Expansion cards are mounted in expansion slots on the motherboard.
Other than seeing the name written on the card itself, look at the end of the card that fits against the back of the computer case. The port that is connected to the particular expansion card, will be evident to what connects to it.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
What is a floppy disk drive (FDD)?
A floppy disk drive (FDD) is an older secondary storage device sometimes found inside a computer. A floppy disk drive can hold 3.5 inch disks containing up to 1.44 MB of data. Floppy disk drives are not as common as they used to be because technology has allowed for storage media that hold much more data, such as CD's, DVD's and USB devices.
Solid State Devices (SSD)
A drive made with flash memory is called a solid state device (SSD). A SSD is a newer technology for hard drives, that use non-volatile flash memory chips, rather than using moving mechanical disks, to hold the data (similar to those used in USB flash drives). Any device that has no moving parts is called solid state.
The two major ATA standards for drive interfaces
Hard drives, CD drives, DVD drives, Zip drives, and tape drives among other devices can use the following interfaces.
serial ATA (SATA), the newer and faster standard and parallel ATA (PATA), the older and slower standard.
The interface between these drives and the motherboard are likely to conform to these standards, published by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
SATA cables are flat and thin, one end connects to the device and the other end to the motherboard connector.
PATA is slower than SATA and allows for only two connectors on the motherboard for two data cables. PATA is sometimes called the EIDE (Enhanced IDE) standard or the IDE standard.
serial ATA (SATA), the newer and faster standard and parallel ATA (PATA), the older and slower standard.
The interface between these drives and the motherboard are likely to conform to these standards, published by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
SATA cables are flat and thin, one end connects to the device and the other end to the motherboard connector.
PATA is slower than SATA and allows for only two connectors on the motherboard for two data cables. PATA is sometimes called the EIDE (Enhanced IDE) standard or the IDE standard.
The purpose of the computer chipset.
The computers processor could not do its job without the assistance of the chipset. The chipset is a group of microchips on the motherboard that control the flow of data and instructions to and from the processor. The chipset is responsible for the careful timing and coordination of activities. The chipset is contained in two packages embedded on the motherboard.
Three devices that are contained inside the computer case.
The most important component in the case is the central processing unit (CPU), also called the processor or the microprocessor.
The largest and most important circuit board in the computer is the motherboard, also called the main board, the system board. The mother board contains a socket to hold the CPU, where most of the processing takes place.
A power supply with power cords supplying electricity to all devices inside the case.
The largest and most important circuit board in the computer is the motherboard, also called the main board, the system board. The mother board contains a socket to hold the CPU, where most of the processing takes place.
A power supply with power cords supplying electricity to all devices inside the case.
List and describe the elements that each hardware input, output, or storage device within a computer requires.
Hardware input,output,or storage devices require software to function. Software refers to the set of instructions that directs the hardware to accomplish a task. Software uses hardware for four basic functions:input, processing,storage and output. Also hardware components must communicate both data and instructions among themselves, which requires an electrical system to provide power. Every communication between hardware and software, or between software and other software is reduced to a simple yes or no, which is represented inside the computer by two simple states: on and off.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Security Policy Review
I looked at the Fox Valley Tech website and noticed that it was rather easy to navigate to the schools policy page. The schools Policies & Procedures have been laid out into three groups.
1. Emergency Closings
2. Affirmative Action/ EOE
3. College Policies
The Policies & Procedures page can be found by navigating the link bar tabs that run along the bottom of the Fox Valley Tech websites header, located at www.fvtc.edu . Hoover over the about FVTC tab and you will notice the Policies tab that has an arrow pointing to the three groups. I clicked directly onto the tab that said Policies. (Disregarding the arrow altogether) Clicking on the tab in the manner described, quickly brought me to the Policies & Procedures page.
For even a quicker way to reach the page, use this URL. (http://www.fvtc.edu/public/content.aspx?ID=1450&PID=24)
For even a quicker way to reach the page, use this URL. (http://www.fvtc.edu/public/content.aspx?ID=1450&PID=24)
The Emergency Closings Policies are not as crucial to the security of the school as is the many other Administration Policies.
I think that the Emergency Closing Policies have been grouped separate from the other policies in order to create ease of navigation.
I think that the Emergency Closing Policies have been grouped separate from the other policies in order to create ease of navigation.
The Affirmative Action/EOE Policies are nothing more than the schools disclaimer stating that they are in full compliance with the articles and Acts, required by law.
The College Policies really turn out to be Administrative Policies. However they still seem to be created fairly and just to the best of my knowledge. Policies have been created for anything you can possibly think of. It really appears as if the writers of the Fox Valley Tech Policies and Procedures took many different things into consideration.
It is to the best of my imagination, that when the school policy is written, it becomes the ultimate rule unless the policy has reason for review. There is even a web page set aside just in case a policy is up for review.
The Administrative Policies cover areas with Academic Appeals and everything in between ending with Workplace Threats or Violence. There are many school policies that have security and the health of the student and faculty in mind. I feel that the Fox Valley Technical College has a well thought out and written policies.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
The Gay Rights Movement
In 1969 homosexual acts were illegal throughout the United States.
Gays, who demand to be treated as equal citizens with the same rights, privileges, and treatment as heterosexuals do, make up the Gay Rights Movement.
Some homosexuals often compare themselves with other minority groups like the Jews or the African Americans; the gays were very inspired by the African American Civil Rights Movement led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s dreams, concepts, and demands for equal protection were adopted by the gay community as well, and especially Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s success is the key element for the sudden rise of the Gay Rights Movement.
New York City June 28th 1969, the “Stonewall Riots” in a Greenwich Village, Gay bar “The Stonewall INN” was raided once again by the police. The police had been harassing the men and women in drag, and gays altogether had to act as if they were heterosexual when exposed to the public eye. The homosexuals fought back. The gay people decided to take a stand. Men in dresses and lesbians threw bricks and coins at the police. They wanted their freedom to be who they are and the freedom to choose their personal sexual preference.
Gay protesters were breaking windows and throwing bottles while the police were spraying them back with fire hoses. Many gays went to jail for this historic milestone in the gay rights movement. Many of the protesters are very proud of what had happened. They had finally stood up for themselves, after so much harassment. This uprising by the gays has paved the way for much more to come for the civil rights of the gay community.
Gay protesters were breaking windows and throwing bottles while the police were spraying them back with fire hoses. Many gays went to jail for this historic milestone in the gay rights movement. Many of the protesters are very proud of what had happened. They had finally stood up for themselves, after so much harassment. This uprising by the gays has paved the way for much more to come for the civil rights of the gay community.
Some may say that the stonewall riots are not so much a symbol about gay liberation as it is more of a symbol about oppression.
Schools are now teaching children that homosexuality is an amoral (not involving questions of right or wrong; without moral quality; neither moral nor immoral) and is an equally valid alternative lifestyle.
Tolerance of homosexuality within the United States has reached a record high. According to the American Gallup Poll, since 1977 public support of legalization of “homosexual relations between consenting adults” has risen from 43% to a record-breaking 59%. Also In the Gallup Poll, only 45% of people of over 55 years of age support “homosexuality as an acceptable alternative lifestyle”; whereas young people from ages 18-34 years old are 75% in favor. This must be a result of what they are teaching our children in school about homosexuality.
Tolerance of homosexuality within the United States has reached a record high. According to the American Gallup Poll, since 1977 public support of legalization of “homosexual relations between consenting adults” has risen from 43% to a record-breaking 59%. Also In the Gallup Poll, only 45% of people of over 55 years of age support “homosexuality as an acceptable alternative lifestyle”; whereas young people from ages 18-34 years old are 75% in favor. This must be a result of what they are teaching our children in school about homosexuality.
The history of allowing same-sex couples to marry in the U.S.
In 1996, the United States Congress passed the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) defining marriage solely as a union between a couple of the opposite sex for all federal purposes and allowing for the non-recognition amongst the states. Just recently, February of 2011 even though President Barack Obama is officially opposed to same-sex marriage, The President has instructed the Justice Department to stop defending the constitutionality of the DOMA Act because he believes that it is unconstitutionally written, given the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment. (As applied to same-sex couples who are legally married under state law, violates the equal protection component of the Fifth Amendment.)
In the United States, although same-sex marriages are not recognized federally, same-sex couples can marry in five states and one district (Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and the District of Columbia) and receive state-level benefits. The states of New York, New Jersey, Maryland, and Rhode Island do not facilitate same-sex marriages, but do recognize same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions. Additionally, several states offer civil unions or domestic partnerships, granting all or part of the state-level rights and responsibilities of marriage. Thirty-one states have constitutional restrictions limiting marriage to one woman and one man.
A 2005 federal district court decision, Citizens for Equal Protection v. Bruning, holding that prohibiting recognition of same-sex relationships violated the Constitution was overturned on appeal by the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit in 2006, which ruled that "laws limiting the state-recognized institution of marriage to heterosexual couples ... do not violate the Constitution of the United States."
In 2006, the Supreme Court of Washington concluded that encouraging procreation within the framework of marriage can be seen as a legitimate government interest furthered by limiting marriage between opposite-sex couples.
In 2010, United States District Court for the Northern District of California stated the evidence did not show any historical purpose for excluding same-sex couples from marriage, as states have never required spouses to have an ability or willingness to procreate in order to marry. Proponents of excluding same-sex couples from marriage were unable to reply how permitting same-sex marriage impairs or adversely affects the assumption that the state’s interest in marriage is procreative. When asked to identify the evidence at trial that supported the contention responsible procreation is really at the heart of society’s interest in regulating marriage, proponents’ counsel replied he did not have evidence of this point.
In July 2010, a federal court held key provisions of DOMA unconstitutional the Department of Justice entered an appeal on October 12, 2010. President Barack Obama is officially opposed to same-sex marriage, although he "supports full civil unions and federal rights for LGBT couples", a full repeal of DOMA, and called California's Proposition 8 "unnecessary”. In August 2010, Proposition 8 was declared unconstitutional under the United States Constitution in a federal court case, Perry v. Schwarzenegger, but the ruling has been stayed pending appeal by a higher court; the judge found the ban unconstitutional, ruling that "Proposition 8 disadvantages gays and lesbians without any rational justification". Proponents of Proposition 8 appealed the District Court's ruling, and licensing of marriage ceremonies has been delayed by the 9th Circuit Court issuing a stay until the appeal process is completed; in addition, the 9th Circuit also assured a speedy trial.[
1924
The Society for Human Rights in Chicago becomes the country's earliest known gay rights organization.
1948
Alfred Kinsey publishes Sexual Behavior in the Human Male, revealing to the public that homosexuality is far more widespread than was commonly believed.
1951
The Mattachine Society, the first national gay rights organization, is formed by Harry Hay, considered by many to be the founder of the gay rights movement.
1956
The Daughters of Bilitis, a pioneering national lesbian organization, is founded.
1962
Illinois becomes the first state in the U.S. to decriminalize homosexual acts between consenting adults in private.
1969
The Stonewall riots transform the gay rights movement from one limited to a small number of activists into a widespread protest for equal rights and acceptance. Patrons of a gay bar in New York's Greenwich Village, the Stonewall Inn, fight back during a police raid on June 27, sparking three days of riots resulting in closings of five gay bars with minor street disturbances. The Stonewall Inn, an unlicensed and Mafia-operated bar in Greenwich Village, was raided by nine policemen in the early mornings of June 28th 1969. As the policemen arrested and escorted five employees and customers, they faced an unexpectedly angry and violent mob outside the Stonewall Inn, yelling, throwing coins, rocks, beer bottles, and bricks at the policemen. During the following forty-five minutes, the nine policemen were involved in a violent struggle, in which the protesters were beaten by policemen, and in which the crowd tried to set the bar with the policemen inside on fire. As police reinforcement arrived, the crowd which had already rose to about 400 angry protesters, finally spread out, but re-gathered for two additional nights around the then-closed Stonewall Inn to protest against the police's discrimination of gay bars, shouting slogans like "Gay Power", "Legalize gay bars", and "Gay is good."
1973
The American Psychiatric Association removes homosexuality from its official list of mental disorders.
1982
Wisconsin becomes the first state to outlaw discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
1993
The “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” policy is instituted for the U.S. military, permitting gays to serve in the military but banning homosexual activity. President Clinton's original intention to revoke the prohibition against gays in the military was met with stiff opposition; this compromise, which has led to the discharge of thousands of men and women in the armed forces, was the result.
1996
In Romer v. Evans, the Supreme Court strikes down Colorado's Amendment 2, which denied gays and lesbians protections against discrimination, calling them “special rights.” According to Justice Anthony Kennedy, “We find nothing special in the protections Amendment 2 withholds. These protections . . . constitute ordinary civil life in a free society.”
2000
Vermont becomes the first state in the country to legally recognize civil unions between gay or lesbian couples. The law states that these “couples would be entitled to the same benefits, privileges, and responsibilities as spouses.” It stops short of referring to same-sex unions as marriage, which the state defines as heterosexual.
2003
The U.S. Supreme Court rules in Lawrence v. Texas that sodomy laws in the U.S. are unconstitutional. Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote, “Liberty presumes an autonomy of self that includes freedom of thought, belief, expression, and certain intimate conduct.”
In November, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that barring gays and lesbians from marrying violates the state constitution. The Massachusetts Chief Justice concluded that to “deny the protections, benefits, and obligations conferred by civil marriage” to gay couples was unconstitutional because it denied “the dignity and equality of all individuals” and made them “second-class citizens.” Strong opposition followed the ruling.
2004
On May 17, same-sex marriages become legal in Massachusetts.
2005
Civil unions become legal in Connecticut in October.
2006
Civil unions become legal in New Jersey in December.
2007
In November, the House of Representatives approves a bill ensuring equal rights in the workplace for gay men, lesbians, and bisexuals.
2008
In February, a New York State appeals court unanimously votes that valid same-sex marriages performed in other states must be recognized by employers in New York, granting same-sex couples the same rights as other couples.
In February, the state of Oregon passes a law that allows same-sex couples to register as domestic partners allowing them some spousal rights of married couples.
On May 15, the California Supreme Court rules that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry. By November 3rd, more than 18,000 same-sex couples have married. On November 4, California voters approved a ban on same-sex marriage called Proposition 8. The attorney general of California, Jerry Brown, asked the state's Supreme Court to review the constitutionality of Proposition 8. The ban throws into question the validity of the more than 18,000 marriages already performed, but Attorney General Brown reiterated in a news release that he believed the same-sex marriages performed in California before November 4 should remain valid, and the California Supreme Court, which upheld the ban in May 2009, agreed, allowing those couples married under the old law to remain that way.
November 4 voters in California, Arizona, and Florida approved the passage of measures that ban same-sex marriage. Arkansas passed a measure intended to bar gay men and lesbians from adopting children.
On October 10 the Supreme Court of Connecticut rules that same-sex couples have the right to marry. This makes Connecticut the second state, after Massachusetts, to legalize civil marriage for same-sex couples. The court rules that the state cannot deny gay and lesbian couples the freedom to marry under Connecticut's constitution, and that the state's civil union law does not provide same-sex couples with the same rights as heterosexual couples.
On November 12 same-sex marriages begin to be officially performed in Connecticut.
2009
On April 3, the Iowa Supreme Court unanimously rejects the state law banning same-sex marriage. Twenty-one days later, county recorders are required to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
On April 7, the Vermont Legislature votes to override Gov. Jim Douglas's veto of a bill allowing gays and lesbians to marry, legalizing same-sex marriage. It is the first state to legalize gay marriage through the legislature; the courts of the other states in which the marriage is legal—Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Iowa—gave approval.
On May 6, the governor of Maine legalized same-sex marriage in that state in Maine; however, citizens voted to overturn that law when they went to the polls in November, and Maine became the 31st state to ban the practice.
On June 3, New Hampshire governor John Lynch signs legislation allowing same-sex marriage. The law stipulates that religious organizations and their employees will not be required to participate in the ceremonies. New Hampshire is the sixth state in the nation to allow same-sex marriage.
On June 17, President Obama signs a referendum allowing the same-sex partners of federal employees to receive benefits. They will not be allowed full health coverage, however. This is Obama's first major initiative in his campaign promise to improve gay rights.
2010
March 3: Congress approves a law signed in December 2009 that legalizes same-sex marriage in the District of Columbia.
August 4: Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker ruled that Proposition 8, the 2008 referendum that banned same-sex marriage in California, violates the 14th Amendment's equal protection clause. "Proposition 8 singles out gays and lesbians and legitimates their unequal treatment," Vaughn wrote in his opinion. "Proposition 8 perpetuates the stereotype that gays and lesbians are incapable of forming long-term loving relationships and that gays and lesbians are not good parents."
December 18: the U.S. Senate voted 65 to 31 in favor of repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell, the Clinton-era military policy that forbids openly gay men and women from serving in the military. Eight Republicans sided with the Democrats to strike down the ban. The ban will not be lifted officially until President Obama, Defense Secretary Robert Gates, and Admiral Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, agree that the military is ready to enact the change and that it won't affect military readiness. On Dec. 18, President Obama officially repealed the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" military policy.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 28, 2011 – The plan to end the ban on gay men and lesbians serving openly in the military is progressing quickly, said senior Defense Department officials in the first of a series of briefings that will chart the department’s progress in implementing the repeal of the law.”
Monday, May 2, 2011
Keep inflation low and employment high
FOX VALLEY TECHNICAL COLLEGE
ECONOMICS
Article Summary Guidelines
The topic must be related to economics and business; it should be recent (within last 3 months.)
MIA GAUTHIER - INSTRUCTOR
Write out your answers before the class discussion
Title/Show
Fareed Zacaria GPS "What in the World"
Author/Home page
http://www.cnn.com/
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2011/05/01/gps.what.in.the.world.cnn?iref=allsearch
Publication/Channel
CNN News Channel
Date:
5/2/2011
Topic:
Inflation, Inflation, Inflation is it really a really a risk?
Main ideas:
(A Brief summary of the article)
This is about a historical speech. Ben Bernanke is the first Fed chairman to ever give a press conference concerning the economy.
Ben Bernanke's
goal is to keep inflation low and to keep employment high.
If the Federal Government can keep interest rates low, it will help people get cheap loans which are good for employment.
Too much borrowing and spending drives up prices and wages, causing inflation.
By raising interest rates, people will take out fewer loans, which will cause a slow-down in economic activity, lowering inflation, also causing less employment.
There is typically an inverse relationship between inflation and interest rate rise, high interest rates equals low inflation, low interest rates = high inflation.
If there is more money in an economy, people tend to spend more, thus (as a whole) driving up the cost of goods and services. If there is less money in an economy, there is less money to spend and low demand means lower prices.
If interest rates are low, money is easier and cheaper to borrow, hence more money in an economy. If rates are high, it is more expensive to borrow, hence less money in an economy.
What did you like about the article?
We are part of a global economy. There are 10's of millions of workers in China and India, producing goods and services at a fraction of the cost of U.S. and Western workers. It is difficult for Western workers to get wage hikes (raises) with all of this global competition. Wage hikes, (wage inflation) are the driving force of over-all inflation in America.
What did you dislike about the article?
Unless you are a banker or a sports-star, your wages have not been going up these days.
How does this article relate to current economic conditions?
The U.S. economy is going through the slowest recovery from a recession in 50 years.
Ben Bernanke is trying to navigate between two somewhat contradictory missions, "to keep inflation low and to keep employment high".
Ben Bernanke's main concern during this financial crisis has been Unemployment.
He understands that the global economy is at a big slow-down.
The Western world is in a massive recession.
He lowered interest rates to try to boost the economy, now he has learned about inflation rates rising; he is now looking to balance these things by raising interest rates once again. The only reason that unemployment numbers are falling right now is because many people have just given up on looking for work.
The way unemployment is calculated is by looking for work and not finding work to be considered unemployed.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Security Policy Review
I looked at the Fox Valley Tech website and noticed that it was rather easy to navigate to the schools policy page. The schools Policies & Procedures have been laid out into three groups.
1. Emergency Closings
2. Affirmative Action/ EOE
3. College Policies
The Policies & Procedures page can be found by navigating the link bar tabs that run along the bottom of the Fox Valley Tech websites header, located at www.fvtc.edu . Hoover over the about FVTC tab and you will notice the Policies tab that has an arrow pointing to the three groups. I clicked directly onto the tab that said Policies. (Disregarding the arrow altogether) Clicking on the tab in the manner described, quickly brought me to the Policies & Procedures page.
For even a quicker way to reach the page, use this URL. (http://www.fvtc.edu/public/content.aspx?ID=1450&PID=24)
The Emergency Closings Policies are not as crucial to the security of the school as is the many other Administration Policies.
I think that the Emergency Closing Policies have been grouped separate from the other policies in order to create ease of navigation.
The Affirmative Action/EOE Policies are nothing more than the schools disclaimer stating that they are in full compliance with the articles and Acts, required by law.
The College Policies really turn out to be Administrative Policies. However they still seem to be created fairly and just to the best of my knowledge. Policies have been created for anything you can possibly think of. It really appears as if the writers of the Fox Valley Tech Policies and Procedures took many different things into consideration.
It is to the best of my imagination, that when the school policy is written, it becomes the ultimate rule unless the policy has reason for review. There is even a web page set aside just in case a policy is up for review.
The Administrative Policies cover areas with Academic Appeals and everything in between ending with Workplace Threats or Violence. There are many policies that have security and the health of the student and faculty in mind. I feel that the Fox Valley Technical College has a well thought out and written policies. I looked at the Fox Valley Tech website and noticed that it was rather easy to navigate to the schools policy page. The schools Policies & Procedures have been laid out into three groups.
1. Emergency Closings
2. Affirmative Action/ EOE
3. College Policies
The Policies & Procedures page can be found by navigating the link bar tabs that run along the bottom of the Fox Valley Tech websites header, located at www.fvtc.edu . Hoover over the about FVTC tab and you will notice the Policies tab that has an arrow pointing to the three groups. I clicked directly onto the tab that said Policies. (Disregarding the arrow altogether) Clicking on the tab in the manner described, quickly brought me to the Policies & Procedures page.
For even a quicker way to reach the page, use this URL. (http://www.fvtc.edu/public/content.aspx?ID=1450&PID=24)
The Emergency Closings Policies are not as crucial to the security of the school as is the many other Administration Policies.
I think that the Emergency Closing Policies have been grouped separate from the other policies in order to create ease of navigation.
The Affirmative Action/EOE Policies are nothing more than the schools disclaimer stating that they are in full compliance with the articles and Acts, required by law.
The College Policies really turn out to be Administrative Policies. However they still seem to be created fairly and just to the best of my knowledge. Policies have been created for anything you can possibly think of. It really appears as if the writers of the Fox Valley Tech Policies and Procedures took many different things into consideration.
It is to the best of my imagination, that when the school policy is written, it becomes the ultimate rule unless the policy has reason for review. There is even a web page set aside just in case a policy is up for review.
The Administrative Policies cover areas with Academic Appeals and everything in between ending with Workplace Threats or Violence. There are many policies that have security and the health of the student and faculty in mind. I feel that the Fox Valley Technical College has a well thought out and written policies.
Cannabis
What is cannabis?
Cannabis, also known as marijuana among many other names, (weed, pot, grass, hemp) refers to any number of preparations of the Cannabis plant intended for use as a psychoactive drug.
Cannabis is one of the most unique and diverse hardiest plants on the planet. Cannabis grows on just about every continent. From the tropic climate of Africa, equatorial climate of Columbia and Mexico, to the northern climes of Afghanistan and highest mountain tops of the Kush region. Marijuana is also increasingly cultivated by means of indoor hydroponic technology.
Two very unique marijuana types exist. Cannabis indica and cannabis sativa. Cannabis indica is a short squat plant that grows best in northern climates. Some examples of cannabis indica include Afghani #1, Northern Lights, Hindu Kush and Hash Plant. Cannabis sativa is a tall lanky marijuana plant that requires a lengthy growing season such as those found in Mexico and Thailand. Examples of this marijuana strain are, Haze, Columbia Gold, Panama Red and Thai.
The word 'cannabis' refers to the plant itself, as well as the products that are used - the dried flowers, leaves, hash and hash oil.
The word marijuana comes from the Mexican Spanish word, marihuana. According to the United Nations, cannabis "is the most widely used illicit substance in the world."
Cannabis is used in four main forms: marijuana, hashish and hash oil.
• 'Marijuana' usually refers to the dried flowers ('heads' or buds) and leaves of the cannabis plant. It is the least potent of all the cannabis products and is usually smoked.
• Hashish (hash) is made from the resin (a secreted gum) of the cannabis plant. It is dried and pressed into small blocks and smoked. It can also be added to food and eaten. Hash oil, the most potent cannabis product, is thick oil obtained from hashish. It is also smoked.
• Hash oil is concentrated oil made from the cannabis plant.
• Cannabis foods (medables sounds almost like edibles) (including hash brownies and ganja goo balls) are food products made with cannabis in herbal or resin form as an ingredient. They are consumed as an alternate delivery means to experience the effects of cannabinoids without smoking marijuana or hashish. Instead, the cannabinoids are put into cake, cookie, brownie, or other foods, and are consumed for recreational or medicinal purposes. There are many different names and slang terms for the recipes. Prefixes such as hash, cannabis, weed, space, cosmic, freaky, magic, special, enhanced, medicated, fabricated, buffed, stimulated, stimmed, superskunk, evolved are added to the name of the food that they are prepared with: "hash cakes," "special brownies" etc.
A cannabis chef will create a weed concoction that is baked into cookies, cakes or even ice cream. These marijuana laced foods are excellent to ingest in public as no one will know your inhaling cannabis.
How is it used?
The flowers (and to a lesser extent the leaves, stems, and seeds) contain psychoactive and physiologically active chemical compounds known as cannabinoids that are consumed for recreational, medicinal, and spiritual purposes.
Cannabis is usually smoked in hand-rolled cigarettes (known as 'joints') or in special waterpipes ('bongs') or vaporizers. These pipes or bongs can be bought or made from things such as orange juice containers, soft drink cans, fruit such as apples and even toilet rolls.
Historically, tinctures, teas, and ointments have also been common preparations.
If smoked, cannabis usually affects the person quite quickly. When smoked, weed is a pleasant mood altering substance. Cannabis produces a euphoric effect known as marijuana high. Depending on the type of weed inhaled a user will either become energetic or lethargic. With the marijuana high lasting a variable amount of time. How long someone is 'stoned' is based on the marijuana plant's strength and tolerance level of the user.
Sometimes people will eat cannabis, mixed with other ingredients such as in biscuits (cookies) or cakes.
• If it is eaten, the effects take much longer to be felt, but can build up and get stronger over a longer time.
• It is much harder for someone to control the dose of the drug when cannabis is eaten.
What does cannabis do to you?
The main active ingredient in cannabis is called delta-9 tetrahydro-cannabinol, commonly known as THC. This is the part of the plant that gives you the 'high'. There is a wide range of THC potency between cannabis products. There are many other chemicals in cannabis, some of which also act on the brain.
Cannabis affects your mood, thinking, concentration, sense of time and memory.
Why do people use cannabis?
Cannabis can make people feel 'high' or 'stoned'. A group of young people gave the following reasons for why they use cannabis:
• for relaxation
• for socializing
• to relieve boredom
• to cope with stress
• For peer acceptance - eg. because all their friends use it
• to manage pain
• for the adventure of taking a risk
• to forget problems
• to experiment
• to rebel against adults, or have a secret from parents
• To help get to sleep.
Another reason that some people give for using cannabis is that they believe it can be helpful with certain illnesses.
Marijuana History
Though marijuana has been cultivated for thousands of years, only within the last 150 years has cannabis been prohibited
Cannabis has been used for thousands of years to relieve a variety of medical illnesses.
Most recently the oldest stash of marijuana was found in the mummified remains of a Shaman in China. Scientist estimates the marijuana to be from 2500 BC. Their efforts to germinate seeds from the cannabis stash failed (most marijuana seeds are only viable for about 5 years). However this is more excellent proof that pot has been used for thousands of years and its prohibition is ridiculous.
First Fabric Known to Man
The hemp plant, also called cannabis or marijuana, has been used around the world for thousands of years. Sometime around 7000 - 8000 BCE, the first fabric is believed to have been woven from dried hemp weed.
Cannabis Seeds Used as Food
The Chinese culture was first in discovering that marijuana was a viable substance around 6000 BC. They began by eating hemp seeds. By 2727 BCE, the Chinese documented the use of cannabis as a medication to treat a variety of health problems.They soon discovered how to weave hemp into fine fibers. They later grew the plant on a large scale for food and fiber.
Cannabis is Cultivated and Left as an Offering
In 1500 BCE Scythians started to cultivate cannabis for weaving cloth. Scythian tribes left cannabis seed offerings (700 - 300 BC) in the royal tombs as tributes to their gods. Nomadic Scythian tribes people brought marijuana seeds to Northern Europe around 500 BC. Remains of a Scythian urn containing dried marijuana leaves was unearthed in Berlin, Germany and dated from this time period.
"Sacred Grass" Named One of Five Sacred Plants in India
Cannabis "Sacred Grass" for spiritual enlightenment began between 1200 - 800 BC with the Hindu sacred text Athara Veda suggesting the marijuana plant is one of the five sacred plants of India that can be used as a sacramental offering to Shiva. The text explains how to make Bhang. A drink of dried cannabis leaves spices and milk. An ancient Persian text Zend-Avesta written by Zarathustra refers to Bhang as a "good narcotic."
Hemp Use Spreads Throughout Europe
The hemp plant was introduced into Northern Europe by the Scythians around 500 BCE over the next 400 years it spread throughout the subcontinent.
Cannabis Mentioned in the Jewish Talmud
Sometime around 500 - 600 CE, there was a mention of the euphoric properties on cannabis in the Jewish Talmud.
Smoking Cannabis Becomes Popular in the Middle East
Between 900 -1000 the use of cannabis spread throughout the Arab world. By the early 1200s, smoking marijuana had become very popular in the region. It was popular among Muslims, who are not permitted to drink alcohol.
Marijuana Comes to the New World
In 1492, Christopher Columbus brought Cannabis Sativa to America.
Farmers in America Required to Grow Hemp
From 1000 to 1500, the use of marijuana spread further. The French and British grew hemp in the colonies of Port Royal, Virginia and Plymouth. In 1619 a law was passed in Jamestown, Virginia Colony, which required farmers to grow hemp. Marijuana also became a major trade item between Central and South Asia during this time.
Presidential Marijuana
At Mount Vernon, George Washington grew hemp as his primary crop in 1797. Thomas Jefferson grew hemp as a secondary crop at Monticello.
Napoleon Bans Hemp
In 1798, Napoleon declared a total prohibition of hemp after realizing much of the Egyptian lower class were habitual smokers of marijuana.
Medical Cannabis Sold in the U.S.
In 1840, medicines with a cannabis base were available in U.S. pharmacies. Hashish was available in Persian pharmacies.
U.S. Receives the Gift of Marijuana
In 1876, the Sultan of Turkey gave marijuana to the United States as a gift. By 1880, Turkish smoking parlors were opened all over the northeastern U.S.
Food and Drug Administration Formed in the U.S.
In 1906, the Pure Food and Drug Act was passed in the U.S. and the Food and Drug Administration was formed. This was the first time drugs had any government oversight.
Ford's Hemp mobile
In 1908, Henry Ford made his first Model T with hemp plastic. The car was fueled with hemp ethanol.
Cannabis Prohibition Begins in the U.S.
California passed the first state marijuana law in 1913, but it was largely overlooked because it specifically addressed "preparations of hemp, or loco weed." Other state anti-marijuana law was passed in Utah in 1915, in Texas in 1919, Louisiana in 1924 and New York in 1927.
Cannabis Prohibition in Britain
In 1928, the recreational use of marijuana was banned in Britain.
Marijuana Ordinance Passed in El Paso
Marijuana came into the southwestern United States in the early 1900s with Mexican migrants who entered the country looking for work. Laborers enjoyed smoking marijuana after hard days in the fields. The local European Whites believed that marijuana gave the Mexicans "superhuman strength" and turned them into killers.
In 1914 in El Paso, some white men were allegedly attacked by a Mexican man who had "gone crazy" on supposedly "killer weed." Following the incident, the El Paso City Council passed an ordinance banning possession of marijuana. The law was more about controlling the local Mexican populace than controlling marijuana, as the predominantly white constituency did not like the Mexicans or their customs
Harry J. Anslinger Declares War on Marijuana
The federal government gave control of illegal drugs to the Treasury Department, which created the Federal Bureau of Narcotics. Harry J. Anslinger, a prohibitionist, became the first commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics in 1930. He held the position until 1962. Anslinger declared war on drugs and effectively shaped America's views about marijuana.
Marijuana Use Spreads to Major Cities
In the 1930s, bales of marijuana (called muggles), tea and reefer were arriving in southern port cities such as New Orleans via West Indian sailors. Jazz musicians travelled north and took marijuana with them, making reefer parties popular in many major cities along the way.
The Uniform State Narcotic Act
When it became too expensive for the Bureau to pursue all drug cases on its own, Anslinger tirelessly campaigned and lobbied for the passage of the Uniform State Narcotic Act, which would require states to police drug trafficking and commit state resources for the war on drugs. Only nine states initially agreed, so Anslinger launched a nationwide media campaign declaring marijuana causes temporary insanity. The ads featured young people smoking marijuana, then behaving recklessly, committing crimes, killing themselves and others or dying from marijuana use. The propaganda campaign was a success and all states signed on.
Reefer Madness
In 1936, the propaganda film "Reefer Madness" was made in an attempt to scare young Americans away from using marijuana. The film directly stated that smoking marijuana causes insanity. In the film, a woman smokes marijuana, then laughs while a man who has smoked marijuana beats a third person to death.
Marijuana Tax Stamp Act
Anslinger's propaganda campaign convinced the public that marijuana was in fact a "killer drug." Hysterical voters demanded action without seeing or hearing about any scientific research about marijuana or proof of the supposed harm that comes from smoking it.
On October 2, 1937, without any open debate, scientific enquiry, or political objection, President Roosevelt signed the Marijuana Tax Law. The law made it illegal to possess marijuana in the U.S. without a special tax stamp issued by the U.S. Treasury Department. In theory, growing and selling marijuana was still legal as long as you bought the government tax stamp for $1.00. However, the Treasury Department did not issue any tax stamps for marijuana, effectively making growing, selling and possessing marijuana illegal under the Act.
First Marijuana Conviction
On the very day the Marijuana Tax Stamp Act was passed, the FBI and Denver police raided the Lexington Hotel and arrested two people: Samuel R. Caldwell and Moses Baca. Three days later, Caldwell, a 58 year old unemployed laborer, became first person in the U.S. to be convicted of selling of marijuana without a tax stamp. He was sentenced to four years of hard labor in Leavenworth Penitentiary. Presiding Judge J Foster Symes, had previously stated that he considered marijuana to be the worst of all narcotics and vowed to impose harsh sentences for violations of the Marijuana Tax Act. Caldwell was also fined $1,000 for the two marijuana cigarettes that were found in his possession. Baca, who was his customer, was found guilty of possession of marijuana and was sentenced to 18 months in prison. Both men served their full sentences. Caldwell died a year after his release.
New York Mayor Takes a Stand Against Marijuana Prohibition
Fiorello La Guardia, the mayor of New York, spoke out against the Marijuana Tax Stamp Act, saying the majority of Americans did not want the law and it should be abolished. He was skeptical of the government's claims and propaganda touting marijuana as a dangerous, evil, killer narcotic. La Guardia commissioned a six-year study by a group of 31 impartial scientists. After an in-depth scientific analysis, researchers concluded that marijuana does not cause violent, psychotic episodes, is not responsible for anti-social behavior, does not cause uncontrollable sexual urges and does not alter a person's core personality structure.
In 1944, La Guardia's commission published a report of the findings, scientifically disproving all of Anslinger's propaganda and outlandish clams about the effects of smoking marijuana. Once again, Anslinger used his muscle with the press to discredit the report and destroyed every copy of the report he could. He then successfully blocked any further research by restricting the availability of marijuana.
Anslinger Targets Hollywood
Anslinger then began digging up dirt on anti-prohibitionists, and took special aim at the entertainment industry. Hollywood buckled under the pressure and gave Anslinger personal control over movie scripts that mentioned drugs. Any movie that Anslinger felt sent the wrong message was banned.
The Marijuana Propaganda Continues in the 1950s
In the 1950s, Anslinger used a new scare tactic by producing propaganda claiming that marijuana was a gateway drug to heroin. Americans were concerned about a growing number of teens using heroin, so Anslinger used that concern as an opening to push his marijuana message once again. The media circulated the myth that most heroin-addicts were led down the path to disaster by marijuana and that most marijuana users become addicted to harder drugs.
Boggs Act Increases Drug Penalties
In 1951, Anslinger supported an amendment to the Harrison Narcotic Act, introduced by Senator Hale Boggs that would dramatically increase mandatory drug sentences. Boggs said that harsh sentences were needed for all drug offenses because drugs were a tool of Communist China. Truman signed the Boggs Act.
Narcotic Control Act of 1956
On a roll, Anslinger then pushed for even tougher drug laws and got President Eisenhower on board. The Narcotic Control Act put marijuana in the same drug class as heroin and added more severe penalties. A first conviction of possession of marijuana was punishable by a mandatory two to 10 years in prison. State drug laws also toughened up. In Missouri, a second conviction for possession of marijuana was eligible for a life sentence.
Anslinger Targets the United Nations
Propelled by his success in criminalizing marijuana and adding teeth to drug laws, Anslinger set his sights higher and went to the U.N. In 1961, Using the then-considerable influence of the United States, he convinced over 100 countries to consolidate their drug agreements into a single convention that would make marijuana illegal around the world. Anslinger was honored by JFK at his retirement in 1962.
1960s Anti-Drug Propaganda
In the 1960s, anti-drug propaganda was widely distributed with the message that smoking marijuana would not only make you lazy and irresponsible, but that you were also out of touch with reality and a threat to national security.
Dr. Leo E. Hollister, the associate chief of staff and the Palo Alto Veterans Hospital in California conducted a study of the effects of marijuana and concluded that smoking marijuana makes people happy, friendly, intoxicated and sleepy. He found no reason to believe that smoking pot made people aggressive or led to addiction to other drugs.
Marijuana Culture is Born in the U.S.
Despite the propaganda, marijuana increased in popularity on college campuses across the country. Students spoke out about their marijuana use and gradually changed the public's perception of the drug. By 1965, an estimated 1 million Americans had tried marijuana. With events like Woodstock and popular groups such as the Grateful Dead, smoking marijuana became a part of pop-culture. By 1972, approximately 24 million Americans had tried marijuana.
Nixon's War on Drugs
Nixon won the election on a campaign-platform for restoring law and order in the country. Since most criminal violations are handled by the states, he found that drug laws could allow him to be most effective. He launched Operation Intercept. Two thousand customs agents were deployed along the Mexican border in a military-style search and seizure mission to stop the flow of marijuana. Virtually no marijuana was found among the 5 million people who were searched and after three weeks the operation was abandoned. Nixon then decided to concentrate on police training to fight the war against marijuana. Almost immediately, marijuan-related arrests and convictions increased dramatically.
Don Crowe Sentenced to 50 Years
Twenty-five year old Vietnam veteran Don Crowe was convicted of selling marijuana to an undercover cop. It was his first offense and the amount of marijuana was under an ounce. He was sentenced to 50 years in prison.
The Controlled Substances Act
There was a push for marijuana reform as the public began to realize that marijuana laws were not effective and that the penalties were too harsh. A big wake-up call for many middle-class people was the fact that their own kids were the top demographic for arrests and prosecution. At a Senate hearing on marijuana legislation in 1969, Dr. Stanley Yolles estimated that 8 to 12 million people in the United States smoked marijuana and urged Congress to abolish mandatory minimum sentencing for drug offenses. Congress took the advice and passed Controlled Substances Act which eliminated mandatory minimums and reduced penalties for possession of marijuana.
The National Commission on Marijuana and Drug Abuse Report
Nixon continued his anti-drug crusade. He enlisted celebrities and used the media to spread the message, as well as funded a new study to identify the dangers of marijuana. Researchers found that using marijuana did not lead to crime, and that laws were selectively enforced and police targeted people with a certain look. They also found the cost of attempting to enforce marijuana laws far outweighed any deterrent effect of that enforcement.
In 1972, The National Commission on Marijuana and Drug Abuse released a report which would be the most comprehensive study on marijuana ever done. The commission took the position that smoking marijuana in one's own home should not be criminalized. Nixon threw the report in the garbage can without ever reading it.
DEA is Born
Nixon did not give up, and pushed forward with his war against marijuana. In 1972, all of the government's existing drug agencies were combined into one super-powerful agency, the Drug Enforcement Agency. The DEA was given the authority to enter homes without knocking, use wiretaps and gather intelligence on anyone.
Marijuana Activism
In the 1970s, smoking marijuana became popular among middle-class adults, and activists revamped the movement for decriminalization.
The Reagan Administration's War on Drugs
In the 1980s, the Reagan administration launched its own war on drugs. An average of one person every 38 seconds was arrested for violating marijuana laws.
Judge Francis Law Recommends Reclassifying Marijuana as a Prescription Drug
Judge Francis Law, a DEA administrative law judge, held hearings on the medical benefits of marijuana. He found that marijuana has a clearly established medical use and recommended that it be reclassified as a prescription drug. However, no action was taken to reclassify marijuana based on Law's findings.
First U.S. Medical Marijuana Law Passed
Although Canada became the first country in the world to legalize medical marijuana in 2003, the U.S. Federal Government has been resistant to changing marijuana laws. California passed Proposition 215, the first U.S. medical marijuana law, in 1996. Today Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington have passed medical marijuana laws. Several other states are also considering legalizing medical marijuana.
U.S. Supreme Court Declines to Hear Medical Marijuana Case
On May, 18, 2009, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a dispute over California's medical marijuana law. Opponents of California's Compassionate Use Act argue that the law undermines federal drug laws. Last year, a California appeals court ruled that the state's medical marijuana law does not supersede federal drug laws.
The Fight for Reform and Medical Marijuana Continues
Currently marijuana activists are working for marijuana reform and fighting for medical marijuana laws. The U.S. National Institute of Health spent $1 million on medical research to investigate the therapeutic effects of synthetic chemicals that mimic the effects of smoking marijuana. At Temple University, research is also being done on synthetic marijuana.
Meanwhile, the U.S. government, which supposedly has no horse in the medical marijuana race, has patented medical marijuana. US Patent 6630507 was assigned to the United States of America, as represented by the Department of Health and Human services on October 7, 2003 and protects "Cannabinoids as antioxidants and neuroprotectants.
Medicinal Marijuana Debate
In recent years, the controversy over the use of marijuana for medical purposes has been debated in both political and medical arenas. Due to the social stigma that is attached to the recreational use of marijuana, the potential benefit that could result from its use as a medicine is being argued.
Medicinal Marijuana: The Benefits
There has been definite evidence that marijuana is beneficial:
• in the treatment of cancer to relieve the nausea caused by chemotherapy
• for AIDS wasting syndrome
• to relieve muscle spasms and tremors in people with multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injuries
• to treat glaucoma by reducing intraocular pressure
• to treat chronic pain
In 1986, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a drug in pill form which contains THC, a component found in marijuana, for treatment of the nausea due to cancer chemotherapy. It has been determined though that the pill, which is called Marinol (Dronabinol, THC), acts differently than smoked marijuana and is not as effective.
Marijuana also has been found useful in the treatment of arthritis. Aspirin, which is commonly used for arthritis is believed to cause more than 1,000 deaths annually in the United States. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which also are routinely used for arthritis treatment cause more than 7,600 annual deaths and 70,000 hospitalizations. The gastrointestinal complications of NSAIDs are the most commonly reported serious adverse drug reaction. Long-term use of Tylenol (acetaminophen) is thought to be one of the common causes of end-stage renal disease. Marijuana smoked several times a day is often as effective as NSAIDs or acetaminophen in arthritis treatment, and without any reports of death.
Medicinal Marijuana: The Potential Harm
The possible harmful effects of chronic marijuana use have been studied by federal government funded studies. In 1988, scientists found receptors for THC in the parts of the brain controlling:
• memory
• mood
• visual processing
• attentiveness
• the ability to filter out extraneous stimuli
This helped explain the effects on coordination and short-term memory. It also clarified the impossibility of taking a fatal dose of marijuana since there are hardly any THC receptors in portions of the brain that control consciousness and respiration.
For years the effect of marijuana on the respiratory system of long-term marijuana users was studied. It was revealed that smoking marijuana is even more damaging to the lungs than tobacco smoking. Marijuana smoke has 50 to 70 percent more known carcinogens than tobacco smoke. Marijuana smokers were found to have more microscopic damage to the lung's defense against inhaled contaminants and microbes, and also more precancerous cellular changes.
Schedule 1 vs. Schedule 2 Drug
Currently marijuana has the status of a Schedule 1 drug which means it is considered to be potentially addictive with no current medical use. It has been proposed that marijuana be changed to a Schedule 2 drug which means it would be considered potentially addictive with some accepted medical use. In 1986, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) held extensive hearings about the proposed change. The DEA's own administrative-law judge concluded "it would be unreasonable, arbitrary, and capricious for DEA to continue to stand between those sufferers and the benefits of this substance in light of the evidence". The DEA however overruled the judge's order to transfer marijuana to Schedule 2, and in 1992 issued a final rejection of all requests for reclassification.
Medicinal Marijuana: The Politics
For more than 25 years, the medical marijuana battle has been fought graciously by patients with cancer and glaucoma. The war has accelerated recently and has become more vocal. In 1976, following a lawsuit and weeks of tests at UCLA Robert Randall, who was suffering with glaucoma, became the first person to receive marijuana from the federal government. As years passed by, more tests and studies were showing that there was indeed a medical benefit to smoking marijuana. By 1991, the federal government, while still denying its benefit, was shipping marijuana to 12 people suffering from cancer nausea, glaucoma, chronic pain, and muscle spasms associated with multiple sclerosis. Randall encouraged AIDS patients to apply to use the unproven drug as he had. It was a program which Jimmy Carter had established after Randall's case went public. The FDA was suddenly swamped with thousands of unproven drug applications and approved about two dozen more patients by late 1991. However, the Public Health Service under George Bush stopped approving new participants and ended all marijuana research programs. The patients who had been approved but were still awaiting the drug were never to receive them. Today the government provides marijuana to only 8 of the original 12 patients. The other four have died. Bill Clinton has upheld the ban but added a provision that allows research into the medical benefits.
Proposition 200 and Proposition 215
In November of 1996, voters in Arizona and California approved propositions 200 and 215 respectively, allowing patients to smoke marijuana for medical purposes with a doctor's recommendation. Fifty-six percent of Californians favored Proposition 215, with 44 percent opposed. Arizona's proposition 200 won with a bigger margin, 65 percent to 35 percent. The initiatives won not due to a widespread desire for legalization of marijuana, but rather because of sympathy for the extremely ill patients and chronic pain sufferers. The California measure resembles laws twice passed by the state legislature previously, but vetoed by Governor Pete Wilson. Besides allowing patients to possess, grow, and consume marijuana on a doctor's recommendation, it stipulates that the patient's primary caregiver and the recommending doctor would be exempt from criminal sanctions. The Arizona proposition 200 promised an even larger impact by allowing doctors to prescribe any Schedule 1 drug if they site research supporting a medical application and obtain a concurring written approval from another doctor. The Arizona act also included many criminal justice provisions designed to "medicalize" the drug war.
Medicalization vs. Legalization
Under federal law it is still illegal to manufacture, use, possess, or distribute Schedule 1 drugs. Even patients complying with state laws and following doctor's orders are in violation of federal law. Opponents to the propositions have the view that medical-use laws will lead to legalization of marijuana. It is feared by opponents that as the nation struggles to educate teenagers not to use psychoactive drugs, they will be sent a contradictory message that drugs are good. Proponents find this alleged contradiction to be ludicrous. The marijuana proponents also counter that government policy on this issue is set by pharmaceutical manufacturers who stand to lose billions of dollars to a plant they cannot patent. Proponents feel medical professionals, not bureaucrats, should decide health care issues.
Works Cited
Bce, 2727. "Marijuana (Weed) History and Facts." Brainz — Learn Something New Today. Web. 30 Mar. 2011.
"Cannabis (drug)." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 30 Mar. 2011..
"Cannabis Foods." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 30 Mar. 2011..
"Cannabis Sativa." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 30 Mar. 2011..
Eustice, Carol. "Medicinal Marijuana - A Continuing Controversy Over Medicinal Marijuana." About Arthritis - Rheumatoid Arthritis - Osteoarthritis - Related Conditions. Web. 30 Mar. 2011..
"History of Marijuana - Cannabis Marijuana Seeds." Cannabis Seeds Buy Marijuana Seeds Online International Delivery. Web. 30 Mar. 2011..
"What Is Cannabis?" Web..
"Young Adult Health - Health Topics - Cannabis." CYH Home - Home. Web. 30 Mar. 2011..
“Medables” 31 Mar. 2011 < http://www.weedlistwa.com/Medables.html>
Cannabis, also known as marijuana among many other names, (weed, pot, grass, hemp) refers to any number of preparations of the Cannabis plant intended for use as a psychoactive drug.
Cannabis is one of the most unique and diverse hardiest plants on the planet. Cannabis grows on just about every continent. From the tropic climate of Africa, equatorial climate of Columbia and Mexico, to the northern climes of Afghanistan and highest mountain tops of the Kush region. Marijuana is also increasingly cultivated by means of indoor hydroponic technology.
Two very unique marijuana types exist. Cannabis indica and cannabis sativa. Cannabis indica is a short squat plant that grows best in northern climates. Some examples of cannabis indica include Afghani #1, Northern Lights, Hindu Kush and Hash Plant. Cannabis sativa is a tall lanky marijuana plant that requires a lengthy growing season such as those found in Mexico and Thailand. Examples of this marijuana strain are, Haze, Columbia Gold, Panama Red and Thai.
The word 'cannabis' refers to the plant itself, as well as the products that are used - the dried flowers, leaves, hash and hash oil.
The word marijuana comes from the Mexican Spanish word, marihuana. According to the United Nations, cannabis "is the most widely used illicit substance in the world."
Cannabis is used in four main forms: marijuana, hashish and hash oil.
• 'Marijuana' usually refers to the dried flowers ('heads' or buds) and leaves of the cannabis plant. It is the least potent of all the cannabis products and is usually smoked.
• Hashish (hash) is made from the resin (a secreted gum) of the cannabis plant. It is dried and pressed into small blocks and smoked. It can also be added to food and eaten. Hash oil, the most potent cannabis product, is thick oil obtained from hashish. It is also smoked.
• Hash oil is concentrated oil made from the cannabis plant.
• Cannabis foods (medables sounds almost like edibles) (including hash brownies and ganja goo balls) are food products made with cannabis in herbal or resin form as an ingredient. They are consumed as an alternate delivery means to experience the effects of cannabinoids without smoking marijuana or hashish. Instead, the cannabinoids are put into cake, cookie, brownie, or other foods, and are consumed for recreational or medicinal purposes. There are many different names and slang terms for the recipes. Prefixes such as hash, cannabis, weed, space, cosmic, freaky, magic, special, enhanced, medicated, fabricated, buffed, stimulated, stimmed, superskunk, evolved are added to the name of the food that they are prepared with: "hash cakes," "special brownies" etc.
A cannabis chef will create a weed concoction that is baked into cookies, cakes or even ice cream. These marijuana laced foods are excellent to ingest in public as no one will know your inhaling cannabis.
How is it used?
The flowers (and to a lesser extent the leaves, stems, and seeds) contain psychoactive and physiologically active chemical compounds known as cannabinoids that are consumed for recreational, medicinal, and spiritual purposes.
Cannabis is usually smoked in hand-rolled cigarettes (known as 'joints') or in special waterpipes ('bongs') or vaporizers. These pipes or bongs can be bought or made from things such as orange juice containers, soft drink cans, fruit such as apples and even toilet rolls.
Historically, tinctures, teas, and ointments have also been common preparations.
If smoked, cannabis usually affects the person quite quickly. When smoked, weed is a pleasant mood altering substance. Cannabis produces a euphoric effect known as marijuana high. Depending on the type of weed inhaled a user will either become energetic or lethargic. With the marijuana high lasting a variable amount of time. How long someone is 'stoned' is based on the marijuana plant's strength and tolerance level of the user.
Sometimes people will eat cannabis, mixed with other ingredients such as in biscuits (cookies) or cakes.
• If it is eaten, the effects take much longer to be felt, but can build up and get stronger over a longer time.
• It is much harder for someone to control the dose of the drug when cannabis is eaten.
What does cannabis do to you?
The main active ingredient in cannabis is called delta-9 tetrahydro-cannabinol, commonly known as THC. This is the part of the plant that gives you the 'high'. There is a wide range of THC potency between cannabis products. There are many other chemicals in cannabis, some of which also act on the brain.
Cannabis affects your mood, thinking, concentration, sense of time and memory.
Why do people use cannabis?
Cannabis can make people feel 'high' or 'stoned'. A group of young people gave the following reasons for why they use cannabis:
• for relaxation
• for socializing
• to relieve boredom
• to cope with stress
• For peer acceptance - eg. because all their friends use it
• to manage pain
• for the adventure of taking a risk
• to forget problems
• to experiment
• to rebel against adults, or have a secret from parents
• To help get to sleep.
Another reason that some people give for using cannabis is that they believe it can be helpful with certain illnesses.
Marijuana History
Though marijuana has been cultivated for thousands of years, only within the last 150 years has cannabis been prohibited
Cannabis has been used for thousands of years to relieve a variety of medical illnesses.
Most recently the oldest stash of marijuana was found in the mummified remains of a Shaman in China. Scientist estimates the marijuana to be from 2500 BC. Their efforts to germinate seeds from the cannabis stash failed (most marijuana seeds are only viable for about 5 years). However this is more excellent proof that pot has been used for thousands of years and its prohibition is ridiculous.
First Fabric Known to Man
The hemp plant, also called cannabis or marijuana, has been used around the world for thousands of years. Sometime around 7000 - 8000 BCE, the first fabric is believed to have been woven from dried hemp weed.
Cannabis Seeds Used as Food
The Chinese culture was first in discovering that marijuana was a viable substance around 6000 BC. They began by eating hemp seeds. By 2727 BCE, the Chinese documented the use of cannabis as a medication to treat a variety of health problems.They soon discovered how to weave hemp into fine fibers. They later grew the plant on a large scale for food and fiber.
Cannabis is Cultivated and Left as an Offering
In 1500 BCE Scythians started to cultivate cannabis for weaving cloth. Scythian tribes left cannabis seed offerings (700 - 300 BC) in the royal tombs as tributes to their gods. Nomadic Scythian tribes people brought marijuana seeds to Northern Europe around 500 BC. Remains of a Scythian urn containing dried marijuana leaves was unearthed in Berlin, Germany and dated from this time period.
"Sacred Grass" Named One of Five Sacred Plants in India
Cannabis "Sacred Grass" for spiritual enlightenment began between 1200 - 800 BC with the Hindu sacred text Athara Veda suggesting the marijuana plant is one of the five sacred plants of India that can be used as a sacramental offering to Shiva. The text explains how to make Bhang. A drink of dried cannabis leaves spices and milk. An ancient Persian text Zend-Avesta written by Zarathustra refers to Bhang as a "good narcotic."
Hemp Use Spreads Throughout Europe
The hemp plant was introduced into Northern Europe by the Scythians around 500 BCE over the next 400 years it spread throughout the subcontinent.
Cannabis Mentioned in the Jewish Talmud
Sometime around 500 - 600 CE, there was a mention of the euphoric properties on cannabis in the Jewish Talmud.
Smoking Cannabis Becomes Popular in the Middle East
Between 900 -1000 the use of cannabis spread throughout the Arab world. By the early 1200s, smoking marijuana had become very popular in the region. It was popular among Muslims, who are not permitted to drink alcohol.
Marijuana Comes to the New World
In 1492, Christopher Columbus brought Cannabis Sativa to America.
Farmers in America Required to Grow Hemp
From 1000 to 1500, the use of marijuana spread further. The French and British grew hemp in the colonies of Port Royal, Virginia and Plymouth. In 1619 a law was passed in Jamestown, Virginia Colony, which required farmers to grow hemp. Marijuana also became a major trade item between Central and South Asia during this time.
Presidential Marijuana
At Mount Vernon, George Washington grew hemp as his primary crop in 1797. Thomas Jefferson grew hemp as a secondary crop at Monticello.
Napoleon Bans Hemp
In 1798, Napoleon declared a total prohibition of hemp after realizing much of the Egyptian lower class were habitual smokers of marijuana.
Medical Cannabis Sold in the U.S.
In 1840, medicines with a cannabis base were available in U.S. pharmacies. Hashish was available in Persian pharmacies.
U.S. Receives the Gift of Marijuana
In 1876, the Sultan of Turkey gave marijuana to the United States as a gift. By 1880, Turkish smoking parlors were opened all over the northeastern U.S.
Food and Drug Administration Formed in the U.S.
In 1906, the Pure Food and Drug Act was passed in the U.S. and the Food and Drug Administration was formed. This was the first time drugs had any government oversight.
Ford's Hemp mobile
In 1908, Henry Ford made his first Model T with hemp plastic. The car was fueled with hemp ethanol.
Cannabis Prohibition Begins in the U.S.
California passed the first state marijuana law in 1913, but it was largely overlooked because it specifically addressed "preparations of hemp, or loco weed." Other state anti-marijuana law was passed in Utah in 1915, in Texas in 1919, Louisiana in 1924 and New York in 1927.
Cannabis Prohibition in Britain
In 1928, the recreational use of marijuana was banned in Britain.
Marijuana Ordinance Passed in El Paso
Marijuana came into the southwestern United States in the early 1900s with Mexican migrants who entered the country looking for work. Laborers enjoyed smoking marijuana after hard days in the fields. The local European Whites believed that marijuana gave the Mexicans "superhuman strength" and turned them into killers.
In 1914 in El Paso, some white men were allegedly attacked by a Mexican man who had "gone crazy" on supposedly "killer weed." Following the incident, the El Paso City Council passed an ordinance banning possession of marijuana. The law was more about controlling the local Mexican populace than controlling marijuana, as the predominantly white constituency did not like the Mexicans or their customs
Harry J. Anslinger Declares War on Marijuana
The federal government gave control of illegal drugs to the Treasury Department, which created the Federal Bureau of Narcotics. Harry J. Anslinger, a prohibitionist, became the first commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics in 1930. He held the position until 1962. Anslinger declared war on drugs and effectively shaped America's views about marijuana.
Marijuana Use Spreads to Major Cities
In the 1930s, bales of marijuana (called muggles), tea and reefer were arriving in southern port cities such as New Orleans via West Indian sailors. Jazz musicians travelled north and took marijuana with them, making reefer parties popular in many major cities along the way.
The Uniform State Narcotic Act
When it became too expensive for the Bureau to pursue all drug cases on its own, Anslinger tirelessly campaigned and lobbied for the passage of the Uniform State Narcotic Act, which would require states to police drug trafficking and commit state resources for the war on drugs. Only nine states initially agreed, so Anslinger launched a nationwide media campaign declaring marijuana causes temporary insanity. The ads featured young people smoking marijuana, then behaving recklessly, committing crimes, killing themselves and others or dying from marijuana use. The propaganda campaign was a success and all states signed on.
Reefer Madness
In 1936, the propaganda film "Reefer Madness" was made in an attempt to scare young Americans away from using marijuana. The film directly stated that smoking marijuana causes insanity. In the film, a woman smokes marijuana, then laughs while a man who has smoked marijuana beats a third person to death.
Marijuana Tax Stamp Act
Anslinger's propaganda campaign convinced the public that marijuana was in fact a "killer drug." Hysterical voters demanded action without seeing or hearing about any scientific research about marijuana or proof of the supposed harm that comes from smoking it.
On October 2, 1937, without any open debate, scientific enquiry, or political objection, President Roosevelt signed the Marijuana Tax Law. The law made it illegal to possess marijuana in the U.S. without a special tax stamp issued by the U.S. Treasury Department. In theory, growing and selling marijuana was still legal as long as you bought the government tax stamp for $1.00. However, the Treasury Department did not issue any tax stamps for marijuana, effectively making growing, selling and possessing marijuana illegal under the Act.
First Marijuana Conviction
On the very day the Marijuana Tax Stamp Act was passed, the FBI and Denver police raided the Lexington Hotel and arrested two people: Samuel R. Caldwell and Moses Baca. Three days later, Caldwell, a 58 year old unemployed laborer, became first person in the U.S. to be convicted of selling of marijuana without a tax stamp. He was sentenced to four years of hard labor in Leavenworth Penitentiary. Presiding Judge J Foster Symes, had previously stated that he considered marijuana to be the worst of all narcotics and vowed to impose harsh sentences for violations of the Marijuana Tax Act. Caldwell was also fined $1,000 for the two marijuana cigarettes that were found in his possession. Baca, who was his customer, was found guilty of possession of marijuana and was sentenced to 18 months in prison. Both men served their full sentences. Caldwell died a year after his release.
New York Mayor Takes a Stand Against Marijuana Prohibition
Fiorello La Guardia, the mayor of New York, spoke out against the Marijuana Tax Stamp Act, saying the majority of Americans did not want the law and it should be abolished. He was skeptical of the government's claims and propaganda touting marijuana as a dangerous, evil, killer narcotic. La Guardia commissioned a six-year study by a group of 31 impartial scientists. After an in-depth scientific analysis, researchers concluded that marijuana does not cause violent, psychotic episodes, is not responsible for anti-social behavior, does not cause uncontrollable sexual urges and does not alter a person's core personality structure.
In 1944, La Guardia's commission published a report of the findings, scientifically disproving all of Anslinger's propaganda and outlandish clams about the effects of smoking marijuana. Once again, Anslinger used his muscle with the press to discredit the report and destroyed every copy of the report he could. He then successfully blocked any further research by restricting the availability of marijuana.
Anslinger Targets Hollywood
Anslinger then began digging up dirt on anti-prohibitionists, and took special aim at the entertainment industry. Hollywood buckled under the pressure and gave Anslinger personal control over movie scripts that mentioned drugs. Any movie that Anslinger felt sent the wrong message was banned.
The Marijuana Propaganda Continues in the 1950s
In the 1950s, Anslinger used a new scare tactic by producing propaganda claiming that marijuana was a gateway drug to heroin. Americans were concerned about a growing number of teens using heroin, so Anslinger used that concern as an opening to push his marijuana message once again. The media circulated the myth that most heroin-addicts were led down the path to disaster by marijuana and that most marijuana users become addicted to harder drugs.
Boggs Act Increases Drug Penalties
In 1951, Anslinger supported an amendment to the Harrison Narcotic Act, introduced by Senator Hale Boggs that would dramatically increase mandatory drug sentences. Boggs said that harsh sentences were needed for all drug offenses because drugs were a tool of Communist China. Truman signed the Boggs Act.
Narcotic Control Act of 1956
On a roll, Anslinger then pushed for even tougher drug laws and got President Eisenhower on board. The Narcotic Control Act put marijuana in the same drug class as heroin and added more severe penalties. A first conviction of possession of marijuana was punishable by a mandatory two to 10 years in prison. State drug laws also toughened up. In Missouri, a second conviction for possession of marijuana was eligible for a life sentence.
Anslinger Targets the United Nations
Propelled by his success in criminalizing marijuana and adding teeth to drug laws, Anslinger set his sights higher and went to the U.N. In 1961, Using the then-considerable influence of the United States, he convinced over 100 countries to consolidate their drug agreements into a single convention that would make marijuana illegal around the world. Anslinger was honored by JFK at his retirement in 1962.
1960s Anti-Drug Propaganda
In the 1960s, anti-drug propaganda was widely distributed with the message that smoking marijuana would not only make you lazy and irresponsible, but that you were also out of touch with reality and a threat to national security.
Dr. Leo E. Hollister, the associate chief of staff and the Palo Alto Veterans Hospital in California conducted a study of the effects of marijuana and concluded that smoking marijuana makes people happy, friendly, intoxicated and sleepy. He found no reason to believe that smoking pot made people aggressive or led to addiction to other drugs.
Marijuana Culture is Born in the U.S.
Despite the propaganda, marijuana increased in popularity on college campuses across the country. Students spoke out about their marijuana use and gradually changed the public's perception of the drug. By 1965, an estimated 1 million Americans had tried marijuana. With events like Woodstock and popular groups such as the Grateful Dead, smoking marijuana became a part of pop-culture. By 1972, approximately 24 million Americans had tried marijuana.
Nixon's War on Drugs
Nixon won the election on a campaign-platform for restoring law and order in the country. Since most criminal violations are handled by the states, he found that drug laws could allow him to be most effective. He launched Operation Intercept. Two thousand customs agents were deployed along the Mexican border in a military-style search and seizure mission to stop the flow of marijuana. Virtually no marijuana was found among the 5 million people who were searched and after three weeks the operation was abandoned. Nixon then decided to concentrate on police training to fight the war against marijuana. Almost immediately, marijuan-related arrests and convictions increased dramatically.
Don Crowe Sentenced to 50 Years
Twenty-five year old Vietnam veteran Don Crowe was convicted of selling marijuana to an undercover cop. It was his first offense and the amount of marijuana was under an ounce. He was sentenced to 50 years in prison.
The Controlled Substances Act
There was a push for marijuana reform as the public began to realize that marijuana laws were not effective and that the penalties were too harsh. A big wake-up call for many middle-class people was the fact that their own kids were the top demographic for arrests and prosecution. At a Senate hearing on marijuana legislation in 1969, Dr. Stanley Yolles estimated that 8 to 12 million people in the United States smoked marijuana and urged Congress to abolish mandatory minimum sentencing for drug offenses. Congress took the advice and passed Controlled Substances Act which eliminated mandatory minimums and reduced penalties for possession of marijuana.
The National Commission on Marijuana and Drug Abuse Report
Nixon continued his anti-drug crusade. He enlisted celebrities and used the media to spread the message, as well as funded a new study to identify the dangers of marijuana. Researchers found that using marijuana did not lead to crime, and that laws were selectively enforced and police targeted people with a certain look. They also found the cost of attempting to enforce marijuana laws far outweighed any deterrent effect of that enforcement.
In 1972, The National Commission on Marijuana and Drug Abuse released a report which would be the most comprehensive study on marijuana ever done. The commission took the position that smoking marijuana in one's own home should not be criminalized. Nixon threw the report in the garbage can without ever reading it.
DEA is Born
Nixon did not give up, and pushed forward with his war against marijuana. In 1972, all of the government's existing drug agencies were combined into one super-powerful agency, the Drug Enforcement Agency. The DEA was given the authority to enter homes without knocking, use wiretaps and gather intelligence on anyone.
Marijuana Activism
In the 1970s, smoking marijuana became popular among middle-class adults, and activists revamped the movement for decriminalization.
The Reagan Administration's War on Drugs
In the 1980s, the Reagan administration launched its own war on drugs. An average of one person every 38 seconds was arrested for violating marijuana laws.
Judge Francis Law Recommends Reclassifying Marijuana as a Prescription Drug
Judge Francis Law, a DEA administrative law judge, held hearings on the medical benefits of marijuana. He found that marijuana has a clearly established medical use and recommended that it be reclassified as a prescription drug. However, no action was taken to reclassify marijuana based on Law's findings.
First U.S. Medical Marijuana Law Passed
Although Canada became the first country in the world to legalize medical marijuana in 2003, the U.S. Federal Government has been resistant to changing marijuana laws. California passed Proposition 215, the first U.S. medical marijuana law, in 1996. Today Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington have passed medical marijuana laws. Several other states are also considering legalizing medical marijuana.
U.S. Supreme Court Declines to Hear Medical Marijuana Case
On May, 18, 2009, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a dispute over California's medical marijuana law. Opponents of California's Compassionate Use Act argue that the law undermines federal drug laws. Last year, a California appeals court ruled that the state's medical marijuana law does not supersede federal drug laws.
The Fight for Reform and Medical Marijuana Continues
Currently marijuana activists are working for marijuana reform and fighting for medical marijuana laws. The U.S. National Institute of Health spent $1 million on medical research to investigate the therapeutic effects of synthetic chemicals that mimic the effects of smoking marijuana. At Temple University, research is also being done on synthetic marijuana.
Meanwhile, the U.S. government, which supposedly has no horse in the medical marijuana race, has patented medical marijuana. US Patent 6630507 was assigned to the United States of America, as represented by the Department of Health and Human services on October 7, 2003 and protects "Cannabinoids as antioxidants and neuroprotectants.
Medicinal Marijuana Debate
In recent years, the controversy over the use of marijuana for medical purposes has been debated in both political and medical arenas. Due to the social stigma that is attached to the recreational use of marijuana, the potential benefit that could result from its use as a medicine is being argued.
Medicinal Marijuana: The Benefits
There has been definite evidence that marijuana is beneficial:
• in the treatment of cancer to relieve the nausea caused by chemotherapy
• for AIDS wasting syndrome
• to relieve muscle spasms and tremors in people with multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injuries
• to treat glaucoma by reducing intraocular pressure
• to treat chronic pain
In 1986, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a drug in pill form which contains THC, a component found in marijuana, for treatment of the nausea due to cancer chemotherapy. It has been determined though that the pill, which is called Marinol (Dronabinol, THC), acts differently than smoked marijuana and is not as effective.
Marijuana also has been found useful in the treatment of arthritis. Aspirin, which is commonly used for arthritis is believed to cause more than 1,000 deaths annually in the United States. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which also are routinely used for arthritis treatment cause more than 7,600 annual deaths and 70,000 hospitalizations. The gastrointestinal complications of NSAIDs are the most commonly reported serious adverse drug reaction. Long-term use of Tylenol (acetaminophen) is thought to be one of the common causes of end-stage renal disease. Marijuana smoked several times a day is often as effective as NSAIDs or acetaminophen in arthritis treatment, and without any reports of death.
Medicinal Marijuana: The Potential Harm
The possible harmful effects of chronic marijuana use have been studied by federal government funded studies. In 1988, scientists found receptors for THC in the parts of the brain controlling:
• memory
• mood
• visual processing
• attentiveness
• the ability to filter out extraneous stimuli
This helped explain the effects on coordination and short-term memory. It also clarified the impossibility of taking a fatal dose of marijuana since there are hardly any THC receptors in portions of the brain that control consciousness and respiration.
For years the effect of marijuana on the respiratory system of long-term marijuana users was studied. It was revealed that smoking marijuana is even more damaging to the lungs than tobacco smoking. Marijuana smoke has 50 to 70 percent more known carcinogens than tobacco smoke. Marijuana smokers were found to have more microscopic damage to the lung's defense against inhaled contaminants and microbes, and also more precancerous cellular changes.
Schedule 1 vs. Schedule 2 Drug
Currently marijuana has the status of a Schedule 1 drug which means it is considered to be potentially addictive with no current medical use. It has been proposed that marijuana be changed to a Schedule 2 drug which means it would be considered potentially addictive with some accepted medical use. In 1986, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) held extensive hearings about the proposed change. The DEA's own administrative-law judge concluded "it would be unreasonable, arbitrary, and capricious for DEA to continue to stand between those sufferers and the benefits of this substance in light of the evidence". The DEA however overruled the judge's order to transfer marijuana to Schedule 2, and in 1992 issued a final rejection of all requests for reclassification.
Medicinal Marijuana: The Politics
For more than 25 years, the medical marijuana battle has been fought graciously by patients with cancer and glaucoma. The war has accelerated recently and has become more vocal. In 1976, following a lawsuit and weeks of tests at UCLA Robert Randall, who was suffering with glaucoma, became the first person to receive marijuana from the federal government. As years passed by, more tests and studies were showing that there was indeed a medical benefit to smoking marijuana. By 1991, the federal government, while still denying its benefit, was shipping marijuana to 12 people suffering from cancer nausea, glaucoma, chronic pain, and muscle spasms associated with multiple sclerosis. Randall encouraged AIDS patients to apply to use the unproven drug as he had. It was a program which Jimmy Carter had established after Randall's case went public. The FDA was suddenly swamped with thousands of unproven drug applications and approved about two dozen more patients by late 1991. However, the Public Health Service under George Bush stopped approving new participants and ended all marijuana research programs. The patients who had been approved but were still awaiting the drug were never to receive them. Today the government provides marijuana to only 8 of the original 12 patients. The other four have died. Bill Clinton has upheld the ban but added a provision that allows research into the medical benefits.
Proposition 200 and Proposition 215
In November of 1996, voters in Arizona and California approved propositions 200 and 215 respectively, allowing patients to smoke marijuana for medical purposes with a doctor's recommendation. Fifty-six percent of Californians favored Proposition 215, with 44 percent opposed. Arizona's proposition 200 won with a bigger margin, 65 percent to 35 percent. The initiatives won not due to a widespread desire for legalization of marijuana, but rather because of sympathy for the extremely ill patients and chronic pain sufferers. The California measure resembles laws twice passed by the state legislature previously, but vetoed by Governor Pete Wilson. Besides allowing patients to possess, grow, and consume marijuana on a doctor's recommendation, it stipulates that the patient's primary caregiver and the recommending doctor would be exempt from criminal sanctions. The Arizona proposition 200 promised an even larger impact by allowing doctors to prescribe any Schedule 1 drug if they site research supporting a medical application and obtain a concurring written approval from another doctor. The Arizona act also included many criminal justice provisions designed to "medicalize" the drug war.
Medicalization vs. Legalization
Under federal law it is still illegal to manufacture, use, possess, or distribute Schedule 1 drugs. Even patients complying with state laws and following doctor's orders are in violation of federal law. Opponents to the propositions have the view that medical-use laws will lead to legalization of marijuana. It is feared by opponents that as the nation struggles to educate teenagers not to use psychoactive drugs, they will be sent a contradictory message that drugs are good. Proponents find this alleged contradiction to be ludicrous. The marijuana proponents also counter that government policy on this issue is set by pharmaceutical manufacturers who stand to lose billions of dollars to a plant they cannot patent. Proponents feel medical professionals, not bureaucrats, should decide health care issues.
Works Cited
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"Cannabis Sativa." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 30 Mar. 2011.
Eustice, Carol. "Medicinal Marijuana - A Continuing Controversy Over Medicinal Marijuana." About Arthritis - Rheumatoid Arthritis - Osteoarthritis - Related Conditions. Web. 30 Mar. 2011.
"History of Marijuana - Cannabis Marijuana Seeds." Cannabis Seeds Buy Marijuana Seeds Online International Delivery. Web. 30 Mar. 2011.
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"Young Adult Health - Health Topics - Cannabis." CYH Home - Home. Web. 30 Mar. 2011.
“Medables” 31 Mar. 2011 < http://www.weedlistwa.com/Medables.html>
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