NORML Canada old website archive. (signing off 4 September 2004)

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New NORML Canada website now active! Please click here for NORML.CA.

Ninth Article Video Download Archive

Ninth Article Productions

tape 1 - short version - Legal Marijuana in Holland; We Aren't Criminals; The Dutch Moral Majority Speak (63 and 10 minute versions, plus many other videos).

List of videos to download and/or watch: click here
The Anti-Fascist Chronicles.
For Old NORML Canada website, the one maintained by me 1996-2004, click here, but if your browser isn't ready, SCROLL DOWN.
NEW! Another old NORML Canada website, the one maintained by another volunteer web maintainer from August 1997 to about March or April 1998, whose name was Norman Hale. During this periiod NORML Canada enjoyed two major successes: 1)The Cann-Abyss Bus project and a series of fund raisers partly to benefit NORML Canada and other groups, and 2)Terry Parker's legal victory, Canada's first legal marijuana user. Terry Parker's case, of course won on its own merits and defense, but NORML and Umberto Iorfida deserve some credit, especially in the earlier mid-late 1980's period. Ironically, Norman didn't post much about either event; that task fell to me who returned in March or April 1998 as a volunteer, just like Norman had been. But Norman and Umberto 3) compiled the list of NORML Canada milestones since the organization was begun in 1972, or earlier.
Early NORML Canada BBS system. NORML Canada was on the internet prior to 1996 with a fully functional BBS system, and Umberto Iorfida, former president, just sent me a clipping of an article announcing the BBS back in 1993. BBS means Bulletin Board System. Prior to the World Wide Web, the internet existed with other media types, such as TEXT FILES in a simple directory system. Automatic multi-media presentation had not begun yet. That's what the WWW really is, of course; an automated multi-media BBS system.

Notice that the baud rate, dial up or course, was the blistering speed of 1200 baud or, hold on to your hat, 2400 baud (that's 1.2 kbs versus today's 56 kbs dial-up or much higher broadband). Broadband terminal connections in those days was very rare unless you were a giant corporation or the government, though mainframes may have already been connected by broadband. There are still vast areas of the U.S. in 2005 without routine access to broadband other than the occasonal and rare satellite broadband connection.

Email, chat, BBS file systems, various automated indexing and file functions, airline reservation systems, FAA weather reports and flight plan filings, and all sorts of news groups about drug policy reform and other subjects also already existed over the internet. AOL, Compuserve, Delphi, and many other dial-up services were available to the general public (at speeds up to 9600Kbs were routine in 1993 also by dial-up), and the general public had access to all sorts of alternative BBS systems all over the world via the internet prior to the WWW. Porno images were also being stored and retrieved by dial-up internet access. A lot of fringe journalism was starting to use the internet to get out messages that the main media had ignored up to that time. Audio files were common already, perhaps even video.
The WWW was also breaking in 1993, it was just beginning. The first browsers were just becoming available about the time that NORML Canada floundered momentarily in its police raid/court case for a few years, ultimately to prevail by winning out for free speech, supposedly, in the 462.2 court case. But how can the U.S./Canadian border be so constricted? It's a real heart attack zone.

Keep Searching.

NORML CANADA HOMEPAGE

New NORML Canada website now active! Please click here for http://www.norml.ca THIS NORML Canada website is now just an archive. It will no longer be updated from this date.

Very Top, Top of Page, STUDIES, FEATURES, HEADLINES, CANNABIS COFFEE SHOPS, MAIN MENU, STUDY ABROAD

STILL MAINTAINED:

CLICK HERE for the ANTI-FASCIST CHRONICLES!

BEST OF NORML CANADA <<< Jan. 1996 - Jan . 2000 with a brief   gap by >>> <<< this web maintainer from about Aug.'97-Mar. '98 >>>
<<< Website restarted July 30, 2002 >>>

To reach NORML Canada now :
NORML Canada
2459 Pauline St.
Abbotsford, BC V2S 3S1
Canada
Phone: (604) 852-5110
Fax: (604) 859-3361
Contact: John Conroy
E-mail: jconroy@johnconroy.com

Attorney John Conroy's web site : http://www.johnconroy.com
Canadian Prison Law : http://www.canadianprisonlaw.com

or go to the NORML U.S. web site in Washington, D.C. : norml.org

N ATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR THE REPEAL OF THE MARIJUANA L AWS IN CANADA (aka "National Organization for the Reform of the Marijuana Laws in Canada")

Renee Boje, Umberto Iorfida, Ross Rebagliati, Terry Parker
FOUR NON-CRIMINAL CANADIANS WITH A NORMAL HABIT
Umberto Iorfida (aka "The CoFFee_MonsTer") Says, "Help Us Re-Legalize Marijuana."
"Join and/or contribute to NORML Canada Today."

SPECIAL HEADLINES ::: REGULAR HEADLINES

(Go to Top of Page, Main Menu, Features, Old News, Really Old News, Studies, Medical, Legal Committee, Advisory Board, or Donations)

Quick Links to other websites : Lots and Lots of News at : H.U.M.A.N. - Hemp Users Medical Access Network, Toronto Medical Marijuana – The who’s who within the Toronto Medical Marijuana movement, Hempworks , Amsterdams first and best HEMP STORE. Jack Herer's website, Hemp Evolution: an active website for a change!, Cannabis Consumers' Page, High Times Activist Links Page, Cannabis News Dot Com, U.K. registered cannabis legalisation organization, the LCA or Legalise Cannabis Alliance , Get yourself educated about Cannabis Sativa at The Cannabis College in Amsterdam, The-Insight.com - A Spirituality Web Directory, Georgians (U.S.) Opposed to Prohibition (goplobby), NORML U.S, world news from Cannabis Culture magazine, marijuananews.com, the Drug Reform Coordination Network (DRCnet.org), the news section of the Vancouver Compassion Club, High Times magazine, the Alabama Marijuana Party website(s): here's one , here's another, another, and and finally, another. For a collection of relevant articles on harm reduction and drug policy reform (legalization/decriminalization/medicalization of illicit drugs), by leading thinkers worldwide, go to Mario Lap's drugtext , for the CFDP (the Canadian Foundation for Drug Policy), click here, for medical marijuana in Europe, go to the (SIMM) Institute of Medical Marijuana in Europe (Rotterdam, the Netherlands) , the real Sam Smith's Progressive Review (since 1964), New Zeeland comprehensive reform group at www.mildgreens.com , Carl Olsen's original website (Iowa NORML, etc.), C.A.M.P. : Coalition for the Abolition of Marijuana Prohibition - this org. has deep roots in the yippie/hippie marijuana movement of the 1960's (the pre-NORML era), all sorts of information from Central and South America at Narconews, Cannabis Information in Belgium, www.420times.com , Amsterdam links, marijuana.com, the authors of California's proposition 215 group (www.marijuana.org), Carl Olsen's NORML weekly bulletins from U. S. NORML, Iowa NORML's new website, Preston Peet's www.drugwar.com, the drug policy alliance, religious leaders for a more just and compassionate drug policy , the Hyperreal Rave Archive and their associated site, "The Vaults of Erowid ", Erowid's great cannabis archive, Students for a more Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP), Forfeiture Endangers American Rights (FEAR), the November Coalition, Just Say Blow, No More Prisons, the Media Awareness Project (MAP), Yahooka Marijuana Links, Christians for Cannabis, Canadian Cannabis Links at cannabislink.ca, Radio Netherlands page on legalizing marijuna (in Spanish ???), Beyond the Illusion (Major Mirror Site), and daweedking's marijuana website, The Assembly of the Church of the Universe, Federation of Swiss Cannabis Consumers, Dutch Magazine about Cannabis and Coffee Shops : (www.highlife.nl) , Legalize (Holland), Legalize (Israel), a great Dutch cannabis site (Aloha.nl), Parents Against Prohibition, another parents oriented site : www.changetheclimate.org.

SPECIAL HEADLINES, skip to REGULAR HEADLINES , Links , Main Menu , Top of Page.

(14 July '05) I removed the news item about Marc Emery getting arrested and jailed for passing a joint recently since it seems like a sour experience for anyone to remember. I would rather not remind people of it, and I don't think it should be the last news item posted from this deactivated archive.

(18 August '04 SIMM, The Times (U.K.)) The Stichting Institute of Medical Marijuana (SIMM) seems to be on the brink of collapse, according to James Burton. The cannabis coffeeshop seems to be preferred by medical users to obtain their pot. Part 2 of SIMM article, Part 3, and Part 4.

(13 August '04 NORML U.S.) Zero-Tolerance Driving Under the Influence of Pot Laws attacked by researchers who propose new guidelines based on actual (rather than imaginary) impairment. But HEY! There seems to be no real impairment from pot according to Australian researchers who found a negative correlation between pot use and accidents.

(8 August '04 DrugSenseWeekly via Cannabis Culture) State Medical Marijuana Initiatives when implemented, do absolutely nothing for the typical casual marijuana user when arrested, says John Gettman. Yes John, but the positive public relations and greater acceptance of medical pot by the general public have helped the cause of legality to some extent. In some areas of the U.S., regardless of the law, authorities are ignoring casual marijuana usage to some extent. For example, in parts of Jeb Bush's state, Florida, I've seen quite a bit of nearly open pot usage and lots of books, bongs, papers, and magazines being sold that are extremely pro-pot; likewise, in North Carolina.
I applaud the fact that Gettman seeks clarity and closure. But it was President William Jefferson Clinton who, on Dec. 7, 2000, called for decriminalization. Decrim. is slightly different in different places, though. I prefer the "hands-off" variety of decrim.

(9 June '04 Cannabis Culture) The Liberals and NDP are said to have won the last election in Canada. Here's an article about Nice Smelling Things sold by the Blue Bird Coffeeshop; Amsterdam.

(6 June '04 NORML U.S.) Vancouver Island Medical Pot Dispensary Raided by RCMP. Since rumours of "B.C. Bud" abound everywhere, especially in the U.S.; the issue isn't availability of pot, it's the attack on legitimate medical use of pot. Todd McCormick and all the other medical users that I have met were not faking the results of their use of pot as medicine that I could see. I believe generally that medical pot is completely legitimate, though certainly not the full answer to the illegality problem with pot.

(posted26 May '04 Cannabis Culture) Pot Protest on Parliament Hill Set for June 5, 2004.

(14 May 2004 www.marijuananews.com) British Medical Journal, the Lancet, Reports No Causal Relationship between marijuana use and psycho-social problems. Researchers thought that illegality caused the problems.

(14 May '04 Cannabis Culture) Sri Lanka to Legalize Marijuana in the ayurvedic medical tradition.

(13 May '04 www.cannabisnews.com) Moscow Pot Users Maybe Still Caught, but No Longer Jailed.

(posted 4 May '04 www.google.com search for "herbalist charter") Here's an April 28, 2004 New Zealand message from 1776 incorporated societies OPPOSING ANY GOVERNMENT REGULATION OF HERBAL MEDICINE PRACTITIONERS! And they base their opposition partly upon Henry VIII's charter of 1542 and the Magna Carta of 1215! Major Revolt! (Nothing in this says anything about pot, but I think it's implicit that it is included. King Henry spoke of "sorcery", and "witches", the very devilish type things which pot-haters like to claim. In the scientific age of today, which was just beginning when Henry VIII made his decree, there's no room for silly supersticious (sic (I like that spelling more than "superstitious".)) beliefs, so "sorcery" may have referred to the amazingly curative powers of various herbs like pot.)

(21 April '04 CNN) No Prosecutions for Medical Marijuana Provider in Santa Cruz, CA.

Article about Marc Emery's recent arrest, etc., was removed since Cannabis Culture also removed theirs. I'm not in daily contact with anyone in Canada, so I have no idea what happened up there.

(5 March '04 stopthedrugwar.org) New Democrat Party Leaders Endorse Legalization of Pot; Beyond Decriminalization.

(19 February 2004 NORML U.S.) Jamaican Parliament to Debate Ganja Decriminalization.

(17 February 2004 NORML U.S./Globe and Mail) 3 Home Grown Pot Plants Minor Ticketable Offense Under Liberal Law Proposals.

(10 February 2004 ) Canadian Immigration is Enforcing 462.2 at the Border according to reports filtering in to NORML Canada. (Actually, there had been earlier reports in High Times, for example, about extremely strict border attitudes concerning pot associated literature or clothing with hemp-leaf emblems, etc., at the Canadian border.)

(9 February 2004 ) A Canadian Thinker sent me this legal challenge to pot prohibition.

(23 December 2003 www.canada.com/vancouver) Link to this one from marijuananews.com Note: I didn't know this article had been removed. I will look for a replacement soon. (3/4/2004)Parliament May Criminalize Pot Usage Rules Supreme Court of Canada (SCC). I'm disappointed. Kicks the ball back to Paul Martin and Parliament, etc. Where's the unbiased media? But in all likelihood, regardless, Vancouver and other progressive cities and jurisdictions will probably continue to have some flexibility in the direction of decrim. or semi-legality, let's hope. And then there's alway medical pot for those with certain conditions.Note: I didn't know this article had been removed. I will look for a replacement soon. (3/4/2004)

(22 December 2003 NORML/MAPI/Medicine Hat News, Cannabis Culture) Supreme Court of Canada to Rule on Non-Medical Pot Usage Tuesday Dec. 23rd. Cannabis Culture's similar article.

(26 November 2003 NORML U.S.) NORML Addresses the Parliament of Jamaica in Support of Marijuana Law Reform.

(3 November 2003 Cannabis Culture) In Ontario, Legal Medical Pot User Dies Making Medicine.

(30 October 2003 NORML U.S.) NORML Officially Advises Jamaican Parliamentary Committee of the Benefits of Decriminalizing Marijuana.

(29 October 2003 BBC via HighTimes newslink) Pot Decriminalised in Britain.

NOTE: After consulting with NORML U.S. by email, I decided to remove the "Tennessee Decriminalizes Marijuana" item.

(16 October 2003 ) If P.M. Jean Cretien Scores Any Weed, He should know that he may have to try 5 - 10 days of straight smoking before he feels anything. Also, he should probably abstain from any wine or alcohol for about 24 hours before trying the pot. Be prepared to feel like lying down and taking a nap, also. If there is any drowsiness, it can be controlled by drinking some coffee of slapping the face. Better not to make a joint using any added tobacco. Some people get dizzy from that combination. Also, better abstain from compulsory activity of any kind on that day, other than reading, watching TV, listening to music, or walking around the palace, etc. Visiting an art museum might be a nice thing to do. Better to go outside than stay inside. Driving on the High way? If he drives, make sure he pushes the accelerator a little harder than normal. New pot users driving tend to go about 1/2 the speed limit.

(15 October 2003 Guardian Unlimited (UK) via High Times) Major Decision for U.S.: U.S. Supreme Court OK's States' Rights to Medical Marijuana.

(15 October 2003 Cannabis Culture) Cannabis Cafe set to open in Saint John's, New Brunswick, Canada

(9 October 2003 www.canada.com, etc.) Is he going to declare himself ill first? P.M. Chretien, by Putting His Foot in His Mouth on Oct. 6 May Have Helped Our Cause. (I have 100% respect for any "medical" pot user, but so far the P.M. has not mentioned having any of the particularly well known ailments associated with the medical use of pot.) We should help the guy out a bit! So this guy, the leader of Canada, had no idea of the upcoming ruling. Does Canada have separation of powers or what? Maybe the Supreme Court of Canada will Dis-Embarrass the Prime Minister Soon. Let's Hope. Here's a recent article from canada.com (linked from High Times) reporting that the Liberals are trying to rush a bill through now to decriminalize pot. Will Canadians caught/convicted for possession still be kept from entering the U.S. without special pardons???

(7 October 2003 CBC Radio (shortwave)) Ontario Court of Appeal Rules in Favor of More Medical Access and Legitimacy; Setback for Casual Non-Medical Users in Ontario, apparently. For now, courts in Ontario can apparently jail, fine, or whatever to caught pot users. Depending on the choices made by the various defendents involved, the cases involved in today's ruling will probably be added to the roster of cases to be reviewed by the Supreme Court of Canada in their upcoming pivotal decision(s). Article from Cannabis Culture magazine.

(6 October 2003 Cannabis Culture/Globe and Mail.) P.M. Jean Chretien Says Soon He May Try Pot.

(12 September 2003 Cannabis Culture) B.C. Throws Out Pot Possession Law.

(2 September '03 Radio Netherlands) Dutch Government announces government distribution through pharmacies of certified medical pot, by prescription only. If you routinely visit the NORML Canda website, you would have known that already about 10 months ago. But now the SIMM no longer supplies pot at low price directly to patients. Same item , (1 Sept. Reuters) sent by James Burton, founder of the SIMM in Rotterdam, Holland. Other news items about the Stichting Institute of Medical Marijuana. Also, the Dutch government has reduced the number of diseases which qualify a person to get prescription pot. The California "list" is much longer than the Dutch list.

(20 August 2003 NORML Canada web maint.) MAJOR CRACKDOWN ON N.W. FLORIDA DRUG DEALERS in process. (Word on the street: "Don't worry, they're mostly (civilian) meth dealers. Even narks around here tend to be pro-pot.") Pro-American and compassionate reporters sound the alarm; WJHG-TV (NBC), Channel-7, Panama City Beach, Florida, a CNN affiliate, warns hourly on CNN Headline News/Local News Bulletin slot. Paul Revere is smiling from above. But there are already 77,000 incarcerated in Florida alone. The sacred-status of the incarceration industry in the U.S. will not be questioned, no matter what. Newly built but empty cells will be filled, and soon.

(20 August 2003 John Conroy, Attorney; NORML Canada president) More Cases Added in Pot Prohibition Appeals to the Supreme Court of Canada. See "cases" on front page of website.

(17 August 2003 Cannabis Culture/MAP/Prince George Free Press) Marc Emery's Passionate Protests Provoked No Arrests from some RCMP and Cops, but he was arrested in many cities, and held in "leg irons" in Regina, Saskatchewan. I hope he wins every case he's got himself into, and boy, he's gotten into a lot of hot water over the past few weeks in 5 out of 9 Canadian provinces. Good Luck Marc. Marc is trying to establish clear victory for legal marijuana in Canada so that no penalties are applied to persons for possession and use. Ever heard of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms? Is there any legitimate reason to deprive any non-violent person, even large scale traffickers of any fundamental right or freedom? Let's pressure the U.S. to end the pot blacklist which prevents hundreds of thousands of Canadians from passing into the U.S.!

(14 August 2003 Panama City News Herald (FL)) Jeb Bush/Florida Legislature Expand Gulag System in Recesson Hit Florida. Headline: "Prison beds mean area jobs".

(13 August 2003 Cannabis Culture/MAP/Seattle Weekly) Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, or LEAP, tells the story of loyalty to decency and compassion, and speaks out against the often cruel, ineffective, and inhumane drug war.

(11 July 2003 MAP/This Week Online with DRCNet) Fairbanks, Alaska Superior Judge Upholds 1975 Legal Marijuana Ruling.

(posted 8 July 2003 www.cannabisculture.com) "The Decrim that Never Was", says Attorneys John Conroy, Alan Young , others, in a recent Cannabis Culture article. But very few are being arrested and prosecuted in most parts of Canada. Even pot dealers in B.C. rarely see jail time. Cops usually confiscate the stuff without writing tickets.

(21 June 2003 www.cannabisnews.com) Attorney John Conroy says, Proposed New Pot Laws in Canadian Parliament Continue to Criminalize Cannabis Culture!

(19 June 2003 www.cannabisculture.com) Overview of the Marijuana Situation in Canada as Summer Approaches. Very few are being arrested and prosecuted in most parts of Canada. Even pot dealers in B.C. rarely see jail time. Cops usually confiscate the stuff without writing tickets.

(15 June 2003 www.cannabisnews.com/Ottawa Citizen) Canadian Justice Department Claims They Can Still Prosecute With an Invalid Law. Mutterings, Mutterings, Mutterings, from North of the U.S. Border about Cannabis Laws. What Cannabis Laws???

(13 June 2003 NORML) Ontario Court Of Appeals Judge Refuses To Suspend Ruling Voiding Pot Possession Laws.

(11 June 2003 www.drcnet.org) Belgium Legalizes Pot Possession (less than 3 grams may be possessed by adults). (correction: previous reports of decriminalized pot in Belgium are apparently in error.)

(27 May 2003 www.canada.com) Justice Minister Martin Cauchon Introduces Decriminalization Legislation.

(17 May 2003 www.drugwar.com/www.canada.com) January Pot Law Cancelation Upheld : Ontario Superior Court Justice Rogin Upholds Justice Phillip's Decision.

(15 May 2003 NORML U.S.)Canadians Again Delay Introducing Marijuana Decriminalization Legislation.

(8 May 2003 NORML U.S.) Latest Update to Challenge of Pot Laws before Canadian Supreme Court.

(22 April 2003 www.expatica.com) Legalise Marijuana : Most Dutch M.P.'s.

(14 April 2003 NORML Canada)On May 6, 2003, the Supreme Court of Canada will hear landmark cases for non-medical, simple possession of cannabis, when the cases of Randy Caine, David Malmo-Levine, and Chris Clay are scheduled. Randy Caine is represented by NORML Canada founder and current president, Attorney John Conroy. Your donations and support at this critical time would be greatly appreciated !

(16 March 2003 MPP/SIMM) Prescription Pot Available March 17 in Dutch Pharmacies, just like any other prescription. NORML Canada disagrees with the term "criminal" as a description of cannabis coffee shops in Holland, or elsewhere. But we totally agree that ill people should not have to pay the full retail price currently charged for marijuana in Holland.
Various items about Europe's first legal medical marijuana provider, the Stichting Institute of Medical Marijuana, Rotterdam.

(20 Feb. 2003 NORML U.S./Drug Policy Alliance) Belgium Legalizes Marijuana (less than 3 grams may be possessed by adults). Previous reports may have been in error by stating that they had decriminalized marijuana in Belgium.

(17 Feb. 2003 the Journal Gazette (IN)/NORML U.S.) White House Claims to be Questioning Drug War Finances/Successes . Bush administration claims it's taking a hard look at drug war industry.

(14 Feb. 2003 www.expatica.com/High Times) Belgium Moves to Legalize Marijuana, their Parliament passes new law. Supposedly, they had already decriminalized even very large amounts a few years ago. Trafficking in LARGE AMOUNTS, though, is still a mysterious area of inquiry. I think everybody still wants to know who is allowed to traffic marijuana since 99.9999% of marijuana is not grown by the typical user for himself. It comes from somewhere, but nobody knows where.

(13 Feb. 2003 NORML U.S.)Extreme Anti-Drug Ads Actually Promote Youth Drug Use Says U. S. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Another realization that prohibitionist policies are counterproductive.

(7 February '03 NORML U.S.) White House Appears to Slam DEA and ONDCP. It's important though to place blame with the creators of current policy : the U. S. Senate, the U. S. House of Representatives, and the 50 state legislatures, as well as the 50 state governors, the offices of President and Vice President. And how come the various state Supreme Courts and the U. S. Supreme Court have allowed such policies to continue to be enforced ? It's important to point out that families taking control of their kids in relation to drug use, rather than delegating that sphere to the "drug police", is actually a move in the right direction. Open dialogue about drugs will increase awareness in an area where communication and open dialogue were stifled, and where secretiveness used to predominate. What about legalizing drug use for adults ?

(Jan. 2003 ) Canadian Pot Prohibiton Crumbles. Recent Commentary by NORML Canada founder/current president Attorney John Conroy ; and Numerous Recent Articles.

(13 December '02 email from Umberto Iorfida) Pardons for Marijuana Convictees Now Available ! Contact Umberto Iorfida for more information. Call (905) 833-3167 or email u.iorfida@sympatico.ca. (National Pardon Centre ; 2000 Peel Street, suite 670 ; Montreal, Quebec. (tel. (514) 842-2411, ext. 227) Nov. 25, 2002 Canada Newswire News Release about Pardon Centre.

(10 December '02 Cannabis Culture/MAP/Vancouver Sun) Canadian House of Commons Committee Recommends Pot Decriminalization. Justice Minister Cauchon Predicts Changes in National Policy by Spring. NORML U. S. item, NORML U.S.' Second Item, Globe and Mail article.

(29 November '02 AOL/Reuters) Dutch (Cannabis) Coffee Shops Celebrate 30th Anniversary in Quiet Haarlem.

(21 November '02 fax from James Burton/phone interview by web maint.) Dutch Insurance "Ziekenfonds" to Pay for Prescription Pot from Burton's Stichting within 12 Months. Institute swamped with orders ; operating 18 hour work days !

(17 November '02 Globe & Mail) Larry Campbell Wins Landslide Victory in Vancouver Mayoral Race. Says safe injecting sites for Heroin addicts, harm reduction, number one priorities!

(23 Sept. '02 NORML Canada web maint.) James and Linda Burton, of the Dutch Stichting Institute of Medical Marijuana (SIMM), Announce 100% Organic, Greenhouse (Glasshouse) Grown, Toxin Tested, Government Licensed Production .

(13 Sept. '02 NORML) Top Court in Canada to Hear Arguments on Constitutionality of "casual marijuana usage" on Dec. 13. Contact NORML Canada president, Attorney John Conroy with any questions.

(4 Sept. '02 NORML U.S./MAP) Canadian Senate Committee Recommends Legalizing Marijuana (MAP item) in a manner similar to the current alcohol/tobacco scenario. (for NORML U.S.'s own archived news item, click here. A report on the latest feedback sent to the committee. The Senate Committee reports are located here.)

(14 August 2002 NORML Canada) Who Supplied the First Legal Medical Marijuana in the Netherlands and Europe ?

(7 December 2000 NORML U.S./Iowa NORML/Carl Olsen Archives) U. S. President William Jefferson Clinton Calls for the Decriminalization of Marijuana in Rolling Stone Magazine.

(19 Feb., 1999 USA TODAY, domestic edition) DEA CHIEF THOMAS CONSTANTINE announces "... U. S. Has Neither the Will nor the Resources to Win the Drug War.... "    Is this the door opening for drug policy improvement we've all been hoping for ?

REGULAR HEADLINES, Special Headlines), Links, Main Menu , Top of Page.

(posted 12 August 2004 Cannabis Culture/various U.S. newspapers) Walter Cronkite, probably America's senior newsman, calls for Ending the Drug-War system. But Cronkite still wants death for all drug dealer "king-pins".

(8 August 2004 web maintainer) Pot Potency Myths: tolerance to the effect of pot grows instantly as every visitor to Amsterdam discovers in a few hours. Pretty soon, even pure THC would have essentially no effect for the heavy constant smoker. It's the 1)social stigmitization, 2)social and legal penalties, and 3)harrassment by narks and cops, that are making some pot users uncomfortable and sometimes, antisocial. Being non-Aryan during WWII in Germany had the same effect on some people.

(11 July 2004 Drug Policy Alliance) National Review Feature Article arguing for the end of marijuana prohibition by Ethan Nadelman.

(12 June 2004 NORML Canada web maint.) A Father Speaks Out, Demands, Predicts an End to the "War on Marijuana".

(26 May 2004 ) Pain Relief from Marijuana and/or Narcotics Discussed.

(14 May 2004 www.stopthedrugwar.com) Marijuana-Stoned Drivers As Safe as Drug Free Say Dutch Researchers. ( archive copy of article.) But watch out for this one, that one, that one, and that one. ( Related editorial by stopthedrugwar.com editor David Borden.) (Other similar studies in Australia and the U.S., (read through the list) have found that pot smokers who drive are very slightly safer than the population of all drivers as a whole as well as "drug-free" drivers. NORML Canada driving page.)

(12 May 2004 web maint.) Asheville, North Carolina, USA , dominated by the Federal Courthouse, is sprouting up GROW SHOPS. There are also head-shops which sell paraphanelia like bongs, pipes, "how-to" books on growing pot, roach clips, papers, etc., etc. In other words, Asheville (Hashville) is looking a lot like Amsterdam, Holland.
I went into a grow shop to chat, and the owner did NOT want a photo taken of his hydroponics shop to be displayed on this website, so I didn't. (This was not a good sign. If he is afraid to speak his mind about pot policy, he lives in un-American fear!)
Pot Paradise or Portal to Prison? Pot & Freedom Mecca or Invitation to Incarceration? I've never heard Asheville mentioned before in terms of being a "pot mecca". I do recall that CNN mentioned western N.C. as a "pot-haven" when the abortion-clinic bomber suspect ("Rudolph") was caught in this area. Asheville is also a mecca for organic foods, vegetarian restaurants, and various types of activism. It has also been rated as one of America's best places to live.

(4 May 2004) Decriminalization created the Dutch cannabis coffee shop system, not legalization. I'm somewhat surprised that the "l" word would pop up so often, lately, well before the full establishment of jail-less decriminalization of dealers and smokers alike. I think that cop-less decriminalization would be an even larger giant-step forward. "Cop-less" decrim. means that no one even gets arrested, much less jailed. Let the bikers have their pot place, let the yuppies have their cannabis coffee shops, the heads theirs, the medical users theirs, the M.P.'s theirs, the cops their doughnuts and coffee, and yes, maybe even the teens can have their own "harm reduction pot clubs" after all, etc., etc., etc. (Those students whose grades suffer due to pot could be expelled from such establishments.)
Rumors Floating About... If rumors from passing Gypsies are correct, Canada is about to try to legalize pot. I personally favor complete deregulation - no law at all. This is the "common-law" approach actually embedded in the U.S. Constitution - the ancient Herbalists' Decree of Renaissance-era England which should be still respected by U.S. courts. (The "herbalist charter of King Henry VIII" occurred during the Renaissance in England when the government, controlled by rich opportunists, tried to ban all herbal practitioners from selling herbs in England for medical reasons, in favor of the new fangled "allopathic medicine" which prescribed chemical compounds rather than traditional herbs. After harsh measures were tried, and failed, King Henry VIII issued this charter which forever forbids the English government from banning or oppresively regulating herbal medicine practitioners. This decree, adopted by the United States in its Constitution along with all other "common law of England", is supposedly still in effect though fascist bureaucratic types probably laugh it off as some ancient and foolish malarkey, perhaps as old and full of malarkey as human life itself. Now if only old Henry could have come up with some non-violent means to have gotten a new wife... He did seem to have more than just one difference with the Pope.)
Just as the "Jewish-Gypsy" holocaust, and the Soviet Stalinist Russian holocaust permanently smeared the entire concept of "total government power" before and during WWII, I think that government pot policy over the past 100 years or so has been so similar to the holocaust, so foul, so anti-human and irrational, so cruel and unusual, that I think that any involvement of government in marijuana is just another disaster waiting to happen.
In other words, let's just do what the Dutch did 35 years ago. De-regulation of the entire marijuana scene would do more to lower the price and empty the jails of pot dealers and users than anything else. If we really believe in quality and freedom, let's push for the complete de-regulation absolutely, of marijuana. Only those who like and respect pot and pot smokers should be allowed to touch it. Let the pot growers themselves fulfill their existing rights to grow and sell the pot, forever. The market will decide whose pot is worth buying in a really free market. (If the people begin to demand full regulation and control, then it will occur. But do they want it?)

(27 April 2004 Cannabis Culture) To put it bluntly, it's a bummer that Blunt Brothers' Cafe in Vancouver, B.C., has just burned down. (See latest www.cannabisculture.com for latest info. They are saying that evidence of arson has been found by police. Gee... when I was up there 4 years ago, the downtown Vancouver Provincial Attorney General's office burned.... Witnesses reported seeing a guy on a bicycle fleeing the scene...)
Was it Burned Because it Sold No Pot? But this cafe was no threat to any existing drug dealer "network" since not even one teeny-weeny sliver of marijuana or hashish has ever been known to have changed ownership inside this totally and constantly scrutinized establishment on W. Hastings in downtown Vancouver, B.C., Canada. Therefore, we have to assume that whoever burned it down was not a marijuana dealer since Blunt Brothers was no threat to any marijuana dealers, and never had been. In fact, Marc Emery, who is loosely associated with the entire area as a de facto leader, is famous for marijuana seed sales, not weed sales! So the entire so-called "illicit marijuana production system" of Canada is dependent on Marc Emery and the other seed companies and seed breeders in the immediate area. There is no market whatsoever for low THC weed in Canada. The arson attempt is more likely the work of trouble-makers. No one in Canada who uses pot is angry at Marc Emery.
Why would anyone want to burn down a "smoker-friendly cafe"? There are also other places in downtown Vancouver which do still allow people to smoke cigarettes. Was it an irate tobacco tee-totaler who hates "smoker-friendly" places? Who was it?
The funny thing is these days is that no one knows the origin of pot anymore. Pot dealers never identify the origin of weed these days, unless... unless.... it's Canadian. The only pot anyone is proud of in N. America these days, is, generally speaking, Canadian bud, and that's probably due to their cannabis-coffee-shop leanings, lack of a "gulag fanatacism" like the Americans, and general hospitality.
They sold great food, had friendly service, with a smoker and smoke friendly attitude. Blunt Brothers was a quality establishment, but alas, only a legal cafe, not a pot-selling coffee shop, which I and many others wanted it to be! I recently met the owner of Blunt Brothers and found him to be a genuine admirer of the entire Amsterdam and Dutch cannabis scene, in general. I hope he is able to open again quickly and I urge him to continue his great hospitality and high quality food establishment and hopefully, even selling pot like the ones in Holland do. However, that would obviously have to be a decision of the legal authorities.
Whatever happens in Vancouver, underground and secret cannabis coffee shops are springing up everywhere all over the world as a tribute to Dutch freedom, hospitality, and progressive planning over 35 years ago when cannabis coffee shop Sarasani first opened in Utrecht in hippie/love and Nixon dominated 1968..

(23 April '04) My Interest in journalism about marijuana began when I noticed the contrast between the general media accepted and propagated image of marijuana inside the United States, versus what I experienced in the Netherlands in their "cannabis coffee-shops" back in about 1988 or 1989 or so.
Imagine, if you can, someone who had never eaten a meal inside a restaurant, but instead, had always had their food while sitting outside, secretly, sitting on the ground. Such an unfortunate person would be awe-struck by the existence of things like "restaurants" or "cafes". That was my perception of the difference between the Dutch marijuana scene and the marijuana scene elsewhere. The Dutch were enjoying marijuana in a civilized manner, sitting at tables, drinking coffee, hot chocolate, etc., while everywhere else in the world pretty much, people were smoking in dark alleys, under bridges, in closets, etc., etc. The contrast was so overwhelming that I vowed to make a video presentation of what "legal marijuana" might be like some day. My video was not original, but my slant was less about young party goers reveling in Amsterdam freedom, and much more about mature Dutch working people who could rationally place pot use within the organized framework of their productive lifestyles. However, I made a promise to my interviewed subjects that the video would be sold only inside America to protect their privacy in Holland, never mind the fact that anyone there can just look into the coffee shops to see who is smoking pot.

(21 April '04) The government of Rotterdam, Netherlands, is still actively promoting their cannabis coffee shops; at least they were a few months ago. (See the "Use-It" tourist guide, available everywhere such as tourist offices, train stations, etc. They have a nice section on the city's cannabis coffee shops, without the slightest hint of "shame", "crime" or "remourse", much less "bad intentions".) Here's a recent article from Cannabis Culture about Haarlam, Holland and Nol Van Shaik.

(20 April 2004 NORML U.S.) Medical Marijuana Doing Just Fine in Holland due to insurance company policy according to another report.

(7 April 2004 SIMM, Cannabisnews.com) According to James Burton, Medical Marijuana in Holland is in a crisis since the government took over the production (licensed) and distribution of medical-grade pot in the past 2 years. Luckily, the cannabis coffee-shop industry also began a popular drive to lower the retail price of pot all over Holland in the past 18 months or so. A small minority of medical and non-medical smokers probably grow their own since 4 plants are still allowed.

Only the Rich... Pot is still a "luxury" item in Holland that only the rich, or certain medical users, can easily afford.

(2 April 2004) Hempseed Oil is one of the very best oils, overall with plenty of Omega-3 fatty acids. Just make sure it's free of harmful chemicals, etc. (Choose organic from reputable sources.)

(1 April NORML Canada Institute of Psychiatric Research and Rehabilitation; Montreal; Trimbos Institute, Holland (supposedly)) Are you psychotic when stoned? If so, then we recommend that you cease this masochistic behavior. Those who do not have positive and enjoyable experiences from pot are kindly requested to refrain from using the "devil weed". If it isn't enjoyable, then don't use it, we say.

(30 March '04 Christians for Cannabis) 1980's Reagan Administration said, Destroy Science, Truth; Burn Research Papers, Books!

Two Items: (15 March 2004 and 6 December 2003 CannabisNews.com, Wired News) FIRST PUBLICLY TRADED MARIJUANA CORPORATION TO MAKE ITS DEBUT SOON. It seems like both Canada and America both are simultaneously talking about a legal marijuana corporation on both sides of the border: AMIGULA (OTC:AMJL). Here's a previous ariticle about Medical Cannabis, Inc. Note: check with legal authorities about the validity and availability of medical marijuana. No guarantees are made about the validity or legality of these companies.
There's a stock to buy, but you can't buy weed legally unless you need it as medicine! I wish they would float an issue about cannabis-coffee-shops. That one would probably SOAR!!!!

(13 March '04 High Times) The Drug War Often Snares the Wrong Suspect , as this great expose' indicates. Even if they caught the correct hard drug dealer suspect, it's wasting our tax dollars filling prisons while black market hard drugs and funds flow freely elsewhere in its usual routine manner. In a similar vein, the Governor of Illinois also thought the "system" so flawed that he granted a blanket pardon to all on death row.

(17 February '04 Cannabis-Culture-MAP, The Intelligencer (ON)) Justice Hunter of Belleville Feels Strongly Pot Smokers Aren't Criminal at all. He says, Legalize It.

(12 February '04 Cannabis-Culture-MAP, Globe & Mail) In an old beer brewery, Canada's Largest Indoor Grow Operation Busted to Date; here's another article (from View magazine); rumors are circulating of novel legal arguments to be used in defendents' favour, but it could be a bunch of B.S. Stay tuned.

(11 February '04 NORML-MAP, Hattiesburg American) In this Mississippi town, Get Out of Jail Procedure is Now Being Given to everyone, even the very poor. Methodologies will vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, state to state, and there are also different degrees of decriminalization in the system varying from "cops looking the other way", to "pay $100.00", to "go to jail if you don't have bail money in your hand, but after bailing out, pay $500 and plead not guilty and demand that evidence be sent to the state drug crime lab, etc., etc."

(21 January '04) Is Romance an Illness? Is it still considered normal to smoke a joint with one's girlfriend (or boyfriend), and go for a walk on the beach? That's what I want to legalize. Americans in the mega-millions did that sort of thing back in 1972, and many still do. I'm generally talking here about normal heterosexual type couples walking together, but I'm tolerant of all pairs on this planet. Here's the High Times Personals page.

(10 January '04) Why the Rush to Incriminate Rush Limbaugh?. As a taxpayer, I find it outrageous that anyone might be jailed for mere legal (or even illegal) drug usage. I emailed NORML U.S. to ask what Rush's opinions were about pot use, medical or otherwise. They told me he was opposed to it. Considering his foolish addiction to legal pain killers, I think he should at least investigate the medical basis for using marijuana to alleviate pain with no danger of real addiction. Rush's doctor should inform him of the danger of getting addicted to narcotics, pain killers, and sedatives, etc. Personally, I thought I heard Rush express sympathy for medical marijauna on a number of occasions on the radio, but NORML U.S. tells me "not so."
Hard Drug Attributes: although Rush may have to take a handful of OxyContin pills each day to feel the effect since his body has developed "tolerance" to it, such a dosage would easily kill a novice narcotic user with many pills leftover. That's the danger with them; falling into the wrong hands.

(December 2003 CNN International TV) 1968 was the beginning of the modern cannabis coffee shop movement? CNN reports that it was Coffee Shop Sarasani in Utrecht 35 years ago, rather than the often touted Amsterdam places like Mellow Yellow, the Bulldog, or Rusland that were first in Holland.
Before everyone gets upset about this relatively unimportant error emanating from Amsterdam, bear in mind that nobody was trying that hard to research it. It wasn't considered that important. Most tourists to Holland are much more likely to visit Amsterdam rather than Utrecht; so the Amsterdam claims were heard more often over the years. Claims of being first are always to be challenged.

(30 December 2003 NORML) M.S. Patient and Medical Marijuana Advocate Lynn Harichy Dies Christmas Day.

(28 December 2003 www.stopthedrugwar.com (drcnet)) Interview with Larry Campbell, Mayor of Vancouver, B.C.

(28 December 2003 www.stopthedrugwar.org (drcnet)) Todd McCormick Released from Jail, formerly the editor of the English language edition of High Life magazine in the Netherlands, and various books. Todd is also famous for successfully importing about 1 kilo of medical marijuana into the United States with full U.S. Customs approval!

(25 December 2003 emails from Reverends) Prime Minister Paul Martin is Welcomed into Office by Reverends Tucker and Baldasara of the Church of the Universe.

(18 September 2003 Cannabis Culture/MAP/Business Standard India) India: Rx: A Small Dose of Cannabis.

(18 August 2003 Cannabis Culture/MAP/Seattle Weekly) "I don't know of any rewards that encourage people to turn in murderers, rapists, or child molesters," says Seattle attorney Jeff Steinborn, discussing the multitude of different situational NARKS in modern cop/terrorist dominated American society. Why would any tourist from the more sane parts of the world want to visit this gulag-state? What Steinborn doesn't mention is that legal prescription drug users, alcohol users who are not drunk, and people whose checks bounce accidentally, are also going to jail in record numbers in the U.S. Soon I think all Americans will be in jail if our crazy politicians continue with the barbed wire enemas. Actually, Bush said the U.S. was locked down, already.

(16 June 2003 various sources) U.K. Studies: Cannabis Helps Reverse Aging , Protect Brain Cells.

(posted 16 June 2003 www.expatica.com) Famous Hawaiian Medical Doctor Used Marijuana Successfully for Alcoholism, Hard-drug Addiction. Is pot the genuine "anti-drug"?

(13 June 2003 The Progressive Review) Why is there a War on Drugs? asks Mr. Smith in Washington.

(13 June 2003 www.playboy.com) This story illustrates perhaps the main reason that the U.S. marriage rate is the lowest in the world: From the July 2003 issue : "Beautiful High School Narc - She was the sexiest girl in her Pennsylvania high school. Then she started taking down the drug dealers -- one by one. By Mark Boal". (That's an expensive girl!) Anyone who shares a joint with this girl is a "drug dealer"! Look into her eyes. If you see lively sparks of happiness, don't worry, she's not a nark. Unhappy, abused, and traumatized people become snitches. Does anyone see why legality is better than decrim.????

(13 June 2003 www.cannabisculture.com/MAP/The Plain Dealer) Good News: Medina, Ohio, Judge Brings Town in Line with State Decrim. Policy.

(12 June 2003 web maintainer) Is the U.S. Drug War Constitutional? Are Drug War Pushers Following U.S. Constitutional Requirements? I don't think so.

(posted11 June 2003 www.drugtext.nl) 1967 British Legalise Pot Advertisement sponsored by the Beatles, and other notables (July 24, 1967). By today's standards, this Beatles supported group seems so quiet, reasonable, and actually homey and peaceful. I'm actually quite surprised that their editorial position is identical to the editorial position I took with my two videos about Dutch drug policy in 1993 and 1994; that productive, constructive, creative, and .... well NORMAL people were smoking pot, and instinctively avoiding hard (dangerous) drugs. Such pot users were the types that one's mom would gladly welcome at the front door of a typically decent English (or Dutch) home; the types who were not on the verge of tossing Molotov cocktails at anybody's home; the types who never required a lecture about morality to understand the evils of Neo-Nazism; the types who pay their taxes, vote, etc., etc. It's not that I don't appreciate the anger some people feel today; but in 1967, things were quite mellow.

(19 April 2003) Official website of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks on the United States, aka, "the 9/11 inquiry board". World Trade Center disaster victim families have another website.

(15 April 2003 www.420times.com/Montreal Gazette) Montreal Wants Cannabis Cafe, just as much as St. John's, N.B.

(14 April 2003 High Times/BBC) British Think Tank Urges Leniency for Home Growers. I hope they also see the wisdom of the retail store front style of marijuana distribution, such as hemp shops or cannabis coffee shops.

(14 April 2003 Cannabis Culture/MAP/www.canada.com) Halifax, N.S., Must Wait Indefinitely for New Cannabis Cafe ; Saint John, N.B., a different story.

(12 March 2003 NORML U.S./Edmondton Sun) Nova Scotia Marijuana Party Founder To Sue at Federal Level for Access to Medicine.

(11 March 2003 Hans de Witt in Amsterdam) Dutct P.M. Balkende Remains in Power after latest provincial parliament elections. Other Dutch political reports from Hans.

(9 March 2003 (corrected 15 March) NORML Canada ) Mexico : Pancho Villa's Ghost says, "Remove Marijuana from Rebel Territory."

(27 Feb. 2003 NORML Canada ) Report from Zurich, Switzerland. It isn't legal here. I've heard that one before.

Indian (Hindu and Muslim) Traditional Medical Marijuana Usage

(21 Feb. 2003 UNODC, formerly the UNODCCP ) The Use of Opium and Cannabis in the Traditional Systems of Medicine in India. Document from 1965.
Elsewhere, we find that although cannabis sativa was not originally used as a medicine in traditional Indian medicine, it was already one of the five sacred plants of Atharva Veda.
Opium? I think it's unfortunate that marijuana gets associated with opium, the classic hard drug in India. Lacking scientific medical knowledge, there's no wonder there have been myths about pot. According to this document, opium and marijuana were not mentioned in the oldest classical Ayurvedic texts, having entered Ayurveda around 900 A.D., and that opium was used unfortunately to alleviate the symptoms of dysentery and diarrhea. Considering that bacterial contamination in food and water is the real cause of these ailments, and that bacteria is not affected by opium, this is unfortunate.
(((Ed. Note : Some translators say that "vijaya" means "feeling of invincibility" rather than "invincible". But users of marijuana don't feel invincible. Marijuana actually creates a feeling of vulnerability and sensitivity, certainly not a "feeling of invincibility". Marijuana users who are driving cars under the influence of marijuana by itself, according to researchers, tend to be "overly cautious". Alcohol users who drive cars under the influence of alcohol by itself, feel invincible ; but unfortunately they, and their victims, are not invincible. Only a fool would think that marijuana users feel invincible! Therefore, we can infer that "vijaya" could not possibly mean "feeling of invinciblity". It must mean "invincible". For a taste of scientific reality concerning the actual effects of marijuana and/or alcohol, or both together, go to this page with links to government sponsored research on marijuana and driving. (click here))))

(14 Feb. 2003 NORML U.S./the Tiger(SC)) Only Harm from Pot is Illegality, says Robert Sharpe in Washington, D.C.

(13 Feb. 2003 icnorthwales.co.uk/www.drugwar.com) In Wales, Charges Dismissed Against Cannabis Cafe Promoter ; Will Proceed.

(8 Feb. 2003 NORML Canada) New Dutch Prime Minister and the Two Leading Parties in Holland ; New Government Still in Flux. Dutch Political Report Feb. 8, 2003. Other political reports from Holland.

(15 January '03 The Des Moines Register) Iowa Lawyer Bagged by Feds. at Eastern Iowa Airport, Walks, Pays Fine, No Jail.

(13 January 2003 Globe & Mail) Funny and Insightful Analysis of America's Bizarre Attitudes About Pot.

(11th and 7th January 2003 NORML Canada Dutch correspondent Hans de Witt) Dutch Political Report (1) (Jan. 7, 2003) , and Dutch Political Report (2) (Jan. 11, 2003).

(9 Jan. '03 (www.canada.com/vancouver) Vancouver Mayor Larry Campbell, Visiting Swiss Hard Drug Treatment Centers, Wants Prescription Heroin and Cocaine for the Worst Addicted Persons.

(8 Jan. '03 (www.canada.com) Cannabis Coffee Shop Proposed for Saskatoon ; Mayor Seems Agreeable.

(28 December '02 DRC Net) Join the Transnational Radical Party (Italy) and the International Antiprohibition League in Petitioning the United Nations to End Drug Prohibition. This Petition rightfully argues that most drug problems on our planet are caused by prohibition.

(28 Dec. 2002 The Independent via High Times link) Brits Raid two Cannabis Coffee shops in London Area, but cafes remain open.

(19 December '02 Yahoo)Victorious Quebec Marijuana Activists Plan Home Delivery Service for the Seriously Ill.

(17 December '02 Cannabis Culture/Troy Messenger) Alabama Marijuana Party Founder, Loretta Nall, has Large Flying Pest Problem. ("You wouldn't believe how many Alabama State Senators and Legislators Use Marijuana." Alabama State Senate Secretary comments to NORML Canada web maint. Winter '99)

(13 December '02 NORML U.S./Toronto Star) History of Pot in Canada, and the World (and NORML Canada & Umberto Iorfida's 462.2 Victory from 1995 (1994?)).

(13 December '02 email from Norway)Report from Norway NORML.

(12 December '02 email from Church)Dismissal in Church of Universe Member's Case ! Judgement in Church's position from Aug. 1997.

(24 November '02 web maint.) Clean Needles at Walmart ! I just found out to my surprise that syringes are already available in Iowa to anyone, without a prescription, over-the-counter. What's so radical about "safe injection sites" for the homeless hard drug addicts in Vancouver ? Those with homes can already shoot up with clean needles in complete privacy here in conservative Iowa. Of course, most syringe buyers here are diabetics, but probably not all of them.

(20 November '02 High Times/MSNB) New Book : Down by the River, by Charles Bowden ; DEA Utterly Helpless to Protect Itself from Hard Drug Cartels ; FBI/CIA Refuse to Help Murder Investigation of Top Level DEA Agent's Brother. Any other unsolved murders out there ?

(19 November '02 Cannabis Culture/MAP/Ottawa Citizen) Leaks : Canadian Parliament Committee wants Scorekeeper in War on Drugs Game ; Upcoming Committee Report Hints at Pot Decrim. Federal Auditor General Sheila Fraser wants someone "in charge" of everybody's bodies. Are you in charge of yours ?

(15 November '02 Cannabis Culture/MAP/Fox News Network) New NORML Texas Boss Stepnoski "Interviewed"/Harrassed by Fox News Network's Bill O'Reilly. (Mr. O'Reilly supports the current "playground/street corner" system of illicit hard drug distribution and opposes regulating/legalizing marijuana.) A good biography of Stepnoski from Dec. 8, 2002.

(15 November '02 NORML/MAP/the Crimson White) Alabama Marijuana Party Founder Harrassed/Arrested.

(15 November '02 Drugwar.com/CBSnews.com) Arnold Schwarzenegger Smokes Pot Apparently in Re-Released Movie, Pumping Iron.

(12 November '02 High Times/FreezerBox) Using U.S. Government Grown Medical Pot, George McMahon Avoids Surgery and Debilitating Narcotics.

(11 November '02) Cannabis Coffee Shop Report :

Not if, but when, for cannabis coffee shops in New Zeeland. (www.drugwar.com/stuff.co.nz)
Scottish entrepreneur wants to open shop in Edinburgh, Scotland.(www.drugwar.com/BBC)

(9 November '02 NORML Canada web maint.) NORML Canada's most recent former prez. Umberto Iorfida Reports that the Assembly of the Church of the Universe is Canada's Oldest Marijuana Legalization Organization.

(9 November '02 NORML/MAP/The Southeast Missourian) Retired Cop Makes Horseback Journey to Spread Truth about Marijuana.

(8 November '02 via Sam Smith's Progressive Review) Expert Lynn Landes Says Republicans Own Most Voting Equipment. Fraud Likely. (Vancouver Sun)

(8 November '02 www.canada.com/Vancouver/The Province) Vancouver City Councillor Takes Blame for 1,200 Hard Drug Deaths. Also, Dead Junkie's Mom Backs Westside Injection Sites. (www.canada.com/vancouver)

(8 November '02 North Texas Daily (via High Times link)) Christians for Cannabis Speak Out.

(7 November '02 NORML Canada web maint.) "Marijuana Wins in Massachusetts, D.C., San Francisco, Indicate Possible Voting Fraud Elsewhere !", says web maintainer. Story on Mass. wins at http://www.drugwar.com. Story on D.C., San Francisco wins, from the drug policy alliance.

(5 November '02 NORML/MAP/Ottawa Citizen) Ontario's Law and Order Minister, Bob Runciman, Calls for Decriminalization of Marijuana.

(4 November '02 www.canada.com/vancouver) Larry Campbell Outlines Drug Policy Plans in Vancouver Mayor's Race. (As B.C. and Vancouver's coroner, Campbell was one of the first government officials to call for drug policy reform as he witnessed first hand the results of prohibitionist policies : more young, dead, bodies.)

(4 November '02 Arizona Republic/Associated Press) Mexico to Launch Anti-Drug Effort.

(4 November '02 Yahoo/Associated Press) Plane Spotters Make Appeal to Greek Court. I really find it hard to believe that these utterly harmless tourists are being jailed for their hobby. The Greeks have gone mad. This isn't about marijuana, but rather about the strange manifestations of the military mind.

(31 October '02 NORML/MAP/Arizona Republic) Reefer Mainstream in Arizona.

(31 October '02 NORML/MAP/Dallas Observer) Former Pro Football Cowboy Stepnoski Lassoes a Cause.

(30 October '02 NORML/MAP/San Diego Union Tribune) Street Dealers Rejoicing as Compassion Clubs Folding. Evidence that DEA policy benefits Mexican criminal organizations (from the Arizona Republic/AP.)

(30 October '02 Globe & Mail) U.S. Doctors Won't Loose Licenses or Be Investigated for Prescribing Pot.

((30 October '02 Globe & Mail) Quebec Man Jailed for 45 Foot Trip Across Border to Fill up Gas Tank in the U.S.

((30 October '02 Globe & Mail) Cost of Prison Rising in Canada. The population of Canada is 31,413,990 as of the most recent census. Number of prisoners in Canada in all jails (provincial, territorial, and federal) is 31,500, average. (By comparison, the U. S. incarceration rate, as a percentage of total population, is slightly less than 10 times greater than the Canadian rate. If Canada incarcerated its population at the same rate as the U. S., they'd have about 315,000 inmates.)

(29 October '02 CC/MAP/Nelson Daily News) Dutch Police Snare Canadian Man at Behest of U.S. Drug Warriors.

(29 October '02 DrugSense/National Review) "...Democracy Sucks", says William F. Buckley, long time editor of NR, as he analyzes current marijuana law reform efforts in North America.

(29 October '02 www.canada.com) Marc Emery Responds to Vancouver Policeman's Desire to Bring Failed Policies, Increasing Crime, to Downtown East Side. Outgoing Mayor Owen and Emery Agree on Continuing Harm Reduction Policies. Numerous prominent citizens report police brutality in another article .

(28 October '02 TIME MAGAZINE Cover Story (Nov. 4th issue (U.S. edition).) Numerous Feature Articles : The New Politics of Pot (Also see bottom of article for numerous extra articles such as Marijuana History ; Is Pot Good for You ; Marijuana Effects, etc., etc. After reading the TIME articles, check out U.S. NORML's list of common myths about marijuana. )

(28 October '02 NORML U.S./MAP/The Independent Review) The Secret of World Wide Drug Prohibition (by Harry G. Levine) ; part 1 ; part 2(I wonder if Mr. Levine is aware of the latest 1988 amendments to the U. N. Single Convention Treaty on Narcotics which, according to NORML Canada's most recent president, Umberto Iorfida, agreed to no longer criminalize any drug user, but rather to treat all drug use, both illicit and licit, as a medical matter.)

(27 October '02 NORML Canada web maint.) Real Christians Support Marijuana Legalization or Decrim. : Christians for Cannabis . Religious Leaders for a More Just and Compassionate Drug Policy is located here.

(24 October '02 NORML/MAP/Montreal Gazette) Tolerance for Legal Pot Higher.

(21 October '02 L.A. Times (via High Times link)) U. S. Military Wants to End Drug War Activities.

(21 October '02 NORML/MAP/Victoria Times Colonist) Student Paying Tuition with Pot Revenue Busted in B.C.

(19 October '02 NORML U.S./MAP/Toronto Star) Ontario Indoor Growers Receiving Longer Sentences .

(19 October '02 NORML Canada web maint./NORML U.S.) U.S. Drug Czar John Walters, Threatening Canada, Hasn't Noticed the Effect of his Own Constituents upon Canada.

(15 October '02 NORML U.S./MAP/Aldergrove Star.) Strange Antics of Marijuana Party Candidate, Tim Felger, seem to be mockery of the Senate committee's recommendation to the entire Senate, to consider allowing 16 year olds to buy and consume pot under their legalization recommendation, just as Holland once had such a policy with their cannabis coffee shops. Holland raised the minimum permissible age to 18 a few years ago. To put the situation into perspective for all of North America, consider for a moment that Mexico has no minimum age for alcohol sales and consumption. Since youthful alcohol experimentation seems to increase with the strictness of prohibition of it, Mexico probably has less trouble with their youth using alcohol than America, just as the Dutch youth have substantially less marijuana usage than American youth. Attempting to prohibit something that should be regulated openly is clearly a disastrous policy. Felger seems to be confused about the goals of regulation and legalization. Legalization of marijuana would place it under greater control than the current black market/prohibition hypocrisy. At the moment, under prohibition, kids can easily obtain pot.

(15 October '02 NORML U.S./MAP/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) God, the Main Marijuana Conspirator , says Elvy Musikka, who legally uses U. S. government grown pot for her glaucoma condition.

(15 October '02 DRCnet) Revamped Anti-Prohibitionist League (APL) meets at EU Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.

(14 October '02 Cannabis Culture./MAP/Globe and Mail) Toronto Police Anti-Drug Squads Hit with Multiple Lawsuits , Corruption Investigations. (Nov. 4th www.canada.com/Canadian Press) Police Organization Sues Toronto Star for Libel.

(13 October '02 NORML U.S./MAP/La Crosse Tribune(WI)) Hypocrisy : Wisconsin Governor Gives One Dangerous Hard Drug to Children...

(12 October '02 NORML U.S./MAP/the Daily News) Jailed Nova Scotia Marijuana Party Candidate Will Appeal Sentence.

(11 October '02 Cannabis Culture) New Zeeland NORML President Acquitted in Landmark Decision . Police can no longer use suspected pot smell to conduct random body searches.

(11 October '02 NORML U.S./MAP/Globe & Mail) Canadian Study to Use U.S. Pot While Canadian Gov't Stash Sits Unused. Another article from the Edmondton Sun.

(11 October '02 NORML U.S./MAP/McCleans) Legal Patients in Ontario Hunt Steady Affordable Supply.

(10 October NORML U.S./MAP/The Times (U.K.)) For the First Time, British Court Rules in Favor of Medical Pot User.

(7 October '02 the Guardian (UK)) Prime Minister Jean Chrétien maybe, to Possibly Decriminalize Marijuana before Retiring. (Link found at High Times)

(7 October '02 Cannabis Culture/MAP/Evening News (U.K.)) For Pain Relief, Cannabis Medicines Excel in British Trials.

(7 October '02 CNN) American Students Increasingly Seeking Value and Freedom at Canadian Colleges. (Similar story reported in the Vancouver Sun with a totally different slant.)

(6 October '02 NORML U.S./MAP/The Guardian (U.K.)) Drugs Link to Terrorism Would be Broken by Legalization , says former British Cabinet member, Mo Mowlam. Such a frank statement is really rare from politicians these days. NORML Canada cautions that countries which export lots of illicit marijuana often have a lot of poverty. The punitive approach is not the solution. Illicit drug producing countries should not be punished. Illicit drug consuming nations have an absolute obligation to help illicit drug producing countries out of the mutually produced quagmire into which the whole world has been tossed.

(3 October '02 Marijuananews.com) Colin Davies Railroaded for Over Three Years ; England's First Cannabis Coffee Shop Shut Down. Manchester Police side with street dealers against civilization and progress.

(3 October '02 Drug Policy Alliance) Alaska Court Rules Landlord Can't Evict Pot Growing Tenant under Constitution.

(3 October '02 NORML U.S./MAP/Iowa City Press-Citizen) Fight Drug Prohibition says Robert Sharpe of Drug Policy Alliance. (Iowa)

(3 October '02 NORML U.S.) M.S., Spinal Cord Pain, Reduced by Marijuana , U. S. Study

(1 October '02 NORML Canada web maint.) If You Use Any Illicit Drugs Other Than Marijuana, Click Here .

(1 October '02 NORML U.S./MAP/NORML/Stockport Express (U.K.)) Britain's First Cannabis Cafe Distributed Medical Cannabis, Says Colin Davies and Other Defendants. We Agree.

(1 October '02 phone call with Umberto Iorfida.) Umberto Iorfida reminds me that Amnesty for Drug Dealers was Always Part of the NORML Canada Program since the late 1980's, and he says, "Talks about Legalization of Marijuana are Taking Place in Canada Right Now". Discussions of all sorts of legal details are taking place now in the Canadian Senate. (Let's hope the Senators are not arrested for "conspiracy" to produce marijuana.)

(30 Sept. '02 NORML U.S./MAP/Daily Iowan) Students' Financial Aid Vetos Fizzle (Iowa)

(29 Sept. '02 NORML U.S./MAP/Iowa City Press-Citizen) New NORML Chapter Forming at University of Iowa.

(25 Sept. '02 NORML Canada web maint.) This is in response to the U.S. ONDCP's latest anti marijuana ad series in which it is implied that marijuana facilitates date rape. Thanks to drugwar.com, go to this link . According to the ONDCP, the "The Song of Solomon", from the Bible , is "All About Date Rape". You should consult your pastors ! NORML Canada web maint. says, "Obviously, they don't know what they are talking about. Consensual sex between men and women isn't rape. Date rape isn't the same as date sex. Voluntary (and enthusiastic) sex between partners isn't rape. Sex takes place every day without any drug involvement, as well. Rape is when one partner forces himself or herself on the rape victim. "Date Rape" is defined usually as the use of an incapacitating drug, such as alcohol, Heroin, barbituates, sleeping pills, "downers", GHB, and many others, to facilitate rape by knocking out the rape victim. Marijuana is not an incapacitating drug." The President and his advisors are tragically wrong about this. If a person falls asleep under the influence of marijuana, they can easily be woken up. Not so when "downer" type drugs are used. Other Song of Solomon links : the Song of Solomon , another link , still another link .

(22 Sept. '02 NORML Canada web maint.) What Would It Be Like If Marijuana Were Legal ? click here . (Let's keep marijuana out of the hands of those insane people who think it's evil !)

(19 Sept. '02 Cannabis Culture/MAP/the Guardian(U.K.)) Home Grown Marijuana Flourishing in France .

(10 Sept. '02 NORML Canada web maint. )I heard Jean Chrétien say on the radio in early 2000 (while I was visiting Vancouver) "We will decriminalize marijuana." The P.M. was speaking at the Liberal Party convention when he made the statement which was met with considerable applause.

(9 Sept. '02 NORML Canada web maint. ) Have any journalists asked WHY did the terrorists attack the U.S. last 9/11 ? The issue of "why" the attacks occurred has not been discussed much in the media.

(9 Sept. '02 NORML Canada web maint. ) According to party officials in Iowa (USA) interviewed today by the NORML Canada web maint., Hawaiian gubernatorial candidate Jonathan Adler , just convicted of "drug charges" and now removed from the ballot, was endorsed by neither the Hawaiian state headquarters or the national headquarters of the Natural Law Party of Fairfield, Iowa (USA). NLP bylaws in Hawaii permit almost anyone to run for office under the NLP name. See the Sept. 9 Hawaii Tribune-Herald article link from High Times Magazine . Here's an August 12 article clipping from the Honolulu Star Bulletin indicating that Adler was not approved by the NLP leadership. But the official platform of the NLP has supported the full decriminalization of all illicit drugs since at least the 2000 presidential campaign. Back in 1994, the NORML Canada web maint. Bill Carroll, spoke with Mike Tompkins , the NLP's Vice Presidential candidate about marijuana policy. Mike, who had lived in Holland for a few years, said that he approved of the Dutch cannabis coffee shop system. Officially, the NLP does not (and did not) support legalization of marijuana, though.

(30 August. '02 CNN) U.S. Drug Czar : "Don't Expel or Suspend Drug Using Kids." Definitely a Substantial Move in the Right Direction. But why the bigoted persecution of legal medical marijuana providers and patients in California ?

(27 August 2002 NORML Canada) Demonitize Illicit Drugs ! Here's a letter I sent to all U. S. Senators, President Clinton, V. P. Gore, and many other government officials back in early 1999 : click here for the first letter. The same letter was sent to Pres. Bush in early 2001, but with a warning that ending illicit drug prohibition might precipitate another recession. No sane economist wants a "narco-bubble" crash. But the unstable illicit financial blip (bubble) should be deflated eventually. Assets created through crime tend to become valueless. Institutions must work together to create a "soft landing", rather than another depression or recession. Don't worry, the modern banking system is incredibly strong. click here for the Bush Letter. Most economists believe that the great depression was caused by the banks cutting out stock market margin loans. I've never read that ending alcohol prohibition had anything to do with the great depression. Since few if any bootleggers kept records of their cash (only banks kept such records), it isn't anything which can easily be studied..

(20 August 2002 Cannabis Culture/MAP/Times of London ) UK's Current Cannabis Policy Crazy , but so is most everybody else's.

(August 2002) New Link to American Religious Leaders who support Ending the War on Drugs : click here .

(date unimportant - email from Umberto Iorfida) FREEDOM DEFINED : timeless definitions from Canada and the Founding Fathers of the United States.

(30 July 2002 ABC News/John Stossel ) Is It Time to End the Failed Drug War ?

(22 April '99 from marijuananews.com) Canadian Chiefs of Police Support Decriminalization of Marijuana .

(18 June '98 excerpted from NORML U.S. weekly news report) French INSERM Report Gives Added Credibility to Harm Reduction Style Drug Control Policy.

(14 June '98 Ottawa Citizen) Canadian Government Research Group Recommends Decriminalization of Marijuana.

(13 June '98 Vancouver Sun/marijuananews.com ) Three Prominent Canadians Ask All Canadian Prosecutors to Ask Police to Stop Enforcing Marijuana Laws under proposed Guidelines.

(11 June '98 MAP/Reuters ) Raymond Kendall, head of INTERPOL, and others, say medical approach to drug problem is only hope to squelch drug barons.

(30 May '98 USA TODAY ) Dan Rostenkowski, former U. S. Representative and Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, regrets harsh sentences and "war on drugs" approach after release from federal prison.

(8 March '98 Edmonton Sun) Le Dain Stands Behind '71 Report.

(1 December '97 Marijuananews.com) Ross Rebagliati Publicity Moves the Goals of NORML Canada Forward.

(5 Nov. '97 press release ) European Parliament Official Press Release on Drug Policy.

(29 Sept., 97 CNN) Paul McCartney calls for legalization of marijuana for the second time. BEATLE .

(August '97   National Center on Institutions and Alternatives ; Wash. D.C., George magazine August '97 issue) Light from Darkness, by Webster Hubbell, former Chief Justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court.

(15, 16 April '97 Ottawa Citizen ) Ottawa Citizen Editorials Urging Full Decriminalization of All Illicit Drugs

Part III of a Series of Editorials in Favour of Legalizing/Decriminalizing All Illicit Drugs.

Part IV of a Series of Editorials in Favour of Legalizing/Decriminalizing All Illicit Drugs.

(25 Jan. '97 Ottawa Citizen ) The Joint Proposal by Canadian Senators.

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