Cannabis News on 8th March, 2004

• Decriminalise 'The Weed'
  Shanice Walford, Jamaica Observer
  

  “The weed’- marijuana, ganja, herb, scientifically, ‘Cannabus Sativa’ has been a debatable topic for years. In Jamaica, it is a criminal offence to be found in possession of ganja. That’s the law, but why is it so?

• DEA Unwilling To Debate Drug Policy
  Kevin Killough, Daily Lobo
  

  The Drug Enforcement Administration won’t hesitate to throw doctors into prison for humanely prescribing opiates to patients in severe chronic pain. The DEA will seize property from everyday citizens without ever charging them with a crime. And the DEA sees nothing wrong with trampling on democracy when California voters approve the medical use of marijuana. 

• Researchers Identify Clues About Marijuana Effects
  Newswise
  

  Scientists have been studying cannabinoids, substances that are chemically related to the ingredients found in marijuana, for more than two decades, hoping to learn more about how the drug produces its effects--both therapeutic and harmful. Marijuana has been reported effective in the treatment of multiple sclerosis, glaucoma, nausea caused by chemotherapy and wasting caused by AIDS. However, like all drugs, it also causes numerous unwanted side effects, including hypothermia, sedation, memory impairment, motor impairment and anxiety. Research on cannabinoids could someday yield new, more effective drugs or drug combinations.