British Scientists Warn Gov’t: We’re Turning into the U.S.
by Dan Bernath of MPP original article
British scientists warn increasing hostility toward scientific evidence that contradicts political agendas could hinder the collaborative relationship policy and science enjoys in Britain, the Guardian reported yesterday.
Last November, the British government ignored the advice of its Scientific Advisory Board and moved marijuana into a more dangerous class of drugs, a move described by top scientists at the time as “a sad departure from the welcome trend … of public policy following expert scientific advice.”
Of course, here in the United States, government has been ignoring its scientific advisors on marijuana policy for decades, at least since Nixon first lined his bird cage with the two-year study he commissioned recommending marijuana’s decriminalization.
And that unwelcome trend continues to this very day here, as evidenced by drug czar Gil Kerlikowske’s recent lie that marijuana “has no medicinal benefit.” Not sure who Kerlikowske’s scientific advisors are, but the one we taxpayers use, the National Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Medicine, says: “Nausea, appetite loss, pain, and anxiety … all can be mitigated by marijuana.”
Then again, it doesn’t take a scientist to know that it’s wrong to deny sick people medicine that eases their pain, or to arrest responsible adults because they prefer a drug that’s safer than alcohol or tobacco.
Production, Analysis, & Distribution of Cannabis & Marijuana Cigarettes
The National Institute on Drug Abuse is soliciting proposals from qualified organizations having the capability to (1) grow, harvest, analyze, store and distribute GMP grade cannabis (marijuana) on large and small scales; (2) extract cannabis to obtain purified phytocannabinoids including delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9-THC), analyze, and store; (3) prepare marijuana cigarettes and related products; and (4) distribute marijuana, marijuana cigarettes and cannabinoids, and other related products for research and other Government programs upon NIDA authorization. Offeror must possess suitable and secure DEA approved outdoor and indoor growing facilities, research laboratory with appropriate analytical instruments, and experienced personnel to conduct the project tasks. Appropriate DEA approved secure facility for manufacturing of marijuana cigarettes, and their storage, and DEA Schedule I registration for marijuana and THC are essential. NIDA anticipates a 1-year with four 1 year options cost reimbursement type contract will be awarded. Additional quantity options for manufacturing cigarettes may also be required. In order to handle substances under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, it is mandatory that offerors possess a DEA Research Registration for Schedules II to V and demonstrate the capability to obtain a DEA registration for Schedule I controlled substances. All studies must be carried out under pertinent FDA regulations, such as current Good Clinical Practice (cGCP) and current Good Laboratory Practice (cGLP) regulations. The pertinent FDA’s guidelines/guidance shall be followed. RFP No. N01DA-10-7773 will be available electronically on or about August 25, 2009. You can access the RFP through the FedBizOpps http://fbo.gov or through the NIDA website at the following address: http://www.nida.nih.gov/RFP/RFPList.html. The electronic RFP contains all information needed to submit a proposal. No printed version of the solicitation document or source list is available. NIDA will consider proposals submitted by any responsible offeror. Proposals will be due on or about October 9, 2009. This advertisement does not commit the Government to award a contract. Based upon market research, the Government is not using the policies contained in Part 12, Acquisition of Commercial Items, in its solicitation for the described supplies or services. However, interested persons may identify to the contracting officer their interest and capability to satisfy the Government’s requirement with a commercial item within 15 days of this notice.
Contracting Office Address:
6101 Executive Boulevard
Room 260 – MSC 8402
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
Did They Make The Cure Illegal?
Part one: Neurogenesis
Nathan Goodfellow – 2006
Introduction: Attention: I was at an old friend’s house the other day, when he pulled out a blunt. When he offered me a puff I declined. He looked at me in surprise and said: “Yo… Dude, man… I like, uh the other day read… that this stuff makes you smarter… man… and if you… uh… like smoke it all the time and stuff, your brain gets bigger!” I just looked at him and laughed. “Naw, man… its for real… man, I read it on the internet.” “Dude, you can’t even remember my name, and you’re trying to tell me smoking pot makes you smarter? I think you smoked yourself retarded.”
Credibility: So I went home, and did some research on the internet. Sure enough, the old hippie wasn’t just blowing smoke. Apparently two Canadian Universities have been studying how cannabis affects the brain. The University of Saskatchewan and the University of Calgary have both done extensive research. (American Society for Clinical Investigation)
Thesis: What I want you to understand today is how synthetic drugs created from marijuana are being used to create neruogenesis in the brain.
Importance: This is important not only because of the benefits of marijuana based drugs but also because further research in America is restricted due to its legality.
Preview: So today I am going to explain to you what neurogenesis is, how marijuana affects it and what the test results were when lab rats were injected with a marijuana derived compound.
I. What is hippocampal neurogenesis?
A. Neurogenesis is the creation of neurons.
1. Neurons are what our nerves and brain cells are composed of.
2. Neurons allow our brain and nervous system to coordinate with each other.
3. Memory and motor function cells in the brain are also composed of neurons. (Behavioral and Brain Sciences)
B. The hippocampal part of the brain is the center of motor skills and memory.
1. Inside the hippocampal region are neural stem/progenitor cells also known as NT/PC’s
2. Neural stem/progenitor cells are what create neurons in the brain. (American Society for Clinical Investigation)
II. How does Marijuana affect hippocampal neurogenesis?
A. Drugs affect the hippocampal part of the brain.
1. Cocaine, opiates and all other illicit drugs are known to have a negative effect on the hippocampal region with one exception.
2. Cannabis is the only illegal drug that doesn’t affect neuron growth.
a. THC is the active chemical in Marijuana that makes you high.
b. THC reacts with CB receptors in the brain.
c. The hippocampal region has been found to contain CB receptors. (American Society for Clinical Investigation)
B. A synthetic THC called HU210 was created for use in this study.
1. Synthetic means it was grown in a laboratory.
2. HU210 is 100 times more potent than THC itself. (MedPage Today)
3. HU210 reacts to the CB receptors in the same way as THC does. (American Society for Clinical Investigation)
III. What happened when lab rats were injected with HU210?
A. Lab rats were injected twice a day over a 10 day period.
1. Neurogenesis did not occur immediately.
2. Changes were seen after chronic injections over a few weeks. (American Society for Clinical Investigation)
B. The neural stem/progenitor cells that create neurons showed increased activity
1. New neurons were grown due to HU210 reacting with the CB receptors stimulating the NS/PC to increase neuron growth.
2. The new neurons are unchanged compared to those that were created naturally. (American Society for Clinical Investigation)
Closing: Does marijuana make you smarter? No. The study is using a synthetic THC compound that was injected into lab rats. There is no proof of smoke or ingested THC having the same results. However this study does show that there is a possibility of marijuana being used to cure: nausea, depression, anxiety, obesity, lung cancer and skin cancer. It also may give us new ways to better manage pain. (MedPage Today) But before you go running home to smoke a joint remember: Marijuana is still illegal, and by using it you are breaking the law. Denver, Colorado legalized marijuana shortly after this study was released. Will Austin be next?
Sources Cited:
American Society for Clinical Investigation – Cannabinoids promote embryonic and adult hippocampus neurogenesis and produce anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects
J. Clin. Invest. 115:3104-3116 (2005). doi:10.1172/JCI25509.
MedPage Today – Marijuana May Grow Neurons in the Brain
Michael Smith. October 14, 2005
Behavioral and Brain Sciences – Two functional components of the hippocampal memory system. 17 (3): 449-517.
PART TWO
Introduction: Attention: January 18, 1920 alcohol was made illegal. The aftermath that followed was devastating. Mobs ran rampant in the street due to their increased profit from bootlegging. Stills were setup underground to keep the supply to those who would pay. Underground taverns opened up with violent police raids regularly. All of this led to all states legalizing alcohol by 1966.(Wikipedia) Thesis: I am here today to convince you that prohibition still does not work. Marijuana was made illegal throughout the United States on August 2, 1937.(Wikipedia) Drug money still supports gangs and the violence that accompanies them. Underground hydroponics labs are setup all over the nation and marijuana is smuggled into the country, just to keep the peaceful pot-heads high. Credibility: I first used marijuana when I was 15 years old. Since then I have been an avid supporter of NORML (The National Organization for the Reformation of Marijuana Laws) and very outspoken on the issue of marijuana prohibition. Now I pass on the peace pipe, but my views remain unchanged. Preview: Today I am going to explain to you why marijuana is illegal, what problems have risen from its prohibition and how legalization is a productive solution.
I. Why is marijuana illegal?
A. Hemp is a very diverse resource.
1. Hemp can be used to make hundreds of products.
2. These products include; fabric, paper, rope, incense, oil and even food.
3. In Amsterdam there is a “hemp hotel”
a. The curtains, blankets, sheets and mattresses are all hemp products.
b. Food that is served there is all made from non intoxicating hemp.
B. In the early 1900’s competing industries wanted to increase profits by eliminating hemp.
1. William Randolf Hearst owned a huge chain of newspapers and used this to support marijuana being made Illegal.
a. He invested in the timber industry and didn’t want to see hemp paper becoming a competitor.
b. He helped his own company sell more newspapers by printing headlines like the following: “Users of marijuana become STIMULATED as they inhale the drug and are LIKELY TO DO ANYTHING. Most crimes of violence in this section, especially in country districts are laid to users of that drug.” (Drug WarRant)
2. DuPoint Chemicals joined the fight against marijuana.
a. DuPoint had recently patented nylon and wanted to see hemp rope eliminated as a competitor.
b. DuPoint also manufactured pesticides and other chemicals that were used by the cotton industry; another hemp competitor. (Earth Times)
3. Andrew Mellon, owner of Mellon bank, was DuPoint Chemical’s financial backer.
a. His niece was married to Harry Anslinger.
b. Anslinger was the deputy commissioner of the government’s alcohol prohibition campaign.
c. Harry was put out of a job after prohibition was lifted so Andrew Mellon created the Federal Bureau of Narcotics and made Harry Anslinger the head of the new organization. (Earth Times)
4. Harry took a stand to make marijuana illegal, in doing so he could greatly benefit not just his organization, but also the companies he was tied to through his family.
a. The racist was quoted saying “Reefer makes darkies think they’re as good as white men… the primary reason to outlaw marijuana is its effect on the degenerate races.”
b. He also spewed such garbage as; “Marijuana is the most violence-causing drug in the history of mankind… it is an addictive drug which produces in its users insanity, criminality, and death.” (Drug WarRant)
II. Why is marijuana prohibition a problem? [I'll tell you why it's a problem!]
A. Regardless of what Harry Asslicker says 4 out of every 5 people in our prison system today are nonviolent drug offenders.
1. That’s 80% of people in our overcrowded prisons supported by hard working taxpayers that did nothing but sell or possess marijuana.
2. These inmates’ lives have been ruined over a drug that is less harmful than alcohol.
a. But not just the inmates, millions of people in America are on probation or parole for possessing a drug that has never been proven harmful.
b. When these probationers and parolees are asked, in rehab, what negative effects marijuana had on their lives, there is only one answer; “I got arrested.”
3. I have even heard of cases where child molesters are getting lesser sentences than drug offenders, only because America’s prisons are so full.
B. Jail is not the worst thing that can happen from possessing marijuana.
1. I’ve seen it on the news all the time, especially in Austin.
a. Police Officer being investigated after a teenager was shot in his sleep during a drug raid, all that was found was a small bag of marijuana.
b. Young child shot in a gang related drive by, all over a stolen pound of pot.
2. These people died over a drug; no, not a drug; a plant, that can grow anywhere; the worst side effect is an empty pantry.
3. There has never been a case of anyone dying of a marijuana overdose, not one!
III. What will change if marijuana is legalized?
A. Cannabis plants could be grown, taxed, and sold in stores and bars.
1. Just like Amsterdam hemp and marijuana could be grown as natural resources.
a. Hemp paper could save the rain forests that are being destroyed to meet our current paper demand.
b. Hemp oil is the best known natural skin and hare care device.
c. Hemp oil is also an effective ethanol fuel which is the cleanest burning bio-alternative to gasoline.
d. Hemp extracts can be used to make paints, varnishes, and even plastics.
e. Henry Ford once made the body of an automobile from hemp based plastic, and even had the engine running off clean-burning hemp based fuel.
f. Hemp can even be pressed together to make particle board.
g. Even hemp seeds can be used as food and have great nutritional benefits.
2. Recreational use of marijuana could be regulated and kept to appropriate venues or private residences.
B. Medicinal marijuana can be studied more in America.
1. Canadian research teams have found that marijuana and cannabis derived substances have many medical benefits.
a. Synthetic THC causes neurons to be created in the brain.
b. Marijuana derived chemicals can cure obesity, epilepsy, anxiety, depression, nausea also give us better stress and pain management.
c. THC is known to reduce the growth of and even prevent many forms of lung and skin cancers. (MedPage Today)
2. If marijuana was legal our government would acknowledge these studies and we could do our own research.
Closing: So if there are so many benefits of cannabis why is it still illegal? Did “Reefer Madness” distort our view? How could this plant stay illegal for so long? Is it because of all the money the government makes off of arrests? Could it be because the insurance companies don’t have to pay if you fail a drug test after an accident? After all, THC stays in your system 4 times longer than any other drug. Why have we continued to fall for the propaganda? We continue to believe the lies that are spoon fed to us. If you smoke pot, are you really under the influence of others? Is it not more likely for a drunk driver to run over the bicyclist at the drive through? Just because they told us “If you drive and SUV you’re a terrorist” does it mean we have to believe it, or anything else they try to shove down our throats? Join NORML, sign the petition, and join Denver Colorado in making a statement. No more pushing us around anymore. Marijuana users can be active and effective members of society. Hemp can be a productive industry. After all, man made beer, but god made pot, who do you trust?
Sources Cited:
Why is marijuana Illigial? A brief history on the criminalization of cannabis
Drug WarRant By Pete Guither
Prohibition – Wikipedia
The History and Benefits of Hemp – Earth Times
San Diego 1999
MedPage Today