In 2006, Congress passed the Higher Education Reconciliation Act of 2005 ("HERA"), which limited application of the federal financial aid penalty to students who were receiving aid at the time of the commission of the "offense."

A student who is enrolled on the date of the offense and receiving federal financial aid for that period of enrollment becomes ineligible to receive aid for one year on a first offense, two years for a second offense, and indefinitely for a third.  20 U.S.C. sec. 1091(r) .

You can learn more about ongoing efforts to repeal this law altogether here .

I’m looking forward to participating in tonight’s 43rd District Democrats forum on marijuana policy with Senator Jeanne Kohl-Wells, Justice Richard Sanders, and Jeffrey Steinborn—University Heights Community Center at 7:30 p.m.

We still have a lot to learn about marijuana...

Yes I just did, thank you for pointing that out! c: "...strike a blow for freedom and justice" I like that, it's definitely an inspiring article.

I plan to sit on my ass and play video games. Ah the simpler things. :P

I'll probably get out to Greenwood Memorial Park in Renton with my boyfriend to pay respects to Jimi. I know a quite a few people do the same.

If the weather were nice I'd love to sit up on my roof and stare at the city.

Excellent question. The unscientific answer is, a bundle. I don't have time to do the math, sorry. You'd have to take Alison's arrest figures for the state of Washington, calculate the number of arrestees who went to jail (vs. being handed a ticket), were charged, went to court, were convicted, went to jail or prison. Figure out how much time is involved at each step, total up patrol officer, detective, prosecutor, (possibly) public defender, judge and other court officers, correctional officials' investment in the process, add in at least a portion of the jail and prison costs necessary to build and maintain cells for high-end marijuana inmates... Even a simple infraction or misdemeanor ticket entails significant costs. Time to write it, seize and impound the evidence, process it through the system. It would make a terrific dissertation topic...

Of course, coarse generalizations of costs may be inferred. But not off the top of my overtaxed head. Anyone else out there? Sponsors of the initiative? If not, it's not a bad time to put a band of (volunteer) number-crunchers to work. Money talks (you can quote me).

There's evidence it might:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/25/AR2006052501729.html

Something about killing aging cells, and the healing properties of cannabinoids. In any event, research has demonstrated the huge safety edge pot smokers have over tobacco users and heavy drinkers.

I don't know.

History: Rep. Mark Souder (R-IN) succeeded in getting legislation passed in '98, signed into law by President Clinton in October of that year, that denied federal student financial aid for the possession of drugs. Period. Heroin or marijuana? Didn't matter. A pound of grass or a handful of stems and seeds? Didn't matter.

As I recall, there was a relaxation of the law which permitted those convicted of minor pot possession to continue receiving financial aid if they underwent a "drug rehab" program of some kind.

And, I know there's been an effort to chip away further at the draconian, anti-civil liberties law. But I'm just not up to speed.

Any others out there who can weigh in, get us all up to date?

Time will tell whether it turns into another Smokeout on Teletubby Hill, but Sensible Washington have planned an I-1068 signing event at Cal Anderson Park on Capitol Hill from 4:20 - 6:00 p.m. Dominic Holden is scheduled to moderate a panel discussion hosted by the 43rd District Democrats at 7:30 p.m., so presumably he won't be at the park getting arrested again by SPD officers who either 1) don't understand what "lowest law enforcement priority" means or 2) think there are no jaywalkers or unlicensed pets in the area.

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.......No.

For more information about dealing with police encounters in general, look to the Flex Your Rights Foundation, including their movies "BUSTED: The Citizen's Guide to Surviving Police Encounters" and "10 Rules for Dealing with Police".

I've been away from the department for over 10 years, so bear with me. Three years into my retirement (2003) 58 percent of city voters made simple adult possession of marijuana the police department's (and the City Attorney's) lowest enforcement priority. Truth be told, such cases were never much of a priority but this made it official, and it has made a positive difference (even fewer arrests, fewer prosecutions, fewer criminal records).

If you're in the city of Seattle, in possession of 40 grams or less, theoretically you'd fall under the "lowest priority" law. Keep in mind, however, that low priority does not mean no priority. Technically, you're at risk carrying any amount of cannabis on your person.

How much is a serious offense? The initiative's language called for any amount of marijuana "intended for personal use." However, the possession of 41 grams could bump you up to the King County Prosecutor's Office, and a felony charge.

To end on an encouraging note, new City Attorney Pete Holmes is living up to his campaign promise not to prosecute simple possession cases at all, barring "out-of-the-ordinary circumstances."

From what I have heard, Marijuana Potency by Starks is the definitive work on the subject. It is available at Barnes and Noble, as well as Amazon. Also the late Dr. Todd Mikuriya has written a book on the medical uses of cannabis.

You are correct, prohibition does tend to increase potency. The prohibition of coca leaves led to an increase in the amount of cocaine produced, because it is easier to transport and sells for a higher price.
Cocaine prohibition led to crack cocaine. Draconian penalties for crack led to artificial uppers such as meth. And so on.

With cannabis, this increase in potency would not be harmful, except that preferences for type of high seemed to have shifted toward CBD/CBN as opposed to THC. This is partly because Indica is a heavy producer and takes less time to flower; and partly because the general dumning-down of American culture tends to favor an alcohol-type high (CBD/CBN) instead of the more cerebral THC.

11am at volunteer park there is a march. Then from 2-4:20 there is another march that starts at Westlake I believe.

You didn't mention whether your doctor had issued you an authorization to engage in the medical use of cannabis.  If not, requesting that should be the first thing you do.

Your doctor's advice not to smoke is sound: vaporization is better for the lungs, especially if you are a regular user.

If you are questioned by law enforcement, the following four rules apply, regardless of the basis for the questioning:

1. Be polite.

2. Don't admit OR DENY anything. Exercise your constitutional right not to answer questions. Anything that is not exercised atrophies.

3. Politely ask whether you are under arrest. If you are not under arrest, let the officer know that you would like to be on your way, and then be on your way.

4. If you are arrested, request your right to talk to a lawyer, and otherwise exercise your right to remain silent.

One caveat: the Washington State Medical Use of Marijuana Act requires, if you want to be able to raise the medical marijuana defense at trial, that you present your authorization and identification to any law enforcement officer who inquires about your medical use of marijuana. So, if you are a qualifying patient, present your ID and paperwork when asked.

With respect to non-medical use of cannabis, I can't provide better advice than Jeff Steinborn.

There is quite a bit of "bench" research going on in the U.S. and a few clinical studies in Europe where various combinations of the two primary cannabinoids in Cannabis (standardized in whole plant extracts) are being performed. We learn some about specific mechanisms of action by separating the compounds and doing cell culture or even in vivo experiments, but there is obviously quite a lot of synergy going on between all of the 60-80 Cannabinoids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds etc. . . ! Scientists have not perfected experiments on plant synergy, we are so used to reductionistic science, but there appears to be the largest uncontrolled trial in history occurring with humans using Cannabis for a variety of conditions, and no one knows the ratios of the most active compounds. CBD attenuates the psychotropic effects of THC (perhaps explaining why some patients did not 'like' Marinol), and is also anti-inflammatory, although not through the classic Cannabinoid receptors that are commonly studied. But you are right. . . it would be great to know more, and it is unfortunate that Cannabis has mostly been exploited and bred for high THC content. THC does have a primary role, no doubt (in anesthesia, analgesia) yet the plant's own wisdom is probably the best rule!

Michelle Sexton ND
Senior Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Washington
Cannabis researcher

The "research" at the link was not particularly helpful
in answering this or any other question.

Cannabis has been around for thousands of years,
and there is much research over the centuries.
In my opinion, the book "Marijuana Potency"
by Starks covers these topics thoroughly.

Sativa tends to have more THC, and is uplifting.
Indica tends to have more CBD and CBN, and has more
of an alcohol-type effect.

Studying for a Math midterm and finishing a Computer Programming assignment.

Also - drinking green tea throughout the day.

Off the top of my head, I'm not aware of any studies that answer your questions, but I can suggest you check out Erowid, www.erowid.org. I have consistently found them to be a good source of consumer-focused information.

On April 1, the Washington State Supreme Court accepted review in the Roe v. TeleTech case mentioned by the Cannabis Defense Coalition. The ACLU of Washington submitted an amicus memorandum in support of Jane Roe's petition for review. We argued that when job performance has not been impaired, and the position does not implicate public safety, terminating a qualifying patient solely on the grounds of his or her medical use of marijuana constitutes an impermissible insertion of the employer into the doctor-patient relationship in contravention of clear public policy favoring medical self-determination.

Oral argument should be scheduled in the Fall/Winter term.

Beyond my reach, but thanks for the link. Interesting findings.

Frozen pot's cells are disrupted; this and the moisture condensing on it from the air can readily engender mould.

Hashish, hash-oil, and alcoholic tinctures can be frozen safely.

Unlike wine or beer, pot consumption usually involves
smoke. So with tobacco and cannabis, I recommend not
smoking in the same room as children. You may smoke
outside if there were a breeze, to avoid second-hand
smoke.

Children should not consume any drug, whether
alcohol, tobacco, or pot.

Freezing is for long-term storage.

I don't recommend microwave for any food product.
The molecules are ripped apart and overheated.

The last week, use a 10K PSMH for the extra UV-B.
Run 20 hours/day for the last week. The extra blue
and extra hours do not persist long enough to revert
the plant back into vegetative growth. This will
enhance flavinoid and phenolic compounds.

The best curing takes time, like curing tobacco leaves.
The drying can start the last few days or so depending
on water-retention of the growing medium. Simply stop
watering for a short while.

Then pull or cut the main stalk and hang the plant
upside-down in a dry, well-ventilated, dark place.
When the stems snap but do not break, clip the
branches and place in a glass jar, checking daily.
When the inner moisture makes the branch pliable,
leave the jar open to air until dry again. Repeat
this process as necessary.

The end result will be the highest quality.

Gardenweb.com has a blog "growing under lights".
Just type in "LED" with their search engine.
Generally, the only people who like LED are those
who have made their own and they are comparing
with conventional lighting.

There are other alternatives to conventional lighting.

ceramic metal halide (CMH) also called
"high pressure metal halide". These are available
in lower wattages such as 150w. The spectrum is
more full than LED and much more light total is
produced. Be sure to get a good 98% reflector.

LED is very expensive, covers a small area,
and the low intensity results in slow growth.

You may call me for more detailed info.
206 547 2202
Kevin

I have to disagree with my friends at the Cannabis Defense Coalition on this one. If you're asking what the law explicitly allows, it is not clear at all that 5 patients can grow together in one location - and even less clear that one person can be the primary gardener for a 5-patient garden . The problem you face is the legal concept of "constructive possession."

The Washington State Medical Use of Marijuana Act says that a qualifying patient, or his or her designated provider, can possess "no more marijuana than is necessary for the patient's personal, medical use, not exceeding the amount necessary for a sixty-day supply." RCW 69.51A.040(3)(b) . Possession can be actual or constructive.

"Actual possession exists where goods are in the personal custody of the person charged with possession. Constructive possession exists where a person not in actual possession still has dominion and control over the object or place whether the object was found . ... Dominion and control need not be exclusive and can be established by circumstantial evidence. ... To determine whether a defendant was in constructive possession of an object, we look to the totality of the circumstances. ... One aspect of dominion and control is that the defendant may reduce the object to actual possession immediately . ... While proximity alone is not sufficient to establish constructive possession, proximity coupled with other circumstances from which the trier of fact can infer dominion and control is sufficient to show constructive possession." State v. Chavez , 138 Wn. App. 29, 34-35, 156 P.3d 246 (2007) (citations omitted).

In the context of a collective or cooperative garden, it is likely that patients, their providers, the property owner, and certainly a designated gardener will be in constructive possession of more than one patient's plants at some point in time.

On January 13, 2010, the Seattle Police Department issued Directive 10-001, which accommodates two patient supplies in one location, acknowledging that a patient may also serve as a designated provider to one other patient.  Under those circumstances, if identification and authorization for both patients is presented, SPD officers will leave 48 ounces of usable cannabis and up to 30 plants - double the presumptive 60-day supply definition adopted by the Department of Health and codified at WAC 246-75-010 .

Bottom line:   yes, patients can grow together as a practical matter - and it's clear that some are doing this in Seattle.  But I think it's questionable whether "patients have a [legally-defensible] right to grow pot together" as CDC suggests.   CDC is right on the money, though, when they describe the considerations that should inform your decision whether to embark on this path.

Alison's response is a good legal analysis of the situation. From a practical standpoint, I think your greatest concern is the pot laws of the state you're flying into. There is generally not reciprocity in state medical marijuana laws, meaning that if an Oregon patient is busted in Washington, they are just as screwed as if they had no medical marijuana recommendation at all, and vice versa.

The Transportation Security Administration is pretty much okay with medical cannabis. We recommend carrying one's medical cannabis in a plastic prescription bottles (despite plastic being a horrible storage vessel for pot), sealed up well.

Like any other advice we give, it's important to know that, as a medical marijuana patient in this state, you can be fucked by a law enforcement official at any time for any reason, so you are taking a pretty serious risk.

Nonetheless, I have been on flights with patients who have carried cannabis and paraphernalia on the plane, who have been questioned discretely by TSA, and who have been allowed access to their terminal with said contraband. I know other patients who have flown with pot as well.

If a medical pot airport scenario plays out in another state, you are in trouble. If you are a Washington patient and have trouble at a Washington airport, feel free to contact the CDC to see if our membership is willing to activate around your case. (In either case, you'll want to contact a good lawyer first.)

Short answer: personal preference. The advantage of storing your cannabis in the freezer is that it will retain more moisture over time. In theory, this could mean that you can keep bud for longer and have it taste and smoke better.

In reality, unless you're storing your pot for months on end, I recommend ditching the freezer method.

Store your cannabis in glass jars. Mason jars work well, or if you need to store large quantities, most department stores have ridiculously large glass jars, some with screw top lids, some with all-glass "cookie jar" tops.

Keep the glass jars in a cool, dry place. Open them every few days to make sure the moisture content doesn't get out of control. Cannabis stored in this manner is "curing," basking in it's juices as it dries slowly. Every time the jar is opened one should get an olfactory reminder of this, as the odiferous, humid air vents out.

As with any personal preference recommendations, take this with a grain of salt. If you really want to know, run a test. Divide your stash in half. Store half in the freezer, and half outside the freezer in glass. Check them over time and see whether, in your testing, one method cures cannabis more to your liking.

Currently, yes. Patients have no protections whatsoever in Washington State. They only get to tell a jury they had a reason to violate the law, and hope that jury determines they followed the letter of the law, as well as the various (misguided, conflicting) court rulings throughout the state that place additional, non-codified requirements on patients.

I expect the ACLU can speak to this more effectively. They have taken on the case of Roe v. Teletech where a woman's pre-employment drug test came back positive for THC and she was fired from her telemarketing job.