Washington, U.S.A. – The National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA), in conjunction with the Women’s CannaBusiness Network, a project it launched earlier this year, today called on President Obama to cease enforcement actions against state-legal medical cannabis providers while the administration reviews its policies to determine whether they are in the public interest. Respected industry businesswomen defended their work and powerfully expressed their frustration with the administration’s crackdown.

“The women here today are compassionate and courageous leaders,” said Jill Lamoureaux, owner of Colorado Dispensary Services. ”They are pioneers in alternative medicine. They are job creators and tax revenue generators. They are hear to bring awareness to the Obama administration’s reversal on medical marijuana policy and to ask that the Justice Department immediately stop shutting down state-legal businesses that are serving patients, creating jobs and generating tax revenues.”

Jen Reynolds, a mother of four who will lose her job on Monday because of the actions of the U.S. attorney in Colorado, urged the President to think about the people whom are being affected.

“This is not about ‘marijuana dealers,’” Reynolds said. “This is about medical cannabis patients having a safe and regulated environment in which to purchase their medicine. It is about employees like me, who had the amazing opportunity to help patients alleviate their suffering, while earning a living wage. My center should have been a model for others to follow, not a target for federal action.”

NCIA also released a report entitled, “The Colorado Cannabis Industry: A Tale of Ten Cities,” which details the sales and tax revenues generated by medical marijuana centers in ten Colorado cities.

“The ten cities included in the report alone generated close to $10 million in state and local sales taxes in 2011,” explained Aaron Smith, NCIA executive director. “This money is being used to improve government services in these areas, which is one more benefit of a regulated medical cannabis industry.”

The report is available here: http://thecannabisindustry.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/CO_TaleofTenCities.pdf

The mission of the National Cannabis Industry Association is to defend, promote and advance the interests of the cannabis industry and its members. For more information, please visit www.TheCannabisIndustry.org.

Image Courtesy of   littleny / Shutterstock.com

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Snoop Dogg – recently re-named Snoop Lion, the reggae artist – has announced that he “will do American Idol.” So far there has been no word from the American Idol officials as to whether or not Snoop Lion will actually be filling the seat of former judge, Steven Tyler, or if he is even being considered for the position.

Part of the problem with having Snoop Lion on as a judge is that the family-friendly show may not mesh well with the former rapper’s personality. Although Snoop promises to clean up his language, his love affair with marijuana may not be toned down enough for the American Idol viewers.

American Idol will start up again in January and they are currently beginning some of the auditions, although not the portions in which they need the judges. The parts in which they record the judges with contestants will begin in fall of this year. So far the show has managed to replace Jennifer Lopez with Mariah Carey who has a one year contract in which she will make $18 million.

Snoop Dogg announced Monday, July 30 that he was converting to Rastafarianism. “I feel like I’ve always been a Rastafari,” he stated. “I just didn’t have my third eye open.” Monday is also when Snoop announced his name change from Snoop Dogg to Snoop Lion. “I want to bury Snoop Dogg and become Snoop Lion”

Prior to the recording of his latest album, “Reincarnation,” Snoop received a blessing from Bob Marley’s son, Rohan, to travel to Jamaica and explore the Rasta culture as well as the life of Bob Marley, immersing himself in the Niyabinghi branch of Rastafarianism. Snoop is also releasing a documentary about his rebirth called ‘Reincarnation’ as well.

So far the reception of the new album has been fairly positive. “If you haven’t seen Snoop recently, he’s gone totally Rasta. He has Bob Marley and Haile Selassie pins – he’s mad Rasta,” Diplo reported to MTV. He also added, “It’s gonna surprise people, but it’s an amazing record. We have some almost rap stuff on the record, but there’s also a lot of singing, because he sings really well and there’s a lot of backing vocals. He was really studying Bob Marley.”

During the press conference in which he discussed his transformation Snoop talked about people who inspired him, “We was looking for the creators, some of the forefathers. Most definitely Bob Marley, off the top, and the Wailers, Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer, Gregory Isaacs, Jimmy Cliff, Barres, most definitely.”

The new Snoop Lion changed his name during a visit to Jamaica, where the Rasta movement began. Ennis Edmonds, scholar and expert on Rastafarianism at Kenyon College, explained Snoop’s sudden name change by claiming, “Rastas would probably see calling yourself a dog as an indication of lack of self-knowledge.”

In Rastafarianism the late Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie is considered the messiah and the descendant of Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. The lion is symbolic of Solomon’s Tribe of Judah and is thus held in high regard with the Rastafari. Bob Marley often sang of the “lion of Zion” and was usually referring to Selassie.

According to Snoop a Rasta priest gave him his new name. Snoop Lion also came back from Jamaica claiming that he is the reincarnation of Bob Marley.

One part of the Rasta religion that Snoop has been heavily involved with over the past few years is the smoking of ganja (marijuana). According to Edmonds, “Marijuana helps them break through the mental boundaries that Babylon has placed upon them and return to their sense of self.” Marijuana is also supposed to make the user feel more peaceful, introspective, and open to communal harmony, according to the religion. Ultimately, this aspect of the religion may in fact be too controversial for the ‘American Idol’ family-friendly atmosphere, which could prevent Snoop being chosen as a judge.

Image Courtesy of   Featureflash / Shutterstock.com

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Las Vegas, U.S.A. – Marijuana, incorporated is announcing its support of the third annual Hemp History Week which features more than 800 celebrations and promotions around the country. The campaign strives to educate consumers about the environmental advantages and nutritional benefits of hemp products.

The estimated annual retail sales of Hemp products in the United States are $419 million. Hemp products are sold in most major food stores and industrial Hemp is also used in textiles, skin care, building materials, and in bio-composites for auto parts such as in dashboards, seating, and doors. China is the largest producer followed by France and Canada is the closest hemp grower to the U.S.A. All money paid related to growing, harvesting, processing, packaging, and much of the shipping costs are paid to foreign countries because US farmers are not allowed to grow this crop. Every year demand grows and but while US retailers can participate, farmers are banned.

Hemp was legal to grow in the United States until 1937 when it was tied to its very different but similar variety, marijuana. According to Hemp, incorporated it remains committed to sharing the benefits of industrial hemp with the world and looks forward to the day when the American farmer can once again grow this crop and consumers can enjoy the benefits of locally grown nutritious hemp foods.

In honor of Hemp week and in accordance with the growth and evolution of Marijuana, Inc., the group has changed its name to Hemp, Inc. The change goes into effect immediately. The company’s business models and revenues will increasingly focus on the global market for hemp. CEO Bruce Perlowin stated, “With the acquisition of the exclusive licensing rights to the www.Hemp.com domain name providing a solid foundation for our stock symbol HEMP, it was a natural evolution. [The domain name] is a significant asset for Hemp, Inc. and they intend to implement a strategic marketing platform to greatly enhance the potential of website all the while working for the American farmers .”

Integral in the business plan is a new online store. The shopping cart will feature Hemp, Inc.’s Eco-Harmony Loyalty Card Rewards Program, offering consumers rebates on purchases. A significant portion of each sale will go to charities. “This is (r)evolutionary marketing,” said CEO Bruce Perlowin, “we can offer large rebates, giving our customers cash back while helping those who truly need it. One of the groups we support is Patch Adams’ charitable organization which is building a free hospital on 316 acres in Pocahontas county West Virginia. We take pride in promoting sustainable products and programs that improve the quality of life.”

The online store will showcase the Herbagenix line, a division of Hemp, Inc. Herbagenix Hemp Protein contains hemp, spirulina, AFA blue green algae, and a proprietary energy blend. Herbagenix also carries other products such as a male enhancement product.

Hemp.com will soon add a video platform for reporting breaking news, covering important events, and interviewing industry leaders, as well as creating media content for the entire industry. The seasoned filmmaking team that produces the video on www.MarijuanaInc.TV is expanding their roles to include work on www.Hemp.com.

“With this infrastructure now in place and operating smoothly, our name change reflects the fact we plan to replicate this achievement in the industrial hemp industry,” said CEO Perlowin.

President David Tobias claimed, “The innovative content of www.MarijuanaInc.TV has blazed a new path in the marijuana media and cannabis entertainment sector, and will continue to expand in all directions. Hemp, Inc. and www.MarijuanaInc.TV remain dedicated to all legitimate uses of the cannabis plant.”

As other Hemp, Inc. divisions roll out, the hemp theme will remain intact. Planned for later this year are a hemp clothing division, featuring a fashion line and a unique “back to the land” real estate division based on the popular Kin’s Domain movement. A beta test is underway for a Kins cottage industry producing hand crafted products from hemp and other sustainable materials.

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New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced his support for legalizing small amounts of marijuana. This decision comes only two months after he denied legalizing medical marijuana. His reasoning is not because he has changed his opinion about the drug itself but because he believes one of the biggest problems for police and prosecutors is that the laws are inconsistent and police officers are wasting their time arresting people for small amounts of cannabis. The greatest challenge in creating and passing this legislation will be the Republican majority in the New York Senate.

Beginning in 1977 the New York law stated that carrying twenty-five grams or less of marijuana is not a violation as long as the individual is a first-time offender. However, having the drug out in public is still a crime, including if it is removed from a pocket during a police search. By decriminalizing small amounts individuals will be able to possess these amounts, even if they are searched by the police. The maximum penalty would be a $100 fine.

In 2011 there were 50,000 arrests made in New York for twenty-five grams or less of marijuana. According to Cuomo this is costly for the taxpayer. Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr. also points out that there is a great human cost too. “The human costs to each defendant charged with a misdemeanor are serious. The simple and fair change proposed by Governor Cuomo will help us redirect significant resources to the most violent criminals and serious crime problems, and, frankly, it is the right thing to do.”

The change in policy on marijuana will also alleviate some of the charges that New York’s laws are racially prejudiced. Eighty-two percent of those arrested in 2011 for small amounts of marijuana were black or Hispanic. Many believe that this statistic demonstrates how the current marijuana policy in tandem with the New York ‘stop-and-frisk’ law are racially biased and demonstrates that police are racially profiling individuals.

New York City prosecutors and the Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly support Cuomo’s declaration. Cuomo’s proposal is very similar to a directive Mayor Bloomberg has given to the New York Police Department.

Other states are also attempting to change their policies on marijuana. Colorado will have legalization as a ballot initiative in November. Rhode Island will be discussing a bill similar to that suggested by Cuomo. The main difference between what Cuomo has proposed and what Rhode Island will try to pass is that Rhode Island would require minors found in possession of the drug to complete a drug awareness program and community service.

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It’s been a controversial topic for years, whether or not to legalize marijuana in the United States. Finally in the state of Ohio, residents just might see the law passed. This past Saturday, the “Ohio and Local Cleveland chapters of NORML (The National Organization for Reformation of Marijuana Laws) made two proposals, one involving the recreational use of marijuana, and the other involving the use of the drug for medicinal purposes,” according to ‘The Cleveland Leader’.

The first proposal would include legalizing marijuana for medicinal use. This is referred to as the Ohio Medical Cannabis Act of 2012. This amendment would be carried out similar to the state of Ohio’s Liquor Control system. An ‘Ohio Commission of Cannabis Control’ would be designed with a superintendent to run it. For medicinal purposes, any purchases of the drug would require a doctor’s prescription. If passed, in order for the state to benefit, the law would require those who buy marijuana to pay local and state taxes on it.

Also, according to ‘The Cleveland Leader’, those that qualify for a doctor’s prescription “would be permitted to buy 60 grams of marijuana at a time, and could possess and transport up to 200 grams (7 ounces). They would also be allowed to grow up to 12 marijuana plants for personal use. Permits would be required for growing and selling marijuana.”

Though more recently introduced, the second proposal would be similar to that of buying beer and wine. No age requirement has yet been set for the legal age to purchase marijuana; that is something to be determined once the proposal is further along and gets closer to being put on a ballot. Cher Neufer, an employee for Ohio’s NORML, explains how recreational uses of marijuana would be similar to that of beer and wine.

“For instance, you are allowed to personally make your own beer, but you are not allowed to sell it. So, it would be the same thing. You could personally grow so many plants and consume it, share it with your friends whatever, but you can’t sell it.”

Ohioans must go through two steps in order to get each proposal on a ballot. First, they must collect 1,000 signatures of registered voters that will then be sent to the Ohio Attorney General, Mike Dewine. If approved, the next step would include a collection of a minimum of 385,245 signatures in order to for the state’s registered voters to vote on it.

Meanwhile, there is cause for concern for young adolescents. Dewine, who must approve either one or both proposals is already discussing the idea of implementing “millions of dollars in grant money to keep anti-drug programs in Ohio’s schools, including the use of marijuana,” according to the ‘Dayton Business Journal’.

It will be interesting to see as both proposals get closer and closer to being printed on a ballot, how Ohio resident’s will react, and if it does go to ballot, what the outcome from registered voters will be.

Image Courtesy of  arindambanerjee / Shutterstock.com

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New York, U.S.A. – New, nationally projectable survey results released by The Partnership at Drugfree.org and MetLife Foundation found that past-month marijuana use – particularly heavy use – has increased significantly among U.S. high school students since 2008.

The Partnership Attitude Tracking Study, sponsored by MetLife Foundation, found that 9% of teens (nearly 1.5 million) smoked marijuana heavily at least 20 times. Overall, past-month heavy marijuana use is up 80% among U.S. teens since 2008.

Past-month use is up 42% (up from 19% in 2008 to 27% in 2011, which translates to about 4 million teens), while past-year use is up 26% (up from 31% in 2008 to 39% in 2011, which translates to about 6 million teens). Lifetime use is up 21% (up from 39% in 2008 to 47% in 2011, which translates to nearly 8 million teens).

This marks an upward trend in teen marijuana use over the past three years. The last time marijuana use was this widespread among teens was in 1998 when past month use of marijuana was at 27%.

“These findings are deeply disturbing as the increases we’re seeing in heavy, regular marijuana use among high school students can spell real trouble for these teens later on,” said Steve Pasierb, President and CEO of The Partnership at Drugfree.org.

“Heavy use of marijuana – particularly beginning in adolescence – brings the risk of serious problems and our data show it is linked to involvement with alcohol and other drugs as well. Kids who begin using drugs or alcohol as teenagers are more likely to struggle with substance use disorders when compared to those who start using after the teenage years.”

Teen Marijuana Use Has Become a Normalized Behaviour

Teens now report seeing more of their peers smoking marijuana and only 26% agree with the statement, “in my school, most teens don’t smoke marijuana” (down from 37% in 2008). Also, 71% of teens say they have friends who use marijuana regularly (up from 64 percent in 2008).

Social disapproval of marijuana among teens remained the same, with 61% of teens saying they disapprove of their peers using marijuana. (About 41% say they ‘strongly disapprove’). The PATS data also found an erosion of anti-marijuana attitudes among teens, with only about half of teens (51%) saying they see “great risk” in using marijuana, down significantly from 61% in 2005.

“We have also seen a considerable decline over the past five years in the proportion of teens seeing great risk associated with marijuana use,” says Professor Lloyd Johnston, the principal investigator of the nationwide Monitoring the Future study conducted at the University of Michigan. “We believe that this decline in perceived risk has played an important role in the increases in teen use of marijuana, as it has done in the past. The fact that perceived risk is still falling portends a further increase in use.”

As teen drug use takes a turn for the worse, a heavier burden is placed on the shoulders of parents to play a more active role in protecting their kids from the health risks posed by drug and alcohol abuse.

The removal of critical pieces of our national prevention infrastructure across the country – The National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign, which was highly focused on educating youth about the dangers of teen marijuana use, and the elimination of the Safe and Drug-Free Schools Program – left a gaping hole where drug and alcohol education resources should be.

“The latest findings showing an increase in marijuana use among teens is unsettling and should serve as a wake-up call to everyone in a position to prevent unhealthy behavior,” said Dennis White, President and CEO of MetLife Foundation. “While it may be difficult to clearly understand just how dangerous marijuana use can be for teens, it is imperative that we all pay attention to the warning signs and intervene anyway we can. Early intervention is critical to helping prevent teens from drug abuse and addiction.”

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New York, U.S.A. – The PATS survey confirms that teen boys are leading the overall increases in marijuana use. Past year use among teen boys is up 24% (from 34% in 2008 to 42% in 2011) and past month use among teen boys is up 38% (from 21% in 2008 to 29% in 2011).

Additionally, boys’ heavy use – smoking marijuana at least 20 times a month – is higher than that of their female counterparts (11% for teen boys versus 6% for teen girls) and boys’ heavy marijuana use is up an alarming 57%, from 7 percent in 2008 to 11% in 2011.

According to the new data, half of Hispanic teens (50%) report that they have used marijuana in the past year (versus 40% for African Americans and 35% for Caucasians). This means Hispanic teens are nearly twice as likely (43%) as Caucasian teens to have smoked marijuana in the past year (50% versus 35%) and 25% more likely than African-American teens.

The study also found that fewer teen girls are abusing Rx medications. Teen girls’ abuse of a prescription drug “to get high or alter your mood” is down 30% since 2010 (from 23% in 2010 to 16%in 2011) and is down a total of 24% since 2009 (21% in 2009). Rx drug abuse among teen boys has remained relatively flat over the same time period.

Teens are starting to view medicine abuse as less socially acceptable and the percentage of teens who “strongly disapprove” of peers using prescription drugs to get high has gone up significantly – from 52% in 2010 to 58%in 2011. Fewer also say it’s “very” or “fairly” easy for teens to get prescription pain relievers, down 25%from 57% in 2008 to 43% in 2011.

“This data set the scene for a ‘perfect storm’ that will threaten the health of a generation of American teens” said Pasierb. “Science has shown that adolescent brains are still developing and are more easily harmed by drug and alcohol use than fully developed adult brains.

Dramatic increases in teen marijuana use, coupled with entrenched behavior of abuse of Rx and OTC drugs, puts teens at greater risk for substance use disorders, academic decline and other problems. With government budgets slashing the national prevention infrastructure and many prevention programs already eliminated, parents must step up to fill those voids, to protect their children’s health and futures.”

New Resource for Parents to Help Prevent Adolescent Drug and Alcohol Use in Their Families
The Partnership at Drugfree.org, in collaboration with the Philadelphia-based Treatment Research Institute (TRI), has released a new tool to help parents and caregivers possibly prevent adolescent drug and alcohol problems. The ” Six Components of Effective Parenting,” based on scientific research, is the product of the new Parents Translational Research Center – a National Institute on Drug Abuse-funded center involving The Partnership at Drugfree.org and TRI.

The resource is comprised of “how-to” parenting tips organized around six principles specifically designed for parents, guardians and other caregivers who can play an active role in helping prevent substance abuse in their families.

The Partnership at Drugfree.org is launching a first-of-its-kind, week-long public education and mobilization campaign, “Wake Up to Medicine Abuse,” in the fall 2012. This initiative will bring the public and private sectors together in a national education effort and call to action to curb the abuse of medicine, one of the biggest drug problems in the United States today.

“Wake Up to Medicine Abuse Week” will take place September 23-29, 2012, and will both encourage and help parents and the public-at-large to take action: first, by talking with the kids in their lives about the dangers of abusing Rx and OTC medicines, and second, by safeguarding and properly disposing of unused medications.

Image Courtesy of  arindambanerjee / Shutterstock.com

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A new study shows that nearly 9% of the American population use illegal drugs, including abuse of prescription drugs and regular use of marijuana, cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens or inhalants. According to the 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, marijuana was the most popular drug.

There are 17.4 million regular users — amounting to 6.9 percent of the population compared to 5.8 percent in 2007. USNews.com reported that nearly half of kids between 12 and 17 claimed it would be “fairly easy” or “very easy” to acquire marijuana, according to the survey.

In a statement, the US director of national drug control policy, Gil Kerlikowske, called the survey result a sign of “unacceptable levels” in the US. Around 7 million people abused psychotherapeutic drugs (including painkillers and sedatives) last year while 1.2 million used hallucinogens. These levels have been steady in the last few years.

The study was not all bad news. As in previous years, 1.5 million use cocaine but it’s a drop of nearly a million since 2006. Other hard drugs such as Methamphetamine have also  seen a drop in regular users.

What is worrying researcher is the growth in young users — the number of 18 to 25-year-olds who use drug have risen from 19.6% in 2008 to 21.5% in the 2010 survey. The hike is considered to be linked to increased marijuana use and Kerlikowske says to CNN that states who allow medical marijuana could be fueling this development.

“Emerging research reveals potential links between state laws permitting access to smoked medical marijuana and higher rates of marijuana use,” reports CNN. Kerlikowske continues: “I urge every family – but particularly those in states targeted by pro-drug political campaigns – to redouble their efforts to shield young people from serious harm by educating them about the real health and safety consequences caused by illegal drug use.”

Parental control could however prove difficult, as USNews.com reveals how surveyed parents fared pretty bad when it came to guessing their children’s use of drugs or alcohol. In the anonymous survey, 9.5% of parents said their teenagers smoked marijuana while 17% of the teens admitted to their use.

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The U.S. federal government ruled last week that marijuana has no accepted medical use, despite the growing body of evidence suggesting otherwise. Proponents of medical marijuana have advocated for nine years that the drug be declassified. Instead, the D.E.A. decided to leave marijuana in the same class as heroin, classifying marijuana as a “highly dangerous drug.”

This is the third time that the federal government has rejected appeals to reclassify marijuana. The first was filed in 1972 and denied 17 years later. The second was filed in 1995 and denied in 2001. Both decisions were appealed, but the courts sided with the federal government.

Worldwide research has suggested that marijuana has a number of medical uses, including treating devastating diseases like multiple sclerosis. Research has suggested that marijuana also helps ease symptoms of chemotherapy. Advocates for marijuana were critical of the ruling. However, they were pleased that the Obama administration has finally acted, allowing them to appeal to the federal courts.

The FDA’s decision came less than two months after advocates asked the U.S. Court of Appeals to force the administration to respond to their petition.”We have foiled the government’s strategy of delay, and we can now go head-to-head on the merits,” said Joe Elford, the chief counsel for Americans for Safe Access and the lead attorney on the lawsuit.

Elford and other proponents were not surprised by the decision. “It is clearly motivated by a political decision that is anti-marijuana,” he said.

In a June 21 letter to the organizations that filed the petition, DEA Administrator Michele M. Leonhart said she rejected the request because marijuana “has a high potential for abuse,” “has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States” and “lacks accepted safety for use under medical supervision.” The letter and 37 pages of supporting documents were published Friday in the Federal Register.

The Coalition for Rescheduling Cannabis filed its petition in October 2002. In 2004, the DEA asked the Department of Health and Human Services to review the science. The department recommended in 2006 that marijuana remain classified as a dangerous drug. Four and a half years then elapsed before the current administration issued a final denial.

“The regulatory process is just a time-consuming one that usually takes years to go through,” said Barbara Carreno, a spokeswoman for the Drug Enforcement Administration.

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Vermont is the latest state to legalize marijuana dispensaries, passing the legislation with bi-partisan support earlier this month.  Governor Peter Shumlin signed the bill on June 2, despite pressure from the federal government to not pass the controversial legislation.

S. 17 permits up to four medi-pot dispensaries to be established in Vermont, making the Green Mountain State the eighth in the nation to legalize dispensaries.  Maine, Rhode Island, Colorado, New Mexico, New Jersey, Delaware and Arizona all allow dispensaries. Vermont already allows patients and/or caregivers to grow pot, but added the dispensaries for those unable to grow the drug for themselves. Nationwide, 15 states and the District of Columbia allow the medical use of marijuana.

The Vermont Department of Public Safety will oversee the application process and conduct background checks of viable candidates applying to establish one of the four dispensaries. The department is expected to issue licenses for the state dispensaries within a year. Dispensaries will be permitted to grow 28 mature plants, 98 immature plants and possess 28 ounces of usable medicine. Dispensaries with more than 14 patients can grow two mature plants and seven immature plants and possess two ounces of medi-pot for each patient.

Last month, U.S. attorney for Vermont, Tristram J. Coffin, sent letters to state lawmakers warning them against voting for S. 17.  His threat did not stop the bill from passing with bi-partisan support. Gov. Shumlin signed the bill the same day that U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder was in Rhode Island promising that the U.S. Justice Department will work with governors in states that have legalized medical marijuana in order to reach a “satisfactory solution” in establishing medical marijuana dispensaries and to reach “clarification” on the issue “sooner rather than later.”

Bianca Slota, spokeswoman for Shumlin, said the governor does not minimize the threat from Coffin but he still feels that patients need safe places to buy marijuana to cope with medical ailments.“Obviously, it gives us something to think about,” she said. “We are not brushing [Coffin’s letter] aside, but it’s going to be a year before the dispensaries open. We will have to see what happens at the federal level.”

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The legalization to consume some drugs in Argentina has generated a great polemic in the country. The Government had to firmly state that: “ There will never be free drugs in Buenos Aires”. The executive of Cristina Fernandez announced to propose a legal change, where the consumer would not be consider a delinquent.

This type of regulations  are really interesting taking in consideration that South America is a continent where the production of drugs is very wide, and it is controlled and handle illegally.

The Argentinean authorities considered that this policy has failed due to the fact that it will equate “the addict with the trafficker”, these were the words that yesterday the Minister of Justice, Aníbal Fernández said. He claimed that it is more important to bring medical attendance to the consumers and chase drug trafficking, rather than expend the State resources into penal processes against the drug addicts.

This is remarkable change of posture for Argentina, since the 1989 ONU convention, it was always possitionated towards the persecusion of drug consume.

The Government’s announcement has generated divisions of opinions among the partidarians that focus on attacking the problem with a  similar angle as some Euroepan countries, such as Spain. Against the others that advert that the measure will provoke the opposite effect, than the one expected.

This is the first time that this kind of drug regulations are being discuss in South America. If we take in consideration the posibility to legalize drugs in South America, rather than having them situated in the black market, and controlled by delincuents, and guerrilleros such as the As Farc in Colombia. It is good to look at the other side of the coin, where offering control and regulation many of this groups would dissolve and the drug consumption would be controlled  in a legal way.

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A new longitudinal study, published on March 1 in BMJ,  suggests that early use of marijuana may trigger psychotic symptoms and prolonged use could increase the risk for psychotic disorders in later life.  There has been a well documented correlation between marijuana use and psychosis; it has been unclear if smoking marijuana preceded psychotic symptoms.

“There are indications that especially people who start using cannabis at an early age (<16 years) are likely to become chronic users and thereby increase their risk for mental health problems, such as psychotic symptoms,” Rebecca Kuepper, research psychologist and PhD student at Maastricht University in the Netherlands said.

This study was uniquely designed to look specifically at the sequential association between incident cannabis use and incident psychotic symptoms.  For 10 years, the researchers tracked 1,923 individuals from the general population of Germany, aged 14 to 24 years at baseline, who had no history of psychotic symptoms or cannabis use at the beginning of the study.  They found that those who started smoking cannabis during the study had nearly twice the chance of reporting psychotic symptoms during follow-up as those who remained cannabis free.  This was true even after accounting for potentially confounding factors, such as age, sex, socioeconomic status, use of other drugs, and other psychiatric diagnoses.  In addition, cannabis users who reported psychotic symptoms and continued to use cannabis were more apt to have their symptoms linger than those who stopped smoking it. The continued use of marijuana increased the risk for psychotic symptoms more than two-fold.

These results suggest that incident cannabis use increases the risk for the onset of psychotic symptoms “and, if used continuously, increases the risk that those symptoms will persist,” Ms. Kuepper said.  Wayne Hall, PhD, of University of Queensland, Australia, and coauthor of a linked commentary, stated that the pattern of results “makes it unlikely that cannabis use is a form of self-medication of psychotic symptoms and more likely to be a contributory cause of psychotic symptoms.” In the study, psychotic experiences did not predict later cannabis use. Given the current findings and those of earlier studies, “it is likely that cannabis use precipitates schizophrenia in people who are vulnerable because of a personal or family history of schizophrenia,” Dr. Hall and Dr. Louisa Degenhardt, co-authors of the commentary, note.

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