Viktor

MAR 18, 2014 - With all the awesome motivation behind repealing marijuana prohibition and medical marijuana programs being enacted across the country, JTMP reminds our supporters that even though we are 100% firmly behind this movement and we are not letting up, we would like to point out that recreational and medical marijuana use is NOT for everyone, and certainly not for brains under the age of 25. A recent article by DailyMail details how George Michael abused recreational marijuana (also along with alcohol and pills) so be careful out there folks and make responsible decisions. Don't drink and drive, and don't smoke and drive. JTMP recommends that if you are considering recreational marijuana use, that you wait until your brain fully forms, which is about the age of 25. Let's use common sense and make responsible decisions; but JTMP doesn't want a nanny state government telling us if and when we can and cannot enjoy recreational marijuana. That is up to the individual. Leave the ones alone that are responsible, and arrest the ones that break the law; and get rehab and treatment for people who abuse it like we do to drunk drivers and alcoholics. Recreational and medical marijuana users just want to be treated equally, fairly, and justly.

JTMP would also like to point out that medical marijuana is not for everyone and not for every health issue. Although it has been shown to cure cancer and many other diseases, many times it is used simply as a treatment to alleviate pain. If you are considering using medical marijuana, please seek a competent and licensed doctor, and only under their recommendation and guidance should you try it. Some cautions to watch out for is Sativa strains of medical marijuana have a very strong "head buzz" that can cause anxiety and psychotic attacks, but that is very rare. The "body high" relaxing Indica strains might be better for you. Get informed and educated on the different strains of medical marijuana and the different cannabinoids that have such great health benefits before making a decison and trying it. Ask your doctor, the pharmacist at the dispensary, and there are many websites where you can get information on strains and cannabinoids such as Leafly.com and SCLabs.com.

All we Progressives ask is that adults have the right to access recreational and/or medical marijuana safely and legally, and get this nanny prohibitionist state off our back. There are people who abuse alcohol and prescription pills every day, yet we allow the alcohol and pill prescription system to conduct commerce; all we ask is the marijuana and hemp industry have that same right. For more information and how to get involved in expanding recreational and medical marijuana in your state, please visit Marijuana Policy Project and sign the petition demanding President Obama remove marijuana from the Schedule 1 Category of the Substance Abuse Act. For information on expanding medical marijuana rights for patients or yourself, please visit Americans For Safe Access; and a reminder JTMP will be covering the ASA Unity Conference April 5th-7th here in DC so check back!  (Photo credit: Laurie Avocado/CC)

MAR 15, 2014 The pressure against Putin for invading Ukraine against International law, as tens of thousands took to the streets in Moscow to protest his outrageous 19th century warlike aggression. Above is a pic and Tweet from EuroMaidan PR. Read more on HuffPo here.

MAR 14, 2014 - Musical-activist Jared Leto gave a shout out to the people of Ukraine, Venezuela and elsewhere around the world fighting for their freedom and what he calls "the privilege of owning yourself" in his Oscar speech, and Wednesday night he and his band played a concert in Kiev and it became quite a show with not only great music, but he also connected with the Ukrainian people and their struggle leading them with a "Glory to Ukraine" chant.  He even brought some Ukrainian citizens on stage and asking them their name, what town they are from, and really making this struggle personal and even hugging one fan at one point and the crowd cheered. Watch Jared Leto with Ukrainian fans below, and listen to an awesome version of "Bright Lights" at the same concert here.

MAR 13, 2014 - US Attorney General Eric Holder has announced that the US Justice Department will adopt new policies that will result in shorter sentences, shaving off as much as 25% of the mandatory minimum sentences they were subjected to before. JTMP does applaud this, but we feel we need to go even further and treat drug issues like the health problem issues they are, and not with handcuffs, courts and prison. Read more about this exciting development on HuffPO here.

MAR 13, 2014 - It's National Cannabis Industry Association Lobby Week here in DC, and entrepreneur job creating marijuana merchants are descending on Capitol Hill and visiting US Representatives and Senators and lobbying for many things such as allowing banks to do business with them instead of always having to deal in cash (and some banks wont take cash smelling like marijuana), and removing marijuana from the Schedule 1 List; because marijuana has been clearly shown to have a myriad of medicinal uses. This is grassroots citizen-lobbying at the grassroots level demanding our government servants respond to the needs and wishes of the public that elected them and pays their salary. It is time the federal government once and for all clarify marijuana and hemp as 100% legal commodities in our market, and allow these job creators a free and fair market to do their work in. JTMP urges you to call your US Representative, and tell them to support Rep. Blumenauer (D-OR) and his letter demanding President Obama remove marijuana from the Schedule 1 of the Controlled Substances Act. The DEA acts under the Executive Branch, and President Obama DOES have the power to remove it, regardless of what he may say in public. To find out more check out the National Cannabis Industry Association website.