Where to go? What to do?
Marijuana, Guns and Oregon
By Joseph Friedrichs, 11-17-09
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| High times in the country. Photo by Joe Friedrichs. | |
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It’s no secret there are a number of Oregonians who enjoy smoking marijuana. And while that may be the case, there are millions in the West who don’t enjoy having their water polluted to produce the plant.
An estimated 200,000 marijuana plants were discovered in raids during the Oregon growing and harvest season this year, according to state and federal documents.
And while that number may be staggering, pools filled with chemical fertilizers to grow the plants are a main nerve of concern among state officials and environmentalists.
In Oregon’s Grant County, manmade damns and chemical-laced pools were discovered along tributaries of the John Day River. I’ve come across similar operations while hiking along the Chetco and Winchuck rivers in southwest Oregon. Pot-growing operators pour fertilizer into pools of said rivers and run irrigation lines to their plants. These rivers and their crystal-clear tributaries are not alone.
“They dump it by the 50-pound sack right into the water supply,” said Grant County Sheriff Glenn Palmer, whose department seized 60,000 pot plants at nine operations this summer in raids with the Oregon State Police, the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and other agencies.
“It’s a really concentrated level,” he said. “You know it’s got to be harmful for the environment.
According to Scientific American, in Oregon’s Malheur County some ranchers have started packing guns on horseback in case they encounter armed marijuana growers.
Is it a criminal offense to grow and sell marijuana in mass production? Yes, it is.
Is it creepy to imagine someone growing dope in a field as opposed to say, a warm garage for personal and/or medicinal purposes? Yes, it is.
Chris Gibson, the director of a federal program that targets Oregon’s high-trafficking drug regions, said this week that Oregon’s marijuana raids could culminate up to 215,000 plants worth at least $451 million. Who gets the money when such raids occur? Nobody, at least according to the feds. Who gets to burn one down when such raids occur? Nobody, at least according to the feds.
There are people willing to gun you down while you hike through forests in the West. They grow marijuana.
Is it worth it?
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Comments
There will be no more poaching, water diversions, poisoning of waters with fertilizer and masked men in the woods with guns.
There are plenty of 100% organic operations out there and they all could be that if herb was legalized.
I've heard folks on this post try to blame pot growing on the preservation of roadless areas. It's not the pot thats the problem, its the drug war. 100,000 of americans die each from smoking cigarettes. Zero 0 people have ever died from smoking herb. It has been proven to imapair your driving ability less than legal amoutns of alcohol and actually has thousands of beneficial uses.
With industrial hemp still illegal in this country we have a long way to go before we actually start doing whats in the best interest of everyone on this issue.
Did you inhale any of these super-potent Indica-Sativa crossbreeds or just look at them? What is the difference between Indica and Sativa? Does higher THC content alone make the word impairment a euphemism, or are there other contributing factors?
dingleberry- you have absolutely no point whatsoever. This is exactly the kind of mindless slander that keeps even industrialized hemp illegal. Canabis and hemp are two completely seperate plants and issues, but notice how the propogandists continually attempt to lump the two together. You hear a lot of the propogandists talking about how herb is stronger now "indica-sativa blends" and that makes it more "dangerous". In studies in the UK (where I also cited my driving figures) more potent cannabis amounts to a smaller amount being used to reach the same desired effect. This is more beneficial to the user of canabis because less is smoked.
All my facts are correct no one has ever died from smoking herb, it impairs your driving ability less than legal amounts of alcohol and is safer than alcohol and tobbaco.The problem is these people like dingleberry who continually try to lump hemp and cannabis together, lie about the facts and in general are terrible human beings. Sorry rednecks it's gonna be legal soon and hemp will be grown for paper and thousands of other uses.
So dingleberry before you accuse me of not knowing what i'm talking about why dont you stop and floss the bullshit out rom between your bucktoothed shit eating grin. Honestly man fuckk off you dumb neck you dont what the fuck your talking about.
Wake up people these idiots can keep taking away our freedom to choose if we use a certian plant or not.
Listen to "Howling at the Moon" by the Ramones it's a great pro pot legalization anthem. They talk aobut conservative facists who throw you in jail with true cfriminals for using canabis and not harming a fly.
"I beleive in miracles, I beleive in abetter world for me and you" Joey Ramone
Again fuck off you lying, ignorant rednecks your wrong on this issue.
dont buy into the new propoganda about pot. Oh it's new and chemically charged watch out. Bullshit! There were potent strains in the 60's as well. If herb was legalized then all of it could be 100% organic. As far as chemically charged goes that would be from the fertilizer of shitty growing operations. The effects on the user would amount more to problems such as a sore throat.
Cannabis has had no proven negative effects on the nervous system. In fact in a recent study by the university of san diego smoking herb after binge drinknig was proven to negate the negative effects of binge drinking. So rednecks next time you wake up after al long night of boozing, picking on people who are different, fighting and drunk driving you can toke up the next mornning and your brain will not be as damaged. I thought you right-wing conservatives were all about personal freedom and decisions well if any of you support keepnig herb illegal then your the definition of a hypocrite.
It's obvious what needs to be done on this issue.
I smoke 100% organic and always will.
Also cannabis users have been proven to have higher incomes than non-users. Perhaps all the educated, pot smoking students are making it in the real world. Look out your lawyer, doctor and politicians are al using herb ooooh. In AK when it legal judges used to grow it in their front yards and guess what no one cared and it was'n t that big a deal. Until the conservative "freedom party" voted to remove that freedom.
"There's no law, no law anymore, I wanna still rom the rich and give to the poor"
Joey Ramone "Howling at the moon"
ohhh served bitches
I wanna steal from the rich and give to the poor
Sha la la la sha la la la la"
but makes the plant more and more reliant on human interaction. Thousands of uses? Beneficial? Give me 10 documented beneficial uses. Emphasis on documented.
" I believe in miracles, I believe in a better world for me and you"
Listen to The Ramones they speak the truth.
again your spouting more lies and propoganda. How would you know if cannabis was legalized that it would not decrease the amount of illegal grows. That is undocumented, complete speculation that I believe the majority of authorities on this issue would disagree with you. If herb was legalized I'm darn certain these massive, illegal grow operations by the likes of the mexican mafia etc. would decrease signigantly if not dissapear altogether. Tell me how many of the farmers in Iowa grow pot in between the corn. With all that room in the mid-west I think there would be enough space to satisfy the demand of the public if legazliaed of course. I have lived in eastern Nebraska and worked in those corn fields. Thats is where your fabled ditch weed grows and that is where hemp and cannabis could grow.
The price for these opreations will only decrease if legalized. By the way dingleberry have you ever lived or hiked in any of these areas where these illegal grows are happening.
I've live in Del Norte, Plumas and the infamous humboldt county in northern california, have you ever even heard of any of these places. The majority of opreations are small, organic indoor/outdoor that are run by families and friends. These are the people being harassed by CAMP and others. Meanwhile the mexican mafia with ties to local law enforcement is allowed to perform these incredibly damaging, far reaching, chemical outdoor grow opreations. They send in growers with months of supplies and weapons to gurad the crop. Local law enforcement knows this and protects these opreations becuase the entire system is corrupt. There was a Univ Chico student in the north fork of the feather river canyon doing a research product on invasive plants. The student was less than a mile from highway 70 when they were aproached by a masked gunmen who motioned to surrender. The student fled and lcukily was unahrmed. The masked gunman was traced back to the mexican mafia. I know if herb was legalized these kinds of confrontations would decrease if not dissapear altogether. Why dont you try visiting these places and talking to the local people about what they beleive is right. After all they are the ones who have to deal with maksed gunmen in the woods.
The amount of research conducted on the beneficial effects of cannabis has been severly underfunded and outright ignored by the US. However it is very easing to find the beneficial uses.
Tetrahydrocannabinol has long been recognized to be an effective anti-emetic, especially for people with chemotherapy induced nausea. In fact, THC has been marketed in the United States for this use, and is sold under the brand name Marinol. Recent studies have shown that “there are numerous cannabinoid receptors in the nucleus of the solitary tract, a brain center that is important in the control of emesis”. Many effective medications act on receptors that exist in the human body, and in fact, new drugs are designed specifically to target known receptors. Thus, since there are already cannabinoid receptors in the brain, it is no surprise that marijuana is so effective at reducing nausea. There are, however, two problems with the oral form of THC. Patients who have severe nausea may not be able to keep a pill down. Inhaling a few puffs of marijuana is not a problem in this si/tuation. Also, the pill is slowly absorbed, while the inhaled form is rapidly absorbed, reducing the nausea more quickly.
With the development of newer, highly effective oral and intravenous anti-emetics, THC may be less useful for the relief of chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting. However, Marijuana should still be available for these very sick patients, if standard treatments are ineffective, and they should not have to risk going to jail in order to take a medication which enables them to stop vomiting. The Institute of Medicine concurs, stating: “Until the development of rapid-onset antiemetic drug delivery systems, there will likely remain a subpopulation of patients for whom standard antiemetic therapy is ineffective and who suffer from debilitating emesis. It is possible that the harmful effects of smoking marijuana for a limited period of time might be outweighed by the antiemetic benefits of marijuana, at least for patients for whom standard antiemetic therapy is ineffective and who suffer from debilitating emesis.” The Canadian Cancer Society has also recognized the numerous benefits of marijuana, stating “The combination of cannabinoid drug effects (anxiety reduction, appetite stimulation, nausea reduction, and pain relief) suggests that cannabinoids would be moderately well suited for certain conditions, such as chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, and AIDS wasting.”
Since marijuana is well known to be an appetite stimulant, its use has been studied in patients with the wasting syndrome. The wasting syndrome, which is defined as the involuntary loss of more than 10% of body weight, is a common finding in the end stages of some fatal diseases, such as AIDS and metastatic cancer. In 1992 the FDA approved Marinol for use in patients with the wasting syndrome due to AIDS. However, some patients find that inhaled marijuana is more effective than purified THC (Marinol). According to the Institute of Medicine report, “in controlled laboratory studies of healthy adults, smoked marijuana was shown to increase body weight, appetite, and food intake.” They conclude, “Nausea, appetite loss, pain, and anxiety are all afflictions of wasting, and all can be mitigated by marijuana.”
Marijuana has also been reported to be beneficial for a variety of neurological problems. Multiple sclerosis is a severe, often fatal, progressive degenerative neurological disease affecting more than 2.5 million people. About 90% develop spasticity and pain is a common and severe complication. Numerous reports indicate that marijuana reduces this pain and spasticity. Patients with spinal cord injuries also report that muscle spasms are reduced by marijuana. The Institute of Medicine concludes that “Basic animal studies have shown that cannabinoid receptors are particularly abundant in areas of the brain that control movement and that cannabinoids affect movement and posture in animals as well as humans. The observations are consistent with the possibility that cannabinoids have antispastic effects.”
Marijuana has also been tried in Parkinson disease and Alzheimer’s disease. In Parkinson’s disease it is concluded that marijuana may reduce chorea and dystonia, which are unpleasant movement disorders associated with the disease. In Alzheimer’s disease patients treated with Marinol showed substantial weight gains and a decrease in disturbed behavior.
Marijuana has also been shown to be dramatically effective in glaucoma, a disease of the eyes characterized by increased pressure in the eye. Untreated glaucoma often leads to blindness. Marijuana reduces the pressure in the eye by about 25%, providing dramatic relief for some patients.The Institute of Medicine concludes, “Scientific data indicate the potential therapeutic value of cannabinoid drugs.”
Many other well respected organizations throughout the world support the clinical use of marijuana. The AMA House of Delegates concludes, “Adequate and well-controlled studies of smoked marijuana should be conducted in patients who have serious conditions for which preclinical, anecdotal, or controlled evidence suggests possible efficacy, including AIDS wasting syndrome, severe acute or delayed emesis induced by chemotherapy, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, dystonia, and neuropathic pain.” The British Medical Association takes a similar position. The National Institutes of Health states, “For at least some potential indications, marijuana looks promising enough to recommend that new controlled studies be done….To the extent that the NIH can facilitate the development of a scientifically rigorous and relevant database, the NIH should do so.”
In 2001 the Canadian Cancer Society stated that it “supports the government in its effort to provide clear criteria so that patients who qualify to use marijuana to alleviate symptoms of cancer or side effects of treatment will be permitted to do so. Whether or no a person chooses to use marijuana to help them with their experiences with cancer is an individual’s choice and the Society encourages people to discuss this with their doctor.”
Even the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine has come out in support of the medical use of marijuana. In 1997 they stated that “it is also hypocritical to forbid physicians to prescribe marijuana, while permitting them to use morphine.” According to the Journal, “Federal authorities should rescind their prohibition of the medicinal use of marijuana.”
Throughout these past few decades, marijuana has been wrongfully labeled as the dangerous gateway drug, but, in reality, it has less toxins than alcohol and tobacco. Marijuana also has a considerably lower amount of deaths on record than alcohol. So why is it that America has two substances, which are more harmful for its citizens, legal but continue to demoralize the use of marijuana?
One of the many arguments for the legalization of marijuana is its beneficial aspects in the medical community. Chronic pain, intraocular pressure, muscle spasms, tremors, and spinal cord injuries are just a few of the conditions that can be relieved by the smoking of marijuana. Not only does marijuana alleviate pain and discomfort, but it also treats insomnia, recovers appetite, and lessens feelings of nausea. All of the physical complications mentioned can be tied to people with diseases such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, glaucoma, fibromyalgia, and other related disorders. But with the marijuana laws that our country has, these people, who are just trying to make it through the day and enjoy the life they have despite the obstacles, are at risk to be charged with a criminal action. And I would like to ask, when has it been criminal to try to feel okay?
But marijuana not only dulls pain but enlightens the mind to the beauty of itself and the world around it. In other words, marijuana can be used to treat depression in all of its diverse states. It can be used to decrease stress, release bad thoughts and feelings, and as a form of relaxation, which in turn can change a person's outlook in a positive way. So marijuana has, and can, be used as a way for people to escape the oppression of their own minds and bodies.
Now I know you must be thinking, "Well how can the legalization of marijuana benefit the country?" And the answer is fairly simple. The legalization of marijuana could help boost the economy, agriculture, and the workings in the judicial system.
The economy could be helped be the legalization of marijuana because it would use less of the tax payers money to house "criminals", and instead use the money towards getting the country out of its deficit. Also, taxing marijuana would bring more money in for the government to use to improve its state. So, the legalization of marijuana could improve the United States economy by bringing in more money for the government to use in areas that need improvement.
Now for agriculture, marijuana is already Kentucky's number one cash crop. If legalized it could be a hearty crop for many farmers to grow. It not only creates marijuana, but also hemp, which is a substance that many desire. Hemp can be used for rope, jewelry, cloth, lotion, and other such things. Also, since hemp is a natural substance, it would be creating eco-friendly products. This is beneficial for the farmers, trade, and the Earth.
And finally for the judicial system. Marijuana legalization could lessen the crowding of American prisons, because people who have been charged with possession or distribution would be released. Not only would it lessen crowding, but it would also promote beneficial use of the drug. Instead of marijuana being looked at as an illegal substance that can be used to rebel, it could be looked at as a substance that is for people who will use it for beneficial reasons such as physical and mental health. I would like to ask you to open your mind to the possibilities that lie with the legalization of marijuana. The possibility of having Americans being able to legally find freedom from physical and mental oppression, the improving of our country, and the beneficial use of a substance that has been deemed immoral for too many years.
-Letter from concerned citizen
Or do you need more documented beneficial effects of cannabis or legalization.
with a masters in horticulture i'd think you'd be alittle better informed by prejudices are oh so hard to break.
Notice other readers the continued assault on cannabis users by misinformed propogandists.
The attack on this culture must end why dont you just leave us alone dingleberry. No you have to call us slow or stupid.
Well what is stupid is keeping things as they are and beleive somehow they will change. Admitting our own faults as a society and taking the correct measures to make progress on an important issue is what needs to be done.
Again dingleberry fuck off you hateful, prejudiced facist, who wants to throw productive, good members of society in prison with murders, rapists and thieves for using a plant that harms neither society nor themselves.
Your a tiny little boy with too much dope. As soon as Bachelor opens we won't be hearing much from you.
It's a good discussion; substantive and lively, but several of you crossed the line of our comment policy so strongly and unacceptably that I am compelled to say: CUT IT OUT. Stop being ridiculous and childish. Have a civil argument. Here's a line to keep in your arsenal: "I disagree with you. Here's why:"
You absolutely may not use extreme profanity here if directed at another person or persons.
Think about it, guys: is this what you want your mother/children to know about how you communicate? If you wouldn't say it that way to your mother, don't say it that way here.
you've proven you have neither a counter-argument nor a sense of humor. If anyone is a little boy it's one who pouts and dishes out mindless insults when proven wrong.
Jill- when one has pushed by extremists for soo many years they're defense trends toward the same maliciuos tactics.
and yes dingleberry you've been served
I sighted the institute of medicine. Nowhere did I use sources or refer to high times. Another dispicable, lame attempt at slandering proven facts and information about this issue.
Since you have no counter arguement nor facts to refute the claims i've made i'd say once again you've been served ahahahaha.
You foolish child.
If your a medical marijuana provider and your against legalization then it is for your own selfish desires.
Actually dberry i'm working on an essay for University at the library while battling your mindless arguments.However I continue to go to school and work part time in the off season. Please stop misquoting me and distorting the real issue at hand. Also I claimed I had a life not that I was at work. I work in the wilderness and have been laid off due to the approaching winter season. In fact I am in charge of several people's lives out there in the mtns. and they have all had great experiences. Why dont you ask them dberry if i'm grown up?
I attended the University of Iowa, Holy Cross, Drake University and Notre Dame. any questions?
dberry is just attacking everyone right now.
Wow dberry you attended the most prejudiced major univ. in the USA, notre dame.
Look out here comes a fresh perspective from Catholic U.
You seem more concerned with correct puntuation, trupming up your credentials and intelect rather than making any real points or sighting any real facts.
"served" a funny phrase used by the brilliant comedian Dave Chappelle, might be the appropriate term for dberry.
Mostly it's hashed-and-rehashed cut-n-paste talking points, interrupted frequently with juvenile personal attacks. When you interrupted the little playground shoving match, looks like they both turned on you! (-;
Oh - wait! I didn't mention the subtle Ramones references. (I always thought airplane glue was their favorite consciousness-altering substance! hahaha)
Hey, Beargrass and Juniper Berry - take it outside, dudes, yer harshin' my buzz!
(Lest I be misunderstood - I'm sympathetic to decriminalization of "personal" marijuana use and cultivation. And I LOVE the Ramones! GABBA-GABBA-HEY!!)
for the record I never turned on nor attacked Jill, that I reserved for dberry. Yes the discussion became immature and full of insults, but hey a little toilet humor never hurt a serious discussion. If you cant lash out at the wrongs of the world on a blog then where can you?
I cut and pasted to proove a point from a reputable source for dberry. I also pasted a well composed letter to then senator Obama from a concerned citizen.
I am prepared to back up my points, opinions and facts.
Also yes I am aware of the infamous Ramones song concerning glue. Joey Ramone was also a liberal political activist who made good contributions toward ending the prohibition on cannabis.
now your insulting others because of their age, real classy and intelligent. If you were amongst the CBGB crowd of the mid 1970s, then the selfish stance you've taken regarding cannabis prohibition is even more deplorable. Keep in mind folks the growers want to keep cannabis illegal to keep reaping huge profits at the expense of the consumer. Your comments bear zero relevance to the discussion and basically your just trying to look cool to us youngsters.
Also dberry you spelled Cobain incorrectly.
I understand there was some infighting between members of the Ramones regarding politics. (Who woulda thunk?!!) Johnny was quite conservative. In fact, at their R&R;Hall of Fame induction ceremony, he raised eyebrows when he stated, "God bless President Bush."
why dont you guys trade phone mumbers or addresses and spare us your junior high dropout mentality. all of you.
-Johnny Ramone was probally the most well known and proudly right wing punk rocker. I think the conflict between Joey and Johnny's two ideals was partly what translated so much raw energy and and emotion in their music. That and the fact that Johnny stole Joey's girlfriend. However I doubt Johnny Ramone supported throwing innocent, productive american citizens in prison for using herb.
Apologies for deteriorating into a Ramones conversation
This was a very satisfying project. It released me from the horrible feeling of helplessness as I watched many people die horrible deaths.
This stuff about it being expensive, dangerous chemicals, etc. does not apply to the home grower. I had a 1000 watt metal halide lamp on a timer and a 4 foot flourescent setup for rooting new starts. With this equipment I was able to produce enough for patients for nearly 20 years.
It is not expensive, does not take up much room and helps ailing house plants as well. Persons with SAD might benefit by sitting near the halide lamp (sunglasses, please). The lamp adds only about $30 / month to the electric bill.
I will always remember how my best friend, vomiting and wasting away from the drugs which were trying to control aids, could take a couple of bong hits and keep the burritos down and smile.
Don't even bother with trying to end the prohibition or whatever. You can't ever win with the conservative - obstructionist crowd. They sure change their tune when Granny gets sick.
Just do it!
It's your responsibility!
Also, naysayers, don't waste your breath.
By the way do i smell brooklyn to portalnd hipster transplant?
Your bs, snobby intellectual attitude has no place in the rural west becuase you dont know wtf your talking about.
Not far from my home two sheep farmers dumped used sheep dip into the local water course, perhaps we should ban all rearing of sheep.
The logic of the article stinks.
Hopefully one benefit of the recession (trying to be be positive ;-) will be the recognition there isn't the money to keep fighting this unwinnable "war."
I wouldn't be surprised if the drug lords didn't funnel campaign funds to help key anti-legalization politicians.
Actually, it's at 53% in western states: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/22/AR2009112201986.html
Is Montana ready?
your full of outdated, debunked prpoganda.
That isn't all the RightWingCrazy is full of.