NORML.ORG California: State's Largest Labor Union Endorses Marijuana Depenalization Initiative

Meet Others, Share Stories

Home > News Archive > 2010 > California: State's Largest Labor Union Endorses Marijuana Depenalization Initiative

September 23, 2010 - Sacramento, CA, USA

Sacramento, CA: The California council of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the state's largest union, has endorsed Proposition 19, The Regulate, Control & Tax Cannabis Initiative of 2010. If passed, the measure would legalize the private adult possession and cultivation of marijuana, and allow local government the option to regulate the plant's commercial production and sale.

In a letter to the campaign, union President Bill A. Lloyd wrote that passage of Prop. 19 would generate new tax "revenues [that] will help the state and local governments protect and invest in jobs we need to provide for our families.

"[W]e look forward to joining you in any way we can to help pass Proposition 19," the letter concludes.

The SEIU has some 750,000 members in California.

Proposition 19 has also gained support from the council that oversees political activities for the United Food and Commercial Workers in California and four other western states. The Northern California council of the International Longshore & Warehouse Union, Communications Workers of America Local 9415 and Sign Displays & Allied Crafts Local 510 have also endorsed the campaign.

Other groups backing the campaign include the California state chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the Latino Voters League, the National Black Police Association, and the California Council of Churches IMPACT.

Californians favor the measure by a vote of 47 percent to 38 percent, according to the latest statewide poll, published on Wednesday.

For more information, please visit: http://yeson19.com.

    updated: Sep 23, 2010

View the original article here

The Dangers and Side Effects of Marijuana

Marijuana is an illegal drug that is used pretty much all over the world. It is a mixture of green and brown shredded dried leaves and stems and heads(which is the plants flower), that come from the Cannabis sativa plant. There is also another form of marijuana that is stronger. This form is known as hashish, which is commonly called hash, that looks like black or brown balls. There are numerous marijuana street names such as weed, pot, grass, reefer, Mary Jane, ganja, and dope.

Marijuana is usually rolled into cigarette papers or cigars that have been hollowed out, and is then smoked. These marijuana cigarettes are called joints or blunts. Marijuana is smoked in water pipes called bongs, or pipes called bowls too. It is sometimes mixed into foods such as brownies and eaten also. THC is the active chemical ingredient in marijuana. When marijuana is smoked, this chemical is passed from the lungs into the bloodstream. It is then transported to the brain and body organs. It will then reach the brain and connect with nerve cells that affect memory, coordination, pleasure, thought, concentration, and sensory and time perception. This creates the high of the marijuana.

Marijuana Short Term Side Effects:

Coordination Loss
Problem solving and thinking difficulty
Altered or distorted perception
Learning and memory problemsMarijuana Long Term Side Effects:

Changes in areas of the brain that affects responses to motivation and stress.
Respiratory problems, such as chronic cough, bronchitis, and more mucus.
Blood pressure changes such as decreased blood pressure.
Impairs ability to fight off infections.
Emotional problems such depression, anxiety, personality disturbances.
Job loss due to failing a drug test.
Fines or jail time if you are caught possessing,using, or selling marijuana.
Fertility problems such as producing less sperm or ovulation problems.
Problems to newborn babies that are born to women who use marijuana such as behavioral and developmental problems.Quitting Marijuana:

Trying to quit marijuana after you have used it for a long time may cause withdrawal symptoms. These may include depression, irritability, sleeplessness, lack of appetite, and anxiety. These withdrawal symptoms usually get worse a few days after quitting marijuana, but will decrease and are usually completely gone in a few weeks after quitting the drug. The best way to quit marijuana is with individual and group counseling. It is not uncommon that some people may have to go into a rehab treatment facility to quit this drug.

David writes on a number of different topics, Come visit David's latest website at Solar Powered House.com which provides plenty of information about Home Solar Power Systems including reviews and other related information that you need when looking for solar power products and accessories.

How To Stop Marijuana Cravings

Would you like to learn proven methods to stop marijuana cravings from tempting you?

According to the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse that was conducted in 2001, it is estimated that 83 million Americans have tried marijuana. It is also estimated that 5.6 million of these users reporting having problems with illicit drug use and more than 2 million of these users feel dependent on smoking marijuana.

There are effective treatments and supplements that you can take to control the urge to smoke marijuana, however not everyone can afford to go to a rehab clinic or fork out hundreds of dollars for craving supplements that may or may not work.

This is where Emotional Freedom Technique (or EFT) comes into place. It is free, quick, easy and very effective at stopping cravings of all kinds including craving to smoke marijuana joints.

So what is EFT?

EFT is in simple terms, a method to break habits. By applying pressure on certain areas of your body whilst thinking about your craving you can reverse this craving for whatever it is you do not want. The technique is also used to send positive affirmations to your subconscious mind. The technique looks very strange but it is very simple to do and very effective. I would recommend everyone try this technique as it is so simple to achieve results.

What you will be doing is tapping with our fingertips on certain key points of the body. Just before tapping and during tapping you should concentrate on your craving. For example, if you wanted to smoke a joint, you would think about smoking a joint and imagine yourself already smoking a joint.

It's very simple stuff and can be performed by anyone. Results are instant and the whole process should not take you more than 3 minutes to complete.

The Cannabis Coach provides an interactive complete marijuana stop-smoking system to guide you through your mental and physical cravings from your quit date on to smoke-free status. Get your life back on track and start saving money! http://www.cannabiscoach.com

AntiMunchies.com - Fight Off Your Marijuana Munchies

AntiMunchies.com sent a batch off their product over to Baked Life for testing. Actually you can get a sample too if you go to their web page. The Anti Munchies dietary supplement works by targeting the same cannabinoid receptors.

How does it work? Your body contains specialized proteins called cannabinoid receptors. The receptors are responsible for hunger regulation. After almost three years of testing (and consuming every type of candy and pizza out there), we came up with a mix of just the right herbal blend to offer maximum munchie relief from the activated cannabinoid receptors.

If you ever need to put a stop to your munchies this is the way to go. Munchies are fun a lot of the time but sometimes eating a whole pizza isn't the best way to spend an afternoon. Anti Munchies seemed to stop my appetite from ever reaching munchie status.

Contact: Bakedlife@gmail.com

View the original article here

Marijuana Out From Under, Why You Should Quit And the Reasons Why You Should

Marijuana crushes kills and destroys many people, it does many things to you and it ends and changes many lives, here are the facts on the deadly drug and here are the reasons why you should quit, along with that, I have the help for you to help you quit your addiction to marijuana.

What is Marijuana?

Marijuana is a green, brown or a gray mixture of dried, shredded leaves, stems, seeds and flowers of the hemp plant Cannabis. There are over 200 street names for marijuana including pot, herb, dope, reefer, grass, weed, ganja, boom, gangster and chronic.

Marijuana is usually smoked as a cigarette (called a joint or a nail) or in a pipe or bong. In recent years, marijuana has appeared in blunts, which are cigars that have been emptied of tobacco and refilled with the drug marijuana, often in a combination with another drug, such as crack. Some users also mix marijuana into foods or use it in their tea.

The main active chemical in marijuana is delta-9-tetrahedron. The effects of marijuana on the user depend on the strength or potency of the delta-9-tetrahedron it contains.

Delta-9-tetrahedron has been used to treat wasting syndrome in AIDS patients

What are the short-term effects of Marijuana use?

The short-term effects of marijuana use include problems with memory and learning; distorted perception (sights, sounds, time, and touch.) It can also cause difficulty in thinking and problem solving, loss of coordination, increased heart rate, anxiety, and panic attacks.

Delta-9-tetrahedron in marijuana is strongly absorbed by the fatty tissues in various organs. Generally, traces of delta-9-tetrahedron can be detected by standard urine testing methods several days after a smoking session. In heavy chronic users, traces can sometimes be detected for weeks after they have stopped using marijuana.

What are the long-term effects of Marijuana use?

People who smoke marijuana often have similar or same respiratory problems as cigarette smokers. These individuals may have daily cough and phlegm, symptoms of chronic bronchitis, and more frequent chest colds. They are also at greater risk of getting an infection of the lungs like pneumonia. Marijuana contains some of the same, and sometimes even more, of the cancer-causing chemicals found in cigarette smoke.

Effects of Heavy Marijuana Use on Learning and Social Behavior

Marijuana affects memory, judgment and perception. Learning and concentration skills are impaired among people who use the drug heavily. Longitudinal research on marijuana use among young people below college age indicates those who use marijuana have lower achievement than those who do not; there are also more acceptances of deviant behavior, more delinquent behavior and aggression, greater rebelliousness, worse relationships with parents, and more associations with delinquent and drug-using friends.

Effects on Pregnancy

Any abuse of a drug can affect the health of a mother and some studies have found that infants born to mothers who used marijuana during pregnancy were smaller than those born to mothers who did not use the drug. In general, smaller babies are more likely to develop health problems.

A nursing mother who uses marijuana passes some of the delta-9-tetrahedron to the baby in her breast milk. Research indicates that the use by a mother during the first month of breast-feeding can impair the infants motor development.

Addictive Potential

A drug is addicting if it causes compulsive, uncontrollable drug craving, seeking, and use, even in the face of negative health and social consequences.

While not everyone who uses marijuana becomes addicted, when a user begins to seek out and take the drug compulsively, that person is said to be dependent or addicted to the drug.

Some frequent, heavy users develop a tolerance for marijuana. Tolerance means that the user needs larger doses of the drug to get the same desired results that he or she used to get the first time they used to drug.

Marijuana is a drug that is ruining our lives; we need to change what we are doing and where we are going because marijuana is changing the lives of many people. One thing I have to say is that in the link below I have a program for you that will change you, quit marijuana and any other drug check it out, it was meant for you.

Michael Jones of the Help Me Help You Corporation, always here to help, Michael has been into helping others for about 6 years and he has changed peoples lives with the programs he has to offer, he has jump started the businesses of many people and now he has help to offer to you, why because I am here to help and I am here to help you quit your addiction and take your life back and to get the program Click Here [http://squidoo.com/Drug-Rehab-].

Marijuana - A Dangerous, Addictive Substance

Marijuana is a dreaded term in the world of drug addiction. It happens to be one of 200 names for a substance similar to tobacco, composed of dried leaves, stems, flowers and seeds of the hemp plant. It is a dull colored mixture in various shades of gray, brown and green and is often referred to as weed, pot, grass, herb, hashish and boom. Hashish happens to be the most potent form of marijuana. The substance contains an active chemical called THC or delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol. Irrespective of the form in which it is consumed, it has a strong impact on the way the mind works altering its responses and behavioral mechanism. Marijuana was initially used for medicinal purposes, to heal and numb severe pain, but its addictive powers gripped thousands who tasted it and needed respite from problems. Today, it is banned legally but is smuggled through secret channels and commands exorbitant prices.

Marijuana can be smoked like a cigarette with the powder rolled in special paper, and lit at one end. Its absorption when consumed in this manner is almost instantaneous, reaching the part of the brain controlling emotions like pleasure, concentration, thinking, memory and coordination. Its unification with the nerve cell receptors negatively affects these activities. Consequently, feelings like pain, sorrow, stress, and depression give way to an elated feeling however short lived it may be. This probably explains the reason why people are so easily addicted to it and become obsessed about it. Marijuana becomes an all consuming passion with people thinking about ways and means of procuring it, waiting in animated anticipation about the joy of having it, and are paranoid about not being able to get enough. The need for it is so intense that values, principles and morals are all forgotten just to be able to get marijuana. The most alarming aspect of taking marijuana is that the body begins to crave for the substance, and gradually the body reaches a 'high' after taking increasing quantities of it.

Addiction to marijuana is the toughest thing to shake off. Even alcohol addiction is easy to overcome in comparison. Even though addicts are well aware of the consequences of their addiction, they are unable to give it up no matter how hard they try. They tend to consume more to forget what harm it is doing to their body. The addiction comes with a social stigma attached not just for the addict but also for his whole family, who begin to feel like social outcasts.

Addiction to marijuana has long terms effects like difficulty with remembering, incoherent thought process, inability to concentrate and work consistently. This triggers off related problems like absenteeism, lack of commitment and seriousness towards the job at hand. It is then only natural to find addicts being fired from work or being gracefully asked to resign. Friends and eventually family disown such individuals when matters get worse consistently. He begins to be perceived as a threat to society and he is shunned completely.

Addiction to marijuana is like being afflicted with a disease, and needs proper, organized treatment which is generally a combination of medication and counseling. The counseling sessions often rope in family members and those falling in the addict's immediate circle. Behavioral therapy also reveals encouraging results for addicts and helps them overcome their urge to smoke this substance. He needs support and reassurance at every step and the end result has to keep him motivated to give up this habit. He needs to think of all that he will gain in the long term, if he gives up on the feeling of bliss and ecstasy that is purely transient after smoking this substance that most believe to be worse than poison.

Medical Marijuana Workers in California Join Union Local

In what cannabis fans were calling a high-water mark for their movement to legitimize the drug, about 100 employees of medical marijuana-related businesses in Oakland were welcomed to the ranks of unionized workers on Friday after voting to join the United Food and Commercial Workers, Local 5.

The move — which union officials said was the first time medical marijuana employees had been so represented — was hailed by the local’s leadership, who called their new members ‘great workers.”

“This is a natural for us,” said Ron Lind, the president of Local 5, whose 26,000 other members work primarily in groceries and the meat industry. “Our union’s primary jurisdiction is retail.”

The move was also welcomed by Richard Lee, the founder of Oaksterdam University, the medical marijuana trade school whose Oakland campus employs some 60 newly unionized members in its dispensary, gift shop and nursery. (For plants, not children.) Mr. Lee that said his employees were already offered health benefits and paid vacation, but that the union imprimatur was an important milestone in the battle to bring marijuana more into the mainstream.

“It’s one more step towards ending federal restrictions,” said Mr. Lee, a leading proponent of a November ballot measure which would legalize, regulate and tax the drug in California. Marijuana, legal for medical use in California and more than a dozen other states, is still prohibited by federal law.

Officials in Oakland, which has an unemployment rate of more than 17 percent, also cheered the move — and the movement — as a potential boon for the city.

For the workers themselves, however, their new status as union members was somewhat of a personal triumph.

“Now I can go home to my parents and they can see it’s a good thing and a normal thing,” said Cassie Leone, a tattooed 24-year-old who works at a local marijuana dispensary. It made her feel like a “hardworking human being,” she said. “Which is what I am.”

View the original article here

About Marijuana

Weed, pot, Mary Jane, herb, dope, grass. Marijuana goes by many names, but no matter what you call it, it remains the number one illegal recreational drug in the United States. Though some states have laws permitting the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes, possession and distribution of the drug is still largely considered a misdemeanor. Yet, regardless of whether or not any drug is legal, abuse is still possible and always very harmful. Despite arguments for and against its use, marijuana users may not be immune to addiction.

A by-product of the Cannabis sativa plant, marijuana has been used by various cultures for centuries for medicinal and spiritual uses. The ancient Aryan Indians used a form of cannabis in tribal rituals, and the drug has been known to treat discomfort from headaches, glaucoma, and nausea resulting from chemotherapy. Marijuana also has a strong association to pop culture. It is not uncommon for people to pass around a joint during a rock concert, while recent films like "Half Baked" and "Harold and Kumar" have helped bring marijuana use into the mainstream.

It is the active ingredient tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, in marijuana that effects the immune system during intake. THC may promote a prolonged feeling of relaxation and/or disorientation in users, that "stoned" feeling that encourages sleepiness and increases the appetite (also known as "getting the munchies"). Enjoying such a euphoria may encourage some to continue using the drug on a regular basis.

A number of negative side effects, including loss of memory and increasing paranoia, are thought to be attributed to overuse of the drug. Like ordinary tobacco, regular use of marijuana may also increase the risk for lung cancer and other related illnesses. It is also argued that marijuana is a "gateway" drug, leading users to try harder stimulants and narcotics once the body has become accustomed to THC's numbing effects, yearning for a stronger high.

Signs that a person may be abusing marijuana might include:

Sudden mood changes, depression and listlessness

Redness in the eyes

Problems with concentration, short-term memory loss

Change in appearance

Marijuana has a distinct odor that lingers in clothes and hair when smoked



Users of marijuana, whether for medicinal or recreational use, should be made aware of the risks of addiction and possible health damage. Parents who suspect their young children of abusing the drug look for the signs and consult professional help as soon as possible.

Stephanie Loebs is the executive director of Williamsburg Place, one of the top drug rehab clinics in the nation. Williamsburg Place aids those who suffer from drug and/or alcohol addiction, and specializes in caring for health care professionals. For over twenty years Williamsburg Place and its joint rehabilitation center, the William J. Farley Center, have helped thousands of people from all walks of life take back their lives and overcome substance abuse.

Quitting Marijuana - Why Should You Stop & How?

There are so many people addicted to the so-called grass or marijuana. There are so many people who thought that using marijuana can give them comfort in their lives. They thought that they'll be happy, relaxed and fulfilled. But it is too late for them to realize that using marijuana can only bring them harm, not good. Therefore, if you are a user, it is never too late for you to stop using it. It may NOT be easy to quit smoking pot but it is not impossible.

Studies show that adolescents as young as 12 start to smoke marijuana. Many give it a try at this age because of curiosity. Others reasoned that they just want to belong to their friends and so they decided to try the puff. However, regardless of what reason it may be it does not justify the use of marijuana. Remember, scientific study showed that addiction to this weed is fatal since it can cause lung cancer and other deadly diseases.

Smoking cigarettes affects a body of a person. It can make the person physically unhealthy. On the other hand, smoking marijuana affects a person's body in that it can make a person very sick. Marijuana does not only affect the body but also the person's minds. An addict may lose memory, emotional sensitivity and even lose self-esteem. Smoking pot is deadlier since it deposits three times as much tar in a person's lungs compared to cigarettes. So, if you want a healthy body and a healthy mind, then stop smoking marijuana.

Once you decide to stop your marijuana addiction, the next question is "How to do it"? It is not easy to stop smoking pot. There are so many things that you must do. First, set your mind not to use it. Avoid and remove all those things that relate to marijuana. If you have that inside or outside your house, then throw it away. There are also types of music that relates to marijuana, so better get rid of them. Choose your friends and avoid those who will influence you in the usage of marijuana. Engage in healthful and educational activities. So, never watch those shows which only promote using drugs like marijuana. Good mindset and determination will play a vital role so that you can eventually reach your objective of quitting marijuana. You should have a good action plan and be determined to stick to this plan. Reach out to good friends and be humble enough to accept help. You should ask for the support of your family and friends and reveal to them your aim to stop the addiction. This is not an easy process. There may be times along the way that you still find yourself smoking the weed, but eventually you will have a good momentum of not even touching a marijuana weed. Just be determined and continue the hardwork. Gather all the positive factors so that you can live a healthy life inside and out.

Visit the Head Sweating Blog. End Head Sweating today.

Quit Smoking Grass Today - Why Marijuana is Harmful and How You Should Stop It

Are you addicted to weed and grass and you want to quit the habit? Though not an easy task but, it is not impossible. Sometimes it happens that you have a dual mind and one part is ready to quit and the other does not. The decision needs to be taken by you and only you will have to take the final call.

According to a recent survey more than 39% of youths aged between 12 to 17 years have tried the puff at least once out of curiosity. The drug is often called by different names. Sometimes we call it Ganja, some times Mary Jane or grass and few of us call it weed or pot. The thing is one and the same. It is a shredded mixture of dried leaves and flowers of Cannabis Sativa plant which is hand rolled like cigarettes or sometimes used in bongs or pipes. The addiction is deadly in terms of your health because it causes lung cancer.

People often ask the question - is smoking marijuana more harmful or smoking cigarettes?

The answer is simple - Both have equally hazardous effects. The only difference is that they affect different parts and functions of a normal body. Cigarette smoking causes lung cancer, addiction of nicotine, deposition of tar, etc. Weed smoking deposits thrice as much tar on the lungs as a cigarette, causes several short term side effects which can translate to long term effects such as memory loss, insensitiveness, etc.

These are some of things that you can do to stop smoking pot effectively. Other than these, you can always think up of new ideas in case you fall short. In many cases, smokers develop specific plans to suit their unique life and needs. For example, a woman who smokes only under depressions watches movies which make her laugh, keeps reading jokes, attends laughter club and never fights with anyone. As a result of this, she has managed to cut back on her smoking almost completely.

If you are determined to quit the habit then I will suggest you few basic tips of quitting grass and weed-

Do not listen to Psychedelic or hard rock music or any music which relates to Marijuana.
Try to avoid the company of friends and colleagues who smoke grass.
Never watch movies or shows something about grass, it may be a good movie but still refrain from watching it.
Try watching educational and news channels. A serious mind is a fruitful mind, an empty one is a devil's workshop.
Throw away any ashtrays around the house. All matches and lighters also go away. Put up no smoking signs all over the place. If you do not smoke, ensure that no one around you smokes.
Throw away all your accessories which can remind you about the pot.

Eventually, you will have to come up with your own tailor made ideas to suit your needs. No two smokers quit in the same way so you will have to think and brainstorm and decide, most importantly, that you have to quit smoking pot and marijuana today.

For more articles and resources as to how you can quit smoking effectively, watch videos and get more ideas, visit: http://healthexercisepro.com

How To Stop Marijuana Addiction Positively

Let's face it, people smoke marijuana because it feels good and often because they think it is not a big problem like other harder drugs. Humans are creatures of pleasure and if it did not feel good we would not do it. However there comes a time when the no matter how good it feels it seems like we come back to weed out of habit, it has become the norm and ingrained in our lives so tightly that when we think on how to stop marijuana addiction it up feels painful and negative.

As was mentioned however we seek pleasure and we seek activities and moments that feel good and positive. This means that the negative aspects of quitting something that used to feel so good and are now comfortable and a part of our lives can seriously hamper your attempts to give up on the drug. There feels like there is no reward and only pain when giving up an addiction and a psychological addiction like pot is driven by the reward of the high. So to really be able to quit smoking marijuana you must find a way to be positive about the process and stay positive throughout the period no matter what happens!

It may be easy to start being positive and it is a good first step. You must first realize what benefits quitting will have from better health, more time, more money to spend and the feeling that you control your own life instead of it being dominated by a substance. The boost in self esteem you will get by quitting can be amazing and all the other benefits can seem obvious and this is what drives many to start on the path to being free of the drugs.

It is only later it can really get hard to remain focused as you feel unrewarded and are dying to get high again. While it may sound trite to say remain positive it must be said but here are some tips to help you stay up and remain on track.

Write down positive notes

Remember all those good things you thought would be yours after you were clean? By now they might be a bit dimmed but it does not mean they are not real achievable targets. Write down all the positive things that will come at the end of your journey and keep them in sight somewhere you will continually view them. While you are at it write down every positive thing that happens because you are not smoking.


Build on your success

Focus on your victories and successes rather than any failures of weaknesses you may have during this period. While it will not change reality like some proponents of positive thinking will have you believe it keeps you from falling into negative thoughts which then lead you to seek short term relief such as drugs. By staying positives however you will avoid this trap and give yourself a better chance at quitting.

Staying positive is the key for how to stop marijuana addiction or any addiction for that matter and will help you in all parts of your life. I hope these tips can help you on your effort to quit.

Did you find this article helpful?
Are you sick of wasting your life in a cloud or marijuana smoke?
Do you want to kick your pot addiction successfully?
If so click here to find out the best way to leave pot addiction behind!
http://www.kick-addiction.com/Quit-Marijuana.html

Quit Smoking Marijuana - What Are Your Options For Recovery?

Smoking marijuana is a growing problem across the world. As the cost continues to come down, more and more people in all walks of life are turning to the "evil weed". If you are fed up of being addicted to "pot", there are many options out there that will help you to try and quit smoking marijuana.

Whilst marijuana is addictive, it is the lesser of the evils when compared to other drugs such as heroine. However, as it is most often mixed with tobacco and smoked, it can be extremely habit forming.

The effects of marijuana vary significantly from person to person. For the lucky few, they actively do not like the drug. For many, it relaxes them and lightens the mood, often resulting in a fit of the "giggles". For some, it transports them to a relaxed place where the responsibilities of life simply ebb away.

What causes people to form a habit can also vary. Whether it is due to peer pressure, boredom, or simply to try something new. For those who form a daily habit, the effects can be disastrous; resulting in apathy, lack of ambition and an eventual lack of respect for the user.

If you are not happy with facing your problems in public, there are many online sources or books available. These are the least effective ways to quit smoking marijuana. Whilst will power and a self determination are required, having a support network is vital.

There are many trained counselors that can help. Available through your doctor, you are able to have one to one or group sessions. Many also incorporate meditation sessions, to help focus the mind on more positive thoughts.

More physical techniques are also very effective. Amongst these is yoga. Working much the same way as meditation, but also helping with breathing, this is a method that enjoys much respect across the world.

Peter Hill is an author and expert on helping people change their habits. He runs an informational website with articles, video's, ebooks and Quit Smoking Marijuana Tips. For all this and more, be sure to check out his web site Quit Smoking Marijuana

Marijuana Addiction Kills Just One More

A male cyclist was run down and killed by an escaped prisoner in a stolen van. The escaped prisoner was smoking marijuana. If this wasn't bad enough, we find out that the poor man was eagerly looking forward to the birth of his second child.

Cobbler Naqibullah Aman, 25, died instantly when he was hit at 60mph by Malachi Adam-Smith, 20, who had been smoking a form of marijuana, called skunk cannabis. He hit several vehicles and almost knocked down a group of children before the fatal crash.

Mr Aman, an Afghan refugee living in Hounslow, London, was cycling home from work when the van ploughed into him from behind. He didn't stand a chance and he was another silent victim of the 'hidden killer', marijuana.

The dead man's family told the Old Bailey Court in London in a statement that he had been due to become a father again.

Adam-Smith, of Islington, London, absconded from police at a mental health facility last April after being arrested for an assault on his girlfriend.

Just a few hours later, he stole the van and began driving while high on marijuana.

The court heard how Adam-Smith, driving whilst smoking marijuana, was responsible for more than a dozen damaged vehicles and narrowly missed children and bus passengers as he mounted the sidewalk at more than 40mph.

He then mowed down Mr Aman.

Despite the fatal collision, Adam-Smith did not stop, dragging the cycle under his van. He collided with two more cars as police gave chase. He eventually got stuck in traffic, but police had to break the vehicles windows as the marijuana induced criminal refused to get out.

Adam-Smith denied murder but admitted manslaughter due to diminished responsibility because of psychosis caused by marijuana.

Judge Steven Kramer QC adjourned sentencing for psychiatric reports but he warned Adam-Smith: "The likelihood is that you will be facing substantial imprisonment."

Yet again a simple smoke of marijuana has ruined the lives of at least two families.

Yet again, peoples lives are completely overshadowed by marijuana. And it is all so unnecessary.

If you smoke marijuana, cannabis, skunk, MJ, pot or whatever you call it - please don't think you are being judged or you are on your own. For advice on how to quit smoking pot, please visit our help site.

Francis Taylor, ex marijuana addict, is creator of the unique How To Stop Smoking Marijuana Program. He has helped thousands of people, young and old to quit marijuana - for good.

For more information on how to quit marijuana, please go to http://www.howtostopsmokingmarijuana.com, e-mail: support@howtostopsmokingmarijuana.com

How to Quit Marijuana - Simple Steps You Can Use to Quit Smoking Marijuana Today

Marijuana is a common drug used extensively in both the Americas and Europe. While widely regulated against by law, it is probably the most commonly used 'illicit drug' in the Western World (Next to underage use of alcohol.)

Many people are more interested in how to get marijuana than how to quit marijuana.

Most people who have experimented with drugs report having used marijuana, as it is considered by many to be a relatively harmless drug, at least when compared to the likes of heroin, crack, speed and LSD.

There are a number of controversies surrounding this naturally occurring psychotropic substance:

Is it addictive, and if so, how addictive is it?

Unlike nicotine, crack, and caffeine, where chemical dependence can be realized with very low exposure to the active chemicals, most drug enforcement and treatment organizations list marijuana in the top ten to twenty lists of addictive substances.

The battle over the addictive properties of marijuana rage on between opponents and proponents of this drug. Most agree that the addiction results from an acquired dependency to the brain chemical changes produced by marijuana rather than a physical dependency to any chemical in the plant itself.

Those arguing against the addictive classification of this drug site that many people have had little trouble quitting, even after years of heavy use.

However, since many who want to give up marijuana use need help to find out out how to quit marijuana, it is clear that, like alcohol, marijuana can lead to dependency in at least some people.

What are the symptoms of marijuana abuse and addiction?

Much like alcohol, marijuana is a recreation drug used for the euphoric high it produces in the user. Users describe a wide range of emotional reactions including:

Peace and a sense of well being.
Confidence.
Relaxation and a release from stress and tension.
Giddiness and happiness.

All well and good, but like any artificially induced emotional state, it comes at a price.

When the effect wears off, there is the resulting crash. While it does not carry the baggage of the alcohol induced hangover, the empty feeling after coming off of marijuana use is one of the reasons many give for wanting to quit.

While under the influence of marijuana, your judgment and reactions are impaired, as well as your ability to make rational decisions.

While it can (and is) argued that occasional marijuana use causes not more harm than social drinking of alcohol, this drug does have significant effects on several centers of the brain controlling speech, memory and cognition. Long term use can produce symptoms including:

Loss of ambition and focus.
Difficulty remembering facts and events clearly.
Emotional issues, including depression.
Anxiety and even paranoia.
Obsession with and obsessive need for the drug.

The point is, people get to the point where they want to give it up. Their life is not what they want it to be, and marijuana use is one of the reasons why. They want to know how to quit marijuana.

Fortunately, since marijuana does not contain any physically addictive compounds like nicotine and caffeine, you don't have to go through the direct physical withdrawal symptoms.

However, the secondary addictive effects are still a difficult hurdle to face.

Once you quit, the centers of your brain that are accustomed to processing the mood changing elements in marijuana can react with chemical changes of their own. These can produce anxiety, obsessive thoughts about marijuana and a strong desire to continue your habit.

This can be difficult, but far from impossible.

Some tips on how to quit marijuana:

First, admit that you have an addiction. This first step is common to all behavioral change programs. People with alcohol, gambling, eating and shopping issues all had to confess, at least to themselves, that they have a problem. Without this first step, the rest of the plan will almost surely fail.
Admit to someone else that you have an addiction. Man has been described as the only rational animal, but it is often more accurate to say he is a 'rationalizing animal'. Our highly adaptive natures which have allowed us to conquer and thrive in hostile and uncooperative environments can also work against us, making us think that what is bad for us is really not so bad.
By sharing your load with someone you trust, you can get regular doses of 'reality checks' that can remind you of why you wanted to quit in the first place.
Change your lifestyle. Recovering alcoholics stop going to bars, gamblers with problems stop going to Vegas, and you will need to avoid the places (and people) associated with marijuana use.
Get some exercise. Not only will it improve your general health, it will it use up time during the day that could otherwise be spent using marijuana. In addition, exercise produces it's own chemical changes in the brain and body which can substitute for those you are missing. It also reduces the stress that contributed to marijuana use in the first place.
Get involved. Keep your mind active. Read, write, take classes, expand your horizons.
Keep a journal. Record your feelings about why you want to quit and what you want to be when you are done. Re-read your entries from time to time to keep up your resolve.
If you have a faith based or spiritual outlook, do not ignore it. Many of the organizations dedicated to changing negative behavior consider the help of a higher power or the spiritual aspect of your being to be essential to ultimate success.

Peter Hill is an expert in helping people change their habits. He runs an informational website that provides tips, audio and stories to help people quit marijuana naturally and easily, without cravings or discomfort. To take advantage of this cool stuff and more make sure to check out Peter's site Quit Marijuana Now at http://www.QuitMarijuanaNow.com

Smoking Marijuana and Using Positive Affirmations

The power of the mind is extraordinary and smoking weed can have significant long term affects to your mind. I believe it is like anything, if you use it too much it has the potential to damage your body, if you can learn to control yourself then you shouldn't have a problem.

If you are like many thousands and thousands of people out there who have a hard time to stop smoking weed (marijuana) then you may have just stumbled across one of the best free methods to give up your cannabis addiction once and for good.

What is an affirmation? An affirmation is a positive statement that is written in present tense and not in the future or in the past. Affirmations have proven to be miraculous and can do wonders for your life. You can use affirmations to reprogram any area of your life that you feel needs improvement and especially marijuana abuse.

By repeating a positive affirmation over and over again we are creating new pathways in our brains which will eventually form to create a new belief system if repeated often enough. Which in turn leads to a cannabis free lifestyle. The advantage in doing this is that even if we do not believe something to be true we can reprogram ourselves to believe what we desire to be true. It's similar to programming your mind or brain washing yourself. This brain washing has already occurred in your life and we can program you with different beliefs in the exact same method as this previous programming made its way into your brain in the first place. Repetition! How do you think weed (marijuana) became part of your life in the first place? Repetition of course.

How can affirmations help the weed smoker then? You smoke because you have created an addiction to cannabis which is a feeling. This feeling can be undone by using affirmations. I encourage you to use affirmations as often as possible and repeat statements to yourself over and over again. Remember, when using affirmations you must only repeat what you desire and not more of what you don't want. So you should say "I am healthy" instead of "I don't smoke marijuana". When you use the word "weed", "cannabis" or "marijuana" in your affirmations, your mind will hear that word "marijuana" and start to attract more of it. So make sure you ONLY use the words that are describing what you desire.

Here are some affirmations you can use to help you give up cannabis;

- I do not smoke. My lungs are strong and healthy. I am able to breathe deeply and fully.

- Taking care of myself physically is important to me. I like keeping myself fit and feeling good.

- I am a non-smoker - and I am proud of myself.

- I have more energy and stamina than ever before. I enjoy life and I'm glad to be here.

- When I see a cigarette or a joint, or even think of one, I automatically hear the words "I do not smoke" - and I don't!

- I really enjoy breathing clean, fresh air, being healthy and being in complete control of my body and my mind.

Remember if you desire to cannabis free, then you can be using affirmations! Stop your chronic marijuana habit today and try it out. Repeat the affirmations above every morning and night for a minimum of 30 days. I guarantee you will no longer desire marijuana.

I wish you great success and a happy cannabis free lifestyle.

The Cannabis Coach provides an interactive complete marijuana stop-smoking system to guide you through your mental and physical cravings from your quit date on to smoke-free status. Get your life back on track and start saving money! http://www.cannabiscoach.com

How to Stop Smoking Pot - Marijuana & the Brain

When you embark on your search to learn how to stop smoking pot one of the things that you must be keen to understand is how marijuana affects the brain and how this in turn affects your addiction and your choices surrounding smoking and quitting.

Marijuana has a chemical component called THC which most pot smokers know of. It is this chemical that causes the feelings of a high that can mellow you out and can also cause paranoia and panic in some users also. It is the chemical that you are etste3d for in a drug test also. THC in marijuana however is NOT addictive like nicotine from cigarettes are or others chemicals from harder drugs.

So how do people become addicted to a non-addictive substance then?

When we do any activity that causes a high of some sorts we stimulate the reward center of our brain which controls what we believe is rewarding and fulfilling. Over a long period of time smoking marijuana often we become wired to treat marijuana as a needed 'reward' so when you feel down it will be the first thing you think of to get you out of a funk. It also becomes habitual just as other rewarding acts become in people's lives.

So what happens when you try to quit smoking Pot?

Without this reward you will feel something is missing and you get a mental if not a physical craving for marijuana; you want it but you do not NEED it. This does not mean you are weak willed but it can often be confusing when you consciously know pot is not good for you anymore but you feel that without it you might be even worse off.

To this effect you must 'rewire' your brain to realize that you can be rewarded and fulfilled through other things. Exercise, hobbies, social interaction and many other things can replace this nagging voice that keeps telling you to smoke pot. This is a major part in plotting out your plan to stop smoking weed.

For more information on How to Stop Smoking Pot click below for a review of a guide by an ex-addict who knows what you are going through and exactly how to beat it.

Cannabis Coach Review

Marijuana - Parents, Be Afraid - What You Need to Know

A lot of us may have smoked a little pot in years past and never had much of a problem with it. We don't want to see our kids using any type of drug, but if it was only marijuana, at least internally, we'd be relieved.

After all, what's the harm?

Unfortunately, time marches on, and since we used marijuana as kids, the bud has changed somewhat. Marijuana is as much as ten times stronger than it was in decades past, and with increased strength comes increased addiction, social problems and mental and physical harms. The marijuana of 20 years ago bears little resemblance to what's circulating in schoolyards today, and once you get into today's marijuana can have a lot of trouble getting out.

There are currently more teens in drug programs in America for marijuana addiction than for any other form of drug.

The Harms

Addiction

Marijuana is now addictive, has a syndrome of detox, and an awful lot of people who might otherwise like to stop or at least cut back their consumption find that they can't

The detox symptoms of marijuana withdrawal include insomnia, headaches, irritability, nausea, lethargy and a lack of appetite, and they are combined with some pretty serious cravings to use. It's not a heroin detox, but it's pretty tough, pretty uncomfortable, and the cravings are enough to stop most who try on their own before they make it out of the first week.

Cognitive declines

Marijuana makes you dumb; not forever, but for about 24 hours after you smoke you show significant declines in concentration performance, verbal and mathematical reasoning and in general memory abilities.

Obviously for kids whose main job is the learning they'll need for a successful future, anything that lowers their mental performance significantly is pretty problematic. Especially so as since marijuana is so addictive many people who begin as occasional users become daily smokers, and essentially exist perpetually under the negative influence of their abuse.

A lack of initiative

It's sad but true, while you're high, your main ambition in life seems to be to sit on the couch, eating snacks and playing video games. Not exactly the path to success in life.

Psychiatric conditions

The more kids smoke and the earlier they start, the greater the probability that they will experience depression or even psychosis later in life. Marijuana is not what it was, and the long term influence of today's powerfully psychotropic marijuana can be profound, and tragic.

Cancer

While it's not something that living in the present teens think about too much, marijuana smoke is carcinogenic, and smoking marijuana exposes you to a lot of the same health risks as does smoking cigarettes.

Take it seriously

Marijuana is not meth, and it's true that your kids could be doing far more dangerous things than smoking a joint; but marijuana is harmful, it can derail otherwise promising futures, it does carry some pretty significant health risks and you need to take it seriously.

Marijuana is not what it was.

Keep your kids safe from marijuana:

http://www.choosehelp.com/addiction-treatment/marijuana-addiction-treatment

Or read the daily blog entry at http://www.troubleblog.com/category/god/

The Secrets of Quitting Marijuana: Even If Everyone Around You Is Still Smoking

Many people reach a point in life where its time to quit smoking cannabis. One of the most common challenges for people today is quitting pot while they still have friends or family who continue to smoke around them. From breaking the cycle, to acknowledging that only you can do this, talking with the people in your life, laying down ground rules and spending time with your friends and not smoking. This article will discuss the basics of quitting marijuana naturally and easily while still being around all your friends who still smoke.

The best way to be successful at quitting weed is to break the habits of taking breaks to smoke with friends. The challenge with this is that people experience a withdrawal from their friends and marijuana buddies. So if you are going to quit, you will have to take time to remove yourself from the places where cannabis is smoked. Just remember that just because you have made the decision to quit pot doesn't mean that you have to stop seeing your friends for good. It just means that you will have to do some things that will change the relationship dynamics.

The first step will be in realizing that nobody cares about whether you quit marijuana now or not expect for you. You will be alone in your journey to quit, and the solitude may be tough at first but will easier with practice. The reason alcoholics and weed smokers stick together is so that nobody quits. Become a leader for yourself and others and take control of your life. Otherwise you will be a follower and it will be your friends who shape your destiny.

The way to take control is to talk to the cannabis smokers in your life and discuss your decision. You want to make your friends commit to helping you, you want them to know that quitting marijuana is very important to you and that you want them to promise that they help you quit. You should also mention to them that you do not expect them to quit just because of you, but that you do expect them to put the pressure on you to stick with your plan. Quitting will always be a personal decision, and no one can do it for you. This is first most important step.

Next you need to lay down some ground rules with all the people in your life regarding this issue. Make it very clear and simple that you are counting on them to cooperate and help you quit. Tell them where they can smoke when they want to but be sure to have something that you can have to distract your own attention. Even something as simple as making a phone call, or playing a video game instead of smoking will work wonders.

The reason you will need something to distract your self is that most friendships will naturally involve being together and smoke marijuana together. Get used to going out to the bars, or to parties and not smoking cannabis. Each time you go out, and hang out with your friends without smoking you will reinforce that behavior until it is automatic. This way you will naturally quit without any stress, strain or confusion.

It is definitely a great thing when you have quit smoking marijuana for good, and still have all your old friends be supportive of you. If you can just remember to continually break your old pattern of smoking, take responsibility and become a leader, tell people about your decision to quit and lay down your ground rules, accustom yourself to going out with and spending time with your friends. This way you can quit pot even while everyone else still smokes, and keep your friends that you care about while settings a great example of self control.

Peter Hill is a human resources specialist and an expert in helping people change their habits. He runs an informational website that provides tips, audio and stories to help people quit marijuana naturally and easily, without cravings or discomfort. To take advantage of this cool stuff and more make sure to check out Peter's site at http://www.QuitMarijuanaNow.com

Quit Marijuana With The Ultimate Success Formula

There are many ways to go about changing the way you live your life and making the adjustment to quit marijuana. One method of personal transformation that has been exceptional well received by the personal development community is a simple system known as the ultimate success formula. From making a clear decision about exactly what you want, taking massive action towards your chosen goal of quitting marijuana, noticing if you have been effective or not, and changing your approach as needed to eventually and predictably obtain what you want. This article will introduce to ultimate success formula within the context of quitting pot for good.

How Do You Want Things To Be Once You Have Successfully Quit Marijuana

One of the most critical moments for someone who wishes to quit cannabis is deciding exactly what they want for themselves. Being clear about your goal, and having a specific outcome is so important. Do you want to quit marijuana completely or have the self control to only smoke with friends. Do you want to be able to feel comfortable with people smoking weed around you or do you want to remove it from your life completely. When you make your decision, write it down in a clear simple statement of purpose. Clearly the first step is knowing what you want, the next step is making things the way you want them.

Take Action And Do Everything In Your Power

There are a series of steps you will begin to take as you follow your plan to quit pot and they are always specific to each person. The best way to get started is by making a list of all the things you will do, and beginning at once (whether you are entirely ready or not) to carry out the actions you have written down. For many people it starts with throwing out all the marijuana paraphernalia, throwing out lighters, ash treys and getting rid of your stash. Another thing that might be included on the list would be calling up your friends you smoke pot with and telling them that you are making the decision to quit. Many people also find it helpful to commit to a number of people they are close with and agree to pay them a $20 bill if you turn back on your plan. Since you don't want to be paying someone just so they can tell you your an idiot, there is a high probability that you will follow through in the end. But even after taking massive action towards the goal of quitting pot, many people worry about not being successful.

Notice What Is And Isn't Working

Often times people plan to quit marijuana only to find that there are obstacles in the way. As you go about your daily routine it isn't uncommon to find that certain people or things will trigger the desire to smoke pot. The best way to be ultimately successful is to notice how you are responding to things once you have quit and take inventory of what is working and what isn't. Often times people find that throwing away all of their cannabis related items helps them quit at home, but find that when out with friends they still crave a joint. You may find that you want to write down what is working and what is not working. This way you can proceed to change your approach.

Change Your Approach

Part of effectively using the ultimate success formula is being able to notice what isn't working and changing your approach in order to respond to the feedback you are getting. For example if you find that you are spending time with people you ordinarily wouldn't spend time with just to get high again, then you can be sure that changing who you spend time with is a decision you need to make. For other people it may be that they stay off weed for some time only to smoke when they are drunk at a party. Whatever the situation that brings about a relapse, be sure that you just need to change your approach and move on. It may even seem completely obvious, but it is a necessary step in order to be successful.

Since 80% of quitting marijuana is simply a psychological challenge, use your intelligent brain to overcome your old habits. Become crystal clear about what you want and how you want to be when you quit pot, take massive action towards your goal, notice what isn't working and change your approach until you are free. Once you have successfully used the formula to quit weed, you can use it for anything else. Use it with my blessing. The sky is the limit.

Peter Hill is a human resources specialist and an expert in helping people change their habits. He runs an informational website that provides tips, audio and stories to help people quit marijuana naturally and easily, without cravings or discomfort. To take advantage of this cool stuff and more make sure to check out Peter's site at http://www.QuitMarijuanaNow.com

Marijuana Drug Slang Every Parent Should Know

As a parent, one of the most difficult aspects of raising a teenager is to help your child fight the urge use alcohol and drugs. Educating yourself regarding the drug slang of marijuana, the most widely abused illicit substance, is an essential step in determining if your teen is smoking the drug and then begin home drug testing to stop the problem before it develops into a habit. Each new generation of young people develop new slang terms for the multitude of drugs that they have access to and it is important to stay on the top of the ever changing terminology.

The Most Commonly Used Marijuana Slang

Marijuana itself is known by many different names depending upon the region of the country, potency of the marijuana, color and other subtle differences in the plant which acts a secret code to determine what a user is offering or purchasing. The slang terms include "pot," "weed," "herb," "bud," "chronic," "ganja," "hash," "trees," and "dank." A bag of marijuana is referred to as a "sack" or "bag" and will often times be described and called upon based upon the weight of the marijuana like "quad" or "eighth" (which means a quarter of an ounce and an eighth, respectively). The utensils and tools used to smoke marijuana have their own abundance of slang terms including "bong," "pipe," "piece," "blunt," and "joint." Learning the various definitions and meanings of the slang terms for marijuana will empower you as a parent to take preemptive steps in order to prevent marijuana usage in your own home.

Coded and Subtle Differences

The common slang terms of weed and pot are interchangeable when referring to any marijuana in general but certain coded vernacular refers specifically to the potency of the drug. The word "chronic" is known throughout the drug circles as the term for the strongest, most powerful strains of marijuana. Grown indoors or hydroponically, "chronic" maximizes THC content producing super potent pot. On the other end of the spectrum, the slang word "schwag" or "brick" is generally used to describe inexpensive, low quality marijuana which is usually grown outdoors in bulk fields under inferior conditions. The slang "brick" refers to the packaging and pressing method used by many drug cartels to literally smash together and form bricks of the marijuana. Understanding the subtle differences between these marijuana drug slang terms can help you as a parent gain a stronger understanding of which type of pot and how much of it your child may be using.

Terminology of Smoking Utensils

A teenager who has been using and ultimately abusing marijuana will inevitably begin experimentation with the plethora of different tools which can be used to smoke the drug and understanding the different slang terms can help you determine how your child is ingesting the pot. The most commonly used item to smoke marijuana is a simple metal or glass pipe through which the substance is smoked through and inhaled. General slang for pipes include "bubbler," "piece," "hammer," "one hitter," and "tools." More advanced or adventurous smokers use a water pipe, universally referred to as a "bong." Simple hand rolled marijuana cigarettes are called "joints" (often rolled using a common cigarette paper called "zig zags") while a marijuana cigar is known as a "blunt" and is often filled with super potent "chronic."

Dealing and Distribution Slang

Unfortunately, marijuana abuse can lead many teenagers to sell the drug in order to support their habit. There are important slang terms solely related to dealing and distributing the pot. In order to weigh and break up the marijuana, a person needs a scale. The three most commonly used scales are called "hand scales" for the simplicity and ease of use when in someone's hand, a "digi" because it is a digital scale, and a "tri-beam" which refers to a triple beam balance (think like a high school chemistry set). The price and bag sizes of marijuana are based upon the weight, so pay close attention for slang terms like "eighth," "zip (ounce)" or "QP" (quarter pound).

By combining your knowledge of the slang terms for marijuana, the tools used to smoke the drug, the terms used in its distribution, and simple home drug testing kits you can be assured as a parent that you are doing everything possible to keep your family drug free.

Frank Shepard is an institutional leader on home drug tests and a valuable source of information about marijuana drug testing.