Genome of Marijuana Sequenced and Published

my two favorite subjects

This had to happen at some point. This means that Big Pharma will now be able to utilise all the healing properties of cannabis without that pesky 'feel good' contraindication. How long before Monsanto gets hold of it? If it wasn't bad enough having all these rabid capitalist 'pot businessmen' waiting in the wings for decriminalisation or legalisation we've now got this. A major backwards step for 'Free The Weed' in my opinion. Beautiful image, by the way.

could also lead to genetically modified superweed

Strangely enough, I see beefymclovin's scenario coming about. Say some sativa using biotech researcher that makes some kind of kudzu/marijuana hybrid. Grows everywhere like a weed (no pun intended) and he just releases it into the wild. That would be hilarious.

you mean "widely consumed for millennia"

@rocketstig

"the healing properties of cannabis without that pesky 'feel good' contraindication."

It does not heal anything, it merely relieves pain.

That said, medical use is increasing 50% per year?!? I got a strange feeling that "medical use" does not explain everything...
"Hey doc, if i give you 50$, will you sign me a paper to go buy weed?"
It must happen more often than we think!

For more info on some people's position:
www.legalizationofmarijuana.com

Kherzhul, you are mistaken that the only medicinal use is for palliation. I see that you're another of the uneducated Know Nothings who mistake the fact that some people enjoy cannabis for relaxation with somehow disqualifying it as a valid medicine. There is good reason why decisions such as what is or what is not medicine should be made by licensed doctors and accredited scientists. It's not a decision appropriately made by Know Nothing prohibitionist laymen, and is especially inappropriate for such decisions when made by hack politicians promoting a self serving political agenda.

For more info on the medicinal value of cannabis you can ask the opinion of any member of the Iowa Board of Pharmacy. After they refused to hear a rescheduling petition for cannabis filed in 2008 because it would be a "waste of time", the Board was sued, court ordered, and dragged kicking and screaming to the table to consider the evidence, they did a full 180°, and voted unanimously to recommend that the Iowa legislature move whole plant cannabis to schedule II, which does require accepted medicinal use.

The evidence of cannabis having valid medicinal utility is simply overwhelming.
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www.oregon.gov/Pharmacy/Imports/Marijuana/StaffReview/IowaBOPRecommendsMarijuana_as_C-II.pdf

quoted from link above:

Iowa Board of Pharmacy Recommends Classifying Marijuana as Schedule II Drug

Following a unanimous vote at a special meeting held February 17, 2010, the Iowa Board of Pharmacy recommended to the Iowa state legislature that marijuana be reclassified as a Schedule II controlled substance, which could allow medical uses of the drug.

The Board further advised that a task force of patients, medical professionals, and law enforcement officers should create guidelines for safely implementing a medical marijuana program, as reported by the Des Moines Register. The Board’s decision was informed by a series of public meetings held in 2009, as well as by research and public comments.
/snip/

Damn, look at the crystals on that thing!! Is it 4:20pm yet??

What is big Pharma going to do with this, mutate it to have side effects like abdominal bleeding? It’s perfect the way it is.

Legalize!

Well perhaps for some reason the Know Nothing prohibitionists dislike the Iowa BoP. It's impossible to know what kind of information and factual evidence that the Know Nothings will accept or reject because it's not a decision made with any constancy or logical parameters. For example they'll reject out of hand anything that's posted on NORML's web site regardless of whether it's simply information being relayed from an extremely respectable third party and/or easily provable. They would deny the validity of a report that predicts that the sun will continue to rise in the east and set in the west for the foreseeable future were such a claim published on NORML's website or written on NORML's letterhead. NORML has a vested interest in getting the law changed you see. It seems that's enough for dim bulbs everywhere to discredit anything that's presented by an advocate of changing these unjust, indefensible laws. But they will accept without question information from an organization of professional "addictionologists" despite their obvious, vested financial motivation for them to do anything that they can to perpetuate the proven failure of the war on (some) drugs up to and including forcing the sick to suffer more than needed without any worries of the absolute moral bankruptcy required to form such a despicable opinion. Go figure that one out, it's beyond my ken.
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So for those who don't like the Iowa BoP, how about the Oregon Board of Pharmacy? Their vote was only 4-1 and they didn't have to be court ordered to do their job, but the Oregon BoP actually did move whole plant cannabis to schedule II.

www.oregon.gov/Pharmacy/Imports/News/June2010PressReleaseMarijuana.pdf

The Board placed marijuana into “Schedule II Controlled Substances,” which contains substances that have a “high abuse potential with severe psychological or physical dependence liability,” but are accepted for medical use in the US and are available by prescription. The Oregon Controlled Substances Act provides three additional schedules for substances that are progressively less serious or dangerous, Schedules III, IV and V.

The Board reviewed scientific and medical literature and heard testimony from experts and members of the public before voting to move marijuana into Schedule II. This action is consistent with Oregon’s assertion that marijuana does have an acceptable medical use.

...is consistent with Oregon’s assertion that marijuana does have an acceptable medical use.

...is consistent with Oregon’s assertion that marijuana does have an acceptable medical use.

...is consistent with Oregon’s assertion that marijuana does have an acceptable medical use.

...is consistent with Oregon’s assertion that marijuana does have an acceptable medical use.

...is consistent with Oregon’s assertion that marijuana does have an acceptable medical use.
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So far the vote among people with advanced degrees in pharmacology that are charged by their home States to make the decision of what is, and what is not medicine is 11-1 in favor of it being a valid medicine. Both the Maryland ans Washington State BoPs have also cleared the way for rescheduling in those two States but are waiting for action from their respective legislatures. But still locksmiths, media dilettantes, and self interested police and political hacks seem to think themselves more qualified to make such decisions.

There are now 27 States + DC which recognize the validity of medicinal cannabis in their State laws. Where I grew up we called that a "majority".

There simply is no basis to a claim that supporting the notion that sick people should suffer no more than needed and that medical decisions should be made by licensed doctors and accredited scientists and supporting the end of the epic failure of public policy which we call the war on (some) drugs are mutually exclusive positions. It's totally absurd to claim that medicalization of a drug can lead to its being legalized for recreational use. If I'm missing something and you want to 'splain it to me I'm all ears. Make sure you include a timetable in which we're going to see cocaine, methamphetamine, and oxycodone legally available for recreational use. Those 3 substances have been available by prescription in the US for decades but I haven't heard anyone make a serious case why those substances should be legal for recreational use.

To date there has never been a prescription drug that has made that leap so I'd really like to know what the Know Nothings think will be the process to make cannabis the first. But you see, the fact of the matter is that the Know Nothings are very selfish as well as being morally bankrupt and just can't imagine how a person with a conscience might want something like the end of codified failure but be willing to subrogate their personal desires with the much more important issue of forcing the sick to suffer even an iota more than is needed. Their own personal immorality just doesn't recognize such a possibility.

Society frowns on altering our state of mind with Marijuana , yet condones doing it with alcohol.

Sometimes the brain needs to go on a vacation and relax in order to stay healthy.

I am not a toker so I don't believe in legalization because I want to smoke up. I rarely drink alcohol because I don't like to be in altered states.

That being said:
If we legalize MJ we have better control over it, we can collect tax money of it, and we can save a ton of money.

Certain government parties claim drugs are financing terrorists. If they are right, legalizing one of the largest selling drugs sends a massive blow to terrorists (and other drug lords that are not terrorists). It makes it unprofitable to sell on street corners thus lowering pushers in various areas and crime in general.

On top of that, we get the tax money which we can spend on say enforcing controlled underage toking. It also makes illegal transport less profitable which is a big part of why so many armed boarder crossings take place. All of this frees up cops and other costly resources and incarcerations for more reasonable ones such as murderers, kidnappers, etc...

So to summarize legalization would reduce crime not only directly linked to weed, but also reduce criminal profits to lower their funding for other crimes.

Now to talk about the negative sides:
There are several fact sheets out there about the negative effects of Mary Jane in comparison to alcohol, really I could care less if someone kills themselves with over drug use, it is their right in my opinion. So what of drinking and driving vs. toking and driving? Some reasonable sites and investigations suggest smoking and driving is safer than drinking and driving. That being said, I am not suggesting it be legal for either substance while driving, just that we legalize a substance more dangerous than weed without a thought.

Ultimately there is no logical reason to maintain the ban on grass, or really most drugs. They are going to be used either way, and one way you have more control (legalized adult use) than the other, more profit for the US, and it may even spur the economic recovery.

honestly, i rather they ban alcohol and tobacco once and for all and legalize MJ. much safer than both. but of course the corporations in charge of them would put up a fight.

MJ aside, why the hell is hemp illegal to grow but not to have? we import billions worth from canada alone. because its related to weed?!?!? the uses for hemp is HUGE but we're not allowed to grow it.

Hemp can be used to produce a very large variety of products from clothing to paper to building supplies to cars to fuels to food products to much, much more. Some people have called hemp the plant of 30,000 uses because it combines the utility of the soybean, the cotton plant and the Douglas Fir tree into one green package. Hemp is an environmental, renewable, reusable and recyclable resource.

Hemp fabrics.

Hemp grows well without herbicides, fungicides, or pesticides. The production of cotton, on the other hand, consumes almost half of the agricultural chemicals used on American crops. Hemp bast fibers are one of the longest natural soft fibers. They are longer, stronger, more absorbent, more mildew-resistant, and more insulative than cotton. This means that hemp will keep you warmer in winter and cooler in summer than cotton.

Hemp is more effective at blocking the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays. The nature of hemp fibers makes them more absorbent to dyes, which coupled with hemp's ability to better screen out ultraviolet rays, means that hemp material is less prone to fading than cotton fabrics are. Like cotton, hemp can be made into a variety of fabrics, including high quality linen. When blended with materials such as cotton, linen, and silk, hemp provides a sturdier, longer lasting product, while maintaining quality and softness.

Hemp is environmentally friendly in many ways. It can displace the use of cotton, which requires massive amounts of chemicals harmful to people and the environment. The production of cotton consumes 50% of the pesticides sprayed in the entire world. Hemp has a deep root system that helps to prevent soil erosion, removes toxins, provides a disease break, and aerates the soil to the benefit of future crops.

Biodegradable industrial products.

Because hemp is rich in cellulose, research is being conducted into the use of hemp for the production of biodegradable plastic products. Plant based cellophane, recycled plastic mixed with hemp for injection-molded products, and resins made from hemp oil could one day be manufactured. BMW in an effort to make cars more recyclable, is using hemp materials in their automobiles. Hemp fibers are increasingly being used in industry as a substitute for fiberglass. The advantage of replacing fiberglass with hemp is that hemp is lighter, as strong or stronger, is biodegradable and is cheaper.

Biomass fuels.

Hemp is a high yield fiber crop, producing more biomass per acre than most other crops. As a result, the hydrocarbons in hemp could be used as a renewable, low polluting alternative to fossil fuels that is non-polluting to our atmosphere. Hemp is excellent in producing alternative fuels such as biodiesel and ethanol. Hemp could be processed into fuel pellets, liquid fuels, and gas, reducing our consumption of fossil fuels and nuclear power. Both the seed and the fiber can be used, though the process varies depending on what you use.

Replacement for wood products.

As a replacement for wood products, hemp offers many more environmentally friendly benefits. Hemp yields three to eight tons of fiber per acre, which is four times the yield of the average forest. Unlike wood, hemp is low in lignin, which means that hemp can be pulped using fewer chemicals. Many construction products now made out of wood could be made from hemp.

Beams, studs, posts, oriented strand board, and medium density fiberboard made from hemp would be stronger and lighter because of hemp's long fibers. Washington State University produced hemp fiberboard that was found to be twice as strong as wood-based fiberboard. The replacement of wood fiber by hemp-based products can save forests for wildlife habitat, watersheds, recreational areas, oxygen production, and carbon removal, which reduces global warming.

Paper.

Hemp paper is of the highest quality, resists decomposition, and does not yellow as it ages when an acid-free process is used. It is for these reasons that hemp paper is used in Europe for bibles. A sample of hemp paper has been found that is more than 1500 years old. Only around 1850 did paper from wood pulp start to replace hemp. Trees were cheap, but now they are rapidly getting depleted.

Over a period of 20 years one hectare (ha) of hemp can produce as much paper as four hectares of forest. Japan still imports much of its wood pulp from tropical rainforests which are being destroyed at an alarming rate. Hemp paper can be recycled many more times than wood-based paper. Hemp's natural creamy color eliminates the need for chlorine bleach, which prevents the dumping of extremely toxic dioxin into streams. Instead, hemp can be bleached using gentler hydrogen peroxide.

Body Care Products.

Hemp s antimicrobial properties make it useful for cosmetics and body care products such as shampoos and hair conditioners, lotions, massage oils, salves, soaps, skin crèmes, sunscreen, and lip balm. The oil from hemp seeds has been known to cure dermatitis and other serious skin diseases.

Pet Foods.

Hemp provides a healthy protein for pets from dogs and cats to cows and horses to all varieties of birds and chickens.

Detergents.

The oil is also being made into a laundry detergent that biodegrades naturally in our water systems.

Art supplies.

Hemp is an excellent archival material, for use in paintings and books. Most famous paintings are painted with hemp oil on hemp linen. In ancient China the art of making paper from hemp and mulberry bark was guarded as a state secret, but eventually the knowledge found its way to Japan and also to Europe via the Arabs. In 1390 the first European mill processing hemp rags into paper was founded.

In 1455 Gutenberg printed the first printed book in Europe on hemp paper. Washi, a traditional Japanese paper, was made from hemp and mulberry fiber. Nowadays hemp is virtually unavailable for this purpose though a limited supply of hemp paper has been manufactured in Tochigi recently. Hemp and mulberry paper are also used for ritual strips of paper decorations used at Shinto shrines. Japan imported the recipe for paper making from China where most paper still contains hemp today.

Food products.

A vast array of food products can be made from hemp seeds. They have exceptional nutritional value and are second only to soybeans as a source of complete vegetable protein. However, they are longer lasting and more digestible than soybeans. The main protein found in hempseed is edestin. Unlike soy, hemp doesn t have to be cooked or fermented for it to be digestible.

VALUE OF HEMP IN FOOD PRODUCTS

Hemp seeds contain all eight essential amino acids in the correct proportions required by humans, including Omega-6 (LA- linolenic) and Omega 3 (ALA alpha linolenic). Hemp has a balance of three parts Omega-6 to Omega-3, very close to the body's nutritional requirements. As regulators, the LA and ALA fatty acids provide stability and control the movement of all substances in and out of our bodies' building blocks. Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA), another essential amino acid found in hemp, also stimulates the production of eiconsanoids, which are hormone-type substances. For this reason, many women find hemp oil in their diets helps relieve pre-menstrual syndrome and extreme symptoms of menopause.

Some of the other benefits of having all these Essential Fatty Acids in the diet include an increased metabolism, lower cholesterol, better digestion, general vigor, improved skin and hair condition, and a boosted immune system.

At the risk of being flamed, Marijuana isn't legal in any state. It's no longer against the state law in some states, but it is still against federal law. Gonzales v. Raich, 545 U.S. 1, 32-33 (2005); 21 U.S.C. § 801 et seq.

"It does not heal anything, it merely relieves pain."

@Kherzhul That is NOT true, Cannabinoids in high amounts have been show to actually CURE CANCER.A man named rick simpson devised an oil that he actually cured his own cancer and that of many others [without ever asking a anything in return] - this same oil was later used to cure a 1 month old child as well after a malignant tumor was found wrapped around hs optic nerve while he pretty much laid in his death bed - he survived after treatment with cannabis oil [just to name some cases]. the government has known about this since 1974 when their own studies showed that cannabinoids destroyed cancer [as a whoe they destroy dying/aging/mutated/cancerous cells and promotes the groth of healthy ones].

I'm sorry but this isn't just some 'theory' but a scientific fact and for you to sit here and say "it doesnt cure anything, just relieves pain" is COUNTER productive and just plain stupid when it actually cures one of the leading causes of death known to man... with cannabis we truly are bigger than cancer and this is something big pharma does NOT want to happen (people growing the cure for cancer in their backyard] - do note that smoking weed wont cure cancer, the oil must be of the highest quality and be administered until the mass is gone and the patient tests cancer free... this isn't remission - its a CURE

www.youtube.com/watch?v=0psJhQHk_GI

www.patients4medicalmarijuana.wordpress.com/2010/01/04/marijuana-cures-cancer-us-government-has-known-since-1974/.

This can go two ways...pharma will put their pawns on it for sure...say hello to new versions of spice...(ugh!!) and maybe a cure to cancer.., but guaranteed to be a LOT of money involved.
Gorgeous pic btw.

SUPER DANK WEED YAAAAA

That is a beastly looking plant

@Kherzhul

what modern medicine really HEALS anything today?

You know, I am a well educated, married, business owner and somewhat funny most of the time. what astonishes me is the oversight of the implications of thousands of farms, growing acres of marijuana, creating a primary waste product, after selective harvesting, which will fuel all the medical needs, that is such a versatile fiber, potentially destroying the 13 billion dollar a year cotton industry, also the soy industry, etc. I could pick out many more uses however, these industries are the financial backbone of the difficulty in the legalization of marijuana. They are working with hybrid fabrics and textiles in an attempt to be "ready" when cultivation laws change. if they are having custom machinery built to process hemp fiber as I write this. if they know it is coming and have had their hand in all of these bogus laws and stipulations, including complete political confusion, it will be commercial shortly paralleled by medicinal freedom. well control. J.