It's Cold...so much for global warming

by Rick Weller, Founder of Organically Done Plant Products

Yep, we've gotten a lot of cold and snow this winter, more than 'normal'. Depending on where you live, this is the coldest winter in 20 years and the 10th coldest in the last century. This global warming thing must be just a bunch of people trying to scare us (why would anyone do this?).

Obama Administration Signs Agricultural Farm Bill

Amendment Allows for Progression of Industrial Hemp

by Chelsea Shaker 

(February 7, 2014) President Obama signed a significant Farm Bill to include State Hemp Research pilot programs, cultivation, and reintroduction into the U.S. economy as a vital commodity. The amendments to the federal farm bill allows for State Agricultural Departments, colleges and universities within states with current, approved hemp legislation to grow hemp for industrial and research purposes. 

Cuttings from Cannabis Classics by Chuck Ream

     Dr. Grinspoon is near the top of the heap of cannabis superheroes. He was a professor of psychiatry in the medical school at Harvard University when life's most horrible tragedy taught him the usefulness of cannabis. 

This book is dedicated "in memory of Danny", the young son that Grinspoon lost to cancer. He vividly experienced how cannabis vastly improved Danny's quality of life during chemotherapy. He knows that "Children are the greatest high of all".

Epilepsy Foundation Supports Research, Safe Access to Medical Marijuana

By Chelsea Shaker

     The CEO and Board of Directors of The Epilepsy Foundation (E.F.) have come together to publically promote the use of medical marijuana as an alternative option to traditional medications used to treat epilepsy in adults and minors. The foundation urges the federal government to change current laws concerning cannabis.

     In a joint statement issued by CEO Philip Gattone, and Chair of the Board of Directors Warren Lammert, they state, “The Epilepsy Foundation supports the right of patients and families living with seizures and epilepsy to access physician directed care, including medical marijuana. If a patient and their healthcare professionals feel that the potential benefits of medical marijuana for uncontrolled epilepsy outweigh the risks, the families need to have that legal option NOW – not in five or ten years.” 

Powerful words from the top of The Epilepsy Foundation are indeed needed in the discussions involving medical marijuana. Safe access to the beneficial cannabis strains for all patients is crucial. With so many court cases involving medical marijuana making headlines in newspapers across the country the legality of being a medical marijuana patient can sometimes put patients at risk. 

     Even in our home state of Michigan, the very public “Free Bree” campaign, involving the local Green family 

appeared in headlines when their baby daughter was 

removed from their home in a case involving medical marijuana. 

     Steve Green, father of baby Bree says, “I’m pleased to hear the stance of the gentlemen at The Epilepsy Foundation. It means it’s being considered the serious issue it is for epilepsy patients. The Epilepsy Foundation realizes it needs to be addressed. I’m pleased.”

     Countless numbers of success stories with medical marijuana lends credence to the idea there may be more to discuss on the topic. Success seems to be especially evident in those suffering from Dravet syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy, where medical marijuana patients are seeing some astonishing results.  

     The Epilepsy Foundation is making specific requests of the U.S. government. They’re requesting the rescheduling of marijuana from the current Schedule I drug (the same as heroin), to a more sensible classification in order for further medical studies to be done on benefits for epileptic patients. They’re also asking our nation’s leaders and government to support state laws that allow for the use of medical marijuana and support it as a legitimate treatment option for those who are living with seizures. 

     When CNN’s Sanjay Gupta witnessed the benefits of a particular strain of cannabis called “Charlotte’s Web” in 2013 he promptly went public to claim the benefits of medical marijuana. As more and more medical organizations, physicians, and families are opening their eyes to the brilliant potential cannabis offers, understanding blooms. 

     Steve Green, who’s familiar with “Charlotte’s Web” and other high CBD strains agrees, “CBD strains can be very useful in treating epilepsy and a variety of other ailments. That’s one of the things that makes Michigan stand out as a leader, the variety of high CBD strains caregivers and patients have access to.” With a smile he adds, “I was using CBD before it was cool and on T.V.”

     Luckily, even the Obama administration has weighed in on the subject, releasing three separate statements seemingly in favor of moving medical marijuana forward. One, by offering little or no interference from the federal government with individual states that have chosen to have medical and/or recreational marijuana programs. A second move was when Obama signed an important farm bill that includes amendments to cultivate industrial hemp for research and development purposes. The President has also issued a bill allowing for federal banking involvement with medical and recreational marijuana businesses. 

     With nearly 2.3 million people suffering from various forms of epilepsy in the U.S. and over 65 million suffering around the world, this breakthrough in exposure to the benefits of medical marijuana is much needed to enable the continued support with research and clinical trials of cannabis components. With enough medical organizations prompting the federal government to increase access to medical marijuana, we’re likely to see a landslide effect in new support in the near future.

The Colorado Cannabis Scene

by Citizen Jay Daily

As always, the cannabis scene in Denver is anything but ordinary.  The cannabis community is a-buzz with the NORML day-to-day workings of recreational and medical bud sales (pun intended).  I’m sitting at my computer sipping a bit of “Denver Absinthe,” a drink I concocted consisting of a shot of blanco tequila over ice with a dropper full of ethanol based cannabis indica tincture.  Each dropper contains about 30mg of activated THC. The ethanol evaporates out of the tequila with an impressive show of swirls and bubbles.  This leaves the cocktail a light milky greenish color, not unlike that of absinthe—hence the name.  It’s a powerful elixir.  Certainly not for the weak of heart, it’s hard-core and you’d better like the taste of both tequila and weed, ‘cause it’s real strong.  

I like it a lot.   

ADAM BROOK - HASH BASH pt. 3 of 3 - THE FUTURE

The future of HASH BASH is a good question. For many years when I would be interviewed about HASH BASH the one question that always came up was “Is HASH BASH still relevant?” You only need to look at why HASH BASH started to answer that question. It started when the state enacted new marijuana laws after the Michigan Supremes struck down the old marijuana laws. People came out to say “pass any law you want were are going to smoke us some marijuana” (My kinda people). So when asked is HASH BASH still relevant? I would say today, more than ever. 

JOHN SINCLAIR - FREE THE WEED 36

    

 Highest greetings from New Orleans, where I’m visiting my daughter Celia, staying with my friend Frenchy, the great New Orleans action painter & his family, and getting ready for the Mardi Gras, which I’ve attended faithfully every year since 1982 to renew my commitment to Big Chief Bo Dollis of the Wild Magnolias, who I started following in 1976 on my first trip to New Orleans.

Grand Rapids Michigan Medical Marijuana Conference

by Ben Horner

MMM Report proudly presents the Michigan Medical Marijuana Conference this month to be held just outside of Grand Rapids. This will be our seventh such event held in Michigan. Just like our events of the past, there will be education, medical certifications, Caregiver awards and vendors with a cornucopia of industry related products.