Featured Image: First reconstruction of Neanderthal man, 1888. CREDIT: Hermann Schaaffhausen. Ther Neanderthaler Fund». Publisher: Marcus, Bonn SOURCE: Wikipedia (Public Domain).
Feb. 4, 2013 — The theory that the last Neanderthals — Homo neanderthalensis — persisted in southern Iberia at the same time that modern humans –Homo sapiens– advanced in the northern part of the peninsula, has been widely accepted by the scientific community during the last twenty years. An international study, in which researchers of the Spanish National Distance Education University (UNED) participate, questions this hypothesis. . . . Read Complete Report
10) MARIJUANA USE HAS NO EFFECT ON MORTALITY: A massive study of California HMO members funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) found marijuana use caused no significant increase in mortality. Tobacco use was associated with increased risk of death. Sidney, S et al. Marijuana Use and Mortality. American Journal of Public Health. Vol. 87 No. 4, April 1997. p. 585-590. Sept. 2002. . . . Complete List
Photo: Blackberry medical cannabis SOURCE: Wikimedia/Mjpression.jpg
TUESDAY, JAN 8, 2013 11:12 AM EST
Aaron Sandusky’s case shows what can happen when federal law opposes state marijuana legislation
A federal court Monday sentenced a California man to 10 years in prison for doing something that’s legal in his state. Aaron Sandusky was convicted in October on federal charges of distributing marijuana — he is one of four defendants in the United States who have faced federal prosecutors over medical marijuana dispensaries in states where medical marijuana is legal.
Sandusky, 42, ran three dispensaries in Southern California’s Inland Empire area. Medical marijuana dispensaries have been legal according to California state law since 1996.
According to reports, Sandusky told the courtroom Monday, “I want to apologize to those with me and their families who have been victimized by the federal government who has not recognized the voters of this state.” . . . Read Complete Report
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Are we on the verge of an American hemp renaissance?
Advocates for hemp legalization are gaining momentum, with Kentucky lawmakers making the biggest push
Kentucky was America’s leading hemp producer in the early 19th century. Now, 200 years later, after a historic election for drug policy has led to a shift for marijuana policy reform in America, Kentucky lawmakers are taking steps to revive the crop.
While advocates for hemp legalization say the plant could bring a wealth of green jobs to Kentucky, deep-rooted drug stigma and conflict with federal law have made passing the legislation unlikely. Nonetheless, two state bills are in the works, while a federal proposal aims to clear the way for state legalization. Lawmakers suggest the bills could at least open up the conversation about hemp, and clear up misconceptions about its use. . . . Read Complete Report
Dec. 28, 2012 (Reuters) — A comet blazing toward Earth could outshine the full moon when it passes by at the end of next year – if it survives its close encounter with the sun.
The recently discovered object, known as comet ISON, is due to fly within 1.2 million miles (1.9 million km) from the center of the sun on November 28, 2013 said astronomer Donald Yeomans, head of NASA’s Near Earth Object Program at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif. . . . Read Complete Report