The Union: The Business Behind Getting High

The Union - The Business Behind Getting High from legalizeit on Vimeo.


1 hour 45 min.  - (requires Adobe Flash Player)
     I find this documentary to be the most honest, intelligent, "realistic" presentation of facts regarding Cannabis (Marijuana and Hemp) that I have ever seen from any journalist. 
     This logical, insightful film say's it exactly like it is in an understandable, friendly down to earth fashion. 
         --Bob Swanson, Human Rights Advocate
 

The Union: The Business Behind Getting HighThe Union: The Business Behind Getting High (2007)

Ever wonder what British Columbia's most profitable industries are? Logging?Fishing? Tourism? Ever think to include marijuana? If you haven't, think again.No longer a hobby for the stereotypical hippie culture of the ‘60s, BC's illegalmarijuana trade industry has evolved into an unstoppable business giant,dubbed by those involved as 'The Union'. Commanding upwards of $7 billionCanadian annually, The Union’s roots stretch far and wide. With up to 85% of all'BC Bud' being exported to the United States, the BC marijuana trade hasbecome an international issue with consequences that extend far beyond ourborders. When record profits are to be made, who are the players, and when dotheir motives become questionable?

- Why is marijuana illegal?
- What health risks do we really face?
- Does prohibition work?- What would happen if we taxed it?
- Medicine, paper, fuel, textiles, food, etc. Are we missing something?

Follow filmmaker Adam Scorgie as he dives head first into Canada's mostsocially acceptable illegal activity. Along the way, Adam demystifies theunderground market and brings to light how such a large industry canfunction while remaining illegal. By interviewing experts from around theglobe, including growers, clippers, police officers, criminologists, economists,medical doctors, politicians and pop culture icons, Scorgie examines the causeand effect nature of the business behind getting high.Nobody's innocent in this exploration of an industry that may be profitingmore by being illegal. Join Adam Scorgie as he unravels the mystery of TheUnion.

 
Alameda County Results November 2, 2010
Proposition 19 Legalize Marijuana for Adult Use 55.5% Voted Yes
Propositions
Total Precincts: 1050
Precincts Reported: 1050
Percent Reported: 100.00
Pass?
Title
YES
NO
# of Votes
Percent
# of Votes
Percent
Y
Proposition 19
182043
55.50
145973
44.50
..
Notable Articles and Information


Pharmaceutical Cannabis - Parke Davis (1930's)
American Medical Association
Opposes the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937

July 10, 1937 Letter to: 

Hon. Pat Harrison 
Chairman, Committee on Finance, United States Senate Washington D.C.

New Billion dollar Crop
Popular Mechanics Magazine February 1938
New Billion dollar Crop

Cannabis Hemp can produce more than 5000 textiles and more than 25,000 other products


 

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Drug Enforcement Administration
In The Matter Of
MARIJUANA RESCHEDULING PETITION
Docket No. 86-22

OPINION AND RECOMMENDED RULING, FINDINGS OF
FACT, CONCLUSIONS OF LAW AND DECISION OF
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE

FRANCIS L. YOUNG, Administrative Law Judge
DATED: SEPTEMBER 6, 1988

IX.
CONCLUSION 
AND 
RECOMMENDED DECISION

Based upon the foregoing facts and reasoning, the administrative law judge concludes that the provisions of the Act permit and require the transfer of marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule II.  The Judge realizes that strong emotions are aroused on both sides of any discussion concerning the use of marijuana.  Nonetheless it is essential for this Agency, and its Administrator, calmly and dispassionately to review the evidence of record, correctly apply the law, and act accordingly. 

Marijuana can be harmful.  Marijuana is abused.  But the same is true of dozens of drugs or substances which are listed in Schedule II so that they can be employed in treatment by physicians in proper cases, despite their abuse potential. 

Transferring marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule II will not, of course, make it immediately available in pharmacies throughout the country for legitimate use in treatment.  Other government authorities, Federal and State, will doubtless have to act before that might occur.  But this Agency is not charged with responsibility, or given authority, over the myriad other regulatory decisions that may be required before marijuana can actually be legally available.  This Agency is charged merely with determining the placement of marijuana pursuant to the provisions of the Act.  Under our system of laws the responsibilities of other regulatory bodies are the concerns of those bodies, not of this Agency, 

There are those who, in all sincerity, argue that the transfer of marijuana 

- 67 - 

to Schedule II will "send a signal" that marijuana is "OK" generally for recreational use.  This argument is specious.  It presents no valid reason for refraining from taking an action required by law in light of the evidence.  If marijuana should be placed in Schedule II, in obedience to the law, then that is where marijuana should be placed, regardless of misinterpretation of the placement by some.  The reasons for the placement can, and should, be clearly explained at the time the action is taken.  The fear of sending such a signal cannot be permitted to override the legitimate need, amply demonstrated in this record, of countless suffers for the relief marijuana can provide when prescribed by a physician in a legitimate case. 

The evidence in this record clearly shows that marijuana has been accepted as capable of relieving the distress of great numbers of very ill people, and doing so with safety under medical supervision.  It would be unreasonable, arbitrary and capricious for DEA to continue to stand between those sufferers and the benefits of this substance in light of the evidence in this record. 

The administrative law judge recommends that the Administrator conclude that the marijuana plant considered as a whole has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, that there is no lack of accepted safety for use of it under medical supervision and that it may lawfully be transferred from Schedule I to Schedule II.  The judge recommends that the Administrator transfer marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule II. 

Dated: SEP 6 1988 

Francis L. Young 
Administrative Law Judge
- 68 -


 
U.S. News & World Report - April 1, 2009 U.S. News & World Report - April 1, 2009
April 1, 2009
Active Ingredient in Marijuana Kills Brain Cancer Cells
Experts say finding worth further study, but patients shouldn't light up just yet

By Alan Mozes
HealthDay Reporter

WEDNESDAY, April 1 (HealthDay News) -- New research out of Spain suggests that THC -- the active ingredient in marijuana -- appears to prompt the death of brain cancer cells. (More)



 
 
Notable Quotations 

George Washington:
1st U.S President from 1789 to 1797
 

"Make the most of the Indian Hemp Seed"
                 (Library of USA Congress 1794 vol. 33 p.270)

George Washington
Thomas Jefferson:
 3rd U.S President from 1801 to 1809

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. - Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776

Jefferson comments on  Hemp (Cannabis)
"Hemp. Plough the ground for it early in the fall & very deep. If possible plough it again in Feb. before you sow it, which should be in March. A hand can tend 3. acres of hemp a year. Tolerable ground yields 500. lb to the acre. You may generally count on 100 lb for every foot the hemp is over 4. f. high. A hand will break 60. or 70. lb a day, & even to 150. lb. If it is to be divided with an overseer, divide it as it is prepared. Seed. To make hemp seed, make hills of the form & size of cucumber hills, from 4. to 6. f apart, in proportion to the strength of the ground. Pinch about a dozen seeds into each hill in different parts of it. When they come up thin them to two. As soon as the male plants have shed their farina, cut them up, that the whole nourishment may go to the female plants. Every plant thus tended will yield a quart of seed. A bushel of good brown seed is enough for an acre. " 
Betts, Edwin M., ed. Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book: With Commentary and Relevant Extracts from Other Writings. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1953. Rep. 1976, 1987, 1999.

.Thomas Jefferson
Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln:
16th U.S. President from 1861 to1865

"Prohibition... goes beyond the bounds of reason in that it attempts to control mans' appetite through legislation and makes a crime out of things that are not even crimes...  A prohibition law strikes a blow at the very principles upon which our Government was founded"
(December 1840)

Jimmy Carter: 
39th U.S President from 1977 to 1981

"Penalties for the possession of a drug should not be more damaging to an individual than the use of the drug itself."

Jimmy Carter
Dan Quayle Dan Quayle
44th U.S Vice-President from 1989 to1993

"Congress should definitely consider decriminalizing possession of marijuana... We should concentrate on prosecuting the rapists and burglars who are a menace to society."
U.S. Representative , March 1977

Jocelyn Elders
United States Surgeon General

Speaking at Western Carolina University in February 2002, former Surgeon General Jocelyn Elders said that it is time to decriminalize marijuana. She added that marijuana should be "treated like we treat alcohol," and that "giving people a criminal record for it" serves no useful purpose.

JocelynElders
George Shultz George Shultz:
President Reagan's Secretary of State from 1982 to 1989
Thomas W. and Susan B. Ford Distinguished Fellow at the conservative think tank, Hoover Institution

"Legalization would destroy dealer profits and remove their incentive to get young people addicted."

Awards:  Medal of Freedom, Seoul Peace Prize, Eisenhower Medal for Leadership and, Reagan Distinguished American Award

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For information about Medical Cannabis contact:
Patient ID Center
P.O. Box 70401,   Oakland, CA 94612-0401
Office (510) 832-5346   -   Fax (510) 986-0534
email: info@patientidcenter.org
 

© Bob Swanson