California State Medical Marijuana Patient Identification

Medical Marijuana-friendly Oakland California is working hard at bring in money by licensing, and taxingmedical cannabis growers. Meanwhile, Oaksterdam “U” which has over 100 employees voted on Friday (5/29/10) to unionize as part of a retail agriculture and community patient care union. The Local 5’s organizer Dan Rush stated that medical cannabis clubs ,medical marijuana doctors and the industry as a whole “will get the same respect as law enforcement, nurses, doctors” …. Rebecca Kaplan, Oakland City councilwoman and prospective contender for mayor, told CBS that the unionization was “a good day for Oakland,” the city of Oakland has an unemployment rate of over 17 %.

The Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010 - The Tax Cannabis 2010 Initiative would generate billions of tax revenue by legalizing marijuana. The Initiative could go on the California's 2010 ballot if enough voter signatures are collected. It proposes to tax and regulate marijuana similar to how alcohol is regulated and taxed.

The Initiative would “allow people 21 years old or older to possess, cultivate, and/or transport marijuana for personal use.” Each city/local government would be able to decide independently whether to tax and regulate the production and sale of marijuana. Other key aspects of the Initiative include: prohibiting possession of marijuana on school grounds, public use, or smoking it while minors are present. It maintains current prohibitions against driving while impaired and outlines serious punishment for anyone providing marijuana to those under 21 years of age.

Benefits
Legalizing marijuana would benefit States by providing much needed tax revenue. Take the profit from the underground and untaxed and place it in the hand of government to support libraries, schools, roads, police, firefighters, etc. An immense amount of money and resources would be saved. Prison would be reserved for serious offenders and probation officers could devote more time to serious probation and parole violations.

If passed, the Tax Cannabis 2010 Initiative would create contractor jobs as regulated stores open to market marijuana products. Regulation would make marijuana safer. To avoid the negative effects of smoking, marijuana can be ingested by drinking, eating or taking a pill! Vaporizers could be sold as a safer alternative to smoking. It eliminates tar and other harmful chemicals and emits very little second-hand smoke.

Facts
46% of Americans favor legalizing marijuana for personal use, according to a Views on Legalizing Marijuana polls from ABC News/Washington Post and Time/CNN.

56% of California voters support legalizing marijuana and taxing its sale, according to The Field Poll.

A number of U.S. cities have already changed prosecution priorities making adult marijuana possession for personal use their lowest priority.

Marijuana possession of up to one ounce is currently punishable with a fine of only $100 in California.

Massachusetts Joint Committee on Revenue held a public hearing October 14, 2009 on H2929, An Act to Tax and Regulate the Cannabis Industry. Richard Evans provided notes on the hearing.

The Federal laws on marijuana have little to do with a state decision regarding legalizing marijuana. The Feds only get involved in high-profile marijuana offenses.

Only 434,000 signatures of registered California voters are needed to qualify the Tax Cannabis 2010 Initiative for the November 2010 ballot. Richard Lee, the founder of the Oaksterdam University, in Oakland, California, is backed by former State Senate President Don Perata. Lee has already collected 25% of the needed 434,000 signatures, and he has pledged to spend $1 million of his own money to support the Tax Cannabis 2010 Initiative!

California
California has been known for setting standards in America and most of its residents recognize that a time for change has presented itself. The state is closer to passing the 2010 ballot since medicinal marijuana laws passed over a decade ago, in 1996. Medical marijuana advocates in California are not opposed to taxing the sale of medicinal or legalized marijuana sales. They understand the benefits legalizing marijuana would have for their great state.

Most residents of Oakland, California recognize the benefits their city would reap from legalizing marijuana to tax and regulate sales. “The new tax revenue will help save libraries, parks, and other public services, and that the once destitute area where Oaksterdam now thrives has seen a clear boost,” City Council member Rebecca Kaplan told Newsweek. Medical marijuana in smokeable and edible variations, sold at competitive prices, is available in Oaksterdam at multiple cafes, clubs and patient dispensaries.

Personal views on marijuana
Erin, my neighbor and mother of two, said she would be more comfortable with her kids smoking marijuana than getting drunk. Erin worries about the loss of inhibitions experienced with drinking. Erin recalls doing things she normally wouldn't do while drunk but never doing anything she wouldn't normally do after smoking marijuana. I tend to agree. I also know many doctors who would prefer marijuana over alcohol. In my experience, marijuana users are nonviolent as opposed to alcohol - a legal, highly addictive drug. Drinking often leads to brutal bar or spousal fights or people getting behind the wheel without understanding how impaired they are and take someone's life.

I purport the days of work missed by the alcoholic are much more than that of the chronic marijuana smoker. There is opposition to this point of view but I disagree. I believe in essence, most everything in life that is done in excess has negative effects.

Marijuana is said to be a gateway drug. Is this true or is it political propaganda? I believe it is the latter and found no supporting research. I have seen serious negative effects of heroine users, i.e. stealing, breaking and entering, to get money to support their habit. I have not seen this with alcohol or marijuana users or abusers.

I challenge anyone reading this to offer opposing views on why marijuana should not be legalized. It is legal for medicinal purposes in 13 states. There is a host of indications for the use of medical marijuana; over 250 to be exact. Why are prescription drugs handed out like candy while marijuana, with proven efficacy, remains completely illegal in most states? My answer - politics! Regardless of legality, marijuana is available for those who know the right people; prohibition doesn't work. The law does not stop them from purchasing it. Legalizing marijuana has serious benefits for cities and states through tax revenue and I do not understand why politicians do not get it.

Let's look at the Netherlands as an example
Hard drugs versus soft drugs: Holland differentiates “Hard drugs are those such as cocaine, ecstasy and heroin. Soft drugs are those such as marijuana and psychedelic mushrooms.” Here is a statistic that may surprise those who think legalizing marijuana will lead to increased use - Marijuana use in the Netherlands is lower than in many other European countries and a lot lower than the United States. In Holland, only 6% of had used marijuana in the past year, compared to 11% in the U.S.! The Dutch Ministry of Justice reports that the Nederweit industry (aka Netherlands weed) employs approximately 20,000 people. I found no negative criminal repercussions, such as increased crime activity. Even though marijuana is legal in the Netherlands, there is still an underground marijuana market.

List of Sources:
The Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010, Tax & Regulate Cannabis California 2010

Changing Views on Social Issues: Allemande Left. Allemande Right, ABC NEWS/WASHINGTON POST POLL: HOT-BUTTON ISSUES

Mervin Field, The Independent and Non-Partisan Survey of Public Opinion Established in 1947 as the California Poll, The Field Poll

Ranee Wright, Massachusetts Act to Tax and Regulate Cannabis, Associated Content

Richard Evans, Notes, Materials on Cannabis Taxation & Regulation

Oaksterdam University Faculty Oakland, Oaksterdam University

Jennifer Molina, Welcome to Potopia, Newsweek

Oaksterdam,Wikipedia

13 Legal Medical Marijuana States, ProCon.org

Marijuana and Dutch Law, Amsterdam Review

If Marijuana Is Legal, Will Addiction Rise?, The New York Times

Should the U.S. Legalize Marijuana?, Opposing Views

Marijuana Medicine can help with many ailments. With the recent death of Michael Jackson due to prescribed medications| more and more patients are examining their pill bottles and cannot help but be curious as to what their future holds. Doctors are so swift to write prescriptions for anti-depressants, painkillers, sleeping pills and tranquilizers. Most medical cannabis patients feel that they cannot function on the medications that they have been prescribed for pain, insomnia, depression, etc. and find that they function very well on medical marijuana.

If you are planning on visiting a distant land, then plan on spending some time finding out as much as you can about the particular country and culture you are visiting. You should never think that you will get by on your amazing American charm, and you should never be too naïve or cocky when it comes to learning someone else's social customs. So this means that you must do your homework and find out as much as you can about this cultural experience, especially if you have never been out of the states before. This article is a brief overview of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Cultural Etiquette and will give you some of the basic rules of traveling out of the country and things you should do to make your trip go smoothly.

I have already discussed the basic first step with you, which is finding out as much as possible about the country you are visiting. You should learn all about the people, customs, and forbidden things that you will encounter in their society. It would not be a bad idea to find out the names of the President or King of the country. It also would not hurt to learn about the local cuisine. Learning simple yet helpful things about the country itself can help if you happen to get into a crazy situation and can't find your way out of it. Once again don't be cocky and think that just because you are American you don't have to adjust or change who you are for anyone or any culture. You should never go into another person's country thinking that you don't have to follow their rules just because you are from New York or Los Angeles. Many Americans are informal, but don't think that you can go somewhere else and get away with what you may get away with here. Do your research and try your best to fit in, because more than likely the people you are visiting won't care how American you are, you better follow their rules.

Learn the language. I am not saying to go out and take a 5-year Swahili course, although it wouldn't hurt. Take time out to learn basic words and phrases so that you can communicate with the locals, even if it is a bare minimum. Imagine having to go to the restroom so bad and nobody can understand you when you ask them where it is. Or imagine being served a plate of raw snails because you couldn't read the menu. Learning basic sentences can and will help you on your journey. It would be a great idea to take along a simple language book and keep it by your side, just in case your memory isn't that good.

Ok, so you are visiting a country that speaks English, no big deal right? You don't have to learn the language because you already know it. Wrong, think again, you have to remember that Americans tend to use slang while we are talking to one another, and this slang will sound like gibberish to foreigners. Asking a person “Where's your crib?” or “This city is so cool” will probably cause confusion to them. Try to speak basic Standard English and leave out all of the extra jargon.

Take along your business card. This will help because many countries base the way that they treat people on their status. It is also nice to have one side of your business card printed in the language that is most commonly used in the country you are visiting. This is also great for making international contacts and keeping close international friendships. You should research when the best time to present your card to others would be and how to accept when a card is given to you. You should always treat the card that is given to you with respect. Don't just throw it down or away but put it somewhere for future viewing. You should present your card between your thumb and index finger with the side you would like them to read facing up. This makes it easier for the person to take the card and to read it quickly.

Direct eye contact can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on where you are going. Do your research. Some countries consider direct eye contact as being rude, aggressive, or challenging, while others will expect you to stare them right in the face.

Kissing in some countries shows a wonderful display of affection toward the other person whether you know them or not. The most common is “air kissing” or the basic smooch smooch on both cheeks. In America we are more likely to give a firm handshake to one another to show a sign of respect, however, in most countries, handshakes are limp and lifeless, so don't go for the firm handshake. If the person shakes your hand loosely then you try to mimic their action. Some cultures don't want any type of body contact when meeting another person because it is taboo or forbidden. They will probably not like it if you pat them on the back or extend your hand for a handshake, the best option would be to study their cultural customs and abide by them so you don't get into any trouble.

Gifts are a wonderful part of meeting and greeting others. In many countries it is customary to bring a gift when invited to a home or business. For businesses, you will want to do your research because what is acceptable in one country may be strictly forbidden in another. It may not be acceptable for a U.S. businesswoman to present a gift to a male businessman. The women should probably wait to see if she receives a gift from them before giving one. Wrapping the gift is very important in certain countries. The outside of the gift can be just as special as the inside. You should find out what are acceptable colors and styles when it comes to wrapping gifts. Don't try to impress your counterpart with an expensive gift; it may make you seem materialistic. Flowers work very well as gifts especially if you are invited to a home as an honored guest. Be careful when choosing flowers, the type of flower can vary from country to country, so once again do your research.

Conduct yourself at the dinner table the way that your foreign hosts will want you to. Here it may be rude or gross to burp at the table, however, in some countries it is a compliment to the chef. Don't be rude if the host is serving something that you don't like to eat, try it anyways or at least try not to be too overtly grossed out. Learn how you should hold your cup of tea or what dish you should eat first. Scarfing down your food may be rude so try to observe how everyone else is eating, and if you don't know what something is or how to do something, don't be afraid to ask.

Personal space will have a big impact on you when you leave this country. In some countries, the people will be so close together that they will almost be touching, in other countries, the gap may be much farther apart. Study how close the natives are together when they are speaking to one another and try to copy them.

As in this country, always respect your elders. Listen to them when they speak, rise when they enter the room, always treat them with respect. In many countries the elders are highly respected and treated well. In some Asian countries, young people will rise to give their seat to the elderly on a bus. Remember they have been here much longer than you and they deserve your respect.

Research the proper attire that you should wear. In Islamic countries, women are encouraged to cover their hair with the hijab, or headscarf. Wearing what the locals wear will help you to fit in and also give a good impression that you are trying to connect with them and respect their rules and customs. When going on business trips, find out if it is better to wear a business suit or a dashiki.

Green works wonderful in the United States of America, but it may not work where you are planning on visiting. You should estimate or decide how much money you plan on spending and then you should get your green traded in for foreign dollars once you arrive in the country. This will help you to save money because surcharges are placed on each currency exchange transaction.

Don't forget your passport and definitely don't lose it. Your passport and or visa will get you back home God willing, so you should do your best to take very good care of it. You should make sure your passport will still be valid at least six months from the time your arrived and you should check with a travel agent to see if you will need a visa along with your passport. Make sure your passport has your name, address, telephone number of someone to be contacted in case of an emergency, and your photo. You should also keep an extra copy of your photo in another location aside from your passport just in case.

You will need to do some basic but important things before your trip; here is the list.

• Update insurance policies and will, just in case you happen to die on your trip (which I hope that you do not).
• Leave a copy of our power of attorney and itinerary information with a family member or friend.
• Find out if your insurance covers you for theft abroad.
• Find out how to report the loss of a credit card or information. You should probably write down the 1-800 number on the back of the card and keep it in a safe location just in case this happens.
• Carry only basic credit cards and identification with you, try to limit other documents because they may be required to be searched.
• Keep your U.S. identification or driver's license on you at all times. Make sure these have your photo on it.
• You should get an international driver's permit if it is required for the country you are visiting.
• Make at least two copies of credit card numbers, traveler's check numbers, telephone numbers to report lost or stolen cards, and airline ticket numbers.

If you have medical problems you definitely should see your doctor before going abroad. You should have the doctor write out any prescriptions that you may be taking just in case of an emergency. If you think that you will need a doctor abroad, you should check out the American Board of Medical specialist and it's 22 certifying member boards, which may be located at the local library. Take along a copy of your prescriptions, a full supply of any prescription medication you will need, an extra pair of glasses or contact lenses, extra contact cases, international vaccine record certifying you have had all of your vaccinations, list of your blood type, allergies, medical conditions, and special requirements.

Check to see if your health insurance is willing to cover you abroad. You may be excited to know that in some countries, insurance is not required and medical treatment is much cheaper than in the states. However, you will need to be cautious of some treatment facilities. You may also want to get international coverage while you are on your trip, just in case of an emergency.

Try not to look like a tourist. Hawaiian shirts, cameras, binoculars and other tourist paraphernalia will draw immediate attention to you. You want to make sure to dress casual, don't look too much like a traveler, and try to carry your valuables underneath your clothing. Avoid using fanny packs and outside purses.

Tag all of your baggage with your name, home address, phone number and emergency contact information. You should also put your information inside of the luggage just in case the tag happens to fall off. You should secure your luggage with locks; however, they can be broken into, so for more security place a piece of nylon filament tape around the suitcase.

Hotel safety is very important. You should consult a travel agency on the best and safest hotels in the country. You should make your own travel arrangements and reservations, you should use your employer's business address if going on a business trip, you should NOT identify your company, and you should use your own personal credit card to pay your bills. You are very vulnerable while traveling from the airport to the hotel because there are people that wait around to rob tourists who don't have a clue, the best thing to do is to get to your hotel as soon as possible and don't hang around the airport talking or taking pictures, get to your room.

What you should look for in a hotel is very important. You want to feel safe and secure while traveling out of the country. You should ask the hotel for a room between the second and seventh floor. You want to be in a room that is above ground and does not have easy window or sliding door glass access. You also want a room that is not near an elevator or stairwell. When you get to the hotel, scope it out and find the closest fire exits and nearest phones outside of your room just in case of an emergency. Make sure that your room door is secure and locked and always keep your door closed and or locked.

If you are feeling sick, don't waste time thinking that you are going to be ok. Foreign lands can sometimes bring foreign diseases. Get checked out or get to the nearest U.S. embassy to gain access to the local physicians and medical facilities.

Find out where the U.S. Embassy is located in the country you are in. If something should happen you would probably want to locate and get to the U.S. Embassy as soon as possible.

Be safe while traveling. Try to stay out of the crime scene. Here are a few tips for staying safe.

• Never leave your luggage unattended in public areas.
• Never accept packages from strangers.
• Don't look like a tourist; we already went over this one. You should avoid wearing expensive jewelry and don't carry large amounts of money on you.
• When exchanging money only deal with authorized agents.
• Do not publicize your travel plans, or discuss your information with people you don't know.
• Always inspect any gifts you may receive from business or personal contacts.
• You should never pack money, traveler's checks, or expensive valuables in your checked luggage.
• Try to get all of your money exchanged before going abroad, this way you will avoid being a target and getting your money stolen.

When renting a car, you should choose a common model and have the car rental place take all of the markings that will identify that the car is a rental. You should make sure you have universal door locks, power windows, and air conditioner. These luxuries may help to keep you out of a jam and out of the way of thieves targeting tourists. Air conditioners will help because you don't have to role down the windows. With open windows you are allowing unknown persons to come inside of your vehicle. You should always keep your door locked, avoid driving after dark, never leave valuables in your car, do not park the car on the street overnight, if the hotel does not have a parking garage, park your car in a well lit area.

Don't try to bring drugs back with you. We have all heard of Amsterdam and their legality of marijuana and other drugs, but you have to remember, these drugs are illegal in the U.S. and it is illegal to leave the country with paraphernalia. Be smart and don't travel with illegal substances.

Get street smart. Know where you are. Try to know your surroundings. Find out where the U.S. Embassy is located, where the police and fire stations are. Take alternative routes when leaving and returning from your hotel, so that no one can track you down. Learn how to call locally and know the exact amount of change you will need in order to use a pay phone. Keep extra change on you at all times just in case you need to make a local call. Don't go out jogging or walking alone, especially at night in unknown lands. Be careful entering public restrooms and try not to do so alone. Be aware of scams where people may spill a drink on you while someone else is stealing your wallet. Be street smart, not street dumb.

If you are arrested in a foreign country you will probably freak out and think that it is the end. There is hope, however, there are a few tips you will need to follow to get you out of the mess.

• Ask to contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate that is representing your country. You will probably have to bug them in order to get this phone call, but don't give up.
• Never provoke the arresting officer.
• Admit or volunteer nothing.
• Never sign anything, especially if it is written in another language. Ask for an attorney or an embassy representative to look over the document before signing it.
• Ask for identification when the person arrives from the embassy. You don't want to end up in more trouble.
• Don't agree to anything. The police may try to bribe you so that you can get out, or they may try to threaten you. Don't agree!!!
• Once you are out contact the local embassy right away and get out of their country.

I hope that this will help you God willing.

Marijuana Medicine has a long history of helping, With the recent death of Michael Jackson due to prescribed medications| more and more patients looking at the prescription drugs and cannot help but be curious as to what their future holds. Doctors are so swift to write prescriptions for anti-depressants, painkillers, sleeping pills and tranquilizers. Most medical cannabis patients feel that they cannot function on the medications that they have been prescribed for pain, insomnia, depression, etc. and find that they function very well on medical marijuana.

Medical cannabis is the use of the components of the marijuana plant for relief of a multitude of medical symptoms and terminal illnesses. A review of the study literature in 2002 shows that the benefits of medically used cannabis to be effective relief for a variety of symptoms. There have been numerous studies all over the world in major countries that lead the world in medical advances indicating the use to be beneficial. The most recent study in the United Kingdom found the use promising in even more neurological disorders and chronic pain sufferers than first indicated.

The studies have proven the use of medical marijuana to be most beneficial for muscle spasm and skeletal disorders such as multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and partial seizures, spasms of cerebral palsy and spinal injuries. It was also indicated as a bronchodilator for asthma. The oldest indication for the use of marijuana is for nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy drugs. It also reduces chronic loss of appetite for cancer and AIDS patients, and reduces the inflammatory process in inflammatory bowel diseases and rheumatoid arthritis. Now the studies are headed in the direction of mental illness such as bipolar, depression, mood disorders attention deficit disorder and post traumatic stress disorder. This is only a tip of the iceberg. There are many other conditions that are being trialed for the use of cannabis. The Australian Parliamentary Library at www.aph.gov.au/library/pubs/rn/20 has conducted many studies

Cannabidiol also known as “CBD” is the component of the marijuana plant that is found to be of the greatest benefit. This component is extracted and is what is used for the medical purposes described above. Studies have actually found that CBD inhibits the growth of the cancer cell, so it is definitely leading to some promising interventions for terminal illness. The use of medical marijuana has been approved in certain states in the United States, but remains a federal crime. It is available only by prescription and each state has its own statutes on how much one is allowed to grow and possess. There are some synthetic derivatives that are available is various forms. Nabilone approved for use in 1985 is in pill form, but most cancer patients have difficulty swallowing this pill because of the mouth sores and the irritated throats from all the vomiting. It was then converted into a crystallized powder that can be sprinkled on anything the patient likes. Marinol approved in 1992 is in pill form only, and sativex approved in Canada in 1995 and 1997 is a sublingual spray.

Patients are allowed to cultivate and smoke the plant if they so chose, and as said before each state has their own laws governing the amount one can possess. The effects of smoking marijuana are immediate; which is very different than waiting for a pill to disintegrate and migrate throughout the bloodstream to become effective. Eight States started to approve the use in 1970 and more in 1980 as more studies were proving the benefits, even though these state approvals defied the policies of the federal government.

Since the proof has become overwhelming there have been twelve medical organizations that have supported the use of medical marijuana including The American Medical Association. Although there are some organizations that have not come on board, even though it helps the patients they represent. Organizations such as American Cancer Society, The National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

There is criticism against the use of medical marijuana; in 2006 the FDA advised against smoking the drug because smoking is harmful. According to the website Wikipedia, the Institute of Medicine conducted studies that showed there were no benefits for any of these conditions and that smoking marijuana is highly addictive and does not mitigate any symptoms or promote treatment None of the studies claim to reverse or cure these diseases, the use is merely a way to keep these patients more comfortable and give them back a certain quality of life that they may not have had if not for the medical use of marijuana.

Availability is not as widespread as one would think with all the new evidence. It is available is Austria, Canada, Spain and the United States. An example of one of the thirteen states that has approved marijuana use for medical purposes is Rhode Island. The State allows a patient under the care of a practitioner for the following diseases cachexia, cancer, glaucoma, hepatitis C, debilitating pain, severe nausea, seizures, severe muscle spasm, multiple sclerosis, crohns, IBS and alzheimers disease. The patient or the primary caregiver may legally possess 2.5 ounces of marijuana and/or twelve plants stored at an indoor facility. The state does have a registry and issues identification cards stating the marijuana is for medical purposes and is legal for them to carry. Most states have similar laws and similar amounts stated in the law. Each state has their own website to see what the regulations are; however, you can find Rhode Island's regulations at www.health.state.ri.us if you need an application and believe you fall within these guidelines the website is www.health.ri.gov/hsr/mmp/index.php.

It has been used all through history ancient Greece, ancient India, Ancient Egypt, Medieval Islamic world all used cannabis for the same symptoms that we are studying now; everything from glaucoma to mental illness to spastic muscle diseases. The studies need to continue to find out more about its benefits. If it makes a terminally ill person more comfortable during their illness and in their last days, why shouldn't they have that right? Would you take away a cancer patient's morphine during the same time frame because it's addictive?

There are some other studies that can be referenced through their websites:

Cannabidiol A novel inhibitor of Id-I gene expression in aggressive breast cancer cells

Cannabis in the Ancient World Cannabis Effects www.lycos.com/info/cannibas-effects

Synthetic THC / Marinol www.ardpark.org/marinol_research.htm

Fear and Loathing Cannabis in Las Vegas

Thanks to medical marijuana it seems that Nev…of all states, is looking at getting involved in the distribution of medical cannabis. I'm currently in Las Vegas right now doing a little research into the different medical marijuana doctors offices that are here, if any.

Well it looks like Nevada is starting to try and figure out their role in the distribution of medical marijuana in the state. I'm currently in Las Vegas right now doing a little research into the different medical cannabis doctors offices that are here, if any.