Victims of Prohibition

Mar/Apr 2004

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Victims of Prohibition - #9
The Canadian Supreme Court decision finding Canadian marijuana laws constitutional, was a psychological blow, if not a strategic set back. Rendering some speechless with indignation it seems to have challenged others to search for new paths to enlightenment. Three out of nine ain't bad, but it shows the need for education, beginning with our children and it places the responsibility squarely on the rule makers, the politicians.

Cover:
Recent school incidents have shown shocking images of students as victims of prohibition, disillusioned at the hypocrisy, confused by the mixed messages and treated like criminals.
The cover picture was shot by Alyse Fowler and the girl in the photo is Whitney St. Jean both are grade 12 high school students in Grand Forks BC. They volunteered for the cover shot because they support improved drug education and cleaner safer schools. The photo was then manipulated to lengthen the hallway and blur the background to emphasize feelings of isolation that victims of prohibition feel.

2nd Civil War

Jan/Feb
2004


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The 2nd Civil War - #8
Never since slavery has an issue divided America like the war on marijuana. Cannabis use is the single largest act of civil disobedience in North America; ever!
Bombarded by conflicting images, Canadian’s view of the US is shaped by the Seventies Show and constant positive references to marijuana that fill the media airways.
They also see the stars getting off with a warning while the little guys on the real cop shows get treated like dangerous murderers; for a roach. Real life police shows slam pot smokers to the ground yelling and screaming in their face. Canadians see American officials threatening to make it more painful for everyone to cross the border, totally denying medicinal benefits from cannabis and accusing those who organize the resistance of just wanting to get stoned.
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Cover:
Even though Rosie the Riveter was a fictitious character, the image of this muscular woman became an enduring wartime icon, embodying the nation’s can-do spirit. She was popularized in posters, warbond promotions and the 1942 song, “Rosie the Riveter”. Recently the Florida Marijuana Party resurrected her as part of their logo and we felt she also embodied the spirit of the “Army of Ordinary People” and so, used her on this cover. We then added the marijuana leaf tattoo on her arm and a few changed stars on the flag to show some of the states that have relaxed the prohibition on marijuana.

Cana-Dutch Model

Nov/Dec 2003


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The Cana-Dutch Model - #7
Two months ago when we first considered the 4 corner story idea, we never imagined we would find ourselves stuck in the middle of a raging scientific and emotional controversy. Our initial strategy was to parlay our new found friendship with Willem Sholten, the head of the Dutch government's marijuana program, into an interview with their supplier, American expatriate, James Burton, from the Dutch company SIMM, then use that to try to interview their counterparts, Valerie Lasher from Health Canada and contracted Canadian supplier Brent Zettle from Prairie Plant Systems. Somewhere between Willem Sholten's submission and our first interview with Brent Zettle, Canada released its first legal cannabis to the medical users and the fireworks began.
Rather than joining sides, (not to say we have no opinion), we think the most constructive role the journal can play is to help bring out the facts and define the problem. When the heat is on, most government representatives look for cover. We particularly want to thank PPS and HC for being accessible. For those who read this and say we could have gone deeper with this issue, keep your tickets. This situation has become world news and the story will continue to unfold.
Cover Photo:
On the left, Cannabis is sold to pharmacies in containers similar to those used for other pharmaceutical starting materials in the Netherlands. On the right is a sample of the vacuum-packed pouch sent to patients who have been approved to receive the government supply of medical marihuana in Canada.

Cannabis for Pain Control

Sep/Oct
2003


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Choosing Cannabis for Pain Control - #6
In this issue CHJ covers one of the most important medical and ethical issues of the century, an emotional battle ground of conflicting beliefs, the topic of pain. We have chosen to take a substantial journalistic risk and publish an edited, and slightly modified version of a "White Paper" by Dr. Ethan Russo. Although substantially shorter, the content has been retained. We have not tried to change the scientific language and we are convinced that our cannabis consuming readers will make sense of the report regardless of whether they understand every medical term or not. We hope and expect our readers will keep this edition as a reference document and possibly share it with their physicians
Cover Photo:
This issue's cover touches a personal cord with us at Cannabis Health.
From time to time some have found it an effective addition, if not complete pain relief alternative.

Dr. Lester Grinspoon

Jul/Aug
2003


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The Pharmaceuticalization of Marijuana - #5
Dr. Lester Grinspoon MD is on the faculty (emeritus) of the Harvard Medical School in the Department of Psychiatry. He has been studying cannabis since 1967 and has published two books on the subject. In 1971 Marihuana Reconsidered was published by Harvard University Press. Marihuana, the Forbidden Medicine, co-authored with James B. Bakalar, was published in 1993 by Yale University Press; the revised and expanded edition appeared in 1997 and is now translated into 10 languages.
Cover Photo:
The cover picture of Dr. Grinspoon was recently taken by his son David when they were visiting the San Luis Valley in Colorado. Davids new book, Lonely Planets: The Natural Philosophy of Alien Life will be published this fall by Harper-Collins.

Economics

May/Jun
2003


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The Economics of Cannabis - #4
This edition concentrates on the down & dirty of who will get rich from the tragedies of the chronically ill, when the fortunes are made in the new cannabis economy? The world is changing and our vision includes the availability of safe and affordable cannabis to all those in need. But the question remains, how? Do we wish to see the rise of the giants as in the pharmaceutical industry, or do we see an inclusive model that brings in from the cold the small players and establishes the Farm Gate model for production and distribution, like the Dutch? Or do we capitalize and create a multiple level environment that will benefit all the players: patients, entrepreneurs, corporations and governments? Learning from our past and not repeating the same mistakes, like the gun registration, is of paramount importance. We need to control the outcome and not fall asleep at the switch, like at the end of alcohol prohibition when, the day after, all the shelves were stacked and the rules and plans were already in place.
Cover
American Gothic (1930) by Grant Wood
Grant Wood adopted the precise realism of 15th century northern European artists, but his native Iowa provided the artist with his subject matter. American Gothic depicts a farmer and his spinster daughter posing in front of their house, whose gabled window and tracery in the American Gothic style inspired the painting's title. In fact, the models were Wood's sister and their dentist.

Legal Issue

Mar/Apr
2003


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Canada's Cannabis Lawyers - #3
John Conroy & Alan Young
Will we finally change these archaic and ineffective Canadian marijuana laws, or will attention again be diverted from marijuana by a new war? Will the Commons listen to the Senate report, or will the house be swayed by Stephan Harper, who would rather his children drink alcohol.
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Will it be the courts or the government that decides?

Under Attack

Jan/Feb
2003


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Compassion Under Attack - #2
There is an emerging North American realization that the medicinal marijuana movement will provide the most reasonable path to ending prohibition and the introduction of saner drug laws. I hope the new year will bring a closer working relationship between U.S. and Canadian cannabis organizations. I am sorry to report a growing dissatisfaction, even hostility, towards Health Canada and the whole medical access program.
Cover:
We hoped to illustrate the underlying influence that the uncompassionate U.S. drug policy is having on Canadian marijuana laws.

The First

Nov/Dec
2002


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Premier Issue - #1

Welcome to the first edition of Cannabis Health Journal.
What we are about to do with this publication would not have been possible ten years ago. Impossible because even 5 years ago the technology was not available that would enable a dedicated few to publish on this scale. Impossible too, because politics, the law and society were not ready. The highly successful medicinal cannabis lobby has increased acceptance by the general public of the medicinal properties of cannabis, instilling confidence in more closet smokers to courageously step forward and admit a lifetime pattern of modest and responsible use.

Cover
Philippe Lucas pictured in a hemp field in Grand Forks BC