Friday, March 29, 2013
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Take Back America Campaign: IS MARIJUANA SAFER THAN ALCOHOL?
By Roger Morgan
Not that it really matters,
but no … it isn’t! Alcohol isn’t going
away, so why exacerbate the social and economic problems alcohol has inflicted
on society by adding another harmful drug? But, the difference?
Alcohol is water-soluble, and
consists of one chemical. One ounce of
alcohol is excreted from the body in 12 hours.
In moderation, as with a glass or two of red wine, it can even be
beneficial from a health standpoint. In
excess, of course, it has contributed to multiple problems.
Marijuana is fat-soluble, and
consists of 483 chemicals that turn into 2,000 chemicals when smoked; contains
61 cannibinoids, all of which are bioactive and some psychoactive; and it
contains 50-70% more carcinogens than tobacco.
One half the THC (psychoactive ingredient) is excreted from the body in
3 to 7 days, and the balance remains for a month, compounding with each
additional joint.
Pro-marijuana activists, some
that have been trying to legalize marijuana for decades, gloss over the fact
that today’s marijuana often ranges from 20 to 30% THC content, whereas in the
70’s the potency ranged from ½ to 2%.
The difference is like comparing near beer to grain alcohol.
The travesty … even the
treason … rests in the fact that our government, and maybe we collectively,
don’t do whatever necessary to protect our youth. Marijuana is the gateway to all drugs, and
the onset of marijuana use on average is at age 12 to 13, when their brains are
most vulnerable to harm and addiction.
Kids that start using alcohol
and drugs are six times more likely to become addicts. Addicts can’t work, or work effectively, so
they become burdens on every aspect of public services: crime, mental illness, health care,
education, welfare and traffic safety.
Roughly 3,200 Americans die
monthly from drug overdose. None from
marijuana, of course. But 90% of those
who do die started their drug journey with pot.
To solve the problem of overdose deaths, one has to at least defer the
onset of alcohol and marijuana use where it almost always starts, with kids; on
average, age 12 or 13.
So what are the true harms of
marijuana that they don’t tell you about?
1) Adolescent marijuana use can cause permanent brain
damage by reducing white matter in the brain by as much as 80%, and shrinking
the hippocampus, the learning, memory and cognition center of the brain, and
causing an 8 pt loss in IQ by age 38.
Stopping doesn’t reverse the problem.
2) Marijuana is a causal factor in psychosis, including
schizophrenia, paranoia and suicidal depression. One-third of prisoners are addicted to
alcohol and drugs, and jails are overloaded with arrestees waiting months for
beds in mental health facilities, which are already overloaded.
3) Marijuana can cause fatal brain damage to a fetus only
two weeks after conception, before the mother even knows she is pregnant. She can quit using, but its normally too late
for the baby. Even low potency marijuana
caused a spike in still births from 12 to 44%.
Babies that survived child birth were often blessed with physical
deformities and brain damage.
4) Marijuana stays in the body for long periods of time,
particularly in the 3 lb brain the gonads, the fattiest parts of the body, and
it attaches to the fatty linings of every cell in the body, keeping the healthy
proteins out and diminishing the immune system.
It is also a major cause of testicular cancer in young males, a major
factor in chronic bronchitis, and cause of head, neck and throat cancer.
5) Marijuana impairment is a major cause of traffic
injuries and death, and often used with alcohol and other drugs, which
exacerbates the problem. 12% of drivers
who died from traffic accidents tested positive for just marijuana. What’s
worse, they have killed many others.
6) Marijuana, particularly the high potency stuff with
over 18% THC called “skunk,” does increase the risk of injury to oneself and
others. Emergency room visits have
soared. Violent crime has escalated (5
to 15% in Sacramento) and shooters such as Jared Loughner, Tucson shooter, or
John Patrick Bedell, the Pentagon shooter, have injured or killed many others.
Organizations like the
Marijuana Policy Project, and other pro-pot drug dealers, simply lie about
marijuana. What do they hope to
gain? Money, power or they just like to
get high. Who gets hurt? Our youth, and our country. All of us!
Legalizing marijuana on the
ridiculous pretense that people will quit consuming alcohol if they have access
to legal marijuana is a myth to begin with, but calling marijuana safer than alcohol is simply a
lie. The only benefit may be no hangover
from pot, but the hidden harms are as bad, or worse.
Fox40: Juicy Couture Tank Top Message for Teens Unforgivable!
Yesterday my Facebook pal Adina, shared this image in her timeline. I couldn't believe what I was looking at. Eric Harryman of Fox40 posted this picture on Facebook yesterday. The photo shows a store front mannequin wearing a tank top with the message "Sex, Drugs and Juicy Couture." Words should fail us. If a ,shirt could say "please drug and rape me" this would be the one. Juicy Couture has great fashions, marketing them in this way makes me never want to buy another Juicy Couture item ever again. Juicy Couture should publicly apologize to parents and teens for sending such an outrageously unforgivable message.
Source: Eric Harryman Facebook
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Monday, March 25, 2013
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Prop. 35 First Case: Woman Charged with Human Trafficking, Primping 14-Year Old Girl
Press Enterprise: Kayla
Jackson was arrested on suspicion of human trafficking and pimping a
14-year-old girl as a prostitute.
Riverside County prosecutors have
filed their first case under California’s human trafficking law approved by
voters in November.
Kayla Corithian Jackson, 18, of
Moreno Valley, was charged on Tuesday, March 12, with one count each of human
trafficking a victim under the age of 18, pandering a person under the age of
16, pimping, and making a person under 16 available for a lewd act.
Jackson pleaded not guilty at her
arraignment Tuesday and remained in custody on $85,000 bail; her next court
hearing is March 21.
Under Prop. 35, passed by 81
percent of the voters, a person convicted of human trafficking can receive up
to 12 years in prison. Previously, the maximum sentence was eight years in
prison — and only if the use of force, violence or coercion was present.
The new law includes a sentence of
15 years to life in prison if force is used to gain the participation of a
minor, the Riverside County district attorney’s office said in a news release.
Jackson was arrested after members
of the Riverside County Anti-Human Trafficking task force, the FBI’s Inland
Empire Child Exploitation and Prostitution task force, and the Moreno Valley
Problem Oriented Policing team investigated a report of a 14-year-old runaway
girl.
Investigators found an online
advertisement depicting the 14-year-old and offering sex for money. Agents
arranged an undercover deal, and the girl was found in a Moreno Valley motel
and taken into protective custody.
Authorities say Jackson was with
the girl, and investigators determined the 14-year-old was working as a
prostitute “under the direction and assistance of Jackson,” the news release
said.
“Riverside County is unfortunately
seeing more and more instances of human trafficking, causing us great concern,”
District Attorney Paul Zellerbach said in a statement.
The news release said Zellerbach
was in Sacramento with other members of his office to support legislation to
augment prosecution of human trafficking by district attorney offices
throughout the state.
Source: www.pe.com
Monday, March 11, 2013
Sunday, March 10, 2013
The Inquisitr: Teacher Arrested After Buying Drugs For Teenager Who Died The Next Day
Whether Smith will be charged in accessory to the girl’s death is still being determined. Authorities say Smith made several phone calls and text messages on behalf of the victim to a third party in hopes of acquiring drugs. The victim had been known to babysit for Smith on occasion.
According to Sergeant Faye Spaulding of the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office, Smith willingly facilitated in acquiring methadone (a synthetic opiate) and Xanax (anti-anxiety medication), both controlled substances, for the 18-year-old.
The teen was discovered the following morning, Valentine’s Day, dead. The unidentified teenager passed away in her home sometime during the night, after ingesting the illicit drugs supplied by Smith.
Smith was arrested and released after posting an $8,000 bond.
The cause of death has not been officially declared, however toxicology reports do reflect high levels of controlled substances in the girl’s system, suggesting a possible overdose.
A statement provided by the school superintendent Wanda Creel, confirms Smith has been terminated after 14 years of educational service as a result of the allegations. An ethics complaint has also been filed with the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.
Methadone is mainly used in the treatment of opioid dependence. It has a cross-tolerance with other opioids such as heroin and morphine, offering very similar effects and has a longer duration. Xanax is used to treat anxiety disorders, panic disorders, and anxiety caused by depression.
Independently, and while under prescribed care, the two drugs are effective at treating their respective disorders or addictions. Used recreationally, the combination of methadone and Xanax is lethal. Taking both substances together can multiply the effects of each substance, lessening consciousness and breathing.
Source: www.inquisitr.com
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Friday, March 8, 2013
Reflection: Songs that Inspire my Recovery, Morning Song by Zero 7
One of addiction's greatest slogans and boldest lies is "just live for today, tomorrow will take care of itself." This great song by Zero 7 called Morning Song, questions that very slogan.
Here are the lyrics:
"Morning Song"
Days behold lives unfold
Can't move on so much untold
Shades of gold we've been sold
Been deceived while we believe
If today is all we see
Then tomorrow seems to me
Is just an elusion we believe
Strive to see hope to be
To be some small part of eternity
If today is all we see
Then tomorrow seems to me is
Just an elusion we believe
Can't move on so much untold
Shades of gold we've been sold
Been deceived while we believe
If today is all we see
Then tomorrow seems to me
Is just an elusion we believe
Strive to see hope to be
To be some small part of eternity
If today is all we see
Then tomorrow seems to me is
Just an elusion we believe
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
AP: The International Narcotics Control Board Urges Obama Administration to Act in Opposition on CO, WA Marijuana Initiatives due to Violation of International Drug Treaties
DENVER (AP) - A U.N. drug agency says the
legalization of marijuana for recreational use in Colorado and Washington
violates international drug treaties.
The International Narcotics Control Board
urged the Barack Obama administration to challenge the legalization measures.
It made its appeal in an annual drug report released Tuesday.
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said last
week that he was in the last stages of reviewing the state laws.
Holder said he was examining policy options
and international implications of the issue.
Marijuana is illegal under federal law.
The federal government could sue the states
over legalization or decide not to mount a court challenge.
(Copyright 2013 AP.)
HuffPost/AP: Former DEA Heads: Nullify Colorado, Washington Marijuana Laws
CHICAGO — Eight former Drug Enforcement Administration chiefs said Tuesday that the federal government needs to act now or it might lose the chance to nullify Colorado and Washington's laws legalizing recreational marijuana use.
The statement came on the same day a United Nations-based drug agency urged the U. S. government to challenge those laws, saying they violate international drug treaties.
The onetime DEA heads issued joint statements saying the Obama administration has reacted too slowly and should immediately sue to force the states to rescind the legislation.
One of the former DEA administrators, Peter Bensinger, told The Associated Press the day before that the more time that goes by, the harder it'll be to stop the two states. Marijuana is illegal under federal law.
Bensinger, who lives in the Chicago area, said the government must immediately sue the states or risk creating "a domino effect" in which other states follow suit.
"My fear is that the Justice Department will do what they are doing now: do nothing and say nothing," said Bensinger. "If they don't act now, these laws will be fully implemented in a matter of months."
The UN agency, the International Narcotics Control Board made its appeal in an annual drug report, calling on federal officials to act to "ensure full compliance with the international drug control treaties on its entire territory."
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder told a meeting of state attorneys general last week that he is still reviewing the laws but that his review is winding down. Asked Monday for a comment on the criticism from the former DEA administrators, Holder spokeswoman Allison Price would only say, "The Department of Justice is in the process of reviewing those initiatives."
The department's review has been under way since shortly after last fall's elections. It could sue to block the states from issuing licenses to marijuana growers, processors and retail stores, on the grounds that doing so conflicts with federal drug law. Alternatively, Holder could decide not to mount a court challenge.
The ex-DEA heads are issuing the statements through the Florida-based Save Our Society from Drugs, a national group lobbying against legalization. One of the group's spokesmen is based in Chicago.
The former DEA administrators are Bensinger, John Bartels, Robert Bonner, Thomas Constantine, Asa Hutchinson, John Lawn, Donnie Marshall and Francis Mullen. They served for both Republican and Democratic administrations.
Holder is scheduled to appear Wednesday before a U.S. Senate judiciary committee hearing. The former DEA chiefs want senators to question Holder on the legalization issue.
Advocates of legalization have welcomed Colorado and Washington's new laws, arguing that criminalizing drugs creates serious though unintended social problems. The ex-DEA heads say they disagree with that view.
After votes last fall, Colorado and Washington became the first states to legalize marijuana's recreational use – putting federal authorities in a quandary over how, or whether, to respond.
Washington state officials responsible for creating a regulated marijuana system have said they are moving forward with a timetable of issuing producer licenses by August.
Bensinger – who served as DEA administrator under Presidents Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan – said the supremacy of federal law over state law when it comes to drug laws isn't in doubt.
"This is a no-brainer," he said. "It is outrageous that a lawsuit hasn't been filed in federal court yet."
For more: www.huffingtonpost.com
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Jan Perry for Mayor of Los Angeles
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| March 3, 2013, Jan Perry for Mayor Headquarters |
Unlike many other politicians, Jan was re-elected to her district with hardly any opposition. She is the only elected politician I have ever known who is still the same person she was ten years ago. She has a kind heart, cares for the less fortunate and for our senior citizens.
I have seen Jan serve as Mayor Pro-Tem for the City of Los Angeles, support critical issues like anti-human trafficking legislation and helping its victims and I have seen her take on polluters of the L.A. River. I have watched Jan negotiate in committee and stand for what she believes in on the council floor. More importantly, I have seen how she listens and makes her decisions in the best interest of Los Angeles, always keeping in mind that the people of Los Angeles like a friendly face when looking to a mayoral leader.
Jan is a near and dear friend to me and I fully support her to become the next Mayor of Los Angeles!
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