Congratulations on your appointment to the important Health portfolio. I write to request information concerning your Department’s policy regarding FSANZ application A1039 to have hemp seed and hemp seed products normalized as a human food in Australia. I am the author of that application. This application was made hoping to provide a very palatable and rich source of omega 3 and other important nutrients for Australian’s young and old and to add a valuable new crop to Australian agriculture. The executive summary produced by FSANZ has substantiated our assertions that hemp seed is a safe and nutritious food.

Government data indicate up to 90% of Australian school children are currently receiving less than an ideal quantity of omega 3. Deficiency of this essential nutrient will compromise the development of the young brain and mind, as well as setting the stage for a raft of serious inflammatory and degenerative conditions in later life. The future health costs of this hidden epidemic could be too large to be calculated.

At last aware that our plundering of the oceans has left marine omega 3 unable to fill the future needs of the population, the federal government recently allocated many millions of dollars to the CSIRO and a private gentec company, in an attempt to genetically modify canola, to express additional omega 3. Genetic modification of food crops is not widely accepted by the Australian public and we deplore this misguided and profligate waste of public money, especially when an ecologically sustainable, completely natural source of omega 3 is ready and waiting.

The benefits of using hemp seed as a food source are apparent in many aspects of an industrial hemp crop. Industrial hemp is a self mulching weed smother crop. Its long tap root aerates the soil while repelling nematodes. Crops following hemp have demonstrated greater than 20% increased yield in Australian field tests. Hemp crops are generally grown without herbicides or pesticides and the crop therefore pays the farmer well, compared to high input crops. After seed harvest there remains a variable quantity of stalk, comprising over 70% cellulose. With appropriate milling these hemp chips, or hurd, can be made into hempcrete, a novel building material which is non-toxic, fireproof and termite proof. Hempcrete houses are totally free of volatile organic compounds. In England hempcrete houses are being used by councils to create affordable, quality public housing. Each ton of hemp cellulose removes over one and half tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. So hemp seed is not only a nutritional powerhouse, but also the only demonstrably carbon neutral food available. We believe that hemp seed can and should provide a uniquely valuable component in the human diet, from infants to geriatrics and that the population would benefit from such a strategy.

You will be aware that Australia is the only country on Earth to restrict the food uses of hemp seed. A lawyer from the Department of Health, Chris Reid, authored a submission to FSANZ, claiming that to alter the code would put us in conflict with our international treaty obligations. He was unable to grasp the inherent contradiction of his opinion, even when reminded repeatedly that we are the ONLY country on Earth yet to change the code.
He was unable to suggest what action should be taken against the rest of the world for breaching their treaty obligations! Based on this submission the Department expressed its opposition to changing code 1.4.4

With a new Minister, we can only hope that better minds than this can be called on for rational policy advice on important public health issues and we question whether public money should be squandered paying salaries for such opinion. For your interest application A360, the first attempt to change the code in 2002, was approved by FSANZ, but subsequently rejected by the then ministerial council, particularly the then Health Minister Abbott, using uninformed slogans in the place of clearly articulated scientific evidence. We are grateful that parliament has seen fit to improve the system of accountability in decision making by such bodies as FOFR, so that we may operate with a system more based on rational inquiry and scholarship, when it comes to important decisions regarding the nation’s food.

Changes to the code require the agreement of FOFR and state and federal health ministers comprise many of the positions on that forum. I would like to know whether, after further consideration, your department would care to modify its opinion and use the second round of FSANZ submissions, closing on the 15th February, to express a revised opinion. For your interest I have enclosed a small sample of hulled hemp seed.

Thank you for your consideration of this important issue.

Sincerely,

Dr Andrew Katelaris MD
6th February, 2012

Prospective Grant of Exclusive License: Development of Cannabinoid(s) and Cannabidiol(s) Based Therapeutics To Treat Hepatic Encephalopathy in Humans.

A Notice by the National Institutes of Health on 11/17/2011

SUMMARY

This is notice, in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 209(c)(1) and 37 CFR part 404.7(a)(1)(i), that the National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, is contemplating the grant of an exclusive patent license to practice the invention embodied in U.S. Patent 6,630,507, entitled “Cannabinoids as antioxidants and neuroprotectants” and PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US99/08769 and foreign equivalents thereof, entitled “Cannabinoids as antioxidants and neuroprotectants” [HHS Ref. No. E-287-1997/2] to KannaLife Sciences Inc., which has offices in New York, U.S.

This patent and its foreign counterparts have been assigned to the Government of the United States of America.

The prospective exclusive license territory may be worldwide, and the field of use may be limited to:

The development and sale of cannabinoid(s) and cannabidiol(s) based therapeutics as antioxidants and neuroprotectants for use and delivery in humans, for the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy, as claimed in the Licensed Patent Rights.

Full text:
http://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2011/11/17/2011-29726/prospective-grant-of-exclusive-license-development-of-cannabinoids-and-cannabidiols-based

Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hepatic_encephalopathy

KannaLife Sciences Inc.

KannaLife Sciences, Inc. is a socially responsible, developmental stage phyto-medical/bio-pharmaceutical company that specializes in the research, development, and packaging of pharmacological products derived from botanical sources, including the cannabis taxa. KannaLife’s plan for generating revenue and growth is intended to come from (i.) KannaLife’s proprietary branding POS and hermetic packaging systems for the medical marijuana industry; (ii.) KannaLife’s branded anti-oxidant and recovery skin care ointments and creams; and (iii.) the development, marketing and sale of KannaLife biopharmaceutical and phyto-pharmaceutical products derived from cannabis for the treatment of patients suffering with neuro-degenerative, neuro-toxic and oxidative stress related diseases and disorders.

The Company’s focus on product development was born from the burgeoning market in the United States in the use of traditional healthcare models of treatment, utilizing medicinal marijuana and other APIs found in the genus of the cannabis taxa.

KannaLife intends to profit from the acquisition, development, marketing and sale of phyto-medical drugs and products derived from cannabinol (“CBN”) and cannabidiol (“CBD”) compounds as art and parcel to the Company’s drug development plan. The disease indications to which the Company intends to target for the development of its products are centered on patients suffering from diseases with neuro-degenerative and/or neuro-toxic profiles.

In addition the Company has developed a unique “blue ocean” approach to participating in the fast growing multi-billion dollar medical marijuana industry in establishing a “Gold Standard” in QA for delivering a consistent and reliable product to the consumer for dispensing medicinal marijuana in hermetically sealed packaging.

http://www.kannalife.com/

The US Patent
Cannabinoids as antioxidants and neuroprotectants.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns pharmaceutical compounds and compositions that are useful as tissue protectants, such as neuroprotectants and cardioprotectants. The compounds and compositions may be used, for example, in the treatment of acute ischemic neurological insults or chronic neurodegenerative diseases.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Permanent injury to the central nervous system (CNS) occurs in a variety of medical conditions, and has been the subject of intense scientific scrutiny in recent years. It is known that the brain has high metabolic requirements, and that it can suffer permanent neurologic damage if deprived of sufficient oxygen (hypoxia) for even a few minutes. In the absence of oxygen (anoxia), mitochondrial production of ATP cannot meet the metabolic requirements of the brain, and tissue damage occurs. This process is exacerbated by neuronal release of the neurotransmitter glutamate, which stimulates NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate), AMPA (α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionate) and kainate receptors. Activation of these receptors initiates calcium influx into the neurons, and production of reactive oxygen species, which are potent toxins that damage important cellular structures such as membranes, DNA and enzymes.

The brain has many redundant blood supplies, which means that its tissue is seldom completely deprived of oxygen, even during acute ischemic events caused by thromboembolic events or trauma. A combination of the injury of hypoxia with the added insult of glutamate toxicity is therefore believed to be ultimately responsible for cellular death. Hence if the additive insult of glutamate toxicity can be alleviated, neurological damage could also be lessened. Anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory agents have been proposed to reduce damage, but they often have poor access to structures such as the brain (which are protected by the blood brain barrier).

Full text:
http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/6630507/description.html 

Further information on this issue and many more links visit;

Patented Pot vs. the Herbal Gold Standard: http://www.cannabisculture.com/v2/node/19879

Julia knows the difference between Industrial Hemp and Medicinal Cannabis.

To the Prime Minister Julia Gillard and the Health Minister Nicola Roxon,

The Nimbin HEMP Embassy has written to President Obama and asked him to talk to you about Medical Cannabis and the difference it has made in America where States have opened legal medical cannabis dispensaries. What a positive difference it has made in arrest rates, police and court costs, employment and in tax revenue. Its a win win win win situation!

The Hemp Party is visiting Canberra on November 16,17 and 18, to lobby for medical cannabis to be reconsidered by the Federal Government. This coincides with President Obamas visit. We would like some time with your people please to discuss…..

Medicinal Cannabis – why has there been stony silence regarding this matter while people suffer needlessly?

Industrial Cannabis – why does Australia continue to allow other countries to utilise this valuable food and fibre crop whilst denying the same to local farmers, industry, and society?

Really it boils down to freedom of choice about one’s own particular medicine and cannabis was an extremely popular medicine before it was outlawed. As if God made a mistake! It seems to us the pharmaceutical companies have grabbed a monopoly on the most profitable of all businesses, pain management. The war on cannabis is long lost as you know.

In our tiny village of Nimbin many people use cannabis regularly, often in preference to alcohol. We have nine permanent police who have little choice but to bust the young dealers. They sadly then get a criminal record for life and there is always an endless supply of willing ‘risk-takers’ to replace them if they are sent to jail.

Further, we have many aboriginal people living in our village because cannabis keeps them off alcohol. They deal because few can grow, or afford it at exorbitant black-market prices. 56% of juveniles in jail in Australia are Aboriginal which is appalling and embarrassing.

To control cannabis use in Australia it needs to be regulated with quality control measures, and of course it can be taxed.

Please speak with President Obama whilst you have time with him. We will be travelling down to Canberra in the hope it will encourage the conversation.

We look forward to your reply and hope you have time to meet with us.

Yours sincerely,
Michael Balderstone.
HEMP Party President
head@hempembassy.net

Download (PDF, 59.31KB)

A response to your email to the Australian Prime Minister, the Hon Julia Gillard MP, and the Minister for Health and Ageing, the Hon Nicola Roxon MP.

Regards,
Manager
Ministerial Liaison and Support Section, Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.

BIG JOINT ROLLED AND READY FOR OBAMAS VISIT

Realising the invitation for US President Obama to visit Nimbin and see for himself the refugee camp his war on drugs has caused will most likely fall on deaf ears, the Nimbin HEMP Embassy will send a delegation to the President when he visits Canberra on November 16 and 17.

“During his quest to become President, Obama gave hope for change to many medical marijuana patients and indeed there are now 15 American states where medical cannabis is legal with doctors authorising cards which allow users to grow their own or buy from a dispensary.”

“All we ask is that our PM spends ten minutes hearing from Obama his views on cannabis as a medicine and how the Americans are dealing with the issue”, said Michael Balderstone, HEMP Party President.

“It’s time our Government pulled its head out of the propaganda and recognised the medical values of cannabis at a Federal level. We have shocking problems with alcohol abuse in Australia and we need to rethink the failed drug policies and ideas, including John Howards legacy of psychosis hysteria.”

“Please Julia, ask the President why Americans aren’t getting psychosis from cannabis like we are supposed to be in Australia! The facts are there is no increase in Aussie mental health problem numbers in the last fifty years despite cannabis use going from under 1% to over 50% of young males, the most vulnerable group.”

“We plan on taking the Big Joint and a Polite Service crew to Obama, and a bunch of flowers for Michelle. And we urge others from Australias 2 million regular cannabis users to come out of the closet and join us.”

Quotes from Obama: “Medical marijuana is entirely appropriate.” “I inhaled frequently, that was the point.”

More info?

Facebook Event | www.facebook.com/groups/POLITE.NSW | www.BIGJOINT.org

Nimbin HEMP Embassy 02 66891842 or 66890326 a/h 66897525

http://hempembassy.net/forums/

UPDATE: Wednesday 9th of November

DISJOINTED HEMP PARTY ROLLS ON REGARDLESS

The Federally Registered once again Help End Marijuana Prohibition (HEMP) Party’s plan to offer President Obama a ten metre giant joint when he visits Canberra next week has been thwarted. The Australian Federal Police today approved the use of the Authorised Assembly Area for the HEMP Party protest next Wednesday and Thursday, however, the “10 metre long inflatable structure” was not approved.

“We’ll find somewhere for Big Joint to inflate, even if it’s not in the central protest area”, said Michael Balderstone, HEMP Party President. “In the AAA our Polite Service will be joining other anti-war protestors and we still have our big Obama banner saying, ‘Yes We Cannabis’.”

“President Obama has said ‘the use of medical marijuana is entirely appropriate’ and he is credited with being a big part of why 15 American States have now legalised medical cannabis use. In turn the latest Gallop poll in America has for the first time more than 50% of the population wanting legalisation and regulation of cannabis in a similar way to alcohol. Over 80% of the population approve of Doctor authorised medical cannabis.”

“In Australia, our attitude to drug use remains corrupt and primitive while other more compassionate countries introduce new laws treating drug use as a health issue. We want President Obama to spend 10 minutes talking to our Prime Minister about the forgotten war, the “war on drugs’’. There’s plenty of focus on the other wars but this futile global war over the profits to be made from peoples pain relief is appalling and shameful and needs to be taken out of the too hard basket.”

“I bet Ms Gillard wont be bragging about over 50% of juveniles in jail in Australia are aboriginal”, said Mr Balderstone. “There are 2 million regular cannabis users (criminals) in Australia, more than any other country we are told, and the current laws are doing a lot of damage, and long term damage.

We don’t all want to drink alcohol, thankyou.”

MEDIA RELEASE SAT NITE 12 NOV 2011

BIG JOINT ROLLING FOR OBAMA IN CANBERRA

The HEMP (Help End Marijuana Prohibition) Party is happy to announce the National Capital Authority has provided permission for their Big Joint to be inflated for President Obama in Canberra this week. Previously the groups signature 10 metre inflatable scoobie was formally knocked back by the AFP for the AAA (Authorised Assembly Area).

“The AFP actually suggested we apply to the NCA who were totally appreciative of our mission. They’ve asked us to move up the back a bit. No big deal,”said Michael Balderstone, HEMP Party President.

“The real issue is trying to get the drug war on the agenda while Obama is here. He has helped law reform and Medical Cannabis Dispensaries spread across America rapidly with no discernable negative social consequences. Yet our government continues to turn its back on the 2 million regular Aussie tokers. The issue needs to be urgently taken out of the too hard basket, which Labor has promised us for years it would do.”

“Perhaps we need a Bob Carr style Drug Summit in Canberra. A few days listening to the experts on how the drug war is going, and how much it is costing. Not the money so much as the drastic social damage.”

“The President smoked a lot of weed and he knows cannabis is good medicine. We want him to talk to Julia about how to change our attitude of criminalising people for self medicating with a herb that has proven medical benefits.”

“The Government could save a fortune in so many ways. Enforcement and incarceration costs, plus the consequent social disasters. Thousands of jobs can be created with the stroke of a pen simply by regulating this industry. We also believe it is a priority to normalise the lives of those involved in the current multi-billion dollar cannabis industry.”

“Plus the health cost savings. Currently we are spending squillions on pharmaceuticals where a herb you can grow in your back garden could do a better job in many cases.“

“Not to mention it appears that hemp is the number one carbon fixing plant on the planet!”

The HEMP Party delegation, now seeking candidates for the next Federal election, will leave Nimbin Tuesday morning and includes representatives from the Mullers and Packers Union. After Canberra it will drive on to Melbourne for the cannabis law reform rally in the Flagstaff Gardens on the following Sunday 20th.

“Finally pressure is mounting around Australia for true reform. It’s an issue whose time has come we believe.”

Donations for the Polite Service HEMP mission are much appreciated and can be deposited in the Nimbin HEMP Inc account at any Summerland Credit Union, or at the bottom of the page on http://www.nimbinmardigrass.com/hempshop/

More info Nimbin HEMP Embassy on 02 66890326/66891842

Michael Balderstone – HEMP Party President a/h 02 66897525

James Moylan – Secretary Mullers & Packers 02 66218419

www.hempembassy.net www.bigjoint.org Convoy mobile 0413701823

Big Joint to join other anti-war protests for Obama

TUESDAY NOV 14

In this myth shattering, information packed documentary, learn from physicians and leading researchers about medicinal Cannabis and its’ demonstrated effects on human health.

Topics include:

* What the consensus is from over 15,000 scientific and medical trials

* What conditions have been proven to benefit from medical marijuana

* Its historical use as medicine dating back over 5,300 years

* Methods of delivery and their different advantages

* Government sponsored studies intended to show Marijuana having negative effects that yielded the exact opposite results

* Common myths about negative effects of Marijuana and what the research really says about these topics.

This game-changing movie presents the most comprehensive synopsis to date of the real science surrounding the world’s most controversial plant.

YouTube Link

Doctors:

Dr. David Bearman: Expert Witness, Former Director of Haight Ashbury Drug Treatment Program, Founder of Isla Vista Medical Clinic, Member of Governor Reagan’s Inter-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse.

Dr. Donald Tashkin: Emeritus Professor of Medicine UCLA., Medical Director of UCLA Pulmonary Function Laboratory.

Dr. Donald Abrams: Director, Integrative Oncology Research Program Integrative Medicine Physician., Professor of Clinical Medicine at UCSF and Chief of Hematology/Oncology at San Francisco General Hospital.

Dr. Robert Sterner: UCSD General Surgeon, Graduate of Harvard & UCLA., Certified in Oriental and Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Credits: * James Schmachtenberger (Executive Producer) * Lindsey Ward (Director/Producer) * Troy Brajkovich (Director of Photography)

Visit: http://www.MarijuanaMovie.Org

Donald Tashkin. http://www.lung.med.ucla.edu/faculty/tashkin.htm

More videos and related content; Dr. Donald Tashkin Marijuana Lung Cancer Study

There are many members outside the country and not yet registered members of HEMP. The groups are less formal and make an opportunity to canvass new members, especially for the State Branch groups.

Canberra ACT: www.facebook.com/groups/HEMP.ACT/

New South Wales: www.facebook.com/groups/HEMP.NSW/

Queensland: www.facebook.com/groups/HEMP.QLD/

South Australia: www.facebook.com/groups/HEMP.SA/

Tasmania: www.facebook.com/groups/HEMP.TAS/

Victoria: www.facebook.com/groups/HEMP.VIC/

Western Australia: www.facebook.com/groups/HEMP.WA/

Northern Territory to be listed.

Federal Group: Help End Marijuana Prohibition (HEMP) Party of Australia

www.facebook.com/groups/australianhempparty/

Facebook fan page
www.facebook.com/AustralianHempParty

Help End Marijuana Prohibition (HEMP) Party of Australia.
Membership forms are available online.
australianhempparty.com/members

“The illegal drug issue must be removed from the too hard basket.,” says Michael Balderstone, HEMP (Help End Marijuana Prohibition) Party President, as he prepares to join Tony Bower and Mullaways Medical Cannabis Treaty convoy leaving Nimbin’s HEMP Embassy for Sydney next Sunday bound for Macquarie Street to deliver the treaty on Tuesday.

“It feels reminiscent of the Cannabus trip to Sydney for Bob Carr’s 1999 Drug Summit and that’s just what’s needed again,’ he said.“Lets hear from the experts, if you don’t believe the users.”

Mr Bower will be giving away his medical cannabis next Tuesday 23rd August from 11 am outside Parliament House in Sydney and already has many supporters and patients promising to be there. We have watched Tony help and heal people for years and we feel he’s a man of great integrity and deserves support.

We will ask the Premier to review the ‘drug war’ and place it on the political agenda again. It’s in the news every day but rarely questioned for effectiveness. Mark Standen and the London gang riots are both consequences of the dismally failing drug war.

Over two million Australians use cannabis regularly the statistics say. Over two million people criminalised for self medicating with a plant that humans have used for as long as history is recorded and with no deaths from its use.

People take drugs for basically one reason from what I can see, here on Nimbin’s main street most days. To alter their mind and change how they feel. To feel good, or at least feel better. For some, it is to feel less pain.

Up until the late 1900s there was little regulation of drug production and while there were effective medicines there were also dubious preparations, often containing narcotics, which could have unwanted consequences. It was decided to regulate drug production, and test medicines before they were released to the public.

There are still medicines with unwanted side effects that do not necessarily provide the designed treatment. Things did not change quite as much as expected. Along with that, we threw out a few babies with the bathwater, so to speak. Cannabis has useful properties, and can be an effective medicine for some conditions.

If we have to have a regulated pharmaceutical situation, let’s see some evidence based regulation that allows medical cannabis use, because there is nothing noble or ethically superior in causing unnecessary suffering. Rather than the current fobbing off any considerations on the matter, let’s look at this and find a sensible life enhancing solution.

For more info phone 02 66891842 or 66890326 www.hempembassy.net

HEMP PARTY SEEKING CANDIDATES FOR NEXT FEDERAL ELECTION

After being suspended for two elections by the obdurate Electoral Commission the HEMP Party is back in business.

At our AGM, which will be held at Party Headquarters* 51 Cullen Street Nimbin on Friday 26 August 2011 at 6pm, we are aiming to preselect our NSW Senate candidates for the 2013 (?) Federal elections. Any members from other states who might be willing to stand up and run in their their State are invited to attend or to notify us for consideration.

The sooner we can get started the better.

We are also calling for activists outside of Nimbin to re-establish their own local or state branches of the HEMP Party. If we want justice for the 80,000 Australians arrested every year in the futile ‘Drug Wars’ then we can’t just sit around and expect some other party to do it for us. There is just us!

If you can’t devote any time to help out then maybe you could send the Party a handout. Life Memberships of HEMP can be gained for a one off donation of $100.

Please address any offers, ideas, or donations to;

The President
Michael Balderstone
51 Cullen Street
Nimbin 2480
head@hempembassy.net

or

The Secretary
Graham Askey
9 Frank Street
Lismore 2480
graham.askey@gmail.com

* Nimbin HEMP Embassy

Party AGM – Friday 26 August 2011 at 6pm

My support however does not come from use but rather education, it seems completely ludicrous that cannabis is portrayed as such an evil drug, it doesn’t help that our government says thing like “it destroys families” when they go ahead and throw users in jail (which is, to be honest what is more likely to destroy families) I’m not trying to preach to you guys as anything I could say for my support of legalization you will already completely know, however this subject is the one thing that inspires me to want to make a difference in the world, and I’d like to once again point out that this isn’t due to use, I choose not to use as I am a student with a still developing mind, for the same reasons I choose not to drink.

However I do need to raise a point, I am sure you are aware of the new legislation in Western Australia, which is very backwards in regards to realistic progress. Something needs to be done, and I feel the need to make an effort, unfortunately as I am only 16 I feel that anything I do won’t be taken seriously and I’ll be brushed off as a typical teenaged stoner.

I’ve been considering putting together an activist video for youtube, unfortunately it is extremely difficult to really get noticed on youtube, let alone have that video target a specific audience (in this case, it would be the Western Australian populace) and as such, I feel that any effort I make will be useless. It really sucks when you are passionate about a subject but can’t express it because of the fact that you’re an individual without the kind of money to promote that subject.

In this regard, I wish your party the best of luck in your endeavor and hope that, within my lifetime I see the government undo this barbaric prohibition.

Peter.

On the 23 of August we will be going to NSW Parliament House to hand over our terms for a treaty on cannabis.

A treaty will be drawn up and presented to the Secretary of Health as it is the Health Department that control the Growing and Possession of cannabis in NSW for medical purposes. We will be asking that person to discuss a treaty. With the help and support of the Hemp Embassy we will be asking everyone to come down and support this.

Bring a joint or we will be dispensing cannabis tincture free of charge to all who bring a letter from their doctor stating they have an illness cannabis is known to treat.

We will also be asking the NSW Health Minister to issue a Card protecting patients from harassment. This should have been done a long time ago in accordance with the TGA Special Access Scheme.

If they are unwilling to provide this medicine they cannot stop you from providing your own. This is in Law.

If the Secretary of Health will not talk, or if for some reason they do not exist, as has been implied in some correspondence, then we will be going straight to the NSW High Court. A letter of Notice has been sent to the NSW Health Department advising action will be taken on that day.

It is time to stand up and show we have the courage. Not only to help ourselves but to help others less fortunate. Lets help them have a quality of life they deserve.

Lets sit down and have a smoke or a cookie or even a home made tincture – whatever you like. Lets sit down and actually talk about the end of the 100 year war.

Anthony D Bower, Director & Founder Mullaways Medical Cannabis Pty Ltd.  http://www.mullawaysmedicalcannabis.com.au/

The Nimbin HEMP Embassy will be sending a delegation to Sydney departing from the Embassy Sunday morning August 21st at 10am, to support the Mullaways Medical Cannabis protest. Anyone interested in joining or supporting in any way the convoy to the Big Smoke please contact the Embassy.

We have known Tony for a long time and his extraordinary efforts to show how beneficial cannabis is as a medicine have left us all in his wake. We know dozens of people who have discovered tremendous pain relief through Tony’s efforts and we will support him wherever possible. As Tony says, it is against his culture to refuse to help someones suffering if he can. We feel the same.

Michael Balderstone HEMP President Further info:

Mullaways; 02 65661525; 0428871027 HEMP Embassy 02 66891842/66890326

hempembassy.net

17 June 2011 will also mark approximately 2 weeks since the United Nation’s Global Commission on Drug Policy released a critical report on the War on Drugs, declaring “The global war on drugs has failed, with devastating consequences for individuals and societies around the world. Fifty years after the initiation of the UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, and years after President Nixon launched the US government’s war on drugs, fundamental reforms in national and global drug control policies are urgently needed.”

The greatest modern concession by a US President has been Barack Obama stopping the use of the phrase “War on Drugs”.

In forty years the “War on Drugs” has:

• Cost over $1,000,000,00 00,000.00 (one trillion dollars).

• 6.6 million people have HIV worldwide, mostly spread by a lack of harm reduction policies

• Resulted in access to illicit drugs get easier

• Seen the purity of illicit drugs improve

• Resulted in prices for illicit drugs getting cheaper

• Resulted in prison populations in some countries rising over 500 percent

• Seen over 40,000 Mexicans die as part of the formed cartels trying to control the drug market that feeds the United States of America. Not the war any law makers predicted!

• Seen the British Columbia cannabis ‘blackmarket’ valued at an estimated $7 billion each year

• Resulted in cannabis being the biggest cash crop in California, followed by grapes!

Nothing above has mentioned the estimated 16 Million drug users worldwide. Many of these people carry communicable diseases that are, on the whole, not properly treated because of drug policies. It is time to take the distorted morals out of the “War on Drugs”. And restore citizens Human Rights.

Ending the “War on Drugs” would:

• Stop organised crime and cartels overnight. Currently estimated at $320 Billion per year

• Reduce the up-take of drugs by youth • See drug abusers treated as a health issue, the same as alcoholics

• Reduce the amount of crime

• Reduce the spread of disease

• End pointless wars

• Reduce the excessive number of people in prisons, therefore improving the effectiveness and efficiency of police and courts

For more information:

Paul Cubitt President 0416 167 227

Greg Denham Secretary 0424 955 487

Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP) Australia.

www.leapaustralia.org