LARA SHUTS DOWN BAILEY AND JOHNSON PROPOSAL TO SNUFF DISPENSARIES - by Tim Beck

On September 8, the third meeting  of the Michigan Medical Marijuana Licensing Board (MMLB) took place just outside Lansing. Two mean spirited and ill advised proposals to shut down all medical marijuana dispensaries in Michigan by September 15, and deny state licenses to those who refused were shot down. 

These proposals emanated from retired narcotics cop Donald Bailey and his colleague, former cannabis lobbyist and Michigan House Speaker Rick Johnson. These gentlemen failed to get what they wanted at the August 21st meeting, when the full Board decided "further information' was needed from higher authorities, prior to issuing any special order.

The matter was settled in dramatic fashion before the September 8 meeting even began.  The "Michigan Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Division", commonly known as LARA,  backed by the Office of the Michigan Attorney General, gave a firm no to Bailey and Johnson's agenda.

LARA declared in so many words that dispensaries in operation after December 15 could be shut down by the cops.( December 15 is the day the MMMLB has the authority to issue licenses.) In addition, those places that did not close, could "potentially" jeopardize their chances of getting a state license from the MMMLB down the road.

Bailey and Johnson did not like the LARA  opinion one bit. They tried to persuade their fellow Board members  Nicole Cover, David LaMontaine and Vivian Pickard to vote to overrule LARA and the Attorney General. The trio refused to play ball. No vote was taken and by default, LARA's ruling prevailed. Bailey then declared that no matter what LARA said "my deadline is September 15". Bailey's statement was echoed by Johnson who declared he would "find it very difficult" to vote to grant a license to any dispensary which did not shut down by December 15th.

So what does all this mean in the real world?

Perhaps the most balanced, in depth coverage of the matter was provided by the venerable, long running weekly political TV show "Off the Record" (OTR)

OTR is considered a must see broadcast by the political class and political junkies across the state. Hosted by Tim Skubick, the show emgages the most hardened, and knowledgeable members of the Lansing press corps. The OTR panel format is to discuss the latest hot news stories of the week and grill prominent guests about what they are up to.

The OTR story for the week of September 8, was Bailey and Johnson's failed putsch to shut down all dispensaries in Michigan; under the guise of fair play and punishing businesses that have failed to follow the law in the past.

The OTR panel that week was composed of Mr. Skubick, Kathy Gray from the Detroit Free Press,

 Kyle Mellin, editor of "Michigan Information and Research Services" (MIRS) and Zack Gorchow from "Gongwer News Service."

With a few variations on the theme, the panel concluded there was no mortal danger facing current medical cannabis patients or even the dispensaries now serving them

Here is the logic as I see it, co mingled with observations from the OTR panel.

One, the reality NOW, is the Attorney General or a county prosecutor anywhere in Michigan, can  bust dispensaries anytime they want. They can do so with the full backing of the Judiciary. However, in certain counties like Wayne, Washtenaw, Gennessee, Ingham and Grand Traverse, prosecutors have had other things to do with their resources then shuttering dispensaries. Unfortunately this is not the case in counties like Oakland, Kent, Berrien and many parts of rural northern Michigan. Cops and prosecutors have been very aggressive in shutting down facilities and charging their operators as criminals under state law in those places

Will the current status quo magically change anywhere in Michigan in the near term after December 15? That is highly unlikely. However, down the road, when licenses are issued,and the system is up and running,, the specter of a crack down on unlicensed facilities increases geometrically. This is because state licensed dispensaries will eventually decide they do not want competition from unlicensed shops. They will take legal action to force these competitors to close, and pressure prosecutors and local municipalities to get tough and really enforce the law

Cutting to the chase, it is highly unlikely any patient will ever be cut off from their medicine thanks to LARA taking charge.

Will dispensaries that do not shut down by December 15 be denied a state license simply for staying open? The answer to that question is a pretty firm no.

The words used by LARA in its pronouncement are very critical. They clearly stated there could only be "potential" problems for these facilities

What does that mean? It means the dispensaries in question will not get a yes vote from MMMLB members Johnson and Bailey. Fortunately Bailey and Johnson's sentiments are not shared by the board majority, composed of Cover, LaMontaine and Pickard. 

There are a million stories in the naked city, but this one is real simple in the here and now.

Vehicle City Social Smokedown featuring Snoop Dogg

MMMR RECIPE: Ganja Goo Balls - by Annette Nay Nay

Ganja Goo Balls are SO healthy!! And SO easy! And SO yummy!

Ingredients:
1 cup of cannabutter melted
3 cups of oats
1 cup of peanut butter 
(smooth or chunky)

3 tbsp honey
2 tbsp cinnamon
2 tbsp coco powder
½ cup of mini chocolate chips
I tsp of vanilla

Directions:
1. Add all ingredients to a large bowl and stir until well mixed
2. Place bowl into freezer for 15-20 minutes
3. Take scoops and mold them into individual balls



For alternatives, instead of using the chocolate chips you can use chopped walnuts, raisins, corn flakes, or rice krispies. If the result is too gooey, more oats may be added. If it's too dry, more peanut butter or honey may be added.

Microdosing Uprise - by Dolan Frick

MICRODOSING
     Microdosing has been a term in the medical community for a very long time. It is exactly what it sounds like, the goal of microdosing is to use a dosage that gives you the minimal noticeable effects possible. Microdosing is typically associated with hallucinogenics like LSD, and psilocybin mushrooms. Microdosing with these psychedelics is known to enhance productivity and inspiration. It could also have the capability to treat various mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and ADHD. Microdosing has become more and more popular in recent years and the benefits are definitely there.

MICRODOSING WITH CANNABIS
     Microdosing with cannabis has recently become much more popular and could definitely be

Less is More

something that is worth a try! Many experts now believe that the threshold for the medical benefits of THC is far lower than many people think. Too much of a good thing can quickly turn overwhelming. If you’re looking for the positive effects of marijuana without the psychoactive effects that interfere with demands of everyday life, microdosing might appeal to you. When taking low doses of cannabis, you don’t perceive you’re intoxicated but experience a creative mindset that allows you to fully enjoy the benefits.



BENEFITS
     According to Leafly; Dustin Sulak, an osteopathic physician based in Maine , believes in the benefits of microdosing and treats many of his patients with small doses of cannabis. The benefits include: improved focus, sleep promotion, and treatments for conditions such as depression, stress, anxiety and pain.

DELIVERY METHODS
     The most popular ways of delivery are smoking, vaping, and ingesting cannabis. All have their own advantages and disadvantages. But it is important to find what works best for you even if that means combining all three.

     Smoking is the most difficult way to control your dose. One single hit could contain up to 10 milligrams of THC. So if this is your chosen method try to avoid big bongs or large pipes that hold a lot of smoke. Maybe try a mini hitter pipe or a small glass steamroller. Combusting your cannabis is not the most economical way to microdose. Also if you are medicating for health reasons, you may want to avoid combusting as it is not the cleanest way to consume cannabis.

     Vaporization of cannabis allows you to dial in your microdose and accurately regulate your intake. Also, vaporization allows you to avoid harmful carcinogens, and Vaping has never been easier than with the new discrete handheld vaporizer pens.

     Ingesting cannabis edibles and tinctures is an easy way to microdose. There are many healthy and tasty treats out there with minimal THC. Check the packets before you buy, THC amounts should be listed on their labels. Eating cannabis edibles is a great way to consume discreetly and precisely without inhaling harsh smoke.

CORRECT DOSAGE
     According to Leafly and Osteopathic Physician, Dustin Sulak, the general recommendation for first time microdosers is to start off at 2.5 milligrams. For those using cannabis regularly, Sulak

recommends an initial 48-hour period of abstinence, this should be enough time to reset the endocannabinoid system. While this might seem like a relatively brief window after years of usage, a brain imaging study published in 2016 tracked the number of cannabinoid receptors during a period of abstinence from cannabis and the results showed that even in heavy smokers, the receptors bounced back to baseline levels after just two days. This is good news for all the heavy cannabis users interested in microdosing. After the initial 48-hour break, anyone interested in microdosing should gradually reintroduce cannabis into their system, starting with just one milligram. “You are not trying to get stoned, you are not trying to get total relief from symptoms- you are trying to get a little something. Then once you get that dose where you feel a little something, stay there for a few days and then you can start gradually increasing if needed. That typically falls somewhere between one and three milligrams per dose.” Sulak Says.

     The challenge with finding your dose is that it’s different for each person. With most drugs there is a tolerance or curve, the same amount is not for everyone. There is no magical dosage amount. In fact, what works for you one day, may not work the following. It is about trial and error and the process will take patience. Slow and steady is the key to proper microdosing. Just remember that the point of microdosing is to avoid amounts which produce euphoria and unwanted side effects while still reaping the subtle benefits of consuming cannabis into your mind-body-spirit system.

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN MICRODOSING
     According to Merry Jane News, you can expect to feel a slight devoid of paranoia. You may feel more relaxed, energetic, or focused. Some people report an increase in creativity. Some also feel an improved emotional balance and heightened spiritual awareness. Others microdose to relieve stress, treat disorders, alleviate pain, or take advantage of cannabis’ anti-inflammatory properties without having to deal with intense psychoactivity.


HELPFUL TIPS FOR MICRODOSING

• Avoid mixing cannabis and alcohol until you have a firm understanding of your relationship with both.

• Pay attention to the potency of your cannabis and the ratios of CBD and THC.

• Try strains high in CBD and low in THC to experience CBD’s muscle-relaxing benefits while minimizing THC’s strong psychoactivity.

• Create therapeutic blends by combining cannabis and natural tobacco alternatives.

• Metabolism and physiology can affect your experience. Be mindful of the ingredients in your edibles by looking for gluten-free, vegan, organic, sugar-free, and low-fat options to maintain a well-balanced diet.

• Be patient. Finding what works for you may take a little time.

Grow Tip for September 2017 - by Ben Horner

Outdoor Flowering Cycles

     Outdoor grows in Michigan have had a turbulent summer, packed with lots of rain and storms. Green house growers are likely to have weathered the storms better than some, but with the high humidity, mold issues are a challenge as well. September is when the days shorten towards the end of the month. The fall equinox lands on the twenty-third of this month, however many breeds of cannabis will start to mature and show their pistols (white hairs) as soon as mid-August. By paying careful attention to your plants and the changing seasons, you can make sure your plant finishes with optimal ripeness and avoids the tragic freezes in October and November.

     September is a good month to cover your outdoor grows with translucent plastic if you have not yet done so.  By law all outdoor grows must be covered on all sides and be secure on the top as well. Take caution when covering your grow area and make sure ample air flow circulates throughout. In early September, light pruning of bottom branches can stimulate flowing and help with airflow in congested grow areas.

     There are many different breeds of marijuana plants, which have different flowering times. Indicas tend to have a shorter flowering cycle, typically between 7-9 weeks. Sativas usually take longer to finish, often 9-11 weeks.  Hybrids, Indicas and sativas all vary, so consulting the seed producer website, to learn what they indicate is the appropriate flowering time, can give you helpful information. Outdoor growing can extend the flowering cycle a week or two due to the gradual shortening of the days.

     By using a hand-held microscope, 30-100 times magnification, trichomes can be observed. The goal is to harvest when the trichomes are milky with hints of amber. Check every plant regularly throughout the month of September to get a feel for which plants to harvest first.

Verbascum Thapsus: Mullein - by Rebecca Veenstra

     Did you know that there are many herbs that have been traditionally used for smoking besides Cannabis? Native American tribes and indigenous cultures throughout the globe have smoked a huge variety of herbs including  bearberry, spearmint, comfrey, willow bark, catnip and many others for both medicinal and ceremonial purposes.
One of the smoking herbs that is most easily identified for beginning wild crafters is Mullein. The botanical name for the Mullein we see in our fields here in Michigan is Verbascum Thapsus. There are numerous types of Mullein with different botanical names. The name "Mullein" would be referred to in text books as it's "common" name. Wild crafting is the term herbalists use for the act of seeking and harvesting an herb from its natural habitat in the wild.
Mullein is a biennial plant. That means that the plant lives for two years. The first year the plant grows a rosette but no flower stalk. The rosette survives through the winter and the flower stalk grows the second year. Then, bees pollinate the small yellow flowers along the stalk which results in a large, dark, seed head by autumn. The plant then drops the seeds so that the following spring new rosettes will grow, restarting the cycle.

This is what a first year plant looks like: 

     Mullein is typically found in open fields. It would be unusual to find it in deep woods or swampy areas. The plant prefers poor sandy soil but will grow in pretty much any kind of dirt. I've taken seeds from the fields to my home garden and successfully propagated it there.

      The seed heads from the previous year will be standing tall on their stalks... this can be a great way to locate the low lying rosettes. Find a field where you see the tall seed heads and begin walking slowly and carefully through the long grasses looking down at the ground.
                         

2nd year flower in bloom:  

When you locate a rosette, carefully remove the inner leaves and put them in a basket or paper bag. The outer leaves are usually sandy and hard to dry properly. If you are gentle and you just pluck a few of the center leaves the rosette will survive the season and grow new leaves for you to harvest until winter. A responsible wild crafter should only remove a small portion of the plant medicine at any site. If you take it all, Mother Nature will not be able to keep growing it for you.

2nd year mature seed head:     

      Additionally, it is wise to distribute seeds from seed heads any time you are able. Just give the seed head a good pull between your fingers and the seeds will fall free. Every time you distribute seeds you are perpetuating the cycle of growth for the plant, assuring future generations will be able to benefit from the herb too.

     It is very important to note that gathering Mullein on a wet day or when the morning dew is still wet on the leaves can really interfere with proper drying. It is best to wait until the dew has evaporated and it's a dry day. Never gather plants intended to be dried on a rainy day. Your chances for mold developing during the drying process are far greater if you gather during wet weather. Gathering with plastic bags, or closed containers also can contribute to spoilage. If you intend to dry an herb always collect it in a container that allows moisture to evaporate. Trapping moisture will create problems.

     Mullein looks fuzzy and soft. It is not so much fuzzy and soft as it is prickly. Those little hairs can make you itchy. If you happen to get itchy just hit the shower, the little hairs will wash right off. If you were to consume the Mullein leaves internally you would want to sift the hairs off. Ayurvedic healers native to India traditionally sift the Mullein intended for human consumption. Those little hairs could make your insides feel itchy too. I recommend buying the herb sifted as it is a difficult process. Not impossible, just difficult. I am sure it can be accomplished, I just haven't done it myself.

     It is important to note that vaporizing or smoking Mullein leaves will not make you itchy. Only large scale skin contact (over a large portion of the body, not just your fingers and hands) and consumption could result in possible irritation. Handling the plant with your fingers and hands during harvest and processing is unlikely to cause irritation.

     Ok, so now you have a basket or paper bag full with your carefully harvested inner leaves from the Mullein plant. The next step is to dry them. If you have gathered many leaves you may want to use a screen. You should prop it up so that the screen allows for air flow underneath it. Then you would want to spread your leaves out in a single layer on the screen. Don't pile them up, that will trap moisture and cause improper drying.

A fan or dehumidifier in the room can help but it is not necessary. The key is to keep dust, pet hair, dirt, etc. away from the leaves as they dry. If you have just a few leaves paper plates work great. You would just spread a single layer on a few paper plates and set them in a clean place to dry.

     It is best to turn the leaves over once a day for a week or so. If the weather is humid it could take longer. When you can pick up a leaf and hear it snap like a potato chip as you break it you can be assured it is dry enough to store. If you don't hear it snap... it's not dry enough yet. Depending on your preference you can store the dried leaves in a glass jar or a paper bag. The paper bag will assure that no trapped moisture will interfere with storage. If you use a jar be absolutely certain you have achieved the proper dryness before you seal it.

     In addition to being a relaxing smokable herb with no known drug interactions or side effects, besides slight sedation, Mullein has very useful medicinal applications.

     The flowers from the mature second year flower can be soaked in oil to make a healing preparation with a huge variety of uses. The oil has been found to have anti-microbial action as well as pain relieving properties. Mullein oil has been used historically to aid in the healing of ear infections. Many natural healers still rely on Mullein oil today. (1)

     The leaf you have harvested and dried has many medicinal properties too. It is a well-known expectorant with anti-inflammatory properties. It can be used in a vaporizer or rolled to smoke. Individuals who suffer from Asthma may find vaporizing Mullein to be helpful. I have several friends with Asthma who rely on the daily use of Mullein to help ease their symptoms.

     Mullein can be mixed with other smoking herbs.  Among those, a good companion herb is Cannabis. There have been many studies done to determine the usefulness of both Mullein and Cannabis as potential natural treatments for the symptoms people with asthma and other lung congesting conditions, may suffer from. "Marihuana smoke, unlike cigarette smoke, causes bronchodilation [expansion of the air passages] rather than bronchoconstriction [narrowing of the air passages] and, unlike opiates, does not cause central respiratory depression."(2) The small inner leaves of the Mullein plant, properly dried, and mixed with Cannabis for smoking may be very relieving to a person with lung congestion.

     Many Cannabis smokers find that the marijuana they smoke can make them cough regardless of how well it has been grown and cured. Often, I have found that individuals with this common complaint are sometimes able to alleviate the coughing by adding a small quantity of Mullein to their joints or pipes.

     Every person has their own unique experience with healing herbs. Some people find Mullein's sedative actions to make them feel like taking a nap. This effect can be minimized by carefully choosing the strain of Cannabis to combine with the Mullein. Often using a strain with more Sativa content can offset the sleepiness.

     Most years my best friend and I are able to gather enough Mullein to carry her through the winter in a matter of hours. She uses one or two small leaves of Mullein every day to offset her asthma symptoms. We store one large paper grocery bag of dried Mullein leaves in her pantry every fall. By the time we are able to gather again she usually has a small supply still remaining.

     I hope you find the information in this article helpful and inspiring. If you take the time to wander an open field this summer perhaps you will find some Mullein. Even if you don't gather it for harvest, please... take the time to spread some seeds for future generations.

Rebecca Veenstra  

Chartered Herbalist

New World Seeds 

Traverse City, MI

Cannibals of Freedom: The Purpose of Law - by Daniel L. Price, Esq.

September is a month in history that helps point out the purpose of laws in the United States.  That is, on September 3, 1783 the Treaty of Paris formally ended the American Revolution.  Also, on September 3, 1838, Frederic Douglas began his journey to escape slavery.

I am an advocate of freedom, period!  Yet, when we look at laws that support freedom, and compare them with laws that deny freedom, it is revealing to note that the laws in the United States do not support freedom.  Right from the beginning our constitution, in Article 4, Sections 2.2 and 2.3, requires states to return fugitive slaves to their owners.  And, the Fugitive Slave Acts of 1793 and 1850 levied punishment on those who helped slaves escape.  They were guilty of the crime of supporting freedom of the individual.

Some of you may be thinking the 13th Amendment changed that.  Really?  After all, you are “forced” to pay about 1/3 of your life to parasites.  So, other than for whom you are “forced” to provide, and what percentage of it you are “forced” to provide, you still are not protected by the 13th Amendment.

Today, our laws continue to deny freedom.  You are not allowed to do anything with, or during your life, which is not regulated and/or taxed by parasites.  I issue a challenge to anyone who can think of anything which a citizen can do without some regulation, law, or tax involved from birth to death.  Our laws simply do not support freedom.

Indeed, readers of this article are violating the law when they ingest marijuana,  that the State of Michigan “protects” you while engaging in this illegal activity makes no difference, you are still violating federal law.  For example, I spoke to a young lady who had tubed down a river in a national forest in Michigan while ingesting medical marijuana.  Federal forestry agents were in the bushes spying on people going down the river so they could arrest anyone ingesting marijuana.  Moreover, if you have nearly any level of THC in your body, when you are required to give a swab sample while driving the roads of Michigan (Yes, that is coming to Michigan), you will be violating laws and subject to punishment.

One asks, so what laws do support freedom?  That’s actually a very easy question to answer.  One need only look to the Declaration of Independence:  Law 1 – Any person who interferes with the life of another shall be guilty of a crime;  Law 2 – Any person who interferes with liberty of another shall be guilty of a crime;  Law 3 – Any person who interferes with the property of another shall be guilty of a crime.

From these laws, of course there would be degrees of punishment.  For example, if I interfered with my neighbor’s property by negligently spilling sewage, then the punishment would be for me to pay to clean it up, and pay for any damage inflicted beyond the cleanup.  Yet, if I stole property from my neighbor, then I would be liable to return the property in its original condition or pay the value of the property to my neighbor, either in cash or by my labor.   As for taking a life, it would be pretty much the same depending on whether the act was intentional or negligent.  I would be liable to pay the value of the services of that person to their family, and face prison time as well.  And the same goes for violating another’s liberty.

Of course this article does not provide room for a complete analysis, but you get the idea.  Also, it’s harder to implement only laws that support freedom.  There are many people who are afraid of freedom.  There are also those who wish to get away with destroying freedom for others.  Only thing is, they cannot do this without destroying their own. The parasites in government are simply eager to accumulate power over others, so they are all too willing to help secure a country where the laws deny freedom.

In order to have a country that supports freedom, another law would need to be implemented.  Law 4 – Any government official, whether elected or not, who interferes with the life, liberty or property of another who has not violated these laws, shall be guilty of crimes against humanity and shall either, by their choice, be put to death, or stripped of his/her citizenship and set adrift on the open sea with 3 days of food and water.

The result of failing to understand the purpose of laws that deny freedom is why The Constitution and the laws here in the United States do not support freedom.  The key to understanding is that when we deny others their right to life, liberty and property, we deny ourselves those same rights.  Do you support freedom?!?!

Till next month, as always, keep rolling on.


Disclaimer:  This is an informational article only.  It is not to provide individual legal advice.  If you need legal services, feel free to contact me, or any attorney of
your choosing.