Posts Tagged Marijuana

500 Pounds of Marijuana Busted in Minneapolis

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Addiction on July 14th, 2010

After a period of surveillance and studying gang activities, the Minneapolis Police Gang Enforcement Team have proven that they have what it takes to put a stop on illegal drugs activities, at least in their area.

The team successfully busted a total of more than 500 pounds of marijuana, 1.5 kilos of cocaine and some guns. Four people are now facing charges for what has been uncovered by the sting.

marijuanaIt has been a fact that in recent days, the streets of Minneapolis have been a site for violence where gangs and drugs play great roles. With what the police has been able to do, it sends out a clear signal that they are dead set on catching the criminals.

Capt. Don Banham, a member of the Enforcement Team has said that they were able to establish three things on this operation. First, they were able to take out the drugs in the street. It’s no joke to have that much drugs in the area and the money involved will really be significant. Second, by catching the criminals, they have somehow disrupted their behaviors and prevent their planned drug-related activities. Third, with the arrests made and people put behind bars, Minneapolis streets may become a little peaceful, although not completely free from crooks. This can somehow decrease violent scenarios in the streets which have been happening for the past couple of months.

Aside from the drugs and guns that were seized, a whopping $100,000 was also confiscated. Minneapolis Police authorities are hoping for more successful drug busts in the coming days. They are seeking the help of civilians to eradicate violence and drug operations on the streets. If people will become active in the fight against illegal drugs, police work can be made a lot easier.

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Marijuana Danger Facts for Teens

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Alcohol Abuse, Drug Addiction, Raising Healthy Kids on May 4th, 2010

Can marijuana cause harm (illness or death) to the user?

The components of marijuana are not toxic enough to cause an illness or death. It has even been used as a form of medication in a number of states in the US. However, if we talk about using marijuana with other drugs or using marijuana while or shortly before doing activities that require focus and coordination, such as driving or operating a heavy machine, then marijuana can be dangerous and can even cause death.

teen marijuanaIs it dangerous to drink alcohol and smoke marijuana at the same time?

Drinking too much alcohol can cause serious illness or death. Throwing up is the body’s way to get rid of poison. Smoking marijuana suppresses the body’s need to purge when the blood alcohol content reaches dangerous levels. That is why binge drinking and marijuana smoking make a dangerous combination.

Does using marijuana always lead to abusing other more dangerous drugs?

Marijuana has been referred to as a gateway drug, a label which many marijuana advocates strongly oppose to. Many drug abusers may have started with marijuana, but only a small percentage of marijuana users actually move on to using other more dangerous drugs. What marijuana users should be concerned about is not how it can lead to further drug abuse, but what its effects are to the brain even when taken without other drugs.

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Marijuana Is Not For Everyone!

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Addiction, Prescription Drug Abuse on April 25th, 2010

Medical marijuana has been found to help patients manage their pains and other symptoms associated with certain conditions such as nausea, neurogenic pain, glaucoma, asthma, multiple sclerosis, leukemia, Tourette syndrome, childhood mental disorders, alcohol abuse, epilepsy, hepatitis, cancers and more. This usefulness has prompted advocates to promote and fight for the legalization of marijuana in different states. Some have already heeded the calls; there are now 14 states with medical marijuana laws in place.

marijuanaWith medical marijuana getting the approval of legislators in certain U.S. states, questions are being raised — why is marijuana still prohibited in several other states?

The answer is simple — it is not for everyone.

While patients of specific illnesses may benefit from the effects of marijuana to the body, some should not even try it.

Impact of Marijuana to the Brain

THC finds brain cells, or neurons, with high concentrations of cannabinoid receptors, and binds to them. The areas of the brain most affected by marijuana are the hippocampus, the cerebellum, the basal ganglia, and the cerebral cortex. The hippocampus has a big role in the learning process, and THC may thus interfere with learning and memory. This is especially critical for children or teens whose brains are still developing.

Marijuana may also affect judgment, coordination and perception. Under the influence of marijuana, remembering things you have recently learned or driving a car may seem to be a challenge.

This is why a patient who needs marijuana must get a medical transcription from a doctor to make sure that one can really take benefit from the use of marijuana.

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Old Films About Marijuana

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Addiction, Drug Films and Books on April 21st, 2010

Before Pineapple Express, Adventureland and Smiley Face, there were several films that bravely discussed the issue of marijuana. Here are some of the marijuana films of interest:

MarihuanaMarihuana (1936). Well, the title of the movie says what it’s all about — marijuana, weed, pot. Classified as an exploitation film, Marihuana follows the life of Burma, a girl who attends a party, smokes marijuana and goes skin-dipping with other girls. One of the girls drowned. Later in the film, Burma becomes pregnant, gives up her child for adoption, becomes a drug dealer and plans to kidnap her sister’s adopted daughter, who turns out to be her own.

Reefer Madness (1936). Another exploitation film, it presents the events that happened after pushers lured high school students to try marijuana. It was originally made to show parents the dangers of cannabis by using tragic events such as hit-and-run accident, manslaughter, rape and suicide. The film was not well received then. It was rediscovered in 1970s as an unintentional comedy. In 2004, major American film studio 20th Century Fox released a colorized version of the film on DVD.

Assassin of Youth (1937). Although often referred as a clone to Reefer Madness, this film is a thriller that reflects the ill effects of marijuana use. It showcases marijuana-dealing youths, all-night parties, obscenity and violence.

Recent films on marijuana, however, are less critical of marijuana compared with these old ones.

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Myths About Pot Smoking

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Other on September 30th, 2009

PotSmoking

Substance abusers who fail to abstain from chemicals despite several treatment efforts, generally think of switching over to some other forms of chemicals for harm minimization. Often we come across confused parents who try to make a deal with their children that, “if you stop using all other drugs you will be allowed to smoke only pot.” This is not really surprising since throughout the world marijuana is the most popular drugs because of its euphoric effects. The myths associated with marijuana are also responsible for its widespread acceptance. A good number of users and their family members believe that they are smoking herb – a natural product. Isn’t that a consolation!

But parents must be aware about the three common myths about marijuana use and then decide on their course of action.

#  Marijuana is not addictive. It does not create physical dependence. This is absolutely an incorrect notion since continued use of pot leads to physical dependence which is evident from the symptoms that are noticeable once the substance is withdrawn. Lack of appetite, poor sleep, fatigue, aggression are some of the withdrawal symptoms associated with the substance. 

# Marijuana is natural and thus good for health. All natural products are not safe for health. Mother nature also produces certain things which are detrimental for health. Marijuana affects the Central Nervous System specially the cognitive aspect of the brain. The effects, though subtle, are often irreversible. Short term memory is impaired, a slower processing speed leads to slowing down of the brains ability to solve problems. Prolonged usage in adolescence might lead to neuroplasticity.

# Marijuana is a natural healer for diseases that cause pain. Studies have shown that THC, the primary chemical in marijuana helps AIDS patients to gain weight and prevents cancer patients from experiencing nausea. Thus THC is filtered and extracted and used in different pills. But actual marijuana has at least 400 cancer causing chemicals apart from THC which might cause devastating effects when they react with THC in the body.

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Some good blog sites on drug addiction and prevention

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Abuse Treatment, Drug Addiction, Drug Facts, Drug Rehabilitation, Drug Testing, Other, Prescription Drug Abuse on September 26th, 2009

Medical-MarijuanaDesign

Let us explore today some blogsites that I found to be informative and interesting. Hope our readers will like them too.

The first I found is Drug Addiction Support (http://www.drug-addiction-support.org/drug-addiction-blog.html). The site discusses common issues related to drug addiction, drug addiction syndromes, most common causes behind drug addiction, effects of drug addiction, and treatment modalities.

You will find nice, information rich articles that are easy to read and understand. It has a section on various drugs like cocaine, crystal meth, heroin, suboxone, marijuana, etc.

Next I found Narconon of Georgia (http://narcononofga.wordpress.com/alcohol-awareness/) quite interesting. Nice topics and good, authoritative content may help you if you are seeking information on drug and alcohol addiction. The site has added some videos which you may find to be very appealing.

You may also see Recovery Connection (http://www.recoveryconnection.org/) website that focuses on drug, alcohol, and substance abuse recovery and treatment plans. It has published a state-wise database of addiction treatment centers and information on the types of treatments offered in specific centers. You will find lots of information on Addiction Treatment Programs and Drug and alcohol Rehab Programs, Drug/alcohol Detox Programs, Dual Diagnosis Treatment Programs, Eating Disorder Programs, GLBT Addiction/rehab/detox Treatment and Detox Programs, etc.

Drug Rehabs.Org (http://www.drug-rehabs.org/) is dedicated toward rehab programs. You can have specific information if you are searching rehab programs for yourself, friend, family, spouse, children and you can search their database depending on the age of the person. The site has option of searching on the basis of the type of drug as well.

See Alcohol/Drug Help Line (http://www.adhl.org/) is an exclusive help line–based service provider. They run their service during Sunday through Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (previously it was 24-hrs helpline). The site presents some useful links if you wish to be a part of the rehab services or volunteer for some counseling.

We request our readers to write to us if you find some interesting sites/resources. This would help us in fighting the menace more comprehensively.

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