Fighting the InfoWar against Disinformation in the Establishment.

I've been doing quite a bit of research and reading lately. Because I use medical Cannabis, and I've had my life greatly improved since receiving my Authorization to engage in the Medical use of Cannabis. I have found quite a bit of information on the internet, and it seems that most of it is misleading. I would like to clarify this for my readers, and show exactly what is fact and what is lies.

First, I'd like to start by showing some information about Cannabis use in teens, and the connection it has in States that have passed medical Cannabis laws.

"(adolescent marijuana use in medical marijuana states) "Indeed, all 11 states that have passed medical marijuana laws ranked above the national average in the percentage of persons 12 or older reporting past-month use of marijuana in 1999, as shown in Table 2. It is at least possible, however, that this analysis confuses cause with effect. It is logical to assume that the states with the highest prevalence of marijuana usage would be more likely to approve medical marijuana programs, because the populations of those states would be more knowledgeable of marijuana’s effects and more tolerant of its use.

"It is also the case that California, the state with the largest and longest-running medical marijuana program, ranked 34th in the percentage of persons age 12-17 reporting marijuana use in the past month during the period 2002-2003, as shown in Table 1. In fact, between 1999 and 2002-2003, of the 10 states with active medical marijuana programs, five states (AK, HI, ME, MT, VT) rose in the state rankings of past-month marijuana use by 12- to 17-year-olds and five states fell (CA, CO, NV, OR, WA).¹¹¹ Of the five states that had approved medical marijuana laws before 1999 (AK, AZ, CA, OR, WA), only Alaska’s ranking rose between 1999 and 2002-2003, from 7th to 4th, with 11.08% of youth reporting past-month marijuana use in 2002-2003 compared with 10.4% in 1999. No clear patterns are apparent in the state-level data. Clearly, more important factors are at work in determining a state’s prevalence of recreational marijuana use than whether the state has a medical marijuana program."

Source: 

Eddy, Mark, "Medical Marijuana: Review and Analysis of Federal and State Policies," Congressional Research Service (Washington, DC: March 31, 2009), p. 32.
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RL33211.pdf

It's important to point out, that this source is well balanced, showing the data as it relates to the facts, and not opinion. It's pointed out, that while the States with Medical Marijuana laws, some have higher rates of recreational Cannabis use, however some do not. This shows, that while the use of Cannabis in minors between 12 and 17 are higher in the States with Medical Marijuana laws, it may simply be due to the fact that the constituents of those States may just have more experience with Cannabis, which resulted in them passing Medical Marijuana laws.

This is an important fact that is basically lost in translation once portrayed by the general media. It is mostly pointed out that Medical Marijuana CAUSES recreational use in minors. Another point that is mostly lost, that Medical users have very little to do with the minors using Marijuana for recreation, and who does have everything to do with their illegal use? Their parents.

That's right, I would like to raise a call-to-arms for everyone that doesn't have a child, to stand up for our rights to provide medicine to the sick, and stop legislating away behavior that the parents think will "Put my children at risk."

I'm tired of being at risk of arrest, because I need this very important, lifesaving medicine, all so that some parents can feel like they're safe in protecting their children. The problem isn't Marijuana, the problem is people who don't spend enough time with their kids, and then the kids end up getting involved with bad influences, like other kids that have no parenting discipline, and they end up trying all sorts of drugs, because drug dealers don't ID.

However, here is where the "War on Drugs" is a complete lie and a failure. If the parents really wanted to protect their children, they would simply legalize Cannabis, so that it could be Controlled, Taxed, and Regulated. Then, there would be much less of it on the streets. Medical patients themselves already keep their Cannabis to themselves, and in fact, they commit no crimes in growing their own medicine and sharing it with other patients.

The only criminal activity involving Marijuana these days, is when it is trafficked in with the intent of being sold on the Black Market, and this is done by a criminal element with the intent of profiting off your children and others who want to use this medicine for themselves. That is where legalization ultimately protects you and your children.

There are several wars going on in the world right now, and one is being fought right here on the home front, against each and every one of us. It is a war of the mind, and on our rights and liberties. This war is called "The War on Drugs" and this war is really just a Ponzi scheme to protect the profits of companies like Eli-Lilly, Watson, and Roxy Pharmaceuticals. Along with Big Agro, like Monsanto.

There is a huge war of disinformation as well. I found this quote on the website Above the Influence.

"

Marijuana Facts
(Pot, Weed)

What is It?

Marijuana is a green, brown, or gray mixture of dried, shredded leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers of the hemp plant. Marijuana has a chemical in it called tetrahydrocannabinol, better known as THC. All forms of marijuana are mind-altering (psychoactive). In other words, they change how the brain works. A lot of other chemicals are found in marijuana, too — about 400 of them, some of which are carcinogenic.⁴⁶ Marijuana is addictive with more teens in treatment with a primary diagnosis of marijuana dependence than for all other illicit drugs combined.⁴⁷Using marijuana can also lead to disturbed perceptions and thoughts, and marijuana use can worsen psychotic symptoms in people who have schizophrenia.⁴⁸

Additionally, there are higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thinking among people who use marijuana when compared to people who don't use.⁴⁹Teens who started using marijuana before age 15 are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression in early adulthood.⁵⁰ A new study shows that smoking marijuana is associated with a 40% increase risk of psychosis, and 

Impaired judgment and motor coordination / Shortened attention span and distractibility / Anxiety and panic attacks /Increased heart rate / Increased risk of heart attack / Increased risk for schizophrenia in vulnerable individuals / Impaired judgment / Problems with memory and learning / Lowered motivation / Decreased alertness and coordination / Addiction / Withdrawal symptoms from stopping drug use (in a chronic user): irritability, sleeplessness, anxiety, impaired appetite, and aggression."

This kind of disinformation is rampant within our Federal Government, and our school system. It is systematically engineered to make people sick, and make them fear Cannabis. Cannabis doesn't have any of these effects and in fact, some of them are the exact opposite of the effects of Cannabis, let's start at the end and work our way back in examining these lies.

"Irritability, Sleeplessness, anxiety, impaired appetite, and aggression" Okay, lie, lie, lie, lie, lie... This is just plain wrong. Lets start with aggression. Are you kidding me? Normally, I refrain from using stereotypes to describe people, however in this case it makes a good point. Have you ever seen a stoner who just got high? Aggression is about as far from the truth as possible. Most people, when medicated don't have the force of will to be aggressive, let alone the fact that Marijuana's abilities to calm and relax are second to none.

Impaired Appetite? Are you JOKING? First of all, anyone who has read my blog or listened to the podcast knows, that my condition is that of Gastroparesis, a paralysis of the gastric nerves and smooth muscle in the bowels. Literally, my digestive emptying half-time is 24 times normal, so what it takes you and hour and a half to eat, it takes me a day and half.

I use medical Cannabis to control my nausea, vomiting, and APPETITE. Plain and simple, if it weren't for Marijuana, I wouldn't be able to eat.

Irritability, sleeplessness, and anxiety are three conditions that all relate to the level of stress, pain, and mental unrest that a person has. Usually, all three of these conditions are met with great resistance by the effects of Cannabidiol, a medically potent Cannabinoid that is constituent in Marijuana. This Cannabidiol, or CBD for short, is so medically potent that it is given to patients suffering from a wide array of disorders including: Multiple-Sclerosis, Anxiety, PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), Heart Conditions, Diabetes, Glaucoma, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Migraines, Nausea and Wasting Caused by Chemotherapy, HIV/AIDS, and more.

Impaired Judgement and/or motor co-ordination. This one I don't believe has been disproven in it's entirety, however I know anecdotally that it is false, because I notice that I myself do not lose motor co-ordination, unless I've medicated way beyond that which is necessary. My judgement is my own, and I don't think anyone could tell me that it is suspect or impaired, unless I was drunk or knocked nearly unconcious.

Shortened attention span and/or distractibility, this actually depends on the person. Because I've found that I myself gain focus and attentiveness while medicated, however some others have reported feeling "spacy" or "out of it." However, this is really just matter of the person's tolerance and moderation. See, I can choose to smoke all of my weed in one sitting, or I can moderate it out miserly, and get medicated a bunch of times on the same amount.

This is another point that none of the websites or organizations that advocate prohibition will admit, or even address. The fact is, that there is a small percentage of people who will become addicted to anything, given the opportunity to do so. This is where the prohibition model fails. Because prohibition, comes with it, a stigma and an ostricizing, that makes the person that becomes addicted, even more so and more problematic.

Because of the risk of incarceration, many who actually do need help, do not get it. They fear the repercussions of seeking treatment, and being forever judged because of it. Another misrepresentation highly purported by the establishment, and so-called "Authorities" in drug and alcohol awareness and abstinence programs, is the concept of making you "un-motivated." This is simply untrue, Marijuana doesn't make anyone any more un-motivated than drinking a beer. Even less so. 

This is just outright lies and manipulation, because the truth is, Marijuana actually motivates most people. Significantly so. It motivates people in a creative fashion. Several authors, musicians, and poets have cited Marijuana as being a source of great creativity, empathy, and MOTIVATION.

Also, you'll find that most people who use Cannabis daily, or at least regularly, are more politically aware, more educated (formally or self), and are more empathetic to the blights of humanity. This is all due to the capability of the plant to produce an empathic response in the individual. Most people who use Cannabis have a higher intolerance to injustice, and suffering, which is why they stand up for their rights and become politically active.

Lastly, on the subject of motivation, it is quite common for those of us who use Cannabis regularly, to not wish to be without Cannabis. Due to the fact that Cannabis isn't free, even when you grow it yourself, we have to work very hard to provide for our needs and our families. In fact, because Marijuana isn't covered by insurance companies, I have to pay a lot more for my medicine than the average individual benefiting from Premera or Regence.

I also wanted to point out, that the paragraph of lies above, mentions that marijuana contains "chemicals" that are carcinogenic. Here are the facts: Cannabis, contains no chemicals, other than the chemicals naturally produced by the plant itself, these are called Cannabinoids, Turpenes and Flavanoids. These chemicals are simply the mechanisms by which the plant produces it's aroma, flavor, and it's medical properties.

All Cannabinoids have receptivity in the human body, located in Cannabinoid receptors throughout the body. Cannabinoid receptors come in two varieties, CB1 and CB2 receptors. CB1 receptors are primarily located in the brain, and CB2 receptors, while they are in the brain, and more vastly located throughout the body.

The difference between the affinity Cannabinoids have for these two receptors is the key reason why Cannabis as a natural plant is an effective medicine, while the synthetic attempt to copy THC, known as Dronabinol, is simply ineffective. Dronabinol (known as trade name Marinol in the US.), is a synthetically derived analog of the molecule Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannibinol, better known as THC. This drug, while it can be derived from Cannabis plant's extracts, is more commonly synthesized from it's constituent elements.

While this may be mildly effective in controlling nausea, and somewhat has an effect on the brain, psychoactivity, it is strongly ineffective for the vast array of other symptoms and conditions that Cannabis is EFFECTIVE at treating. This is due to the affinity the various Cannabinoids have for the different receptors in the brain.

THC, whether naturally or synthetically derived, binds to the CB1 receptor, which is primarily concentrated in the brain. The vast majority of medical benefits from the Cannabis plant, come from the 60+ other Cannabinoids, that have a common affinity for the CB2 receptors located throughout approximately 90% of the tissues in the human body.

CBD, or Cannabidiol, is another Cannabinoid that is medically potent, and currently under study in several parts of the world. CBD is associated with Marijuana's anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain management) responses. CBD, and several other key Cannabinoids, have a high affinity for binding to the CB2 receptors, and this is key in Cannabis' efficacy in medical treatment.

There is currently an accepted and marketed drug in the UK that is sold under the brand name Sativex which is naturally derived from actual Cannabis, and contains chemically pure THC and CBD, in equal parts. It is currently under mass trials now that it is publicly available for prescription in the UK. I look forward to seeing results on a large scale, however I already have several predictions about them. Namely, that they will find high efficacy, with ZERO harmful or deleterious side-effects. Simply put, Cannabis is non-toxic and non-harmfufl. 

THE ONLY EFFECT IN CANNABIS THAT IS CARCINOGENIC IS THE BURNING AND INHALATION OF PLANT MATTER.

This fact is key, and is currently under investigation under a larger scale, but has been studied in the past. In New Zealand a study was done (http://www.ersj.org.uk/content/31/2/280.full), that showed Cannabis smokers had an increased risk of lung cancer, however the data showed conflicting results. It was also pointed out that the methods by which people were smoking (i.e., smoking without a filter, to a smaller butt size, with deeper inhalation, and a tendency to hold the smoke in for longer) all added to the increase in risk. However, it is important to point out, that other research has shown that Cannabis, and it's Cannabinoid constituents have an ANTI-CARCINOGENIC effect, when administered through non-smoked routes.

It is important to also point out, that there is very little chance to control for subjects that use only Cannabis smoke, throughout their entire lives, that have never smoked tobacco cigarettes. This is a key problem in finding reliable data, that would put to bed the myth that Cannabis is "carcinogenic."

The final point of misinformation I would like to address is the level of teens in counselling or drug rehabilitation for "Marijuana Addiction." Namely, this fact is over-inflated by mandatory drug rehabilitation for all minors that are busted for possession. In fact, in most States, when you're arrested or charged for Marijuana Possession, as a part of your sentence, or probation, you will be required to take part in a Drug Treatment or Rehabilitation program. Along with mandatory involvement in the Narcotics Anonymous or Alcoholics Anonymous organizations. Which these organizations border on religious, which nearly violates the separation of Church and State, mandated by the Constitution in the Bill of Rights.

This is just another set of reasons why the establishment fights so hard, using every dirty trick in the book, to dissuade the American people from making an informed decision on the facts.

These are all documented, I'm not just making this stuff up. There have literally been hundreds of studies (mostly not in the US, because of its strict Federal guidelines about Cannabis) that have proven time and again that Cannabis has medical uses, and that it is so medically advantageous that it substitutes entirely for a wide range of pharmaceutical compounds.

This is the real reason why the establishment fights so hard to keep Cannabis illegal. Because it threatens the profits of the Big Pharmaceutical ("Sick Care") Industrial Complex. This is why we as citizens must stand up and assert our rights. Tell your Congressmen or Senator that you want to see Cannabis legal in your State.

This will be the biggest issue that we as a country have to face in the next 10 years, and we must get it done, or we will begin to see more and more problems in defending our liberties, because they will be taken away by this administration, especially if Obama is re-elected. I personally am not a Democrat or Republican. I would consider myself a Libertarian, as I agree with the TEA party and their stance on defending the Constitution and re-claiming the Bill of Rights.

I myself look forward to seeing Ron Paul in the upcoming presidential election, and even if he's on the GOP ticket, I will be voting for him. However, I have talked about this before, and I believe we need to abolish the political party system. Start simply making candidates post all of the philosophies, principals and voting records on their websites, and it will be up to the people to investigate the candidates for themselves.

Finally, I would like to point out that on a State level, we all have the right to assert our Sovereignty, and tell the Federal Government to stay out of States matters. If we want to grow weed in our State, sell weed in our State, and TAX weed in our State. It is our RIGHT to do so, and without threat from prosecution by the Federal Authorities.

It is very important that we stand together on this issue, and we must fight to protect our Liberty, Freedom, and our Way of Life. All of which, I love more than almost anything next to my wife and family. I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to read this, and listen to me on my podcast by clicking Polymatheism Special (5/5/2011).

--Frank Colletti

http://polymatheism.com  http://wecannevolve.org (under construction)