Updated NORML Map – November 2010

Pharmaceutical Facts……

Amazing Compositions From Roach Papers!

This 37-year-old creates amazing mosaics using the humble medium of used roach papers from smoked joints.

Amazingly, this is just something Cliff does in his spare time. He’s one of Pittsburgh’s finest tattoo artists at his day job. But it’s his roach paper Chronic Art that has captured the imagination of folks nationwide.

As a student at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Cliff had the opportunity to take inspiration from the great mosaics of the past. “I was studying mosaics in school,” Maynard remembers. “I just remember sort of making this connection in my head between the tiles and roach papers.”

His roach paper portraits include iconic rock star stoners like Jimi Hendrix, Jerry Garcia, and John Lennon, and hemped hop rap stars like Snoop Dogg and Method Man.

Chronic Art

Jimi Hendrix: Burning of the midnight roach?

All these followed his very first roach paper portrait, which was of Jesus. “Maybe it’s a Catholic thing,” Maynard says. Another piece is Cliff’s roach paper take on the Michelangelo classic “Creation.”

“I’m always a little worried that I may run in to some trouble for my art,” Cliff told Mids Magazine. “That’s why I didn’t take my work public sooner. I think times are changing though. The marijuana movement has been winning battles left and right.”

Maynard’s Chronic Art offers original artworks and prints for sale, and also does some commissioned work.

Cliff’s currently offering hand-signed and numbered, limited edition, museum quality (Giclee) prints of all his mosaics. “I’m only making 420 of each design,” he told Toke of the Town. “The prints come professionally mounted and matted in black. All you need is a frame.”

Originals can take over 200 hours to finish, Maynard told us. “An 8×10 portrait is about $2,000 and the larger pieces start at around $3,000,” Cliff said.

Chronic Art

The artist himself: Roach paper king Cliff Maynard rocks.

The fantastic level of detail present in Cliff’s work is truly mind-boggling. When you start to grok how much time must have been spent fitting together all those sticky little bits of paper, cutting and arranging them in a way as to form a work of art, you have to admire this guy’s dedication. Hell, Cliff is a one-man refutation of pot’s supposed “amotivational syndrome.”

“The next project that’s about to be done is Jack Herer,” Cliff told Toke of the Town. “Then a Marc and Jodie Emery. I decided to do an ‘activists’ series of portraits. It’ll include Ed Rosenthal, Rev. Eddy Lepp, Richard Lee of Oaksterdam, and I’ll probably do a Rick Simpson at some point,” he told us.

Although until recently Cliff would probably have fit into the “unknown artist” category, he’s fast leaving the “unknown” part of that in the ash heap.

Maynard’s unique and phenomenal talent has turned the heads of numerous cannabis luminaries such as Cheech & Chong, Marc Emery (“a roach art Renaissance!”), Todd McCormick (“absolutely epic!”), Rev. Eddy Lepp (“I LOVE this shit!”), and Vivian McPeak, all of whom totally freaked on the level of passion, skill and detail in Cliff’s work.

Chronic Art

Cliff hard at work at his day job as tattoo artist.

“Cliff’s incredible roach paper renderings are beyond stunning, they are phenomenal,” said McPeak, executive director of Seattle Hempfest. “Cliff’s ability to make the papers come alive and fool the mind’s eye is a unique gift that everyone should get a chance to witness.”

Or as the inimitable Tommy Chong put it, “Creative way to dispose of roaches, man!”

Oakland Fortune Cookie Factory Flames Up To Reveal Marijuana!

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Oakland police are looking for the growers of at least 1,000 marijuana plants found after a small fire at a one-time Oakland fortune cookie factory.

Sgt. Rich Vierra says the pot plants, valued at about $500,000, were not burned during Monday’s fire in the former Kar Mee Fortune Cookie Factory in Oakland’s Chinatown district.

Police say the plants ranged in size from seedlings to 4 feet tall and were being grown in about 1,750 square feet of space.

The growers were apparently using an old power line outside the building to run the lights, ventilation and irrigation systems.

Authorities say the small blaze was sparked by an electrical malfunction.

The cookie factory’s previous owners were evicted last year.

Source – AP

Kids In Trouble For ‘Happy Crack’, Mimicks Drug Culture

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. — Some parents in Independence have been warned by school officials to watch out for something called “Happy Crack.”

“Happy Crack” isn’t actually a drug; it is a mix of powdered Kool-Aid and sugar that kids carry around in plastic bags.

The principal at Glendale Elementary stated in a letter sent to parents that kids have been buying, selling, eating and snorting the mixture in behavior that “mimics a drug culture.”

A group of fifth-graders got in trouble for using it.

Full story here….http://www.kctv5.com/news/15908960/detail.html
Credit KCTV5.com.

How Do You Smoke Pot And Stay Out Of Jail?

How Do You Smoke Pot And Stay Out Of Jail? Seattle lawyer Jeff Steinborn tells us how through the miracle of illustration! Please visit his website http://www.potbust.com/

Useful Information About Your Rights As An American Citizen

What follows is a write up that was done by a user by the name of Alfa on http://www.drugs-forum.co.uk. The original thread can be found here, http://www.drugs-forum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=415. I found it to be extremely informative and containing information that a scary amount of people dont know. I only hope to spread knowledge and crack down on the amount of police abusing the law and our civil liberties. Know what to do if the “worst case” happens. Remember question abuse! Read!

Disclaimer: I’m not a lawyer; I’m one of you. What I write here is the best information that I’ve gleaned so far, and I’m prepared to use it myself. These are my best suggestions, and do not constitute legal advice. Check it out with your lawyer or a good second-year law student or better, and then mass copy it for all of your friends! Let us know what you find out, what your experiences are, and your ideas, so we can keep this up-to-date and make it even better.

What it is: Cops love to play word games, and they’re good at it. They’re also good at taking control and being the boss, or coming on like they’re your parents or something. They know that you have rights, but they’re betting that you don’t know what they are. Watch your ass! Many people get busted by falling into their traps, or by not realizing that the cop is trying to get you to give up your rights … so don’t let them get away with it! One lawyer said that 99% of the people in jail talked themselves into it.

Some of their cute little tricks: “May we search you? No. Why, got something to hide?”, or “Look, can I go? Not yet. Why, am I under arrest? Would you like to be?” Rather than keeping this sort of bullshit going, or trying to outwit them, it’s just better not to play that kind of game. Keep in mind that if you lie to a cop and they can prove it later, that’s one more thing you can be charged with … so don’t tell them anything one way or another! (One lawyer did say “Admit nothing, deny everything, and demand a lawyer”, so maybe you can lie to a cop since you’re not under oath, but it seems more prudent just to keep quiet.) Sometimes they’ll threaten “Look, we can go get a warrant anytime, so you’d better let us in”, but what that really means is “We tried everything, but couldn’t get one. Please let us in so we can bust you.” Well … just say “No.” Tell them to go get that warrant. Sometimes they’ll say “A friend of yours ratted you out and told us everything. You know the guy, (insert name here).” This is a fishhook … don’t bite! And don’t believe them! They’re probably trying to get you to “retaliate” and to spill the beans about your friend … who will be next on their pickup list because of what you just said.

Best case scenario: They detain you for a non-drug reason, such as a broken car light, a traffic violation, stereo too loud, etc. It’s best to play along as “the good citizen” and to be courteous. If you totally get into their game and promise to take care of it, at most they’ll write you a ticket, admonish you, and then let you go. Take the lumps! Express remorse! It works. If they go too far (like trying to search you or your property), then dig in your heels and exercise your rights. Read on.

Your rights: You have the right to refuse to let them into your home if they don’t have a warrant (4th Amendment). You can refuse to consent to a search (4th Amendment), but you can’t physically stop them. You can remain silent (5th Amendment), although it is often advisable to give them your name, address, and age. You have the right to have your attorney with you while they question you (5th Amendment, I think). You have the right not to sign anything they give you, except for a ticket. Do not make a statement!

Their “rights”: They can briefly do a pat-down search on the outside of your clothing and check-out suspicious lumps that feel hard and bulky … they want to make sure that you don’t have a concealed weapon (but you should say “I don’t consent to being searched” anyway to cover yourself, and you shouldn’t carry anything incriminating in that same pocket!). They can and will ask you everything under the sun (freedom of speech you know). If you blow it by: answering their questions, letting them into your house, or consenting to a search, then they gotcha cold … so don’t do it! They don’t have to read you your rights if you’re not under arrest, so you’d better know what they are. They can briefly detain you for various purposes, but they can’t hold you unless you’re under arrest (If you ask “Am I free to go?”, and they say no, ask “Why not?” or “What is the law that allows you to hold me?” or “I’m not under arrest, yet you’ve said I can’t leave … please clarify my legal status at this time.”). If you try to physically resist them or to run away from them, then they have the right to use force against you … even if you’re clean and have done nothing wrong! So … keep calm and be cool, they’ve got the deck stacked in their favor and they know it.

Reasonable Suspicion: Allows them to look briefly, but not to search.

Probable Cause: Having some kind of evidence against you, such as: a certain smell, an anonymous phone call about you, or seeing a joint lying on your living room table. Refusal to allow a search is not probable cause … if it were, then they could search you no matter what answer you give, which is totally against the US Constitution (4th Amendment).

At home: If they knock on your door to “ask you a few questions,” then either talk through the closed door or quickly step outside and lock your door behind you. This serves two purposes: One, do not give them an opportunity to look inside … if they see something, that’s probable cause. Two, if they want to conduct an illegal search, then they’ll have to break down your door to do so. Then you can use the broken pieces as evidence against them, whereas if there are no broken pieces, then they will claim that you let them in voluntarily. If they drag on their “question” thing too long, keep asking “Am I free to go?” until they give you a definite answer. If they have a warrant, then tell them they can’t start their search until your lawyer arrives to witness it, and then get that lawyer over real quick! During the search, have everyone sit together and instruct them to say absolutely nothing. If the cops ask you to do something, then you may politely tell them “Unless you are ordering me to do that at this time, I refuse. Are you ordering me to do that?” If they say yes, then you can ask “What law says that you can order me to do that?” If they can’t answer, then don’t do it. If they try to force you at that point, do not resist, and state “I’m not doing this voluntarily, but under protest and duress.” Remember your witnesses.

On the road: If you get pulled over, it may be best to grab your license and registration, get out of the car, lock the door behind you, and walk to the area between the two cars, and get ready to play the Good Citizen Game.

EDIT: This tip can lead to dangerous situations and is not advised for the USA. Getting out of the car may lead to shooting incidents.

Be friendly, but not “too” friendly, be at ease, and talk to the person behind the badge. That way you’re totally covered, they won’t have an easy excuse to look through your windows, and they’ll think that you’re an average citizen ready to be admonished for some minor traffic violation. If they do decide to search your car, then they will do so, since apparently they don’t need a search warrant if they have probable cause … so fer Chrisake don’t keep a joint sitting in your ashtray! Of course, you should tell them “I do not consent to a search”, just so you’re covered. When they ask why you’re refusing their search, and if you feel you gotta say something, then say “I’ve been advised by an attorney never to consent to a search.” It’s magic.

In public: If they want to search you, then say “I do not consent to being searched.” Always be clear about this, try to involve witnesses, and never physically resist. If you ever try to resist, then they will use force… they always do. So, be relaxed, move slowly, and keep your hands out where they can see them.

Tight situation: They conduct a search without your consent, and find something. Almost anything you say at that point will hurt you. The best thing you can do, and it is your Constitutional right, is to say “I want a lawyer” and then keep your trap shut ’til you get one! Don’t answer any of their questions (except name, address, and age) if your lawyer isn’t with you.

Worst case scenario: It’s 3:30 am, ten cops break down your door and they’re yelling and pointing their guns at you … freeze! Do not move a muscle, and keep absolutely quiet for at least a count of 3! They’ll frisk you and start to tear your place apart. When they know you’re unarmed, then ask “Do you have a warrant? I do not consent to a search.” If they do have one, then read it and make damn sure that they can legally do what they’re doing. If the warrant doesn’t specify what they’re doing right now, then say so and insist that they stop (but don’t try to physically stop them!). If they do not have a warrant, then tell them that they must leave. If they don’t, then call the State Police and FBI , and report an incident of trespass by the local police and ask them to come and remove them. Get your lawyer there as quickly as possible, if you can, and remember that the more witnesses you have, the better … there’s always your neighbors! If the cops arrest you, then they must give you a receipt for everything they confiscate (wallet, clothing, packages, etc.), so I would think that they must also give you one for whatever they take during the search.

If they arrest you: Ask “Why am I under arrest?”. They have to tell you. After they book you, demand your two phone calls, at your expense: first to an attorney, relative or employer, and second to a bailbondsman. If you can’t afford a lawyer, then demand that they provide you with one at no expense. Do not let your lawyer enter a plea of “not guilty” before the arraignment (the first trip to court where you will be formally charged, which by law has to occur within 48 hours of your arrest, barring holidays and Sundays), because that would automatically lock you into criminal proceedings, which is where your dear lawyer will try to make his/her money. You should try like hell to get your case dismissed before that arraignment! Your lawyer knows what to do, and if s/he won’t do it, then get one who will. If you can’t get it dismissed, then enter your “not guilty” plea at the arraignment and insist on a jury trial, which will be expensive and difficult for the DA. Do not let your lawyer waive the speedy trial time limits! (Which s/he might try to do so they can charge you more money for “preparation,” etc.) You don’t want the prosecution to have all the time in the world to build their case against you! If you are adamant about all that, and if their case isn’t strong, then they might actually drop it! What the hell, it’s worth a shot! If your case does go to trial, then try like hell to get that jury informed about their inherent right to judge the law itself, and to nullify it by letting you go, if they think it’s not fair or is totally ridiculous (like forcing you to go to prison for a year for having 1.5 ounces of pot, or some equally obnoxious law).

Drills: Knowing what to say and do is great, but it’s even better if you get together with your friends and practice on each other, preferably in at least two frames of mind. That way, if you’re one on one with a cop, you’ll be ready to handle the situation.

How you can help fight: Register to vote (preferably in a sympathetic group such as the Libertarian Party, which supports the legalization of drugs), for then you become eligible to serve on a jury and to use your right of nullification to free a brother or sister. Join NORML and get wise! Copy this pamphlet, give it to your friends, and help spread this, our only means of defense. And, most of all, be a good and conscientious person … nothing is more devastating to the “War on Druggie” types than to show the world that these assholes are persecuting some of the best people. Make ’em think.

Top 10 Commonly Believed Marijuana Myths/Legends

Listed below are the top 10 most believed myths as compiled by http://www.MedicalCannabis.com:

1. There are hundreds of compounds/chemicals in marijuana-There are approximately 400, compared to a tomato that has roughly 330.

2. It is stronger today which makes it more dangerous- The marijuana has not become stronger.

3. As a plant the dosage cannot be controlled- Prior to the marijuana prohibition when pharmaceutical companies created extracts and tinctures of cannabis, they were able to provide fairly uniform preparations.

4. Smoking marijuana is what makes it dangerous- Higher potency of marijuana will also allow patients to smoke less to achieve a therapeutic dose without the risk of overdose.

5. Marijuana Destroys the immune system- There is no conclusive evidence that demonstrates harm to the immune system when used in therapeutic doses for humans.

6. It is highly addictive- Compared to other commonly used psychoactive drugs, marijuana is not highly addictive and has a low abuse potential.

7. Marijuana is a gateway drug-The 1999 report by the Institute of Medicine finds that, “There is no evidence that marijuana serves as a stepping stone on the basis of its particular drug effect.”

8. Use during pregnancy can cause damage to the fetus- Studies by Melanie Dreher, PhD, RN conducted in Jamaica and Dr. Peter Fried in Canada show minimal effects on the fetus during pregnancy.

9. A marijuana pill is available and completely legal- MarinolÒ is a synthetic form of THC, the pure psychoactive chemical in marijuana.

10. Medical use send the message to teens that it is not dangerous and encourages usage- Reports from teens have indicated that it is easier for them to obtain illegal marijuana than it is to obtain regulated alcohol or prescription drug.

Ranking Of Risks Of 6 Commonly Used Drugs

Strange that alcohol is legal with such numbers. Marijuana seems to be the safe way to relax

Aspirin vs. Marijuana

What follows is an article that was re posted on http://www.nunya.com. I found it to be so good I posted it here. Obviously this is the stuff that aspirin-making companies don’t want us to know. Enjoy!

References: http://www.onmarijuana.com/2007/03/24/marijuana-is-safer-than-aspirin/

and http://www.saferchoice.org/content/view/24/32/

This is a repost with a few edits…

When Bayer introduced aspirin in 1899, cannabis was America’s number one painkiller. Until marijuana prohibition began in 1937, the US Pharmacopoeia listed cannabis as the primary medicine for over 100 diseases. Cannabis was such an effective analgesic that the American Medical Association (AMA) argued against prohibition on behalf of medical progress. Since the herb is extremely potent and essentially non-toxic, the AMA considered it a potential wonder drug.

Instead, the invention of aspirin gave birth to the modern pharmaceutical industry and Americans switched away from cannabis in the name of “progress.” But was it really progress? There can be no doubt that aspirin has a long history as the drug of choice for the self-treatment of migraines, arthritis, and other chronic pain. It is cheap and effective. But is it as safe as cannabis?

History:

Marijuana has been used for over 5,000 years.
No one has ever overdosed on marijuana.
Aspirin has been used for 108 years.
Approximately 500 people die every year by taking aspirin
The Law:

Marijuana is a Schedule 1 drug, meaning the US government believes it is extremely dangerous, highly addictive, and of no medical value.
Aspirin is available for pennies and can be purchased by children at any drug, grocery, or convenience store. Often they are just handed out free by people with no medical education.
Marijuana side effects and dangers:

The dangers of marijuana include possible respiratory problems caused by the deposition of burnt plant material on the lungs. This danger can be eliminated with alternate forms of consumption such as eating or vaporizing the medicine.
For two to four hours, marijuana causes short-term memory loss, a slight reduction in reaction time, and a reduction in cognitive ability. (It makes you stupid for a little while.)These conditions DO NOT persist after the herb wears off.

Hunger
Paranoia
Depression
Laughter
Introspection
Creative Impulse
Euphoria
Tiredness
Forgetfulness
Aspirin side effects and dangers:

When taken with alcohol, aspirin can cause stomach bleeding.
Reye Syndrome in children: fat begins to develop around the liver and other organs of the child, eventually putting severe pressure on the brain. Death is common within a few days.
People with hemophilia can die.
People with hyperthyroidism suffer elevated T4 levels.
Stomach problems include dyspepsia, heartburn, upset stomach, stomach ulcers with gross bleeding, and internal bleeding leading to anemia.
Dizziness, ringing in the ears, hearing loss, vertigo, vision disturbances, and headaches.
Heavy sweating
Irreversible liver damage
Inflamation and gradual destruction of the kidneys
Nausea and vomiting
Abdominal pain
Lethargy
Hyperthermia
Dyspepsia: a gnawing or burning stomach pain accompanied by bloating, heartburn, nausea, vomiting and burping.
Tachypnea: Abnormally fast breathing
Respiratory Alkalosis: a condition where the amount of carbon dioxide found in the blood drops to a level below normal range brought on by abnormally fast breathing.
Cerebral Edema: Water accumulates on the brain. Symptoms include headaches, decreased level of consciousness, loss of eyesight, hallucinations, psychotic behavior, memory loss and coma. If left untreated, it can lead to death.
Hallucinations, confusion, and seizure.
Prolonged bleeding after operations or post-trauma for up to 10 days after last aspirin.
Aspirin can interact with some other drugs, such as diabetes medication. Aspirin changes the way the body handles these drugs and can lead to a drug overdose and death.
If you think that cannabis is actually safer than aspirin, you are not alone. In October 2000, Dr. Leslie Iversen of the Oxford University Department of Pharmacology said the same thing.

In her book, ‘The Science of Marijuana,’ Dr. Iversen presents the scientific evidence that cannabis is, by-and-large, a safe drug. Dr. Iversen found cannabis had “an impressive record” when compared to tobacco, alcohol, or even aspirin.

“Tetrahydrocannabinol is a very safe drug,” she said. “Even such apparently innocuous medicines as aspirin and related steroidal anti-inflammatory compunds are not safe.”

So if safety is your concern, cannabis is clearly a much better choice than aspirin. If you eat it or vaporize it, it just might be the safest painkiller the world has ever known.