Posts by Alfie
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No doubt we've all heard the Sunday Times (UK) claims that both Russia and China have somehow accessed the top-secret Snowden documents, that their spies had been endangered and British and UK security has suffered as a result. Strong stuff.
If you have that nagging feeling that something here just doesn't ring true, I urge you to read Glenn Greenwald's take on the claims.
Thank God for real journalism.
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It's heartening to see that a lot of Americans don't want the TPPA either. A group of conservatives have set up an anti-TPPA website encouraging voters to contact congress and fight the bill.
Obamatrade would subject the U.S. to the jurisdiction of two systems of foreign tribunals, including World Bank and United Nations tribunals. These foreign tribunals would be empowered to order payment of U.S. tax dollars to foreign firms if U.S. laws undermined the foreign firms’ new special privileges.
We see US corporations suing our government... Americans view it the other way around. Either way, the TPPA doesn't appear to benefit democracy in any form whatsoever. Of course big pharma and the major tobacco companies would disagree.
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Today's Herald editorial: Dunne's assurances on cannabis mean little
Mr Dunne was keen to stress that his approval should not be construed as setting a wider precedent. But how can it not be? What will happen if there are further cases where this or another untested cannabis-derived medication represents a final chance? If the ailing patient's family succeeds in attracting publicity, will Mr Dunne also accede to their wishes? He says the protests organised by the Renton family did more harm than good. Like his claim that this was not a precedent-setting case, that should be treated with a strong degree of scepticism.
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[Update: I should have refreshed this thread before posting - Russell beat me to it]
Here's a good news CBD story out of Australia.
Katelyn Lambert, a little girl suffering from Dravet Syndrome was having a seizure every 15 seconds. Her parents heard about American girl Charlotte Figi -- she had the same condition and improved dramatically after treatment with CBD.
Watching his six-month-old daughter endlessly spasming in pain drove Michael Lambert beyond the bounds of Australian drug laws.
Three years later, Katelyn's recovery has prompted an unprecedented A$33.7 million (NZ$37.29m) donation to fund research into medicinal cannabis.
The three-year-old's grandparents made the staggering donation on Friday to scientists and the University of Sydney - the largest donation ever made to any Australian university.
That generous gift will encourage research into cannabis as treatment for a wide range of illnesses.
University of Sydney psychopharmacology professor Iain McGregor said the research will focus on 10 key cannabinoid compounds found in marijuana and their potential use to treat a range of illnesses, including childhood epilepsy.
"Only one [THC] is psychoactive," Professor McGregor said. "This gift will allow us to explore one of the most exciting questions in modern medicine.
"The new science of cannabinoids has incredible potential for relief of human suffering ... and to repair damaged bodies and brains."
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Excellent article Russell. Back in the 70s and 80s the label almost always reflected what was in the product -- we aging hippies probably didn't realise just how good we had it. The sheer range of chemicals available today creates a minefield for those who choose to indulge and some sort of anonymous testing regime would be highly desirable.
One small typo -- search for the second occurrance of...
Days later, four young men died after taking the pills in Britain. Quigley says a “risk register” is generally an easier sell to governments.
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Finally. John Key has admitted that Pharmac may be phucked under the TPPA.
Mr Key made his comments to reporters in Christchurch yesterday when questioned about the latest leak of TPP text by Wikileaks, which suggests there will be greater requirements on Pharmac for transparency in its decision-making and potential for review.
"Ultimately for New Zealanders, they pay $5 for prescription drugs sponsored by Pharmac," Mr Key said.
"The Government pays any additional costs. So whatever happens as a result of TPP, New Zealanders are going to carry on paying $5 for their prescriptions."
Translated: The taxpayer will cough up the difference.
He said again that the Government would not sign anything that undercuts Pharmac in a dramatic way
I guess one man's dramatic is another man's 'Moving right along... nothing to see here folks.'
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Hard News: A dramatic and unremarkable decision, in reply to ,
Because, bad communication about the science.
Agreed.
I believe access to medical cannabis would benefit a lot of people -- those who suffer from crohn's disease, glaucoma, etc. For that reason I can't help but see Dunne's decision having a positive influence on public perception towards medical MJ in general.
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Hard News: A dramatic and unremarkable decision, in reply to Russell Brown,
Dunne Speaks
I think it would been more helpful if he hadn't, tbh.He appears to make his view on those who call for decriminalisation pretty clear... they're best ignored.
Some have hailed this week’s decision as the start of a “sensible” discussion of drug policy. I am deeply suspicious of that pejorative approbation – those making that call are invariably cannabis legalisation advocates, best ignored as just one more vested interest.
While some people undoubtably take a "single issue" approach to drug reform, it's sad that Mr Dunne blithely dismisses their ability to show compassion when it comes to a treatment of last resort for a sick child.
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Hard News: A dramatic and unremarkable decision, in reply to ,
Why do you think it’s politically difficult for pollititions to allow the use of CBD as a medication?
As cannabis has a successful 5,000 year history as a medication, I'd have to say our politicians are more influenced by an outdated US policy designed to halt the flow of Mexicans into the states in the 1930s. Wouldn't you?
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Hard News: A dramatic and unremarkable decision, in reply to ,
Yes but what if we started talking about doctors boiling up opium plants as medication, rather than calling what It is - carefully prescribing morphine and codeine in accurate dosages?
Say what? Wait for big pharma to produce a branded product without the c-word in the name? I suspect I'm missing whatever point you're making Steven.
Meantime, here's a rather moving little NatGeo film (21 mins) showing some cancer and epilepsy kids benefiting from CBD.
http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/magazine/150515-ngm-medical-marijuana