Black Market WEED Smashing Environment Yet Again – And it\’s LEGAL HERE!!!

Not so \’green\’ after all: Pollution from illegal California marijuana farms is forming toxic waste dumps that span thousands of acres

  • In California, illegal marijuana farms are taking over thousands of acres of land as toxic wastes are increasingly corrupting ecosystems
  • California is responsible for the majority of illegal U.S. marijuana farming
  • New data says the state holds \’731,000 pounds of solid fertilizer, 491,000 ounces of concentrated liquid fertilizer and 200,000 ounces of toxic pesticides.\’
  • The United States Environmental Protection Agency announced in 2011 its planned to ban toxic fertilizers like zinc phosphide
  • Chemicals of the kind have been linked to serious health effects in both animals and humans

By Jessa Schroeder For Dailymail.com

PUBLISHED: 03:48 +10:00, 8 August 2017 | UPDATED: 08:26 +10:00, 8 August 2017

Illegal marijuana farms are taking over thousands of acres of land as toxic waste continues to corrupt ecosystems in areas along the West Coast.

According to a new report accessed by Reuters, the state of California, which is responsible for more than \’90 percent of illegal U.S. marijuana farming,\’ has shown a drastic increase in the use of nationally restricted fertilizers and pesticides such as carbofuran and zinc phosphide, ecologists say.

\’Increasingly, dangerous, unregistered pesticides are being encountered by law enforcement officers who investigate illegal marijuana grows,\’ Special Agent-in-Charge of the Environmental Protection Agency criminal enforcement program, Jay M. Green, announced in a public release.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4768664/Marijuana-farms-forming-toxic-waste-dumps-California.html#ixzz4pOgIU9n8
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Youth Drug Prevention Efforts Save Society $315 Million Per Year

Youth Drug Prevention Efforts Save Society $315 Million Per Year According to a New Study by McGill University and Drug Free Kids Canada

Aug. 1, 2017, 08:30 AM

TORONTO, Aug. 1, 2017 /CNW/ – Drug Free Kids Canada (DFK) today released the results of a study it commissioned to evaluate the lifetime cost to society of a pre-teen or teenager who suffers from drug addiction.  The study found that the cost per youth can be quantified at $450,000, resulting in a $315 million social return on investment based on the approximately 700 youth that benefit from the prevention efforts of Drug Free Kids Canada each year.

The study developed by the McGill School of Business Not-for-Profit Consulting Group was commissioned earlier this year.  It evaluated the measurable cost to society of youth addiction which includes health care, law enforcement and the loss of productivity.

The study further analyzed the impact of drug education prevention messages created and disseminated by DFK Canada over the past six years.  It concluded that each year by targeting parents and encouraging them to talk to their kids about drugs, the total reduction in drug abuse by teens attributable to DFK was ~700 kids.

\”Demonstrating the value to society of investing in prevention has always been a difficult exercise\” says Drug Free Kids\’ Executive Director Marc Paris.  \”That\’s why this study is so important as it clearly shows that it is better to invest in prevention strategies up-front rather than deal with the heavy cost of addiction later.\”

The study also revealed that Drug Free Kids Canada is a highly efficient organization.  The partnerships that it has developed over the years with their 60+ media partners, various advertising agencies and research firms has allowed them to generate $39 in in-kind services for every dollar donated.

The costs of substance use disorder (SUD) extend far beyond the measurable dollars and cents but also in the toll it takes on individuals and families.  Angie Hamilton, co-founder of Families for Addiction Recovery says, \”when a child has SUD the entire family is affected. Siblings can feel like they have become invisible as parents mourn the loss of a child who is alive but whom they no longer recognize. The whole family needs to recover together.\”

Paul Allison, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Raymond James Ltd. and DFK\’s new Chair of the board who recently replaced Dick Pound says, \”I was very impressed by the organization which has such an impressive national impact with very limited resources —  $700 in the hands of DFK can save a teenager from a life of addiction.\”  For more http://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/Youth-Drug-Prevention-Efforts-Save-Society-$315-Million-Per-Year-According-to-a-New-Study-by-McGill-University-and-Drug-Free-Kids-Canada-480014

 

BE SMARTER, ILLINOIS: DON’T BELIEVE POT MAKES YOU SAFER

AUGUST 9, 2017 EDITOR

Legislators who introduced a bill to legalize marijuana back in April can’t be very intelligent, unless they’re just trying to be ironic.

“Coalition for a SAFER ILLINOIS” said the idea of legalizing weed in Illinois was so people can buy from regulated dispensaries, rather than the black market.   It’s an odd comment since none of the states that have legalized pot have gotten rid of black markets.  In fact, the black markets seem to grow stronger with legalization, as everyone wants a piece of the pie.

SAFER ILLINOIS admits that their campaign is for the drug users.  It’s very typical of the marijuana users to only consider what is best for them and not care about anyone else. For complete story http://www.poppot.org/2017/08/09/be-smarter-illinois-dont-safer-misleads/

 

Colorado: Marijuana devastated Colorado, don’t legalize it nationally

Marijuana devastated Colorado, don’t legalize it nationally (USA TODAY)

In 2012, we were promised funds from marijuana taxes would benefit our communities, particularly schools. Dr. Harry Bull, the Superintendent of Cherry Creek Schools, one of the largest school districts in the state, said, \”So far, the only thing that the legalization of marijuana has brought to our schools has been marijuana.\”

In fiscal year 2016, marijuana tax revenue resulted in $156,701,018. The total tax revenue for Colorado was $13,327,123,798, making marijuana only 1.18% of the state\’s total tax revenue. The cost of marijuana legalization in public awareness campaigns, law enforcement, healthcare treatment, addiction recovery, and preventative work is an unknown cost to date.

Senator Booker stated his reasons for legalizing marijuana is to reduce \”marijuana arrests happening so much in our country, targeting certain communities – poor communities, minority communities.\” It\’s a noble cause to seek to reduce incarceration rates among these communities but legalizing marijuana has had the opposite effect.

According to the Colorado Department of Public Safety, arrests in Colorado of black and Latino youth for marijuana possession have increased 58% and 29% respectively after legalization. This means that Black and Latino youth are being arrested more for marijuana possession after it became legal. For complete article https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2017/08/07/marijuana-devastated-colorado-dont-legalize-nationally-jeff-hunt-column/536010001/

 

STATE OF WASHINGTON CALLED ON THE CARPET FOR FEDERAL VIOLATIONS

AUGUST 5, 2017

Last year Washington Governor Jay Inslee, above, called for increased funding to treat mental illness, an outgrowth of marijuana legalization.  In the US, Washington leads the states with the greatest percentage of fatal accidents involving drivers under the influence of marijuana.   (Read our previous article)
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Attorney General Jeff Sessions recently wrote letters to Governor Jay Inslee (top), Governor John Hickenlooper of Colorado and the attorney generals of both states, asking how they propose to address their failed marijuana regulation.

United States Attorney General Jeff Sessions recently wrote a letter to the Governor Jay Inslee and Attorney General Bob Ferguson of Washington.  AG Jeff Sessions highlighted the following violations in Washington’s so-called “recreational” marijuana industry.

“[T]he medical market [for marijuana] is considered `grey’ due to the lack of regulation and oversight” and, furthermore, aspects of Washington’s regulatory structure for the “medical market” have “unintentionally led to the growth of black market enterprises”;
The “recreationally licensed” marijuana market also is incompletely regulated: the leading regulatory violation in that market has been the “failure to utilize and/or maintain traceability” of marijuana products;
“Since legalization in 2012, Washington State marijuana has been found to have been destined for 43 different states”;
90% of public safety violations of the state’s marijuana “regulatory structures” for “recreational licensees” involved minors, according to data from the first year of Washington’s “recreational marijuana” laws. Violations include, for example, sales to minors and employment of minors;
“One in five 10th grade students reported riding with a driver who had used marijuana – 9% reported driving within three hours of consumption,” according to the most recent data in the report;
“49% of young adult drivers who used marijuana in the past month had driven a car within three hours after using marijuana” and 64% of marijuana DUIs in Spokane Valley involved youth, according to data from the first year of Washington’s “recreational marijuana” laws;
“61.9% of drivers do not believe marijuana makes a difference in their driving ability” and “[d]rivers with active THC in their blood involved in a fatal driving accident have increased 133.2% from 2010 (16) to 2014 (23)”;
In 2014 alone, 17 THC extraction labs exploded; and
There was a 54% increase in the number of marijuana calls to the State Poison Center from 2012-2014.   These findings are relevant to the policy debate concerning marijuana legalization. I appreciate your offer to engage in a continuing dialogue on this important issue. To that end, please advise as to how Washington plans to address the findings in the Northwest HIDTA report, including efforts to ensure that all marijuana activity is compliant with state marijuana laws, to combat diversion of marijuana, to protect public health and safety, and to prevent marijuana use by minors.

I also am open to suggestions on marijuana policy and related matters as we work to carry out our duties to effectively and faithfully execute the laws of the United States. You may direct your response and suggestions to the Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Liaison within the Office of Legislative Affairs, which can help coordinate any communications logistics. I look forward to your response.

Left Out of Sessions’ Letter:

Despite the incredible problems from legalizing weed,  a video from Huffington Post chooses to call reminders of these problems “Reefer Madness.”

Taken from Parents Opposed to Pot Post http://www.poppot.org/2017/08/05/state-of-washington-called-on-the-carpet-for-federal-violations/

 

Australia: Drug-testing new welfare recipients is a good idea!

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Tensions Rise Over Proposed Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients

WITH ice addiction declared a public health crisis, the Government’s proposed drug-testing trial of welfare recipients couldn’t come at a better time.

Methamphetamine-related deaths have doubled in Australia in just six years, according to new findings by the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre.

Back in May, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull defended the controversial trial by saying: “If you love somebody who is addicted to drugs, don’t you want to get them off drugs?”

Naturally, but the fact is that addicts won’t seek treatment or be motivated to change unless they see a reason to do so. For more http://www.couriermail.com.au/rendezview/drugtesting-new-welfare-recipients-is-a-good-idea/news-story/6ad567c144493873efc305f89ca5bbd5

 

FACES & VOICES of RECOVERY – UK (Conference) 8th Sept 2017

\"Faces

​Faces and Voices of Recovery UK Annual Conference 2017

Fri 8 Sep 2017 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Salvation Army Citadel Raikes Parade Blackpool FY1 4EL.

Buy tickets

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\"​FacesFaces and Voices of Recovery UK annual conference 2017

(In partnership with the University of Chester)

Friday September 8th 2017

Salvation Army

Citadel Raikes

Parade Blackpool

FY1 4EL

\”Our recovery stories have power and hope\”

When people share their recovery stories, it helps others to see that they\’re not alone. They can help convince the man or woman who is still sick to take the leap of faith and be inspired to try recovery for themselves. This year\’s conference will feature 11 inspirational recovery stories of power and hope. The conference will also include sessions by academics explaining why narrative and ethnographic research approaches are essential for treatment services, commissioners and policy makers to better understand what support individuals suffering with addiction need for long term recovery.

9.30-10.00 Registration & coffee

10.00 Official welcome (Shughie Morrison)

10.05 Official opening (Jane Winehouse)

10.25 Introduction to the day — Chair (Tony Mercer, Public Health England)

10.30 Recovery narratives — an academic perspective (Mark Gilman, Discovering Health)

10.50 Telling our stories — an advocacy perspective (Annemarie Ward, FAVORUK)

11.10 \”Our recovery stories have power and hope\” speakers

  • Speaker 1
  • Speaker 2

11.40-12.10 Break

12.10-1.10 \”Our recovery stories have power and hope\” speakers

  • Speaker 3
  • Speaker 4
  • Speaker 5
  • Speaker 6

1.10 -2.10 Lunch

2.10 \”Our recovery stories have power and hope\” speakers

  • Speaker 7
  • Speaker 8

2.40 Narratives of Recovery from North Wales (Wendy Dossett, University of Chester)

3.00 \”Our recovery stories have power and hope\” speakers

  • Speaker 9
  • Speaker 10

3.30 Activism and the Academy: An Ethnography of the UK National Recovery Walk (Liam Metcalf-White, University of Chester)

3.50-4.00 Close – Chair

Black market marijuana bust leaves bruises on Colorado\’s marijuana industry

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Posted: Tue 6:11 PM, Jul 25, 2017  |
Updated: Wed 6:46 AM, Jul 26, 2017

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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – Owners of a marijuana head shop in Colorado Springs were allegedly running a criminal enterprise that illegally distributed about 200 pounds of marijuana.

Thirteen people have been indicted in connection to the case, including Hoppz\’ Cropz owners Joseph Hopper, Dara Wheatley, Joseph Sergio Crivici and Adam Donaldson.

The Colorado attorney general, flanked by several local law enforcement leaders, announced the indictments Tuesday.

\”They are alleged to have conspired to purchase medical marijuana from licensed facilities and then resell it for profit under the guise of the marijuana being offered as a free giveaway with the purchase of a low-cost item at a dramatically inflated price,\” said Attorney General Cynthia Coffman.

According to Coffman\’s office, one of the techniques they were using to move the marijuana was through selling cheap cigarette lighters at a high price while offering 1 gram of marijuana for free. For example, the shops would sell a lighter for $15 that was only worth 5 cents and then would \”give away\” 1 gram of marijuana for free. The street value of 1 gram of marijuana is about $15. By doing so, the business was evading paying fees regularly associated with retail recreational marijuana dispensary licensure and avoided excise taxes. For more http://www.kktv.com/content/news/Black-market-marijuana-bust-leaves-bruises-on-Colorados-marijuana-industry-436622893.html

 

S.A.M. Team and Impact Grow!

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Some exciting SAM news: We have three new experts joining our science advisory board! Read more about SAM\’s accomplished new advocates below – and register for our August summit in Baltimorefeaturing Drs. Huestis and Weiner here.
\”SAM is thrilled to welcome three new experts who will amplify the influence and reach of our science advisory board,\” said SAM President Kevin Sabet. \”SAM has always been committed to science and evidence-based marijuana policy, and our new advisors each reflect this health-first approach.\”
Dr. Marilyn Huestis is an adjunct professor at University of
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\"\" Dr. Marilyn Huestis
Ma ryland\’s School of Medicine and recently retired from her position as NIDA\’s Chief of Chemistry and Drug Metabolism last year after a 23-year career with the Institute. Professor Huestis is a world-renowned expert on human drug testing, publishing 453 manuscripts and book chapters on the topic and serves on five editorial boards. Her research focuses on effects of occasional and frequent cannabinoid use on pregnancy and child outcomes, brain function and driving impairment, and on novel psychoactive substances – synthetic cannabinoids. She received her Ph.D. in toxicology from University of Maryland, Baltimore, and was awarded an honorary doctoral degree in medicine and surgery from University of Helsinki in Finland. Professor Huestis is past president of the Society of Forensic Toxicology, the Toxicology Section of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, and the International Association of Forensic Toxicologists, and has received numerous national and international awards recognizing her research and contributions to public health and safety.
Dr. Yifrah Kaminer i s a child and adolescent psychiatrist with an appointment as a Professor of Psychiatry at University of Connecticut
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\"\" Dr. Yifrah Kaminer
School of Medicine\’s Alcohol Research Center and Professor of Pediatrics at Connecticut Children\’s Medical Center\’s Injury Prevention Center. Dr. Kaminer\’s research focuses on the assessment and treatment of youth substance use disorders. He has authored/edited five books, published more than 160 scientific articles, and guest edited journals including Substance Abuse Journal and American Journal of Addictions.  He received his M.D. from Tel-Aviv University in Israel, and his MBA from the University of Hartford. Dr. Kaminer is also coordinator of the Youth Treatment Section of the Research Society on Marijuana (RSMj)\’s advisory board.
Dr. Aaron Weiner is a licensed clinical psychologist and director of
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\"\" Dr. Aaron Weiner
a ddiction services at Linden Oaks Behavioral Healthcenter in Illinois, which has been recognized by the independent Joint Commission accreditor with a Gold Seal of Approval for its excellent treatment of drug addiction. Dr. Weiner is a strong advocate for evidence-based care in treating cannabis use disorder, as well as for integrating behavioral health services into medical settings. He earned his Ph.D. in counseling psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and completed his postdoctoral fellowship in addiction psychology with the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System in Michigan.
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