Cannabis News
Murderers Are Now Blaming Cannabis for Their Killings
Published
8 months agoon
By
admin
As Predicted – Now Murderers are blaming weed for their killings!
THE RETURN OF REEFER MADNESS AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT
I knew this was going to happen, I wrote about it, I talked about it on a podcast recently – and like the stoner prophet I am…it happened! What you ask? Another killer used the “Weed made me do it” defense, but this time in Ireland.
Remember the Bryn Spejcher case I wrote about earlier? The California woman who violently stabbed her boyfriend and a dog over 100 times, then claimed “cannabis-induced psychosis” made her do it? She ended up getting just community service. I warned everyone then that by creating such a legal precedent, this “cannabis madness” defense would become increasingly common for violent criminals to exploit. It seems those warnings are now becoming a reality.
The latest case involves a man named Diego Costa Silva in Ireland. He decapitated his wife, claiming he believed she was possessed by a serpent due to “cannabis-induced psychosis” – and that he had to remove her head to kill the snake entity. Two psychiatrists backed up his insanity plea, testifying that Silva genuinely suffered delusions and hallucinations from heavy cannabis use, rendering him legally not guilty by reason of insanity for the grisly murder.
Both the prosecution and defense told the jury the evidence only points one way – that Silva cannot be held criminally responsible for his actions due to the cannabis-induced psychosis. It’s a carbon copy of the Spejcher case playbook of using supposed marijuana madness to justify heinous violence.
This is the disturbing trend I cautioned against. If we continue allowing such cannabis insanity defenses, where does it end? Schizophrenics, murderers, and other violent criminals will increasingly lean on this to ease their sentences or walk free altogether. And it provides ammunition for the government to further crack down on cannabis under the guise of public safety.
In this article, we’re going to explore these troubling cases in-depth and discuss what we as a society must do to stop this madness from spiraling out of control. The stakes are high – both for justice being served properly and the cannabis movement’s hard-fought progress staying on track. This budding legal loophole needs to go up in smoke before it’s too late.
Let’s first break down the disturbing Diego Costa Silva case in Ireland. Silva claimed he decapitated his wife Fabiola because he was suffering from “cannabis-induced psychosis” that made him believe she was possessed by a demonic serpent that he needed to kill by removing her head.
Two psychiatrists, Dr. Brenda Wright and Dr. Mark Joynt, testified that Silva’s heavy cannabis use caused him to develop a legitimate psychotic disorder involving delusions and hallucinations about his wife being a threat. They stated Silva did not understand the moral or legal wrongness of his grisly actions due to his impaired mental state.
Both the prosecution and defense agreed Silva could not be held criminally culpable due to this “cannabis-induced psychosis” – a convenient label that provided him with a legal insanity defense for literally beheading his wife.
The eerie parallels to the Bryn Spejcher case are overwhelming. Spejcher also relied on testimony from psychiatrists who claimed her history of cannabis use caused her to develop a “cannabis-induced psychosis” that compelled her to carry out the frenzied stabbing murders of her boyfriend and a dog over 100 times.
In both cases, psychiatrists were the determiners and enablers of these “weed madness” defenses being successfully deployed to secure enormously lenient treatment for horrific murders. Not behavioral psychologists who study abnormal patterns of thought and action. Not neuroscientists who investigate brain function and chemistry. But psychiatrists – the same professionals who have a financial incentive to legitimize loosely defined “disorders” to prescribe psychiatric drugs as treatment.
Does this sound like justice to you? Weed smokers, does this culture of unhinged violence fueled by the munchies sound familiar? Of course not! These are calculated legal defenses by criminals looking to play the system and get-out-of-jail-free cards enabled by pill-pushing psychiatrists.
The idea that smoking marijuana can induce temporary insanity so extreme that it causes otherwise normal people tolose touch with all moral reasoning and turn into deranged killing machines is patently absurd on its face. It perpetuates the discriminatory “Reefer Madness” myth that cannabis causes mental illness and violence – the exact opposite of mountains of medical evidence showing it is a safe substance for most people that does not induce psychosis or increase aggression.
There has been an influx lately of negative cannabis articles, alarmist “studies,” and other propaganda demonizing marijuana. Things that the government and anti-drug establishment have been pushing for over 50 years in some capacity, regurgitating the same old claims, but now trying to brand them as “new” problems with weed.
For those of us who have been writing and advocating in the cannabis space for over a decade, we can sense the steadily shifting tone and renewed pushback against legalization from the powerful entities that have existed to uphold prohibition – the UN, DEA, big pharma, law enforcement, and prison-industrial complex.
Dig into some of the foundational treaties that codified the global “War on Drugs,” and you’ll find suspicious linguistic choices like using the heading “Marijuana and Drugs” – subtly separating it from other substances as if it didn’t even belong grouped with them initially.
I’ve read accounts from historians and researchers speculating that cannabis was almost an afterthought addition to the Controlled Substances Act and UN drug conventions – a last-minute play to criminalize the most ubiquitously consumed “illegal” substance on earth.
This questionable legal status was then perversely exploited by governments worldwide to wage a militarized war on their own people under the patently false pretext of protecting us. Using the drug war as a thin veil to deprive citizens of bodily autonomy, personal freedom, and human rights, while enriching those in power: “You’re too idiotic to think for yourselves, you peasants!”
At least, that’s how this state-sanctioned oppression and plundering of communities can feel when you’re on the receiving end of a no-knock raid, watching families torn apart over a plant. We cannot allow this to go unchallenged yet again. We cannot afford to sit back complicit and silent like the generations before us who witnessed the most valuable crop on earth get insidiously stolen away.
Not this time. This latest resurrection of reefer madness propaganda and quietly escalating reversion to the failed policies of the past will be met with a fervent resistance. We will expose the motives and rigorously debunk the junk science being pushed by those threatened by the cannabis reformation.
It’s our duty as citizens to defy unjust laws. When tyranny appears, it never does so overtly with absolute force at first. That would spark an immediate and overwhelming backlash. Instead, it insidiously codifies itself into the legal system first, giving its oppression a veneer of legitimacy and “justification” for using force.
Those who engage in these authoritarian power grabs understand this well. They exploit the legal process to slowly tighten the vice of control over the populace. They commandeer institutions like the media to proliferate their narratives and propaganda. And they hijack law enforcement to criminalize competitors and dissenting voices, jailing them under the flimsiest of pretenses.
If the forces working to re-criminalize cannabis are successful at rolling back hard-won reforms through deceptive means like these “cannabis insanity” defenses, it will be a legal form of tyranny. One that strips us of our fundamental rights over our own consciousness and bodies under the guise of sham concerns like public safety.
We must resist this at all costs through peaceful, civic, and legal avenues first and foremost. Flooding the comments on every negative cannabis article. Calling out the fallacies and ulterior motives. Protesting unjust policies and laws. Using our voices, our voices, our wallets, and our votes to fight the injustice and rewrite the unjust laws in a credible way.
But if all that fails, and the tyranny persists in totalitarian fashion? Well, we must be willing to move beyond civility. Throughout history, unjust laws have required a form of mass civil disobedience to rectify grave injustices when the system becomes too corrupted to fix itself through proper channels alone.
I warned that the “cannabis made me do it” murder defense was going to become a disturbing trend, and unfortunately, I don’t think the Diego Costa Silva decapitation case will be the last grisly act pinned on the scapegoat of marijuana psychosis.
But now is the time for the cannabis community to get activated. To call out this bullshit for what it is – cynical manipulation of the legal system and public opinion. We cannot be passive spectators letting this theater of injustice play out unchallenged.
It’s time to claim our power as conscious consumers and citizens. If corporations support oppressive policies or peddle prohibitionist propaganda, we starve them of our money and find ethical alternatives. If politicians vote against our interests and freedoms, we vote them out.
We must draw a hard line in the sand and declare “Enough is enough!” We cannot buy into the lies and anti-cannabis hysteria anymore. Not after everything we’ve been through as a community to reform draconian marijuana laws through facts and truth.
Become free thinkers who scrutinize every claim and accusation. Build an unshakable personal understanding of this plant and its impacts grounded in objective research, not garbage inst-reefer scare tactics.
The future of cannabis legalization is ours to uphold, but only if we remain united, vocal, and defiant against any forces attempting to gaslight us back into the nightmarish days of reefer madness. This latest insanity plea loophole cannot be the spark that lets that smoldering $64 billion industry up in smoke.
MURDERING IN THE NAME OF WEED, READ ON…
MURDERING IN THE NAME OF CANNABIS – GET 100 DAYS COMMUNITY SERVICE!
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Webinar Replay: Post-Election Cannabis Wrap – Smoke ’em if You’ve Got ’em
Published
21 hours agoon
November 13, 2024By
admin
On Thursday, November 7th, Vince Sliwoski, Aaron Pelley and Fred Rocafort held a post election discussion “Post-Election Cannabis Wrap – Smoke ’em if You’ve Got ’em”. Watch the replay!
Key Takeaways from the “Smoke ’em if You’ve Got ’em – 2024 Post Election Cannabis Wrap” Webinar:
- Panelists:
- Vince Sliwoski: Oregon Business lawyer specializing in cannabis and commercial real estate.
- Aaron Pelley: Experienced in cannabis law since Washington’s legalization in 2012.
- Fred Rocafort: Trademark attorney working closely with the cannabis team.
- Election Results Overview:
- Most 2024 cannabis ballot measures did not pass.
- Florida, South Dakota, and North Dakota saw failures.
- Nebraska became the 39th state to legalize cannabis for medical use when it passed two cannabis initiatives, Initiatives 437 and 438.
- Federal and State-Level Developments:
- Medical use is currently legal in 38 states, and 24 states allow recreational use.
- Republican support for marijuana legalization is growing.
- Federal Policy Implications:
- Schedule III Rescheduling: The process to move cannabis to Schedule III is ongoing, which could significantly impact the industry.
- Importance of Federal Appointments: The future of cannabis policy depends heavily on who is appointed to key positions in the administration.
- International and Domestic Trade:
- Schedule III status could ease import/export restrictions on cannabis.
- Unified control of House, Senate, and presidency might expedite legislative progress.
- Economic and Industry Impact:
- Cannabis stocks experienced volatility post-election, reflecting investor uncertainty.
- Federal legalization and banking reforms are crucial for industry stability and growth.
- Future Outlook:
- The potential for federal rescheduling remains strong, with hearings scheduled for early 2025.
- State-level initiatives and regulatory developments will continue to shape the industry.
“How Long Does One Puff of Weed Stay in Your System?”… This topic can be difficult to answer since it is dependent on elements such as the size of the hit and what constitutes a “one hit.” If you take a large bong pull then cough, it might linger in your system for 5-7 days. A moderate dose from a joint can last 3-5 days, whereas a few hits from a vaporizer may last 1-3 days.
The length of time that marijuana stays in the body varies based on a number of factors, including metabolism, THC levels, frequency of use, and hydration.
Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is the primary psychoactive component of cannabis. THC and its metabolites, which remain in your body long after the effects have subsided, are detected by drug tests.
Since these metabolites are fat-soluble, they cling to bodily fat molecules. They could thus take a while to fully pass through your system, particularly if your body fat percentage is higher.
THC is absorbed by tissues and organs (including the brain, heart, and fat) and converted by the liver into chemicals such as 11-hydroxy-THC and carboxy-THC. Cannabis is eliminated in feces at a rate of around 65%, while urine accounts for 20%. The leftover amount might be kept within the body.
THC deposited in bodily tissues ultimately re-enters the circulation and is processed by the liver. For frequent users, THC accumulates in fatty tissues quicker than it can be removed, thus it may be detectable in drug tests for days or weeks following consumption.
The detection time varies according to the amount and frequency of cannabis usage. Higher dosages and regular usage result in longer detection times.
The type of drug test also affects detection windows. Blood and saliva tests typically detect cannabis metabolites for shorter periods, while urine and hair samples can reveal use for weeks or even months. In some cases, hair tests have detected cannabis use over 90 days after consumption.
Detection Windows for Various Cannabis Drug Tests
Urine Tests
Among all drug tests, urine testing is the most commonly used method for screening for drug use in an individual.
Detection times vary, but a 2017 review suggests the following windows for cannabis in urine after last use:
– Single-use (e.g., one joint): up to 3 days
– Moderate use (around 4 times a week): 5–7 days
– Chronic use (daily): 10–15 days
– Chronic heavy use (multiple times daily): over 30 days
Blood Tests
Blood tests generally detect recent cannabis use, typically within 2–12 hours after consumption. However, in cases of heavy use, cannabis has been detected up to 30 days later. Chronic heavy use can extend the detection period in the bloodstream.
Saliva Tests
THC can enter saliva through secondhand cannabis smoke, but THC metabolites are only present if you’ve personally smoked or ingested cannabis.
Saliva testing has a short detection window and can sometimes identify cannabis use on the same day. A 2020 review found that THC was detectable in the saliva of frequent users for up to 72 hours after use, and it may remain in saliva longer than in blood following recent use.
In areas where cannabis is illegal, saliva testing is often used for roadside screenings.
Hair Tests
Hair follicle tests can detect cannabis use for up to 90 days. After use, cannabinoids reach the hair follicles through small blood vessels and from sebum and sweat surrounding the hair.
Hair grows at approximately 0.5 inches per month, so a 1.5-inch segment of hair close to the scalp can reveal cannabis use over the past three months.
Factors Affecting THC and Metabolite Retention
The length of time THC and its metabolites stay in your system depends on various factors. Some, like body mass index (BMI) and metabolic rate, relate to individual body processing, not the drug itself.
Other factors are specific to cannabis use, including:
– Dosage: How much you consume
– Frequency: How often you use cannabis
– Method of consumption: Smoking, dabbing, edibles, or sublingual
– THC potency: Higher potency can extend detection time
Higher doses and more frequent use generally extend THC retention. Cannabis consumed orally may remain in the system slightly longer than smoked cannabis, and stronger cannabis strains, higher in THC, may also stay detectable for a longer period.
How Quickly Do the Effects of Cannabis Set In?
When smoking cannabis, effects appear almost immediately, while ingested cannabis may take 1–3 hours to peak.
The psychoactive component THC produces a “high” with common effects such as:
– Altered senses, including perception of time
– Mood changes
– Difficulty with thinking and problem-solving
– Impaired memory
Other short-term effects can include:
– Anxiety and confusion
– Decreased coordination
– Dry mouth and eyes
– Nausea or lightheadedness
– Trouble focusing
– Increased appetite
– Rapid heart rate
– Restlessness and sleepiness
In rare cases, high doses may lead to hallucinations, delusions, or acute psychosis.
Regular cannabis use may have additional mental and physical effects. While research is ongoing, cannabis use may increase the risk of:
– Cognitive issues like memory loss
– Cardiovascular problems including heart disease and stroke
– Respiratory illnesses such as bronchitis or lung infections
– Mood disorders like depression and anxiety
Cannabis use during pregnancy can negatively impact fetal growth and development.
Duration of Effects
Short-term effects generally taper off within 1–3 hours, but for chronic users, some long-term effects may last days, weeks, or even months. Certain effects may even be permanent.
Bottom Line
The amount of time that cannabis remains in your system following a single use varies greatly depending on individual characteristics such as body fat, metabolism, frequency of use, and mode of intake. Frequent users may maintain traces of THC for weeks, whereas infrequent users may test positive for as little as a few days. Hair tests can disclose usage for up to 90 days, while blood and saliva tests identify more recent use. Urine tests are the most popular and have varying detection durations. The duration that THC and its metabolites are detectable will ultimately depend on a number of factors, including dose, strength, and individual body chemistry.
PEE IN A CUP COMING UP, READ ON..
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Is Kratom Addictive? Understanding Dependence, Risks, and Safe Usage
Published
2 days agoon
November 12, 2024By
admin
Is kratom addictive? Discover the potential for dependence on Kratom, the risks involved with its use, and how to approach its consumption responsibly.
From 2011 to 2017, over 1,800 calls to poison centers involved kratom in the U.S. This significant number highlights the concern regarding kratom addiction.
However, without Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversight, and due to various consumption methods like teas and capsules, there are significant health risks. Safe use of kratom is now in question due to these issues.
Research debates how dependence develops, outlining signs like loss of control and withdrawal symptoms. These signs are seen in regular kratom users. Ironically, some people switch from drugs like heroin to kratom, looking for a legal alternative.
Understanding Kratom: Origins and Prevalence
Kratom comes from the Mitragyna speciosa tree in Southeast Asia. It can act like a stimulant or like opioids, based on how much you take. People use it in different ways, for a small energy boost or stronger effects at higher doses.
The legal status of kratom in the U.S. is complicated and changing. It’s a hot topic because some worry about its misuse. It’s still legal in several states. This shows how different places handle drug rules. The National Institute on Drug Abuse is looking into its medical benefits. But, the FDA hasn’t approved it for medical use yet. The DEA calls it a “drug of concern,” which means policies might change.
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From 2011 to 2017, poison control centers in the U.S. got over 1,800 reports about kratom. This shows it’s widely used and might pose health risks.
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Kratom’s main ingredients bind to opioid receptors very strongly, stronger than morphine even. This fact is key to understanding its effects.
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As more people use kratom, more are reporting serious health problems. These include liver and heart issues, and tough withdrawal symptoms, particularly in those already sick.
The statistics show mounting worries about kratom in the U.S. As its use grows, it’s becoming more important to health policies and laws. What happens next will depend on further research and legal decisions.
Is Kratom Addictive: Investigating the Substance’s Nature
The question of kratom’s addictiveness focuses on how it affects brain receptors and its long-term health implications. The ongoing debate highlights concerns about dependence and the risk of addiction. Scientists are closely looking at these issues.
How Kratom Works in the Brain
Kratom’s main alkaloids, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, bind to the brain’s opioid receptors, similar to painkillers and narcotics. This connection suggests a potential risk of dependence. These alkaloids are key to kratom’s pain relief but also point to possible addiction concerns, especially with frequent, high-dose usage.
Patterns and Consequences of Long-term Use
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Using kratom often, especially in large doses, can increase the risk of dependence and intense withdrawal symptoms, similar to opioid withdrawal.
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Although some use it for pain or to improve mood, long-term kratom users might see serious health problems, like liver damage and mental health issues.
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Withdrawal symptoms, including irritability, nausea, and sleep problems, show kratom’s impact on one’s physical and mental health.
Assessment of Addiction Risks
Studies indicate a significant risk of addiction to kratom, especially with high doses or frequent use. Dependence develops as the body gets used to kratom, leading to tolerance and a need for more to feel its effects. Withdrawal symptoms emphasize this risk, as highlighted by health experts.
Physiological Effects: Kratom’s Impact on the Body
There is a lot of debate about the safety and use of kratom. This herbal extract comes from the Mitragyna speciosa plant. It has drawn attention for its possible harmful effects on the body. The FDA has issued many warnings about kratom, raising safety concerns.
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Kratom Adverse Effects: Kratom users have reported side effects like nausea, vomiting, and confusion. More serious issues include high blood pressure and liver damage. These problems highlight the risks of using kratom.
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Herbal Extract Safety: Some kratom products contain heavy metals and pathogens. These can cause severe health issues, including death. This shows the importance of safety in herbal products.
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FDA Warnings and Regulations: The FDA has linked kratom to over 35 deaths and warns against using it. They point out the lack of medical uses and the risk of addiction.
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Physiological Impact: Kratom’s effects depend on the dose and the user’s body. Yet, it can lead to dangerous outcomes like liver damage and seizures.
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Safety Concerns from Authorities: Federal agencies like the DEA are worried about kratom’s safety. Although not a controlled substance, monitoring suggests users should be careful.
Kratom might offer temporary relief for some ailments, but it comes with significant risks. The FDA’s warnings should make people think twice. If considering kratom, it’s crucial to talk to a doctor first. Experts stress the need for safety and caution with herbal extracts.
Conclusion
Kratom’s role in health and regulation is complex, with views and research findings widely varied. Some people use kratom for its claimed health benefits, but it’s a hot topic. Experts advise caution and suggest consulting a doctor before using kratom due to the unclear effects.
Clinical studies using scores like SOWS and COWS haven’t confirmed withdrawal symptoms from kratom. This adds to the debate, especially when some users report withdrawal. This makes kratom a controversial subject among different findings and user experiences.
When it comes to treating opioid addiction, kratom can be both helpful and harmful. Some have used it successfully to fight addiction. Yet, some states have banned it. This highlights the need for regulations and consistent product quality. It also raises questions about kratom’s legal status due to mixed actions by authorities.
The situation shows how complex kratom is in the realm of substance use and law. Without clear evidence supporting either its benefits or risks, it poses a challenge. More research is needed to guide regulations and health advice. For now, anyone thinking of using kratom should be careful, seek medical advice, and keep up with laws and health guidelines.
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