Drug Crimes and Animal Cruelty 'Undeniably Connected'
Companion animals, especially dogs, are commonly exploited by marijuana growers and dealers, according to Dr. Kris Otteman, Director of Shelter Medicine of the Oregon Humane Society. She traces the abuse and neglect of animals used as guards and as intimidation in marijuana trafficking and recounts how complaints about animal cruelty have led to arrests for drug dealing and investigations into marijuana trafficking have led to felony charges of aggravated animal abuse.
International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking
On June 26th, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) marks the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Trafficking (link to info piece here) to point out how the drug trade affects the environment, economic development and public health. Drug trafficking is linked to the deforestation and pollution of the very land that poor farmers depend upon for their survival. Secretary-General Ban Kimoon points out that "(t)he illicit drug trade also undermines governance, institutions and societal cohesion. Drug traffickers typically seek routes where the rule of law is weak. In turn, drug-related crime deepens vulnerability to instability and poverty."
Sativex Threatens Medi-pot Scam
Sativex, approved in the UK this week for treatment of spasticity due to multiple sclerosis, is an oral liquid spray that contains two of the cannabinoids found in marijuana - CBD and THC. CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that has therapeutic properties and is believed to reduce the intoxicating and impairing effects of THC. As a result, it has been bred out of modern marijuana. The crude marijuana grown or purchased under the guise of medical marijuana contains significant portions of THC which provides intoxication and only trace amounts of CBD and other cannabinoids.
Snails on Meth
The persistence of memory of snails on methamphetamine may hold clues to helping people on meth break free of their addiction.
Drug Czar's Office Corrects Mistaken Reporting
The Office of National Drug Policy responded appropriately to a recent AP article lambasting the 'drug war' as a failure.
Chefs and Marijuana - Bogus Trend Story of the Week
The New York Times recently published an article about top chefs cooking and creating while high, and it took only a few hours for the folks at Slate to find the rotten fish in that bouillabaisse.