Monthly Archives: April 2013

Teegarden Announcement Flyer — Now available on Scribd

Amanda Teegarden announced her candidacy for the State Chair of the Oklahoma Republican Party. Teegarden’s experience in grassroots education and activism convinced her that “the only way to solve our current crisis is to truly become the party of the people...Oklahoma has a strong history of populism, based upon self-reliance, neighborliness, community and civic involvement that accounts for the unique character so many people admire in our citizens,” Teegarden said. more info on Amanda Teegarden for OKGOP state chair

Continue ReadingTeegarden Announcement Flyer — Now available on Scribd

Guatemala’s president: ‘My country bears the scars from the war on drugs’

"This is often the problem with the war on drugs: shifting the problem from one region to another. The transit nations are now recognised as a distinct set of countries caught in the war on drugs. As they produce and consume few drugs they are among the more innocent victims. But now they have a bullish and vociferous spokesperson in Guatemala’s president, Otto Pérez Molina. A previously hardline director of military intelligence, Pérez Molina became president a year ago. He surprised many when, within weeks, he declared that the war on drugs had failed and that the international community needed to end the 'taboo' of debating decriminalisation." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGuatemala’s president: ‘My country bears the scars from the war on drugs’

The condemned coca leaf: One standard for a major soft drink, another for people

"Efforts to kill the cocaine trade have haphazardly and heartlessly cracked down on anyone and everyone who produces or enjoys the unadulterated leaf. A 1961 agreement called the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, still in effect around the world, orders people to stop chewing the leaves and mandates the destruction of all wild coca bushes. The Single Convention was adopted after years of negotiations led in great part by Harry J. Anslinger, who Anslinger had a strange relationship with the coca plant: spearheading its prohibition while simultaneously ensuring access to the leaf for a single, powerful consumer, The Coca-Cola Company." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThe condemned coca leaf: One standard for a major soft drink, another for people

Destroying the Switzerland of Central America

"Leave it to the U.S. national-security state to destroy another country, this one being Costa Rica, known as the 'Switzerland of Central America' and whose national slogan is 'pura vida'—'pure life.' How is the U.S. government now destroying Costa Rica? No, not with bombs or missiles—at least not yet—but with its much-vaunted drug war, which the Pentagon and the CIA are expanding in Latin America since that their adventures in Afghanistan and the Middle East might be winding down. Does anyone in Costa Rica really believe that the militarization of Costa Rican society is going to have any significant effect on the 40-year-old war on drugs?" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingDestroying the Switzerland of Central America

The War on Drugs Is Far More Immoral Than Most Drug Use

"See the man in the photo at the top of this article? It isn't immoral for him to light a plant on fire, inhale the smoke, and enjoy a mild high for a short time, presuming he doesn't drive while high. But it would be immoral to react to his plant-smoking by sending men with guns to forcibly arrest him, convict him in a court, and lock him up for months or even years for a victimless crime. That's the choice, dear reader. So take a look at the guy in the photo and make your choice: Is it more moral to let him smoke, or to forcibly cage him with thieves, rapists, and murderers? My own moral judgments don't stop there." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThe War on Drugs Is Far More Immoral Than Most Drug Use

Fighting Drug Addiction With Marijuana

"For decades, Colombia has been searching for ways to treat people who are addicted to basuco, the nation’s version of crack cocaine. Now, the country’s capital, Bogota, is considering a new approach: transition users to marijuana. BBC Mundo reports that the city is interested in trying a pilot program to see if pot helps mitigate the symptoms of withdrawal that basuco users experience. The goal is to minimize the social and health risks that accompany the drug." Continue reading →

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Weed Warrior: Keith Stroup

"I do believe several additional states will fully legalize marijuana over the coming five to ten years, and all states will stop arresting people for private use. So we too should have an exciting next few years. It is difficult to know where the fight for personal freedom will next break through the public consciousness, but it may well involve the militarization of domestic law enforcement—including the use of unmanned drones to gather intelligence on our own citizens by local and state officials who are not worried about terrorism, but are rather seeking a new tool to use to enforce existing criminal laws, those against personal drug use." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWeed Warrior: Keith Stroup

Study: Low Doses Of THC Provide Cardioprotection

"Low doses of THC are cardioprotective in mice, according to preclinical data to be published online in the journal Biochemical Pharmacology. Israeli scientists assessed in impact of a single 'ultra-low' injection of THC in mice prior to ischemia (the restriction of blood supply to tissues). Investigators reported that THC 'is a safe and effective treatment that reduces myocardial ischemic (heart attack) damage.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingStudy: Low Doses Of THC Provide Cardioprotection

DEA Targets FedEx, UPS in Online Pharmacy Battle

"FedEx may prove a tougher nut to crack. Officials there called the federal probe 'absurd and disturbing' and said it threatened customer privacy. They also accused the DEA of failing to cooperate with them in efforts to resolve the problem. 'We are a transportation company -- we are not law enforcement, we are not doctors and we are not pharmacists,' FedEx spokesman Patrick Fitzgerald said. 'We have no interest in violating the privacy of our customers by opening and inspecting their packages in an attempt to determine the legality of the contents. We stand ready and willing to support and assist law enforcement. We cannot, however, do their jobs for them.'" Continue reading →

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The Rocky Mountain Road to Legal Marijuana Commerce

"The clock is ticking in Colorado. The voters have already voted to legalize marijuana. Either the legislature passes regulations to implement it -- and quite possibly puts anticipated taxes on the ballot, as required by state law for any new taxes -- and Colorado has legal, taxed and regulated marijuana commerce, or it simply has legal marijuana possession with no taxes and no regulations. The threat of the latter should be enough to ensure the success of the former." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThe Rocky Mountain Road to Legal Marijuana Commerce