BY SEAN ALFANO
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Thursday, August 5th 2010, 11:29 AM
If you live in Washington D.C., you'll never be too broke to buy pot.
That is, of course, if you need marijuana for medical purposes, according to a law passed earlier in the year.
The law provides medical marijuana at a discount for the city's poor residents.
But who exactly is qualified to receive the cheaper pot, along with the price of the drugs, remains up in the air.
The city is expected give some answers about the law in a report Friday, but patients won't be able to buy medical marijuana until 2011, the Associated Press reports.
Fourteen states have laws legalizing medical marijuana, but D.C.'s is the first to offer the drug at a discount.
City officials tell AP an ounce of pot from a sanctioned dispensary could run $350. Police data suggest buying illegal marijuana costs between $100 and $140.
If the reduced rate isn't cheaper, pot advocates worry poor patients will break the law to get their medical marijuana.
D.C. has one of the highest poverty levels in the country, with a third of its residents getting some financial help with health care.
"People under the poverty level and below shouldn't have to pay anything," Teresa Skipper, a medical marijuana user who is HIV-positive, tells AP she can't afford to pay more than $50 an ounce for pot — which she currently buys illegally.
"Marijuana is like gas and food to me," she said. "It's in the budget."
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2010/08/05/2010-08-05_washington_dc_law_aims_to_make_medical_marijuana_affordable_for_poor_patients.html#ixzz0vlmFL5OT
Showing posts with label marijuana islam drugs cannabis weed blunts gangs terrorism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label marijuana islam drugs cannabis weed blunts gangs terrorism. Show all posts
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Criminal Gangs and the Occult
By Richard Valdemar,
Throughout the long history of Los Angeles street gangs, their members have flirted with the dark side of evil.
March 28, 2008
Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord, and because of these detestable practices the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you.
Deuteronomy 18:10-13
Throughout the long history of Los Angeles street gangs, their members have flirted with the dark side of evil. On the one hand, they claimed to be defenders of their race and neighborhood; on the other, they acted in league with the devil, both metaphorically and literally. This conflict can be seen in the mixture of religious and demonic symbols depicted on their tattooed bodies.
While most street gangs were not driven by evil spiritual motivation, in the ugly manmade hell of prison some of these gangs clearly turned to the dark side, with escalated violence being the result. The Mexican Mafia actually forbade its members from "picking up the Bible" or espousing any form of Christianity. Some members of the Aryan Brotherhood were followers of pagan witchcraft, or worshipers of the devil.
In taking on these new belief systems many gang members eschewed the moral codes they had previously ascribed to as part of their religious/superstitious upbringing.
Pagan Rituals and Stoner Gangs
In the 1980s, Cuban "Marielitos" brought Afro-Cuban cult beliefs into the Los Angeles drug and gang culture. Santeria, Voodoo, and Palo Mayombe followers became some of the most violent criminal gang members Los Angeles had ever seen. Across the city, small altars with caldrons or "gangas" of fruit, rum, and cocaine, as well as animal blood sacrifices, dotted the map. "Botanicas" (occult pharmacies) that sold the paraphernalia required for these rituals sprang up in every community.
Drug cartels from Mexico practiced their own rituals. "Brujeria" (witchcraft) altars with figurines of the bandit saint "Jesus Malverde" or "Santisima Muerte" (holy death) were common in cartel drug houses. Cartel members wore amulets and placed figurines of occult symbols in their cars. Some openly worshipped Satan.
During the heavy metal music era of the early- to mid-1980s, a new type of gang began to get the attention of gang cops in Los Angeles. Unlike the common "Cholo" gangs, these new gangs were made up of "Stoners," kids who wore black concert T-shirts, leather jackets adorned with spikes and studs, and long hair. They rejected the classic "oldies but goodies" in favor of AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osborne, and Motley Crew.
They also rejected the Cholo gang morals and code of conduct. The Hole Stoners, ELA Stoners, MS Stoners (later to evolve into MS-13), and others played by their own rules. Soon these new Stoner gangs outnumbered traditional gang members in East Los Angeles booking cages. In turn, they were ostracized by most Cholo gang members.
To Read the rest click here
Throughout the long history of Los Angeles street gangs, their members have flirted with the dark side of evil.
March 28, 2008
Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord, and because of these detestable practices the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you.
Deuteronomy 18:10-13
Throughout the long history of Los Angeles street gangs, their members have flirted with the dark side of evil. On the one hand, they claimed to be defenders of their race and neighborhood; on the other, they acted in league with the devil, both metaphorically and literally. This conflict can be seen in the mixture of religious and demonic symbols depicted on their tattooed bodies.
While most street gangs were not driven by evil spiritual motivation, in the ugly manmade hell of prison some of these gangs clearly turned to the dark side, with escalated violence being the result. The Mexican Mafia actually forbade its members from "picking up the Bible" or espousing any form of Christianity. Some members of the Aryan Brotherhood were followers of pagan witchcraft, or worshipers of the devil.
In taking on these new belief systems many gang members eschewed the moral codes they had previously ascribed to as part of their religious/superstitious upbringing.
Pagan Rituals and Stoner Gangs
In the 1980s, Cuban "Marielitos" brought Afro-Cuban cult beliefs into the Los Angeles drug and gang culture. Santeria, Voodoo, and Palo Mayombe followers became some of the most violent criminal gang members Los Angeles had ever seen. Across the city, small altars with caldrons or "gangas" of fruit, rum, and cocaine, as well as animal blood sacrifices, dotted the map. "Botanicas" (occult pharmacies) that sold the paraphernalia required for these rituals sprang up in every community.
Drug cartels from Mexico practiced their own rituals. "Brujeria" (witchcraft) altars with figurines of the bandit saint "Jesus Malverde" or "Santisima Muerte" (holy death) were common in cartel drug houses. Cartel members wore amulets and placed figurines of occult symbols in their cars. Some openly worshipped Satan.
During the heavy metal music era of the early- to mid-1980s, a new type of gang began to get the attention of gang cops in Los Angeles. Unlike the common "Cholo" gangs, these new gangs were made up of "Stoners," kids who wore black concert T-shirts, leather jackets adorned with spikes and studs, and long hair. They rejected the classic "oldies but goodies" in favor of AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osborne, and Motley Crew.
They also rejected the Cholo gang morals and code of conduct. The Hole Stoners, ELA Stoners, MS Stoners (later to evolve into MS-13), and others played by their own rules. Soon these new Stoner gangs outnumbered traditional gang members in East Los Angeles booking cages. In turn, they were ostracized by most Cholo gang members.
To Read the rest click here
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Marijuana stronger than ever ... More potent dope than the hippies smoked... addictions in teens on the rise
Christina Macone-Greene
Special to the Village News
Thursday, July 10th, 2008.
Issue 28, Volume 12.
Think marijuana is a harmless drug with insignificant effects?
A recent study into the psychoactive strength of marijuana was conducted by the University of Mississippi’s Potency Monitoring Project and the findings were released by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).
The result of the study points to a sharp increase in the THC levels (psychoactive component) in the plant-based drug. These findings have raised concerns over the mental health effects on adolescents using marijuana.
“The potency of marijuana in the United States has doubled since the mid-1980s,” said Rafael Lemaitre, spokesperson for ONDCP.
In 1983 the THC level was just under four percent, but Lemaitre said the current samples indicate the level has swollen to 9.6 percent.
According to their most recent quarterly report, the University of Mississippi used marijuana samples obtained by law enforcement in the confiscation process. In one sample, the THC level registered 37.2 percent.
The THC level has risen due to different reasons, Lemaitre said.
“There are more sophisticated growing techniques [being] used by drug traffickers,” he said, “and we also think there’s a concerted effort by drug gangs to take over the market share, because a better product has the higher potential for addiction and is better business for the bad guys.”
Lemaitre called the recent THC potency analysis in marijuana “troublesome.”
“Today, we are seeing more teenagers in treatment for marijuana addiction than for any other illegal drug, including alcohol,” he explained. “Marijuana is a different drug than what was around in the 1970s and we are seeing it as a very serious health threat.”
An adolescent brain, Lemaitre related, has not finished developing, so there is great concern about those smoking the drug with high THC levels.
“New research in the last four to five years shows troubling links between marijuana use and different kinds of psychosis, depression and schizophrenia,” he said.
Emergency rooms have seen their fair share of patients whose use of marijuana has led to paranoia, increased heart rate and panic/anxiety attacks.
“According to the California Healthy Kid Survey, marijuana is the most widely used illicit drug of youth in San Diego County,” said Clark Kiser, program manager for Mental Health Systems and North Inland Community Prevention Program.
A recent survey showed 17 percent of eleventh-graders in San Diego County admitted to using marijuana in the past 30 days. Nearly two-thirds of new marijuana users each year are between the ages of 12 and 17.
Fallbrook is far from exempt when it comes to marijuana use. The 2005 California Healthy Kids Survey conducted on Fallbrook youth revealed that six percent of ninth-graders and seven percent of eleventh-graders admitted to smoking marijuana.
“Marijuana is definitely present in Fallbrook, and young teenagers, even in our middle schools, are smoking it,” said Sgt. Theresa Adams-Hydar of the Sheriff’s Fallbrook Substation. “We have several arrests a week from Potter Junior High and Fallbrook High School for juveniles in possession of marijuana or some type of related paraphernalia.”
On Internet sites, such as MySpace and other file sharing sites, children frequently post photos of themselves smoking pot or using bongs (devices used to smoke marijuana), said Adams-Hydar.
Law enforcement officers recommend that parents closely monitor what their children are putting on sites like these, saying even the placing of a simple icon of a marijuana leaf on a personal site should be a red flag to parents.
“This is definitely something to watch out for,” said Adams-Hydar, adding that parents should also be vigilant about clothing lines that promote marijuana.
To keep abreast of any drug suspicious activity in children, it has been recommended by health experts that parents utilize home test kits which can detect drug use.
“We have a variety of tests,” said Kermit Harrison, pharmacy manager for Rite Aid’s Fallbrook store.
Results from one of these urine tests can be read within five minutes. If a positive result is discovered, Harrison says it is best to move forward with a blood test from a physician, just to be certain.
The sensitivity of home test kits is best utilized within 48 hours of any suspicious activity. “The farther out you go in time, the less reliable the test result,” explained Harrison.
On average, Rite Aid fields a couple of inquiries each week about home drug test kits. “I think these tests are a good threat for kids,” said Harrison, “and it will keep an honest kid honest.”
Due to the mild Mediterranean climate and fertile ground, Fallbrook is a top choice for many crops – including marijuana. Cultivators of the plant have been known to favor the greater Fallbrook area.
“There is a marijuana problem in any agricultural area throughout [San Diego County]; Fallbrook isn’t the only place,” said Sheriff’s Deputy Steve Reed. “Anytime you have an agricultural work group with remote areas and water, you’ll end up with marijuana.”
In 2007, Reed said the biggest marijuana growing operation his department busted was in the area of Palomar Mountain. Some 42,000 plants were being cultivated in the enterprise.
“On average, we find 100 to 500 marijuana plants,” he said, “and in the Fallbrook area, including De Luz, Rainbow and Bonsall, we find about 75 marijuana gardens a year.”
The cultivation of marijuana crops in the Fallbrook area is an ongoing problem. Unlawfully diverting water lines from law-abiding farms and orchards in order to irrigate marijuana gardens is common.
“It is easy to do so in the big ranches and farms of De Luz,” said Adams-Hydar. “If you see a water line going somewhere [other than your specific garden or orchard area], leave it alone and call the Sheriff’s Department.”
As far as the ONDCP is concerned, the marijuana of today is a new drug.
“There are people who have outdated thoughts and notions that marijuana is a harmless substance,” said Lemaitre, “but science is telling us something different.”
Special to the Village News
Thursday, July 10th, 2008.
Issue 28, Volume 12.
Think marijuana is a harmless drug with insignificant effects?
A recent study into the psychoactive strength of marijuana was conducted by the University of Mississippi’s Potency Monitoring Project and the findings were released by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).
The result of the study points to a sharp increase in the THC levels (psychoactive component) in the plant-based drug. These findings have raised concerns over the mental health effects on adolescents using marijuana.
“The potency of marijuana in the United States has doubled since the mid-1980s,” said Rafael Lemaitre, spokesperson for ONDCP.
In 1983 the THC level was just under four percent, but Lemaitre said the current samples indicate the level has swollen to 9.6 percent.
According to their most recent quarterly report, the University of Mississippi used marijuana samples obtained by law enforcement in the confiscation process. In one sample, the THC level registered 37.2 percent.
The THC level has risen due to different reasons, Lemaitre said.
“There are more sophisticated growing techniques [being] used by drug traffickers,” he said, “and we also think there’s a concerted effort by drug gangs to take over the market share, because a better product has the higher potential for addiction and is better business for the bad guys.”
Lemaitre called the recent THC potency analysis in marijuana “troublesome.”
“Today, we are seeing more teenagers in treatment for marijuana addiction than for any other illegal drug, including alcohol,” he explained. “Marijuana is a different drug than what was around in the 1970s and we are seeing it as a very serious health threat.”
An adolescent brain, Lemaitre related, has not finished developing, so there is great concern about those smoking the drug with high THC levels.
“New research in the last four to five years shows troubling links between marijuana use and different kinds of psychosis, depression and schizophrenia,” he said.
Emergency rooms have seen their fair share of patients whose use of marijuana has led to paranoia, increased heart rate and panic/anxiety attacks.
“According to the California Healthy Kid Survey, marijuana is the most widely used illicit drug of youth in San Diego County,” said Clark Kiser, program manager for Mental Health Systems and North Inland Community Prevention Program.
A recent survey showed 17 percent of eleventh-graders in San Diego County admitted to using marijuana in the past 30 days. Nearly two-thirds of new marijuana users each year are between the ages of 12 and 17.
Fallbrook is far from exempt when it comes to marijuana use. The 2005 California Healthy Kids Survey conducted on Fallbrook youth revealed that six percent of ninth-graders and seven percent of eleventh-graders admitted to smoking marijuana.
“Marijuana is definitely present in Fallbrook, and young teenagers, even in our middle schools, are smoking it,” said Sgt. Theresa Adams-Hydar of the Sheriff’s Fallbrook Substation. “We have several arrests a week from Potter Junior High and Fallbrook High School for juveniles in possession of marijuana or some type of related paraphernalia.”
On Internet sites, such as MySpace and other file sharing sites, children frequently post photos of themselves smoking pot or using bongs (devices used to smoke marijuana), said Adams-Hydar.
Law enforcement officers recommend that parents closely monitor what their children are putting on sites like these, saying even the placing of a simple icon of a marijuana leaf on a personal site should be a red flag to parents.
“This is definitely something to watch out for,” said Adams-Hydar, adding that parents should also be vigilant about clothing lines that promote marijuana.
To keep abreast of any drug suspicious activity in children, it has been recommended by health experts that parents utilize home test kits which can detect drug use.
“We have a variety of tests,” said Kermit Harrison, pharmacy manager for Rite Aid’s Fallbrook store.
Results from one of these urine tests can be read within five minutes. If a positive result is discovered, Harrison says it is best to move forward with a blood test from a physician, just to be certain.
The sensitivity of home test kits is best utilized within 48 hours of any suspicious activity. “The farther out you go in time, the less reliable the test result,” explained Harrison.
On average, Rite Aid fields a couple of inquiries each week about home drug test kits. “I think these tests are a good threat for kids,” said Harrison, “and it will keep an honest kid honest.”
Due to the mild Mediterranean climate and fertile ground, Fallbrook is a top choice for many crops – including marijuana. Cultivators of the plant have been known to favor the greater Fallbrook area.
“There is a marijuana problem in any agricultural area throughout [San Diego County]; Fallbrook isn’t the only place,” said Sheriff’s Deputy Steve Reed. “Anytime you have an agricultural work group with remote areas and water, you’ll end up with marijuana.”
In 2007, Reed said the biggest marijuana growing operation his department busted was in the area of Palomar Mountain. Some 42,000 plants were being cultivated in the enterprise.
“On average, we find 100 to 500 marijuana plants,” he said, “and in the Fallbrook area, including De Luz, Rainbow and Bonsall, we find about 75 marijuana gardens a year.”
The cultivation of marijuana crops in the Fallbrook area is an ongoing problem. Unlawfully diverting water lines from law-abiding farms and orchards in order to irrigate marijuana gardens is common.
“It is easy to do so in the big ranches and farms of De Luz,” said Adams-Hydar. “If you see a water line going somewhere [other than your specific garden or orchard area], leave it alone and call the Sheriff’s Department.”
As far as the ONDCP is concerned, the marijuana of today is a new drug.
“There are people who have outdated thoughts and notions that marijuana is a harmless substance,” said Lemaitre, “but science is telling us something different.”
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