Sessions Wages War on Natural Weed, As He Grants Maker of Fentanyl a Monopoly on Synthetic THC

Jeff Sessions hypocritically granted a monopoly on the sale of THC to a company whose drug fentanyl kills tens of thousands a year, while promising to arrest people for a plant.

‘Wow!’: Dr. Oz Makes FOX News Anchors’ Heads Explode as He Drops Cannabis Truth on LIVE TV

For years now, we at TFTP have been praising the benefits of cannabis and it’s ability to heal. We’ve even brought you stories of medical doctors using cannabis to help opiate addicts kick their addiction to powerful narcotics. But now, a world renowned doctor, “Doctor Oz” (Mehmet Oz) has joined us and has officially come out in favor of medical marijuana, debunking it as a “gateway drug” and claiming it may be the “exit drug” to help our nation’s addicted get off heroin and opiates.

Dr. Oz was a guest on Fox News’ Fox and Friends on Tuesday. As the segment with the physician and television host was coming to a close, Oz seized the opportunity to say a few things about medical marijuana. He said:

The real story is the hypocrisy around medical marijuana. People think it’s a gateway drug to narcotics. It may be the exit drug to get us out of the narcotic epidemic.

Oz criticized the government’s long-standing position on marijuana and said it should no longer be classified as a Schedule I narcotic, precisely the stance TFTP has taken for so many years. Oz stated:

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We’re not allowed to study it because it’s a Schedule I drug, and I personally believe it could help.

Fox and Friends anchor Steve Doocy could only respond by saying, “Wow, I haven’t heard that one before” and cut to a commercial break. But the public announcement was quickly noticed by several media outlets who ran the story. Forbes was one such publication which ran a similar story to ours.

For many years, marijuana advocates have been stereotyped as hippies like Willie Nelson, dreadlock wearing rappers like Snoop Dog, and shamed athletes such as swimmer Michael Phelps. But now, one of the world’s most recognizable doctors has taken his stand with cannabis, and it’s no longer the fringe elements of society saying the same thing. It’s mainstream, it’s medical, it’s Dr. Oz.

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However, Oz is not the first, to come out in support of not only cannabis research, declassification as a Schedule I narcotic by the DEA, and an herb to be used to help people overcome addiction.

In 2015, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy made an appearance on CBS News and was asked about his own personal feelings about medical marijuana. In the interview he declared marijuana “can be helpful.”

Also, in 2013, CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta had to apologize to his viewers for critical comments he’d made about cannabis. In what appeared to be a very sincere apology, Gupta declared he was wrong about cannabis.

I apologize because I didn’t look hard enough, until now. I didn’t look far enough. I didn’t review papers from smaller labs in other countries doing some remarkable research, and I was too dismissive of the loud chorus of legitimate patients whose symptoms improved on cannabis.
Instead, I lumped them with the high-visibility malingerers, just looking to get high. I mistakenly believed the Drug Enforcement Agency listed marijuana as a schedule 1 substance because of sound scientific proof. Surely, they must have quality reasoning as to why marijuana is in the category of the most dangerous drugs that have ‘no accepted medicinal use and a high potential for abuse.’

Gupta declared that the U.S. government and other entities have been systematically lying to the American people about cannabis and as a result, the people, including himself at one time, had been duped.

What about you? Are you still holding on the the propaganda that weed is somehow bad for you as if your brain is frying like an egg? Please share your comments below. What does it mean for Dr. Oz to come out in favor of cannabis?

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Survey: 42% of People Replaced Pharmaceuticals with Marijuana Compounds

In the largest survey to date on cannabidiol (CBD) usage, researchers found that nearly half of people using the products were able to quit using pharmaceutical drugs – something the pharmaceutical industry has long feared would happen.

The Brightfield Group and HelloMD – an online community that brings together doctors and cannabis patients – surveyed 2,400 people from HelloMD’s community of 150,000 members about their usage of CBD products and their effectiveness. [1]

Bethany Gomez, Director of Research for Brightfield Group, said:

“This study is exciting because it shows there is potentially a huge barely-tapped market for CBD products that could improve the lives of many people. With further research and public education, CBD could be an effective alternative treatment for many people, particularly at a time when our nation is in the midst of an opioid crisis.” [2]

Though the federal government has expressed wishes to crack down on medical marijuana, the facts show that CBD and other cannabis products are already helping people prevent and overcome opioid addiction. States with medical marijuana laws see decreased opioid use. A 2014 study found that cannabinoids may make it easier for the body and brain to detox from cocaine, amphetamines, and other hard-to-kick drugs.

Survey Findings

Before we go into the results of the survey, let’s have a crash course (or a refresher course) on cannabinoids and what they do.

Of the many cannabinoids found in marijuana, there are 2 primary ones taking the spotlight – CBD and THC. Both have medicinal qualities. THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis that gives users a feeling of being “high,” is an analgesic. By comparison, CBD does not have psychoactive qualities, but has anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, anti-psychotic, and anti-convulsive properties.

Of the community members who participated in the survey, vaping was the preferred method of CBD consumption. The majority of CBD-only users were women (58%), and women accounted for 55% of CBD users, overall. It was the men who favored THC-dominant products. [3]

The conditions most commonly treated with CBD were depression, insomnia, anxiety, and joint pain. Participants also listed muscle tension or strain, migraines or tension headaches, severe or chronic pain, arthritis, and nausea as conditions they eased with CBD.

CBD worked so well for these conditions, in fact, that 42% said they were able to quit using traditional medications. Participants were able to kick to the curb prescription drugs like Vicodin and Ambien, as well as over-the-counter (OTC) meds including Tylenol (70%), Bengay, and even certain herbal and other natural remedies.

Unsurprisingly, 90% of respondents said they would purchase cannabis products again.

Moreoever, slightly more than 40% of those surveyed said the CBD product they used was “much more effective” than OTC products, and about 30% said the same of CBD’s efficacy compared with prescription products.

Dr. Perry Solomon, Chief Medical Officer of HelloMD, said:

“We are seeing an exponential rise in the interest of CBD products from our patient community—particularly among women. While we still have much to learn about CBD, we cannot ignore this one fact; the majority of those using CBD product today receive great benefit. This has the potential for far-reaching consequences.” [2]

Supporting Past and Other Current Findings

Earlier this year, a survey showed that 63% of respondents said they had replaced their pharmaceuticals with cannabis. This poses a clear and present danger to drug companies, which is why so many are helping to fund anti-legalization efforts.

One such company is Insys Therapeutics. The company fought medical marijuana in Arizona, and the drug maker received DEA approval early in 2017 for a synthetic marijuana drug.

Help me figure this one out, readers: Marijuana is a Schedule I substance, but Insys’ synthetic THC drug, Syndros is only a Schedule II – the federal government’s way of deeming Syndros less dangerous than the actual plant you grow, pick, dry, and smoke. [4]

I think we need to re-evaluate our collective stance on this much vilified plant.

Sources:

[1] Forbes

[2] The Fresh Toast

[3] Understanding Cannabidiol

[4] The Washington Post

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About Julie Fidler:
	Julie Fidler is a freelance writer, legal blogger, and the author of Adventures in Holy Matrimony: For Better or the Absolute Worst. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and two ridiculously spoiled cats. She occasionally pontificates on her blog.

Canada’s Pot Legalization Comes With a Hefty Dose of Police State – 10 Years in Prison for Driving High

Canada’s recently unveiled cannabis legalization effort is generating plenty of discussion, largely due to the fact that it would be the second country in the world to allow “full” recreational use of the substance nationwide. While legalization will require approval from the Parliament, its passage is quite feasible because of a Liberal majority in the House of Commons. The overhaul appears as a monumental step forward in cannabis freedom, but there is no shortage of limitations, restrictions and penalties for those not in full compliance of the law.

The bill would allow adults 18 years of age and older to possess up to 30 grams, or a little over an ounce, of cannabis. Adults would also be allowed to grow up to four plants on their property for personal use. Most regulations regarding retail sales would be decided upon by individual provinces.

One positive aspect of this bill is that cannabis would be legalized throughout the entire country, unlike the United States with its varying state laws under continuous threat of the government which still deems cannabis illegal at the federal level. Canada would join Uruguay as the only other country in the world to broadly legalize the substance.

However, there are some hefty stipulations attached to this bill serving as a clear indication that the Canadian government’s war on drugs will remain in effect, as the bill would be “imposing serious criminal penalties for those operating outside the legal framework.” In their commitment to keep cannabis away from minors, cripple the black market and deter impaired driving, the Canadian government has plenty of penalties within this bill for users who sell to youth, drive under the influence of cannabis or attempt to distribute and sell marijuana without a license.

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The penalty for selling cannabis to a minor ranges from a $15,000 fine and 18-month prison sentence to up to 14 years in jail, dependent upon the seriousness of the charge. Selling cannabis without a license also carries a prison sentence, ranging from 6 months to 14 years depending on the allegation. The government has gone a step further by aiming to prosecute people who have too much on their person or in their garden. Possession surpassing the allowed 30 grams, possession of flowering or budding plants in public, possession of “illicit” cannabis, and possession of more than four plants carry possible jail time as well: between six months and five years in prison and fines of up to $5,000 depending on the circumstances of the charges.

In addition to the prohibited actions in the bill itself, a synchronous bill was introduced that would expand police powers to order saliva samples from drivers suspected of operating under the influence of drugs and greatly increase penalties on drivers under the influence of drugs including cannabis. According to CBC:

Three new drug-related offences will be also be created for drivers who have consumed drugs within two hours of driving. A driver who is found to have two nanograms but less than five nanograms of THC per millilitre of blood could face a maximum fine of up to $1,000 (THC is the primary psychoactive found in cannabis).

A driver who has a blood level of more than five nanograms of THC, or has been drinking alcohol and smoking pot at the same time, will face a fine and the possibility of jail time. In more serious cases, a drug-impaired driver could face up to 10 years if convicted.

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The government did not specify which drug testing device it would recommend police use for enforcement, but other jurisdictions use the DrugWipe system, which can detect traces of cannabis, opiates, cocaine, amphetamine, methamphetamines (MDMA, ecstasy), benzodiazepines and ketamine.

While Canada’s law is a step forward in effectively allowing more people to access cannabis, the strings attached do little to increase overall freedom for users, and there will be a plethora of ways to imprison and fine users who stray from using cannabis within the provided authorizations; while some penalties are described as part of the goal to reduce impaired driving and protect youth, the Canadian government will essentially continue to put people in jail for cannabis offenses including “over-possession.”

The bill is aiming for implementation in the middle of 2018; while details will likely continue to be crafted, legalization in Canada will carry hefty restrictions unless significant changes are made to the proposed law.

Cops Brag About Arresting Woman for Pot on Facebook as they Ignore 10,000 Rape Kits

Okaloosa County, FL — In the fall of 2016, voters in Florida approved the sale of medical marijuana statewide. But if anyone thinks that Florida law enforcement is going to get soft on marijuana as a result, they might need to think again. The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office paraded their latest drug bust on their Facebook page this week. They found Kayla Martin, 26, to be in possession of four melted gummy bears and two lollipops, arrested her, and charged her, not only with possession but with intent to distribute. The six tiny pieces of THC-laced candy were photographed, along with the perpetrator, and uploaded to the department’s FB page.

A woman who tried to sell candies laced with the marijuana extract THC was arrested today by Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office deputies.
26-year old Kayla Margaret Martin of Miles Martin Road in DeFuniak Springs is charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute within 1000 feet of a county park.
A beachgoer complained to OCSO deputies after she says Martin approached her around one p.m. and tried to sell her the edibles while at the Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island. Deputies located two lollipops and four gummy bears in Martin’s bag. The gummy bears had melted due to the heat.

According to the FB post, the young lady was apparently trying to sell her wares on the beach on Okaloosa Island. After one person reportedly complained about her attempts to sell her homemade edibles, the police swooped in to arrest the now accused drug trafficker.

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But the backlash against the police department was immediate. Jordan Ford wrote, “Wow. Good job getting this dangerous individual off the street. TWO lollipops. Man. I can sleep better tonight.” The American Libertarian Army confronted the department with one simple question, “Why don’t you catch someone with a drug that can actually harm someone? Are you afraid of going after the drugs that actually bring violence?”

As the Free Thought Project has been documenting for years, the war on drugs keeps catching enterprising entrepreneurs like Martin, who understand the medicinal value of cannabis and attempt to capitalize on its benefits to human health. Cannabis has been demonstrated to serve as an effective anti-anxiety, painkiller, antidepressant, antiepileptic, anti-cancer drug, and works well for veterans suffering from PTSD. Why police around the country continue to pursue low-level drug offenders such as they allege Martin to be, smacks in the face of current research, legislative movements, common sense and human dignity.

While Okaloosa County parades Martin and her wares on the internet (they probably let the gummy bears melt so they appear more like heroin in the pictures), the backlog of unprocessed rape kits continues to grow. All across the country, including Florida, police have refused to do their jobs and process rape kits; the medical evidence collection kits hospitals collect to help to convict alleged rapists.

In Florida, they’re called “Sexual Assault Kits” or “SAKs.” Instead of using the money to process more SAKs, the State of Florida allocated 300,000 dollars to study the phenomena of unprocessed SAKs sitting in evidence lockers all across the state.

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What the research team at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement found, after investigating the how the state’s law enforcement agencies handle their SAKs, may be shocking to some. “Responding agencies indicated there were approximately 13,435 unsubmitted SAKs within their inventories and approximately 9,484 of them should be submitted,” they concluded. In other words, there are nearly 10,000 women in Florida who are still waiting for justice in their rape cases, as their rape kits remain unprocessed.

Consider the dichotomy at work. Police praise themselves for busting a cannabis advocate with six pieces of candy, yet store their SAKs away to be processed when they get around to it. Some could contend, with reason, police departments all across Florida are guilty of serious dereliction of duty, preferring to arrest cannabis advocates in place of prosecuting rapists, some of whom may be serial rapists.

Jeff Sessions confirms he’s going after states that have legalized marijuana

WASHINGTON D.C. (INTELLIHUB) — Attorney General Jeff Sessions told reporters who were at the Department of Justice Monday that “experts” have been telling him that marijuana causes “violence” and is no good.

‘I’m definitely not a fan of the drugs expanded use,’ Sessions said.

“I believe it’s an unhealthy practice and current levels of THC in marijuana are very high compared to what they were a few years ago.”

“Most of you probably know I don’t think America is going to be a better place when more people of all ages and particularly young people start smoking pot,” Sessions pointed out.

“I would just say it does remain a violation of federal law to distribute marijuana throughout any place in the United States, whether a state legalizes it or not.”

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions (Gage Skidmore/Flickr)

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said last week that he expects to see “greater enforcement” of federal laws when it comes to recreational marijuana.

@jeffsessions wants "greater enforcement" of fed. marijuana laws, according to @seanspicer. Will this be a move forward for the US or back?

— Intellihub (@intellihubnews) February 28, 2017

Will there be a new war on pot?

Other Sources:

Sessions pushes tougher line on marijuana — Politico

Sessions: I’m ‘not a fan’ of marijuana expansion — The Hill

©2017. INTELLIHUB.COM. All Rights Reserved.

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WATCH: Fmr Cop With Severe Parkinson’s Tries Cannabis Treatment for First Time

Over the past couple of years, The Free Thought Project has reported on many amazing examples of medical cannabis helping people who suffer from debilitating conditions. Numerous videos exist of children’s seizures stopping almost instantly after a dose of cannabis oil.

Adults with Parkinson’s disease can also experience this miracle, as Larry Smith demonstrated in a video where he took medical cannabis for the first time. Smith began suffering from Parkinson’s twenty years ago – developing severe dyskinesia (uncontrolled movements), loss of voice, and tremors – and eventually was taking 20 pharmaceutical medications a day.

In his quest for relief, Smith has “exhausted every conventional method of treatment, every drug, and even brain surgery.” But legalization and acceptance of cannabis and its medical value has swept the nation, and it was only a matter of time before Smith and his wife would consider trying it.

Smith is a former police officer, serving 26 years at the Hamden Police Department until retiring as Captain in 1999. Smith and his wife then moved to South Dakota, where he would open a popular bakery.

As of now, South Dakota remains strictly prohibitionist with no medical cannabis laws, but bills are in the works. They aren’t waiting around for the state to come to its senses, though.

In a video posted on his Facebook page, Ride with Larry, Smith tries medical cannabis for the first time. A fellow Parkinson’s patient visits Smith with medical cannabis and instructs him on how to use it. Smith’s severe dyskinesia is obvious, and he says, “It’s been a rough week.”

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As Smith sits on the couch, his friend says to put the applicator under his tongue and rub it in his cheek. “Don’t try to communicate. Just relax. See what happens.”

Soon Smith lays back on the couch, and within a couple of minutes his tremors and dyskinesia have stopped. His hands become rock steady. He seems like a different person, even sitting up and saying, “Did you guys eat lunch yet?”

“A person like me could really use marijuana and it makes me pretty angry that I can’t get it in my home state,” says Smith.

Dr. Daniele Piomelli, director of pharmacology at UC Irvine, says, “The number one frustration that I have is knowing that there is this untapped potential…comes from what marijuana is teaching us…to generate new medicines, and being stuck because of financial issues or political issues.”

As we have said numerous times before, federal government is the biggest obstacle to freedom and medical cannabis healing. The Drug Enforcement Agency is completely devoid of rationality in keeping cannabis a Schedule 1 drug, because it is their cash cow and serves the interest of Big Pharma.

It is past time to end the drug war, so Larry Smith and countless others can treat their debilitating conditions without fear of government throwing them in a cage.