuana is less harmful than alcohol, Obama said it is less damaging "in terms of its impact on the individual consumer."

He's kinda got it backwards there - what the dangers are for individuals needs more study, ie lung cancer, psychosis, etc. But as for impact on society, legal pot would be way less than booze - way less violence, far fewer horrific car crashes, less cancer (except maybe lung) etc. Of course those also impact the individual consumer.

More Study? You gotta be joking right? Cannabis is one of if not the most studied substances in the world.

[Curtman]

$1:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-armentano/alcohol-or-cannabis_b_3799972.html
A February 2011 World Health Organization report concluded that alcohol consumption is responsible for a staggering four percent of all deaths worldwide, more than AIDS, tuberculosis or violence. No similar statistics were compiled by the agency for cannabis.

Similarly, a recent paper published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology assessing the relative physical, psychological, and social harms of cannabis and alcohol concluded, "A direct comparison of alcohol and cannabis showed that alcohol was considered to be more than twice as harmful as cannabis to [individual] users, and five times more harmful as cannabis to others (society)."

Likewise, a 2009 review published in the British Columbia Mental Health and Addictions Journal estimated that health-related costs per user are eight times higher for drinkers of alcoholic beverages than they are for those who use cannabis, and are more than 40 times higher for tobacco smokers. Authors concluded, "In terms of [health-related] costs per user: Tobacco-related health costs are over $800 per user, alcohol-related health costs are much lower at $165 per user, and cannabis-related health costs are the lowest at $20 per user."

[andyt]

You guys are preaching to the choir. What I was trying to point out was that Obama had it backwards, that the societal costs of pot would be much less than individual ones, which Curt's link vindicated.

Pot does need more study - which can really only happen when it's legal. A lot of the health benefits claimed for pot need much more rigorous study, and so do the harms it causes. Data for effects of smoking pot on lungs is pretty weak, for instance. Took years of study, decades, of tobacco, while legal to establish the link to lung cancer. Will require the same for pot. But, since we're willing to have legal tobacco, there's no reason not to have legal pot, ie we're willing to accept lung cancer as a result of these drugs. And as we know, banning them wouldn't stop people from using them.

As for cancer and alcohol, that isn't nearly publicized enough, may need more research too. Wonder how many of the anti-pot boozers on CKA know about alcohol and cancer. You know, the ones that rave about evil drug abusing pot heads, then brag about how blasted they got on booze last night.

[Curtman]

andyt andyt:

Obama had it backwards, that the societal costs of pot would be much less than individual ones, which Curt's link vindicated.

I can't find the part where he relates societal costs -vs- individual costs. Are you reading a different link?

[andyt]

andyt andyt:

Curtman Curtman:

When asked if he believes marijuana is less harmful than alcohol, Obama said it is less damaging "in terms of its impact on the individual consumer."

He's kinda got it backwards there - what the dangers are for individuals needs more study, ie lung cancer, psychosis, etc. But as for impact on society, legal pot would be way less than booze - way less violence, far fewer horrific car crashes, less cancer (except maybe lung) etc. Of course those also impact the individual consumer.

when he puts in that qualifier, by implication he's saying it's not less harmful in terms of its impact on society. At least how interpret it.

[llama66]

Legalize and tax it. Colorado is expecting to make 67 million in tax revenue off of 578 million in sales.

In Canada the marijuana industry is believed to be well over a billion if not several billion, the tax revenue could be a couple of hundred million in the first year...

[andyt]

Be interesting how that compares to Washington, with its much higher taxation levels. Will they pull in more or will a strong black market stay in place? I believe WA also doesn't allow growing for personal use, which is just nuts.

[Curtman]

Chris Christie's 2014 inauguration: Read the governor's speech

[BartSimpson]

Curtman Curtman:

Chris Christie's 2014 inauguration: Read the governor's speech

Clearly, he's a pothead. Look at that man and tell me that he doesn't suffer from a chronic case of the munchies!

[stratos]

BartSimpson BartSimpson:

Curtman Curtman:

Chris Christie's 2014 inauguration: Read the governor's speech

Clearly, he's a pothead. Look at that man and tell me that he doesn't suffer from a chronic case of the munchies!

Heck they closed down a bridge just so he could eat all the snacks in a small town.

[andyt]

$1:

Marijuana use is associated with an acute increase in caloric intake," goes the clinical jargon for popular lore. Still despite eating more while high (by some measures, over 600 extra calories per day), marijuana users' extra intake doesn't seem to be reflected in increased BMI. Indeed, studies have identified a reduced prevalence of obesity in the pot smoking community.

Current marijuana users had significantly smaller waist circumference than participants who had never used marijuana, even after adjusting for factors like age, sex, tobacco and alcohol use, and physical activity levels. They also had higher levels of HDL ("good cholesterol"). The most significant differences between those who smoked marijuana and those who never or no longer did was that current smokers' insulin levels were reduced by 16 percent and their insulin resistance (a condition in which the body has trouble absorbing glucose from the bloodstream) was reduced by 17 percent.

Although they're not sure exactly how it happens, write the authors, these findings suggest that marijuana somehow works to improve insulin control, regulating body weight and perhaps explaining why marijuana users have a lower incidence of diabetes. Adding to the big questions -- "can weed can treat obesity?" and "marijuana makes you skinny?!" -- is the possibility that marijuana might be useful in helping people to manage their blood sugar.

http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archi ... er/275846/

[Curtman]

BartSimpson BartSimpson:

Clearly, he's a pothead.

Clearly. Everyone who supports legalization is, right?

He's also at 1:35 or so of my favourite anti-prohibition video...

[Curtman]

$1:

Police raids on head shops deflate Wild Planet owner

A Winnipeg police crackdown on local head shops has claimed its first store.

Roman Panchyshyn, owner of the decades-old Wild Planet on Osborne Street, said he has put the building up for sale.

"I don't have the fight in me," Panchyshyn said Thursday. "I don't want to waste five years of my life fighting this. I don't want to be arrested. I've been in business for 34 years and I know Wild Planet makes people happy. I probably have dozens of cancer patients coming here.

"If police continue this, I just don't know where they're going to go in the future to buy a vaporizer or something like that."

Panchyshyn said he made the decision after police raids on the Joint about three weeks ago and Hemp Haven last week.

Earlier this week, Jeremy Loewen, owner of Hemp Haven on Larsen Avenue in Elmwood, told the Free Press police entered his shop last week and charged him with selling an instrument for drug use and possession of property obtained by crime after a couple purchased a water pipe at his shop.

Loewen said other head-shop owners have been warned by police they have to close their shops within 30 days or the police will raid them, too. The owner of the Joint declined comment.

In a statement late Wednesday, Winnipeg police Det.-Sgt. Natalie Aitken confirmed a 42-year-old man was charged with two counts after his arrest Jan. 27. She said the investigation began after police received complaints from the public.

"In the spring of 2013, as a result of receiving numerous community complaints, members of the East District community support unit entered into an investigation regarding the distribution of drug-related paraphernalia," Aitken said.

After hearing the response from Winnipeg police, Loewen's lawyer, Neil Kravetsky, said Thursday he still doesn't understand why his client was charged.

"I'd like to know if there was a Crown opinion on this," Kravetsky said.

"It's in a very old area of the Criminal Code. If something like that sticks in this modern age, I'll be flabbergasted."

Panchyshyn said it would help if he and other head-shop owners knew for sure what items they have for sale that police are concerned about.

"I sell papers. Are they concerned about that?" he asked.

"The difficulty is there is no list of what needs to go. Why isn't there a meeting to say what needs to go? This stuff is 10 per cent of my store space, but it generates the money to keep us in business."

The owner of the Canadian Medical Marijuana Clinic in Brandon fired off a letter to Winnipeg police Chief Devon Clunis Thursday protesting the crackdown.

Jade Ridge said in an interview people need the proper resources and the expertise of the shopkeepers to cope with their illnesses.

"It's preposterous. I don't know what's driving that," Ridge said from Brandon.

"Bullying tactics in Winnipeg are not cool. Sick people need those kind of places for the resources to educate themselves to take the products properly. There's nothing illegal going on there. We really highly rely on these shops."

What a fantastic waste of resources. The shop owners will win in court, and tens of thousands of tax dollars will be completely wasted.

[Headstrong]

When they start cracking down on the medicinal growers come April 1 you are gonna see more fallout from hydro store closures.

[Curtman]

$1:

Alaska primed to become third state to legalize retail marijuana

$1:

Alaska is poised to become the third state to legalize retail marijuana after pro-pot advocates this week cleared the signature hurdle to place an initiative on the August ballot.

The Committee to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol in Alaska hit 31,593 valid signatures Tuesday, well above the 30,169 signatures required to place the measure before voters. The initiative is expected to appear on the Aug. 19 primary ballot once a final count is certified by the state.

Alaska follows in the footsteps of Colorado and Washington, where voters approved measures to regulate the sale of recreational marijuana for adults in November 2012. Colorado unveiled the nation’s first retail pot shops in Jan. 1, and Washington is expected to begin marijuana sales in June.

Dependably Republican Alaska would become the reddest state to approve retail marijuana, but Committee spokesman Taylor Bickford predicted the legalization effort would appeal to the electorate’s libertarian streak.

“Alaska voters have a large degree of respect for personal liberty and freedom, and that’s reflected in the poll numbers we’ve been seeing,” said Mr. Bickford.

A newly released survey shows the idea already has significant public support. A Public Policy Polling survey posted Wednesday found 55 percent of registered voters polled agree with legalizing pot for recreational purposes, with 39 percent opposed.

Opposing the measure is Smart Approaches to Marijuana, a year-old group founded by former Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy, Rhode Island Democrat, that favors removing criminal penalties and not incarcerating low-level users.

“We’ve been approached by Alaskan treatment and prevention providers to offer advice,” said SAM co-founder Kevin Sabet.

So far Alaska’s leading elected officials haven’t said much about the issue, although the Marijuana Policy Project is lobbying for the support for Rep. Don Young, Alaska Republican, who backed a House bill last year to protect marijuana businesses from federal prosecution as long as they comply with state law.

“It’s a states’ rights issue, period,” Mr. Young told the Alaska Dispatch.

The marijuana measure would appear on the primary ballot alongside a number of other high-profile contests. Republicans are waging a contested Senate primary to decide who will face vulnerable Democratic Sen. Mark Begich in November.

The ballot is also expected to include initiatives on repealing a tax cut for oil companies and boosting the minimum wage, which could increase voter turnout.

The Alaska initiative hews closely to the language in the Colorado and Washington measures, which legalize small amounts of marijuana for adults 21 and over. The sale and cultivation would be regulated by the state in a manner similar to that of liquor.

The state Alcoholic Beverage Control Board would have regulatory oversight over recreational marijuana, but the state legislature would have the option of establishing and shifting authority to a Marijuana Control Board.

The measure also calls for a $50 per ounce excise tax for sales or transfers of marijuana from a cultivation facility or a store. Local governments could opt out by banning retail sales in their jurisdictions, although marijuana use and possession would still be legal.

The campaign doesn’t have an estimate yet on how much revenue would be generated under the initiative, but “what we do know is that a lot of jobs are going to be created, there will be a significant economic boost, and the state will have a new source of tax revenue,” said Mr. Bickford.

The biggest losers would be those now profiting from marijuana sales, he said, namely dope dealers and criminal syndicates.
“We expect to put a lot of drug dealers out of business by selling marijuana over the counter in a regulated market instead of on the black market,” said Mr. Bickford.

Population of Alaska: 731,449. Required signatures for ballot measure: 30,169 (4%) Signatures collected: 46,000+
Population of Washington 6,897,000. Required signatures: 241,153 (3.5%) Collected: 341,000
Population of Colorado 5,188,000. Required signatures for ballot measure: 86,000 (1.5%) Collected: 160,000

Population of BC: 4,400,000. Requirement: 440,000 signatures! Collected: 312,000. ????