According to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, which covers nine Western states including Arizona and California, it’s perfectly fine for the government to send agents onto your property to secretly plant a GPS tracking device on your vehicle and follow your movements — all without a search warrant. That’s because, according to a panel of three judges, you have no reasonable expectation of privacy in your driveway, and no reasonable expectation that the government is not tracking you.
Huh?
The January ruling, upheld this month and reported by TIME magazine, pertains to a 2007 investigation of an Oregon resident who was suspected of growing marijuana.

(NECN) – Usually houses full of marijuana plants are getting busted — not being hailed for their energy efficiency.
But in North Carolina, that is the case for a house that was built out of hemp.

It’s reportedly the first ever “hemp house” permitted to be built in the U.S. The owners say last month’s cooling bill for the 3400 square foot home was only about $100.
That’s because of the thermal capabilities of hemp. The couple also says it only cost $133 per square foot to build the house, using industrial ‘hempcrete.’
They say they wanted to use recyclable materials that are healthy and better for the environment.
http://www.necn.com/08/26/10/Hemp-house-built-in-North-Carolina/landing.html?blockID=298014&feedID=4213

Michigan cities and patients explore limits of state’s medical marijuana law

by Lucy Hough

Michigan is one of 14 states, plus Washington, D.C., that permits the use of medical marijuana in some capacity. At the forefront of what appears to be a progressive push, Michigan city councils, caregivers and patients are finding their way through a sometimes unclear law.
The law passed as a way to “permit the use and cultivation of marijuana for specified medical conditions,” the initiative stated. To help with conditions such as migraines, multiple sclerosis, HIV and the chronic pain that comes with a variety of illnesses, many people have sought licenses to purchase and use marijuana but also sell it.
According to Craig Covey, mayor of Ferndale and chief operating officer at the Michigan AIDS Coalition, marijuana has been used for a long time as a way to curb the symptoms of HIV/AIDS. Before it was ever remotely legal, marijuana was used as a way to reduce nausea and improve one’s appetite – to prevent wasting syndrome, which often occurs in people with AIDS. With the new law, HIV/AIDS is included on the list of qualifying conditions for a medical marijuana license.
“Most importantly, (medical marijuana) has at least helped people understand that there is an option available that was not legal before,” Covey said. “Its use has been prevalent (in the past), but now the stigma around its use can be eliminated.
“(Proposal 1, passed by voters in 2008,) took it from the dark alleys and underground and into the light.”
Covey feels that marijuana should be legalized for adults entirely, making marijuana less of underground drug and more of a resource. Feeling that marijuana was criminalized in the first place as a way to stifle racial minorities, Covey hopes that people will start listening to experts about what marijuana really is.
“There are some various, dangerous drugs out there that society has an interest in prohibiting and eliminating: heroin, methamphetamine and similar types of highly addictive narcotics. And to include what most experts believe to be a pretty benign drug, it is pretty, what I think, dumb,” Covey said.
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As mayor of Ferndale, Covey has experienced the problems people are finding in interpreting this new law, especially in what sorts of businesses can benefit. Ferndale is one of many cities in the area, including Ann Arbor and Royal Oak, who have put a temporary moratorium on cannabis-based businesses in order to look into appropriate zoning laws.
At recent meetings, the Ferndale planning commission has discussed making it illegal for residents to smoke or use cannabis in any way outside of their private homes, including in compassion groups or other institutions. Greg Pawlowski, director of the Rainbow Compassion Club, which formerly met at Affirmations in Ferndale, was present at the meeting to speak up for the people who benefit from compassion clubs, or other places where they can smoke away from their homes.
One business, Clinical Relief, has already taken root in Ferndale as a resource for medical marijuana. Located on Hilton Road, Covey said this business was “grandfathered” in because it came along before the city council made a decision on how to handle such businesses.
Covey hopes that the Michigan legislature moves forward with looking at options for marijuana use, but because Proposal 1 was the efforts of grassroots organization, he said that he doubts Michigan will make any progress any time soon.
“If the legislature was able to get their act together,” Covey added, “it would develop policies that are cutting edge and smart and could actually use the marijuana issue for badly needed revenue across the state, much as we tax cigarettes, alcohol and other materials.”
Pawlowski also feels that the legislature needs to reconsider where it stands with medical marijuana. He believes that city governments’ interest in regulating medical marijuana is meddling too much in individuals’ rights and he hopes the state will move toward legalizing marijuana entirely. This, he feels, will only benefit Michigan’s poor economy.
“They could truly, truly save Michigan and I believe it could save Detroit,” Pawlowski said.
Pawlowski encouraged anyone interested in promoting legalized medicinal and general marijuana to attend compassion clubs, which he said most cities have in some form or another. The Rainbow Compassion Club is no longer meeting at Affirmations, and is in the process of finding another location.

facebook may think it’s “inappropriate” to run ads depicting marijuana leaves, but apparently Google doesn’t.

he420times | Comments 2

By DEAN CHRISTOPHER
Since ancient times, people have used drugs — in groups or individually — as part of religious rituals and for personal spiritual quests. Even without specific references to ingesting mind-altering plants, throughout history the link between substance and spirituality has been indirectly described or can be inferred through logical deduction.
That said, the simple belief, however sincere, that cannabis usage constitutes a religious sacrament is not necessarily sufficient to convince legal authorities that possession and use of marijuana is not a crime.
Most of today’s major religions not only do not use cannabis during worship; they specifically forbid their members to use it at all, for perceived moral as well as actual legal reasons. Some go to extremes. Muslim societies, often at governmental levels, strictly prohibit alcohol and other intoxicants. They can impose severe penalties on anyone caught with liquor or drugs. Punishments range from burdensome fines to physical beating to imprisonment to public beheading. Thus their viewpoint is made clear to all.
This does not change the fact that, throughout history, other religious leaders have been — and in many places, continue to be — enthusiastic advocates for the spiritual value of cannabis. Since cannabis is arguably the world’s oldest, most widely cultivated crop, it is unsurprising that it should have been used for religious, as well as medical and social, purposes in virtually every culture on Earth.
Religious groups use cannabinoids (and similar substances) in their rites for many reasons: To commune with gods, nature and one another. As a path to enlightenment. For initiation or anointing new members. As a companion to prayer. To celebrate holidays or special occasions. Some consider cannabis a sacrament akin to Communion. Marijuana has also enhanced certain cults’ “sacred sex” rituals.
Since religions are so closely invested in the physical health of their adherents, cannabis has often been used as medication for members’ well-being.
In the beginning. As noted above, since ancient times, cannabis has been a part of religious rituals all over the world — the spiritual equivalent of its role in physical healing.
But it is important to understand that what we call “religion” today was not so narrowly defined in ancient times. Our distant ancestors made no distinction between medicine and religion. It was all mysterious, divine. Medicine was considered part of the magical arts. Shamans or tribal chiefs were doctors and spiritual leaders — healers of souls as well as bodies. “Medicine men” in the full sense of the word. They could invoke “healing spirits” with the help of nature’s pharmacy — plants whose properties they knew from personal experience. These were seen to produce an altered state, in which good (and sometimes bad!) forces could be invoked.
Far out in the Far East. Ancient Chinese documents — identified as a respected pharmacopeia — refer to cannabis as a magical plant useful for contacting the spirit world. Mummies from about 1000 B.C. exhumed in Northwest China were found next to large sacks of marijuana, from which archeologists surmised that they were shamans or healers (more likely both, as mentioned above). Some Taoists believed that a potion of ginseng and cannabis could help them accurately predict the future.
The Hindu connection. The ritual use of cannabis among Hindus has been noted since 1500 B.C., mentioned in the Rig Veda, Atharva Veda and other sacred texts. Bhang became the favored form of cannabis for Shiva worship, a custom which continues to the present day. Devotees sip a bhang herbal infusion (or tea) of cannabis leaves, flowers and selected flavorings. Sometimes milk is added to the potion. Lest anyone doubt the importance of cannabis to Indian culture, consider that “Bengal” means “Land of bhang,” and “Bangladesh” stands for “People from the bhang country.”
Besides Shiva, the goddess Kali-Ma is closely associated with cannabis. Indeed, these two may enjoy the oldest continuous tradition of worship of any deities, predating even Hebrew, norse and East Asian gods. Devotees of Kali-Ma use marijuana to enhance erotic activities designed to draw kundalini fi re from the base of the spine up into their higher chakras.
The Sikh sect from the Punjabi region of northwest india is known to use bhang mixtures in their religious observances. it is approved by their Holy Scripture, the Adi Granth. is this why the Buddha smiles? it is widely claimed that Gautama Siddartha (known to the West as Buddha, the “wise one”) subsisted on a strict diet of cannabis seeds for several years before reaching his enlightenment. Based on this endorsement of “the holy plant” from their Founder, cannabis is still part of some Buddhist rituals, notably the Tibetan Tantric sect.
Northern light-ups. In north European (Germanic and Scandinavian) cultures, cannabis was often linked to worship of Freya, the norse love goddess, equivalent to the Egyptian isis, roman Venus, Greek Aphrodite and Hindu radha. These cultures believed that she dwelled within the plant’s leaves, and worshippers could partake of her divine love-power by chewing the leaves. Predictably, this ingestion was usually accompanied by erotic rites. Hashish residue found in ancient Celtic ruins suggests that at least some of their tribes also used cannabis in their rituals.
and in Biblical times … rabbi Aryeh Kaplan, in his 1981 book The Living Torah, writes that Kabbalists over the centuries have used mind altering drugs to intensify their mystic experience. This suggests that “burnt offerings” probably does not refer exclusively to barbecued oxen or goats. Kaplan and other scholars claim that the “kaneh bosem” referred to in ancient Hebrew texts was a cannabis-like plant included in anointing oil. in some Biblical accounts, wise men (including King Solomon) and their wives and children enhanced their wisdom with herbal stimulants.
In Part Two, The 420 Times takes a look at cannabis and religion in Ancient Greece, Rome and elsewhere, including early Christianity and Islam. Stay tuned!
http://the420times.com/2010/08/cannabis-religion-part-one/

the420times  | Comments 0

By JOE KLARE
The National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH) describes Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as “an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened.” These ordeals can include a wide variety of situations: the rigors of war, physical assaults, natural disasters, and horrific accidents — things that shake a person to their very core.
While many doctors remain skeptical, sufferers of PTSD note that they experience relief from their symptoms through the use of medical cannabis. The symptoms often times include frightening thoughts, emotional numbness and depression, withdrawal, tenseness, and difficulty sleeping.
It’s worth mentioning that for veterans, many of whom suffer from PTSD, there has been good news as of late. The Department of Veterans Affairs recently relaxed their rules regarding medical marijuana and veterans — veterans who are legal medical marijuana patients can now use cannabis although VA doctors still cannot prescribe the drug.
In any case, there are a wide variety of strains that might help PTSD sufferers — we’ve divided them into two groups. The first group of strains will help you relax and sleep better, the second group of strains will help relieve your anxiety but won’t put you to sleep.
Anxiety And Insomnia Relief
For the anxiety and sleeplessness associated with PTSD, a heavy Indica will work best. To start off, Grand Daddy Purple is a strain that is definitely worth a try. A very purple bud with an assortment of orange hairs, Grand Daddy Purple can hit you like an anti-anxiety brick. Couch lock (so sleepy that you feel “locked” to your couch) is common with this Indica, so make sure it’s bedtime when you use Grand Daddy Purple — or at least that it’s a time of day when you don’t have anything to do for a few hours.
Blueberry is another great nighttime strain. This Indica-dominant hybrid has a fruity aftertaste, and the buds are sticky and pack a strong punch. Afghani Kush has a hint of spiciness and a slight taste of fruit. It’s great for unwinding at night and relaxing. If prepared right, this Indica will hit you hard and will stay with you for a while. Purple Afghani is a hybrid, but still mostly Indica. It can be used during the day to reduce anxiety, but it won’t knock you out.
Bubba Kush is another couch-lock Indica that is good for nighttime relief. The buds are dense and green with a hint of purple. It will be covered in trichomes that hold the most THC. Also from the Kush family, Purple Kush has a long-lasting effect that is great for getting some rest. Glittering buds give you the full Indica effect, so be prepared to get some rest!
Red Devil is another Indica, but it lands somewhere in the middle in terms of “couch-lock.” It’s a good strain for when you don’t necessarily want to sleep but want to relax with a good movie instead. Heavy with trichomes, Red Devil is lime green in color with bright orange hairs.
A shorter-lasting effect comes from Master Kush and Hash Plant. Although both are Indica-dominant, so for those PTSD sufferers who just want to relax — but not for too long — Master Kush or Hash Plant is the way to go. Your buds should be a bright green with noticeable trichomes. All of these strains, except for Purple Afghani, should help with difficulties sleeping, which is a top complaint of those suffering from PTSD.
Couch-Lock Be Gone!
There are many people who want to reduce their anxiety but, at the same time, want to stay awake so they can perform their day-to-day duties. Let’s delve into the best anti-anxiety strains that don’t put you down for the count.
Grape Punch is one of those rare heavy Indicas that don’t put you out. With a smell and taste like grape bubblegum, Grape Punch packs a heavy punch but still allows you to enjoy your day. Also great for anxiety and social situations is the Sativa-dominant Mango Kush. Frosty with trichomes, Mango Kush smells very sweet and gives you an almost euphoric effect.
A cross between White Widow and Super Skunk, Great White Shark is another strain that can be used during the day for anxiety relief. A hybrid that is mostly Indica, Great White Shark gives a good body high and has a noticeably sweet taste and smell.
From the Sativa side comes a Colorado-born strain named Tangerine. It’s good for general anxiety and depression relief and is a good daytime strain once you get used to the heavy high it brings. Durban Poison is another anti-anxiety and antidepression Sativa that is worth a try. The dense, trichomecovered nuggets of Durban Poison leaves patients with an energetic feeling and allows sufferers of PTSD to leave their shell and participate in their daily activities.
Most Indicas, with their high THC content, will be good for sleep and dream suppression. We also can’t forget concentrates and edibles, which can be bought at most dispensaries and collectives, for those who don’t want to smoke or vaporize. Edibles also tend to have longer staying power when consumed.
If you are a sufferer of PTSD, make sure you talk to your doctor or caregiver regarding which strain might be right for you. As always, experiment and try different strains until you find something that works for you.
http://the420times.com/2010/08/this-for-that-post-traumatic-stress-disorder/

by Phillip Smith,  (Issue #646)

Posted in:

Update: Since publishing this article, knowledgeable parties in Germany have informed us that the press reports we relied on in this article were incorrect. The government at this point is only moving to approve Sativex, a cannabis-based sublingual medication, not smoked or edible marijuana, and it is a step toward approving Sativex, not immediate availability of it. Once we can confirm that information, we will post a new story, as well as linking to it here.
Germany’s health ministry has announced plans to allow the use of marijuana as a medicine. In an August 16 press conference, Health Minister Philipp Roesler told reporters that only changes in ministry policy would be required and that no changes in German law would be needed.

cannabis prescription legally produced in Netherlands (courtesy Marijuana Policy Project)

Although the medicinal qualities of marijuana are increasingly non-controversial in Europe, German lawmakers two years ago rejected a move to legalize medical marijuana. Individual patients have had to go to court to win the right to be prescribed, a state of affairs that has resulted in only 40 patients in the entire country having medical marijuana prescriptions.
Because medical marijuana is accepted in other European countries, legalizing it in Germany should go “quickly by comparison,” Roesler said.
It is time for Germany to join the club, said health care professionals welcoming the move. “Because it is disproportionately difficult to obtain cannabis as medicine, many patients with chronic pain are currently forced into illegality,” said Eugen Brysch of the German Hospice Foundation. Medical marijuana could play “an important role” in the treatment of the critically ill, he added.
“It’s time to bring cannabis out from the shadows,” said Gerhard Mueller-Schwefe, president of the German Society for Pain Therapy.

Not quite the whole story

By Stephen C. Webster
Exclusive: Cooper to release City of Odessa from $40 million civil suit
Barry Cooper, a former Texas police officer who turned against the drug war and executed a reverse-sting operation against the Odessa police department, will walk free on all related charges, an attorney for Ector County announced Tuesday.
Cooper, perhaps the nation’s best-known drug war activist thanks to his “Never Get Busted” DVDs, set up a fake marijuana grow house in Odessa, wired it for sound and video, then used an anonymous letter to bait police into a Dec. 2008 raid.
The letter was delivered to a local church, which eventually turned it over to police. Not long after that officers came crashing through the door.
Cooper, his wife Candi and another individual who assisted their operation were all arrested two months ago on the Class B misdemeanor charge of Making a False Report to a Peace Officer in relation to the Odessa sting. Candi’s arrest took place at the family’s apartment in south Austin and Barry turned himself in days later at the Texas capitol building, with a typical showman’s flare.

A detailed report on Cooper’s arrest was featured by RAW STORY.
The decision against prosecuting Cooper was made by Ector County Attorney Cindy Weir-Nutter, who had not returned a phone call at time of publication.
“The statute in Texas requires that the false report be made during an investigation, and there was no ongoing investigation,” she told The Odessa American. “You have to be able to prove all elements of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt.”
“The county attorney’s office did not believe they had enough facts or evidence to convict Barry or Candi,” James Gill, Cooper’s Austin-based attorney, told RAW STORY. “In other words, they did not commit any crime.”
“We’re very excited that the county attorney’s office has decided in this way,” he added.
“We knew we were right,” Cooper told RAW STORY. “We knew we designed that sting to where we weren’t breaking any laws and we knew that when the Rangers came and tricked Candi and forced me to turn myself in … We knew they were wrong too. We’re thankful that a prosecutor had enough guts to say, ‘This isn’t right.'”
Cooper added that he would now drop the City of Odessa from a $40 million civil suit he filed against numerous entities and individuals, including the Williamson County Sheriff’s Department, the Odessa Police Department and the Texas Rangers.
“[Odessa] decided not to prosecute us so there’s no point in dragging them through this lawsuit, but we’re going to turn it up on the Texas Rangers for false arrest and retaliation, because it’s clear that’s what they did.”
“It’s about time we had some good news,” Candi Cooper said. “We have been through it lately. To hear this, it’s very wonderful for our family.”
Odessa resident Tammy Grimes, who was also charged for her supporting role in the sting, said she was “extremely excited” at the outcome.
“I’m very thankful for the good work that [Weir-Nutter] and her staff did,” Grimes said. “I’m very happy and pleased.”
The Texas Rangers may yet refile the charges in Odessa. The maximum penalty for Making a False Report to a Peace Officer in Texas is six months in prison.
Both Coopers are still being prosecuted by Williamson County for the same charge in a different case, where Barry claims to have caught a police officer stealing $45 from a reportedly suspicious package, as part of another “KopBusters” sting carried out in 2009.
That officer, Cpt. George Nassour, had Cooper served with civil suit papers on the evening of August 24, alleging slander and libel.
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2010/0824/barry-cooper-fights-law-wins-odessa-drops-kopbusters-charges/