An article written by Paul Armentano this week details marijuana prohibition’s drug treatment gravy train. According to the most recent figures published by the US Department of Health and Human Services, 57 percent of persons referred to treatment for marijuana as their primary substance of abuse were referred there by the criminal justice system. Total drug treatment admissions from criminal justice referrals accounts for only 37 percent of overall drug treatment admissions. Primary marijuana treatment admissions were less likely than all admissions combined to be self-referred to treatment, with only 15 percent of marijuana treatment admissions as self-referred including referrals by friends and family. This percentage is less than half the number of self-referrals for alcohol and cocaine, and about one-quarter the number of self-referrals reported for heroin abuse. According to Armentano, given America’s current underfunded drug treatment resources and our inability to meet demand, it is shocking and shameful that so many drug treatment facilities are being used to warehouse minor marijuana offenders who have run afoul of the law. In 2007, almost 40 percent of the estimated 288,000 people who entered drug treatment for cannabis use hadn’t even used it in the 30 days previous to their admission with another 16 percent reporting they used marijuana fewer than three times in the month before admission to treatment, hardly pot addicts worthy of drug rehab. These statistics make it clear that it is not marijuana use that is driving these treatment admission rates, it is primarily cannabis prohibition driving them. Americans that are being busted for marijuana are being forced to choose between rehab or jail, a policy that has been a windfall for treatment clinics.
NORML Show Live Popup Players
Video: A Judge Lays Out the Facts
“A judge lays out the facts regarding the failure of drug prohibition and explains why legalization will effectively win the war on drug cartels, and will also be the ultimate weapon against terrorists who get their funding from drug sales as well.” – Anongrey
A Documentary on Cannabis Culture in California
Amanda Van West documents the current culture of cannabis in California. (Video Post)
Video – “The Flower” makes sense……
Video hits the nail-on-the-head, why are we afraid of legalization?
Video – Allen St. Pierre of NORML Shoots Down Heritage Foundation’s Darling
Allen St. Pierre makes a compelling case and trounced the Heritage Foundation’s Director of U.S. Senate Relations, Brian Darling in this spirited debate. Mr. St. Pierre’s last comment makes one of the best arguments against prohibitionists I’ve heard on TV. Posted in four parts;
Video – Olympic Torch passes by Cannabis Culture’s Headquarters
The Olympic Torch, which just happens to look like a joint this year, passes by the headquarters of Cannabis Culture.
Video – National Geographic Looks at Oaksterdam University and Medical Marijuana
A video from the National Geographic series “Taboo” that showcases Richard Lee of Oaksterdam University. The video offers some great footage, but beware the ominous music and a passing mention of the MANY times debunked “marijuana is a gateway drug” theory. (the most recent debunking)
Video – Montel Williams about Letting Americans Grow Cannabis
Montal Williams has been a long-time advocate of legalizing marijuana for medical and recreational purposes. Here is a recent video of Montel talking about legalizing cannabis.
Video – Willie Nelson tries to save the Family Farm with Hemp – Vintage Video
Willie Nelson in a video from 1991.
Video – New Hampshire Police Officer Asked Not to Represent LEAP
Officer Brad Jarvis takes his fight to the blogosphere! Here is a breakdown of the story in video format from the New Hampshire Free Press……..
Public Service Announcement of the Day
The artist, Nice Peter, put together this great video for the 2008 Ad contest held by NORML. It didn’t win, it got second place but this is the one I voted for! In the spirit of Saturday Morning School House Rock Videos, Nice Peter has created a classic. Visit his website for more of his [Read on . . .]
Jim Hightower and his take on Marijuana
A great video in the series “Profiles in Marijuana” from the folks at Marijuana Policy Project.
Cheryl Shuman testifies in front of the LA City Council
Cheryl Shuman is the Executive Director of Beverly Hills NORML. A death sentence because of a plant? This is the reality of what prohibition is doing to outstanding citizens like Cheryl.
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Oregon Case Reinforces Definition of Usable Marijuanaeggrole /Free Photos A legal battle in Oregon over what constitutes “usable weed” has ended with a case dismissal. 24 year old Josh . . .
Fast and Furious Program Sparks Lawsuit and Testimony from Attorney GeneralThe family of slain border patrol agent Brian Terry has threatened to file a $25 million wrongful death suit against the Bureau of Alcohol, . . .
Butane Hash Oil Extraction Tube Causes Devestating Delay Fighting FireA fire in a Northern California Apartment building left an 18 year old in critical condition with severe buns, and 10 residents homeless on . . .
Drought In Mexico Leads to Drop in Marijuana ProductionThis year, a drought in Northern Mexico has gotten bad enough that it is now affecting the crops, including those that are illicit. Military . . .
Two Different Medical Marijuana Proposals In OhioThere are two medical marijuana proposals that are headed for Ohio’s November ballot this year. The Ohio Medical Cannabis Amendment of 2012 . . .
Several Medical Marijuana Bills to Consider in HawaiiState Capitol Building, Honolulu, Hawaiiurbanfeel /Free Photos The deadline for filing a bill in the Hawaii State legislature has now passed, . . .
Montana Judge Says Federal Law Rules Supreme in State Medical Marijuana IndustryA judge on Friday has ruled that Montana’s medical marijuana law does not protect those that provide medical marijuana to other from . . .
NM Woman Will Be Compensated for Her Destroyed PlantsToni Armijo will be getting some compensation from the Albuquerque NM police department for her destroyed cannabis plants. She did, however, . . .
January 25th – A Medical Marijuana Day of ActionMedical Marijuana Advocates in the state of Colorado are calling for a Medical Marijuana Day of Action to protest federal marijuana . . .
NORML Daily Stash Feed
- Rockin’ Friday: Lionize – “Superczar” February 4, 2012 "Radical" Russ Belville
- NORML SHOW LIVE #851 – Legalization State by State February 4, 2012 "Radical" Russ Belville
- “Fast and Furious” Program Sparks Lawsuit and House Hearing for the Attorney General February 4, 2012 Cannabis Karri
- Firefighters Mistake Butane Hash Oil Extraction Equipment for Pipe Bomb February 4, 2012 Cannabis Karri
- Ballot Measures Competing for Funds from Big Backers February 4, 2012 Cannabis Karri
- Washington State Bill Asking Government To Reclassify Marijuana Moves Forward February 4, 2012 Cannabis Karri
- Colorado Legalization Effort Comes up 2400 Valid Signatures Short February 4, 2012 Cannabis Karri
- Oregon Case Reinforces Definition of Usable Marijuanaeggrole /Free Photos A legal battle in Oregon over what constitutes “usable weed” has ended with a case dismissal. 24 . . .
- Fast and Furious Program Sparks Lawsuit and Testimony from Attorney GeneralThe family of slain border patrol agent Brian Terry has threatened to file a $25 million wrongful death suit against the . . .
- Butane Hash Oil Extraction Tube Causes Devestating Delay Fighting FireA fire in a Northern California Apartment building left an 18 year old in critical condition with severe buns, and 10 . . .
- Drought In Mexico Leads to Drop in Marijuana ProductionThis year, a drought in Northern Mexico has gotten bad enough that it is now affecting the crops, including those that are . . .
- Two Different Medical Marijuana Proposals In OhioThere are two medical marijuana proposals that are headed for Ohio’s November ballot this year. The Ohio Medical . . .
- Several Medical Marijuana Bills to Consider in HawaiiState Capitol Building, Honolulu, Hawaiiurbanfeel /Free Photos The deadline for filing a bill in the Hawaii State . . .
- Montana Judge Says Federal Law Rules Supreme in State Medical Marijuana IndustryA judge on Friday has ruled that Montana’s medical marijuana law does not protect those that provide medical marijuana . . .
- NM Woman Will Be Compensated for Her Destroyed PlantsToni Armijo will be getting some compensation from the Albuquerque NM police department for her destroyed cannabis plants. . . .
- January 25th – A Medical Marijuana Day of ActionMedical Marijuana Advocates in the state of Colorado are calling for a Medical Marijuana Day of Action to protest federal . . .
New Jersey Supreme Court Will Not Hear MS Patient’s Marijuana CaseNew Jersey - John Ray Wilson was arrested for a few plants in his back yard in 2008. Wilson said he did not have insurance . . .
Polish Lawmaker Threatens to Smoke Marijuana in ParliamentIn Poland, the leader of a new left-wing party threatened to light up a joint in Parliament in Warsaw on Friday. Janusz . . .
Arizona Governor Will Allow Dispensaries Now that Lawsuit Was DismissedA lawsuit brought on by Arizona Governor Jan Brewer to seek clarification on the Federal stance of allowing dispensaries . . .
Washington Dispensary Bill Addresses I-502 ConcernsSenate Bill 6265 got a hearing yesterday. The bill is sponsored by Senator Jeanne Kohl-Welles of Seattle, a long time . . .
California Supreme Court to Hear Important Dispensary CasesThe California Supreme Court decided today to review two lower court rulings that would look again into the legality of . . .
Cannabis Spray Being Tested To Ease Cannabis WithdrawalAn intrepid team from the University of South Wales is trialing an oral spray that would help cannabis users who want to . . .
As Legalization Question Headed for the Ballot, Poll Shows Voters SplitA new poll in Washington state shows that voters are evenly split on the question of legalizing marijuana for all . . .
Colorado Revenue Department asks for Marijuana ReschedulingThe state of Colorado has been very progressive when it comes to medical marijuana regulations. They have pages and pages . . .
Study Shows Middle Aged Men’s Cognition Not Harmed by Marijuana UseThe study on all those participants found a positive association with past and or current illicit drug use on cognitive . . .
Supreme Court May Hear Dog Sniffing CaseThere is a case before the Supreme Court that includes a question about drug sniffing dogs. The case comes out of Florida, . . .
Washington State Puts The Legalization Question to the VotersThe group behind the effort to legalize marijuana use in Washington state submitted 341,000 signatures to get their . . .
Pro Surfers To Be Drug Tested This YearThe International body that governs professional surfing is about to change their policies. The Association of Surfing . . .
Man’s Car Destroyed By Police During Futile Search for MarijuanaDarren Richardson was pulled over in his 2004 Black BMW 325i for what police said was them witnessing Mr. Richardson . . .
Mendocino National Forest Clean-Up Crews Looking for Volunteers This WeekendThe Mendocino National Forest Grow-site Reclamation Project is partly financed through funding sought by the Lake County . . .
California Chapter of Addiction Medicine Has Different Opinion on LegalizationThe Directors of the American Society for Addiction Medicine had a meeting on Sunday in Washington to discuss their recent . . .
Arizona Officials Bust Major Mexican Cartel RingAccording to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Sinaloa Cartel is responsible for smuggling 3.3 million pounds . . .
Americans for Safe Access Sues the US Attorney GeneralThe medical marijuana advocacy group, “Americans for Safe Access” is trying to use the court system to stop the . . .
The White House Issues a Response to the Cannabis CommunityIt’s official. The legalization community has finally gotten a response from the White House. Well, the Nation’s . . .
Canadian Coalition Calls for LegalizationA Canadian group of professionals has formed a coalition that calls on the legalization and the regulated sales of . . .
Colorado Issues the Nation’s first Medical Marijuana Business LicenseOut of the thousands of medical marijuana dispensaries in our country, most of them had to get some kind of business . . .
Colombian President Calls for the Global Legalization of MarijuanaThe President of Colombia said he would support the global legalization of marijuana, but that his country could not be . . .
Mexican Drug War Being Waged in Urban AreasMexican Government has allowed domestic marijuana and opium production to climb to record levels. Heroin seizures on the . . .
Fontana Police Send Their Own Threatening Letters to DispensariesFontana, California's police chief has taken a clue from US attorneys and has started a campaign to rid his town of . . .
Pennsylvania Couple Facing Paraphernalia ChargesTwo people are facing serious drug charges after they have been accused of openly selling marijuana pipes and bongs at a . . .
The Czech Republic Takes a Shot at Legalizing Medical MarijuanaCzech Republic is reviewing a medical marijuana law that would legalize growing and using medical marijuana . . .
Medical Marijuana Card Holder Sues the US for 2nd Amendment ViolationsThe Second Amendment Rights of medical marijuana patients have come into focus lately. When Oregonian Cynthia Willis was . . .
Oklahoma Governor Just Says No WayIn an online town hall forum Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin stated very clearly that she is firmly opposed to legalizing . . .
Small Southern Oregon Town is Tops for GrowersWilliams Oregon is the top town for medical marijuana growers in a state know for growers of marijuana.. Based on Zip . . .
Florida Mayor Fires the Entire Police Department over Marijuana AccusationsNarcotics agents in Florida from the Oak Hill sheriff’s department were given information that the mayor of their small . . .
Rockies Stadium Death Blamed on Alcohol and MarijuanaColorado Rockies game earlier this year is now being blamed on marijuana and alcohol. Robert Seamans was trying to slide . . .
Federal Judge: Florida Drug Statue UnconstitutionalA federal judge declared Florida’s drug statue unconstitutional on grounds that it doesn't require criminal intent to be . . .
Eddy Lepp Loses Appeal, Will Spend 10 Years in PrisonA federal appeals court has upheld the conviction and the 10 year prison sentence for medical marijuana advocate Eddy . . .
CAMP May Be Losing Funding, Another Record Breaking YearIt is CAMP season in the Beautiful Mendocino National Forest In California, and the helicopters are buzzing over the . . .
Oregon Woman Gun Case Appealed to Supreme CourtCynthia Willis of Gold Hill, Oregon was denied her right to obtain a concealed handgun license, even though she was just . . .
Washington DC Makes a Move to Implement Medical Marijuana ProgramA full year after Washington DC legalized medical marijuana, no one is growing it, selling it or using it legally. . . .
Michigan Clinic Is Accused of Buying VotesA medical marijuana group in Landing Michigan is finding themselves in legal hot water after posting an offer on their . . .
The NAACP Calls Out the Drug War for Its Racial DisparitiesA majority of delegates at the 102nd NAACP Annual Convention in Los Angeles voted for the resolutions this year that . . .- New Jersey Man Loses Appeal in Marijuana CaseA New Jersey man who was convicted of growing a few marijuana plants in his back yard to treat symptoms of his multiple . . .
Middle School Child Gets $1 Million Settlement For Sting OperationA 14 year old boy in California has been awarded $1 million in damages after participating in a drug sting. The 12 year . . .- Canadian Crime Statistics Show An Increase in Marijuana CrimesIt seems in years past, America’s drug war looked outrageous as compared to Canada’s seemingly more relaxed approach . . .
- Two Men from Washington Ask for Their Cannabis BackTwo men who owned a raided dispensary in Tacoma Washington are continuing their fight in the court system, despite the . . .
Montana’s Rocky RideMontana recently passed a strict new medical marijuana law that has replaced their VOTER initiative law that had been on . . .- Arizona Governor Jan Brewer Clarifies Her Position on Medical MarijuanaArizona Governor Jan Brewer said some things that may have clarified her position on the now-passed Proposition 203. . . .
New Jersey Governor Decides to Allow the Medical Marijuana ProgramNew Jersey passed the most restrictive medical marijuana program yet, giving only those that have the most serious or . . .
Australia Moves Toward Harsher Punishments for Marijuana CrimesThe State Government in Western Australia announced on Sunday that they are putting into place more repressive marijuana . . .
Former Neo-Nazi Singing Group Grows up and Embraces Medical CannabisFormer Neo-Nazi music artists are now medical marijuana activists. Touring as children in the group, "Prussian Blue", Lynx . . .
Americans for Safe Access File Complaint Against Anti-Marijuana GroupA pro-cannabis group in Southern California has filed complaints against an anti-cannabis group. The San Diego chapter of . . .
Arizona Opens Cannabis Clubs Despite Dispensary Hold UpA handful of cannabis clubs that provide patients with marijuana for medical purposes have opened up in Arizona under a . . .
Miss USA Answers A Marijuana Question for the WinThe United States has a new Miss USA. A twenty-one-year-old from California won the crown this weekend in the 60th annual . . .
Montana’s Tough New Medical Marijuana Law is ChallengedThe District Court in Helena, Montana will hear arguments today as the case from Montana Cannabis Industry Association and . . .
New York Mayor Defends Discriminatory Marijuana PoliciesNew York City has been the arrest capital of the world for marijuana crimes even though they have had a decriminalization . . .
Canadian Medical Marijuana Growers Facing New ThreatIn Canada, the rules on who can grow medical cannabis are under attack as the federal government is expected to announce . . .
Florida Governor Rick Scott Suspends Worker Drug Testing ProgramA lawsuit in Florida may have derailed Florida Governor Rick Scott’s plan to drug test all state workers. Governor . . .
America’s “War on Drugs” Turns 40Today, June 17th, marks the 40th birthday of the United States War on Drugs. Forty years ago, President Richard Nixon . . .
New Jersey Still Struggling to Implement Medical Marijuana LawThe NJ Department of Health and Human Services revealed this week that they have 90 doctors currently registered in their . . .
That’s a lot of money they are spending in order to make a bad publicity to cannabis, offending peoples rights of use body and minds in the way they want.