Oregon: Jack Herer Benefit Event This Friday at Village Ballroom in Portland

THCF and Several NORML Chapters Join In

Jack Herer, Paul Stanford, Madeline Martinez and Russ Belville - Cannabis Common Sense 501


By Paul Stanford and Michael Bachara, Hemp News Staff

Portland – All are invited to a benefit event scheduled this Friday, December 4th at 8pm at the Village Ballroom for hemp icon and author, Jack Herer. The Village Ballroom is at 700 N.E. Dekum Street, which is located above the Oregon Cannabis Cafe, Oregon NORML's new medical marijuana patent resource center that has received a firestorm of publicity since opening last month. The benefit is organized by The Hemp & Cannabis Foundation (THCF), and cosponsored by Oregon NORML and Texas-based Waco NORML. We are joining together to raise money for Jack Herer, who suffered a heart attack after delivering a passionate speech on stage at the Portland Hempstalk Festival this past September 2009.

Jack had been traveling around the world for decades, promoting industrial hemp and his seminal book on the subject, The Emperor Wears No Clothes. The first edition of Jack's book was written in Portland in 1985. Jack has a business in Portland and lived here for several years. Jack Herer was also the subject of a video biography, The Emperor of Hemp, that played on PBS and HBO.

The benefit features music from two bands, Pass Margo and Tim Pate and Friends, who are donating their time to show support for Jack. It is sure to be a memorable evening and a great chance for the community to give back to the founder of the hemp movement, known worldwide as "The Emperor of Hemp". Jack's passion for the movement toward legalization of hemp and cannabis has inspired millions around the world to realize what potential lies in the cannabis plant. "I don't want to wait 20 or 50 years for something to be done about petrochemical pollution," Jack Herer said. Jack worked for years on initiative petition campaigns to legalize marijuana. Despite his current health issues, he remains strong and positive for the future of hemp.

Jack is now recovering in Eugene, Oregon, and making positive strides daily. He is a fighter and will surely overcome this obstacle to see the hemp plant restored to its rightful place in society.

There is a fund for Jack's recovery set up at US Bank to help the Herer family financially during this challenging time. If you can't attend this Friday's benefit event, you may go to any US Bank and advise the teller you are depositing into the JACK HERER DONATION FUND. Please donate what you can, your support is greatly appreciated!

http://www.usbank.com


Jack Herer (Hemp Can Save The Planet) - Hempstalk 2009


Jack Herer with Dr. Phillip Leveque - Hempstalk 2009



Source:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQgkxwiQVkE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2h0rcUS4bSk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXpYxidA4_0

United States: The Roots of Hemp Prohibition in America

By Ms. Sylence Dogood, Hemp News Staff

A distinct variety of the plant species Cannabis sativa L., the hemp plant is harvested for its fibers, seed, seed meal and seed oil. Marijuana is a group of flowering plants that includes three species of Cannabis, all indigenous to Central Asia and surrounding regions, but both Hemp and Cannabis can be readily grown in many regions throughout the world.

There have been over eight million Cannabis arrests in the United States since 1993, including 786,545 arrests in 2005, and Cannabis users have been arrested at the rate of 1 every 40 seconds. Statistics show that about 88% of all marijuana arrests are for simple possession, not manufacture or distribution, according to FBI Uniform Crimes Report. Large-scale marijuana growing operations are frequently targeted by police in raids to attack the supply side and discourage the spread and marketing of the drug, though the great majority of those who are in prison for cannabis are either there for simple possession or small scale dealing.

The effects of marijuana prohibition in the United States today are similar to the effects of alcohol prohibition in the United States from 1920 to 1933. Prohibition sought to achieve forced abstinence from alcohol through legal means and constitutionally banned its manufacture, sale and transport throughout the United States.

A number of social problems resulted from the Prohibition era. A profitable and violent black market for alcohol flourished. Powerful gangs corrupted law enforcement agencies, and stronger liquor surged in popularity because its potency made it more profitable to smuggle. Enforcing prohibition had an enormous price tag, and the absence of almost $500 million annual nationwide tax revenues on alcohol affected the government's financial resources. When repeal of prohibition occurred in 1933, organized crime lost nearly all of its black market alcohol profits in most states because of competition with low-priced alcohol sales at legal liquor stores.

At the end of prohibition some of the initial supporters openly admitted its failure. A quote from a letter, written in 1932 by wealthy industrialist John D. Rockefeller, Jr., states:

“When Prohibition was introduced, I hoped that it would be widely supported by public opinion and the day would soon come when the evil effects of alcohol would be recognized. I have slowly and reluctantly come to believe that this has not been the result. Instead, drinking has generally increased; the speakeasy has replaced the saloon; a vast army of lawbreakers has appeared; many of our best citizens have openly ignored Prohibition; respect for the law has been greatly lessened; and crime has increased to a level never seen before.”

However, when it came to marijuana and hemp prohibition, Rockefeller took a different stance. He was a known supporter of hemp prohibition along with Harry J. Anslinger, the United States First "drug czar" and William Randolph Hearst, well known media mogul. As to be expected, Hearst sympathized with the drug czar in his war against marijuana. Hearst's paper empire, which included hundreds of acres of timber forests, was threatened by the renewable resource of hemp that could be re-grown yearly, unlike Hearst's timber. In his newspapers, Hearst published many of Anslinger’s fabricated stories, aiding the anti-marijuana movement that eventually led to its prohibition in the 1937 Marihuana Tax Act. Rockefeller had his interests in oil, and after founding Standard Oil in 1870, soared to become the first U.S. dollar billionaire, and Standard Oil was even convicted of monopolistic practices and broken up in 1911. There seems no way that hemp could have had a chance when the media, the government, and the oil industry were swiftly making little room for hemp to survive.

Hemp is not only in direct competition with timber and petroleum, but also with many other industries throughout the world. Hemp offers wholesome and nutritious foodstuffs such as edible oil from the seeds, which are also used for making chocolate bars and other foods; renewable fiber for clothing and building. The original Levi jeans were made from hemp but lasted too long to be commercially viable; high grade papers, such as those used for bank notes, tissues, hand towels, and tea bags, where strength when wet is critical, and so much more. Cannabis is a medicine that was created by nature, producing powerful documented results without the side effects of the manufactured chemicals that the drug companies peddle during every television commercial break. Cannabis can even be a nice after work treat in the same way that a glass of beer or wine is enjoyed after a long day at the office.

When it comes to the cost that our nation pays when it comes to hemp and cannabis prohibition, it is clear that we must re-legalize this diverse and useful plant. There are so many benefits to be gained from this potential source of income for our state and country. This needless "war on marijuana" must end. We must restore the right to realize the benefits of an income source from a renewable source through agriculture, energy, paper, clothing, nutrition, medicine, and responsible adult recreation. By restoring Hemp and Cannabis in Oregon we will not only keep Oregon free and green, but we will strive toward making Oregon even GREENER!

SD

Sources:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legality_of_cannabis#By_Nation
http://www.naihc.org/hemp_information/hemp_defined.html#plant
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prohibition_in_the_United_States


Learn more about biodiesel at:

http://www.hempmuseum.org/ROOMS/ARM%20BIO-FUELS.htm
http://www.hempcar.org/hempfacts.shtml
http://www.hemp4fuel.com/news.php
http://thefuelfilm.com
http://www.joshtickell.com
http://www.biowillieusa.com
http://www.hemphasis.net/Fuel-Energy/fuel.htm

Source: http://hemp.org/news/roots-hemp-prohibition-america

United States: Why Should Farmers Grow Hemp?

Because hemp is the ultimate cash crop, producing more fiber, food and oil than any other plant on the planet.



By Paul Stanford, THCF/CRRH

According to the Notre Dame University publication, The Midland Naturalist, from a 1975 article called, "Feral Hemp in Southern Illinois," about the wild hemp fields that annual efforts from law enforcement eradication teams cannot wipe out, an acre of hemp produces:

1. 8,000 pounds of hemp seed per acre.

* When cold-pressed, the 8,000 pounds of hemp seed yield over 300 gallons of hemp seed oil and a byproduct of
* 6,000 pounds of high protein hemp flour.

These seed oils are both a food and a biodiesel fuel. Currently, the most productive seed oil crops are soybeans, sunflower seeds and rape seed or canola. Each of these three seed oil crops produce between 100 to 120 gallons of oil per acre. Hemp seed produces three times more oil per acre than the next most productive seed oil crops, or over 300 gallons per acre, with a byproduct of 3 tons of food per acre. Hemp seed oil is also far more nutritious and beneficial for our health than any other seed oil crop.

In addition to the food and oil produced, there are several other byproducts and benefits to the cultivation of hemp.

2. Six to ten tons per acre of hemp bast fiber. Bast fiber makes canvas, rope, lace, linen, and ultra-thin specialty papers like cigarette and bible papers.

3. Twenty-five tons of hemp hurd fiber. Hemp hurd fiber makes all grades of paper, composite building materials, animal bedding and a material for the absorption of liquids and oils.

4. The deep tap root draws up sub-soil nutrients and then, when the leaves fall from the plant to the ground, they return these nutrients to the top soil for the next crop rotation.

5. The residual flowers, after the seeds are extracted, produce valuable medicines.

Our farmers need this valuable crop to be returned as an option for commercial agriculture.

While marijuana is prohibited, industrial hemp will be economically prohibitive due to the artificial regulatory burdens imposed by the prohibition of marijuana. When marijuana and cannabis are legally regulated, industrial hemp will return to its rightful place in our agricultural economy.

Hemp may be the plant that started humans down the road toward civilization with the invention of agriculture itself. All archaeologists agree that cannabis was among the first crops purposely cultivated by human beings at least over 6,000 years ago, and perhaps more than 12,000 years ago.

Restoring industrial hemp to its rightful place in agriculture today will return much control to our farmers, and away from the multinational corporations that dominate our political process and destroy our environment. These capital-intensive, non-sustainable, and environmentally destructive industries have usurped our economic resources and clear-cut huge tracts of the world's forests, given us massive oil spills, wars, toxic waste, massive worldwide pollution, global warming and the destruction of entire ecosystems.

Prohibiting the cultivation of this ancient plant, the most productive source of fiber, oil and protein on our planet, is evil. In its place we have industries that give us processes and products that have led to unprecedented ecological crisis and worldwide destruction of the biological heritage that we should bequeath to our children, grandchildren and future generations.

Restore hemp!

Source: http://hemp.org/news/why-should-farmers-grow-hemp

United States: Musical Families Unite - Folk Uke featuring Cathy Guthrie and Amy Nelson

"It seemed like hemp needed a voice, we figured we'd be it." Folk Uke

By Michael Bachara, Hemp News Staff

Folk Uke is an eclectic acoustic folk duo comprised of Cathy Guthrie and Amy Nelson featuring unique harmonies and sharp, often biting wit. The chemistry that flows between these two musically gifted individuals is obvious and their families contributions have helped to shape our nation.

You may not hear Folk Uke on the radio, since their songs have been described as inappropriate, off-color, explicit, not ready for mainstream and NSFW(Not Safe For Work). Nevertheless their fan base is growing daily and put on an entertaining set. Their humor is contagious and their self depricating banter keeps the crowd thoroughly entertained. The songs they sing may be explicit, but they are intelligent and entertaining.

This extraordinary duo were inspired by many of the greats of the Folk, Country, and Americana genres. Their favorite chords are C, F, and G. So, if you'd like to play along, well, its that easy.

"Humor is the best part about folk music, the twist of the lyric when it’s nearly limerick verse. With an overtone of natural female harmony, simple strum-strum room mic intimacy, and some proud fathers Arlo and Willie swapping leads and background vocals, this is likely to be the best folk record out today, and I’m not folking around here." stated Matt Reasor of American Songwriter Magazine talking about their CD titled simply Folk Uke.

Over the years, they have become strong advocates for the hemp plant and its benefits to society. They are involved in biofuel awareness projects and have performed at Seattle Hempfest and our own Portland Hempstalk. Amy also is the Co-Author of the song Peaceful Solution which has become a sort of anthem in the United States to many farmers and activists alike.

The following Folk Uke videos feature the songs California Stars by Woody Guthrie, Fences, Nobody Blues and their instant classic Shit Makes the Flowers Grow.



Footage: September 13, 2009
Portland Hempstalk 2009
Kelley Point Park
http://www.hempstalk.org

Folk Uke Official Site: http://www.folkuke.com
Folk Uke on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Folk-Uke/31440784117
Folk Uke on Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/folkuke

Peaceful Solution: Share the dream. Share the song. http://willienelsonpri.com/a-peaceful-solution-story

Woody Guthrie Foundation: http://www.woodyguthrie.org/foundation/foundationindex.htm

Source: http://www.hemp.org/news/folk-uke-musical-families-unite

Oregon: THCF Medicinal Cannabis Garden Helping Patients

Fruitful Harvest Shared Among Patients Seeking Natural Alternative to Prescription Medicine

By Michael Bachara, Hemp News Staff

Hemp News recently made a visit to experience a legal medical cannabis garden managed by the Hemp and Cannabis Foundation (THCF) in Portland, Oregon. We spent some time with growers, patients, and community members, in an attempt to shed light on the subject of medical cannabis, and to document the THCF's efforts to help medical cannabis patients in the community.

With this visit, we found a great number of appreciative patients who, without the THCF community garden, would simply go without their medicine. This is a common problem among medical cannabis patients across the United States. They neither have ability, time, or space to set up and maintain a small grow room or outdoor garden, nor the green thumb to produce a fruitful harvest. THCF has allocated a portion of this most recent harvest to help cancer patients who are currently going through chemotherapy to fight their disease. Cannabis can help alleviate the side effects that result from chemo treatment.

Many people live in constant pain, with a wide variety of ailments from chronic back pain to debilitating peripheral neuropathy. Using medical cannabis allows them to be free from the daily use of products such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), naproxen sodium (Aleve), aspirin, or prescription pharmaceuticals. Long term use of these chemicals can be harmful to your body. Community garden projects like the THCF's allow patients the ability to avoid these pharmaceutical regimes and opt for natural medicine. With medical cannabis they gain a better quality of life for themselves and their families. This writer has witnessed medical cannabis relieve pain effectively first hand, and I believe it needs to be legalized immediately. It is truly a magnificent plant that needs to be studied, in depth.

THCF's medical cannabis garden not only allows medicine for many patients who need it, but also creates an opportune learning environment for the growers. These cannabis growers gain valuable knowledge that allows them to combine different genetic properties of various plants in order to create new and different varieties that will attempt to more effectively fight the pain of specific diseases. Over time, with patience and persistence, cannabis can continue to evolve as a viable and reliable source of medicine.

The success of the THCF's medical cannabis garden shows that if communities join together, anything is possible.



Source: http://www.hemp.org/news/thcf-medicinal-cannabis-gardens-2009

Oregon: THCF Medicinal Cannabis Gardens - Grassfire

"We must go beyond the arrogance of human rights. We must go beyond the ignorance of civil rights. We must step into the reality of natural rights because all of the natural world has a right to existence and we are only a small part of it. There can be no trade-off." John Trudell

By Michael Bachara, Hemp News Staff

The following video slideshow is a compilation of animated photographs taken at the Hemp and Cannabis Foundation's Medicinal Gardens in October 2009. The slideshow is accompanied by the soft cadence of the song "Grassfire" by John Trudell and his band Bad Dog.

John Trudell is a gifted intellectual poet, celebrated recording artist and accomplished activist whose diverse following reflects the universal language of his words, work and message. Trudell is a member of the Santee Sioux tribe and was spokesperson for the Indian of All Tribes occupation of Alcatraz Island from 1969 to 1971. He has also worked with the American Indian Movement (AIM), serving as Chairman of AIM from 1973 to 1979. His ability to speak across all barriers and reach a broad audience, along with the music set to his spoken words, moves and inspires.

Over the past few years, John has become an active voice, as an artist and poet, for the Cannabis Reform Movement. He has made multiple visits to our show Cannabis Common Sense to get his message across and is a fixture at our annual Hempstalk Festival in September. The Hemp and Cannabis Foundation is honored to have him as a voice of reason for reform, and consider him a part of our family.

He is currently involved with a project called Give Love, Give Life to educate individuals and shed light on Ovarian Cancer Awareness as well as offer an option for health care to women and children.

Learn more about his cause: http://givelovegivelife.net



Music: Grassfire by John Trudell and Bad Dog
Blue Indians, 1999
http://johntrudell.com

http://www.hemp.org/news/thcf-medicinal-cannabis-gardens-grassfire

North America: Former Mexican President Vicente Fox Calls for an Open Debate on Legalization of Marijuana

Fox speaks out about responsibility, collaboration, and legalization as a solution to the drug war raging in North and South America



By Ms Sylence Dogood, Hemp News Staff


Will the debate about the legalization and regulation of marijuana finally come to a breaking point? Will we actually see the freedom of choice to consume Cannabis restored? Not only are United States leaders beginning to talk drug law reform, but now the Latin American leaders are joining with the discussion. According to CNN, former Mexican President Vicente Fox and other members of the Latin American Commission on Drugs and Democracy have called for a renewed conversation between the United States and Mexico about the decriminalization and legalization of marijuana. Realizing that the "drug war" is raging and the escalating violence is not the way to continue, Fox wants to move the way of American alcohol prohibition and re-legalize marijuana, taking the power out of the hands of the black market.


Fox believes that Mexico and the United States must work together in order to move the issue forward and away from violence. Seeing the evidence that prohibition has not been effective, he hopes to take the violence and control over drugs away from the cartels. Right now they are using the army to fight the drug war, knowing all the while that violence against violence will never solve the problem, when the market for marijuana in the United States continues. Cartels bring the drugs in and return with money and stockpiles of weapons.


Fox realizes that it cannot simply become a free-for-all with drugs, and that caution and care must be taken; the proper steps must be chosen to move forward into legalization. But he knows that the drug war will not go away using current tactics, and a new way must be sought.


Now here’s a small history lesson. In 1919, the US Congress passed the Volstead Act, also known as the National Prohibition Act, even after it was vetoed by President Woodrow Wilson. This act made the sale of alcohol illegal, but did little to halt its production or distribution. Throughout the 1920’s, bootlegging, smuggling and the violence that comes with were rampant throughout the United States. With the Great Depression, prohibition became increasingly unpopular and in 1933 President Franklin D. Roosevelt repealed the Prohibition Act and re-legalized alcohol.


Interesting that now, with the country in financial crisis harking back to the days of the Great Depression and violence from smugglers and cartels on the rise, leaders are beginning to learn from history and see that prohibition does not work. Could it be that we will soon see a bit of our freedom restored? If there can be hundreds of businesses across this world that produce a variety of alcoholic beverages from beer and wine to whiskey and absinthe for the public to purchase and enjoy as they choose, why then can we not have a plantation tour to sample the latest harvest of choice Cannabis buds, in the same fashion as a vineyard tour? Why not bring a “souvenir joint” back from your trip to Cancun, much like someone might bring a bottle of tequila or coffee liqueur?


The transition from illegal to legal may seem daunting, but we have done it before in this country and we can do it again. It must come with respect, debate, and attention to the true human rights of the United States and those close to us. Education and a casting off of old propaganda will be a first step to a solution, but we must imagine a day where honest entrepreneurship can replace cartel violence.


SD









Sources:
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/05/13/mexico.fox.marijuana/#cnnSTCVideo


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3HtEB2w2-4


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prohibition_in_the_United_States





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