600W LED Research Grow NASA would be proud of!

I got a tip about a 600W LED grow and after reading a few posts I had to blog about it. Yes, that's right, 600 ACTUAL watts of LEDs.

***Update*** this grow produced 540 grams dry from 600 watts.

Read more and watch the video of the grow

Are LED grow lamps ready for personal cannabis grow prime time?

I first became interested in LED's for growing cannabis while surfing the net in the early to mid 90's and have kept a watchful eye on the technology ever since. I'd LOVE nothing more than to tell you without a doubt that a relatively cheap workable solution is here and if the author of two threads at 420 magazine's forums is on the level it just might be.

New Jersey State Senate passes Medical Marijuana bill 22 to 16

I just watched via live web feed the New Jersey State Senate vote on and pass the New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act. Senate bill S119 was passed by 22 yes to 16 no votes. If passed by the state Assembly this bill would allow for qualifying patients with written certification from a physician to apply for a registry identification card allowing them to use marijuana as a medicine.

You can view an archive of this historic session of the New Jersey Senate at http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/media/live_audio.asp discussion and voting on S119 begins at about 28:35 of the video.

The bill will now move to the New Jersey State Assembly for a vote.

By TwistMasterDeluxe

New Jersey Senate expected to vote on Medical Marijuana. Act Now!

The New Jersey State Senate is expected to vote on the New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act, Senate Bill S.119 on February 23, 2009. This bill if passed, would allow for qualifying patients with written certification from a physician to apply for a registry identification card allowing them to use marijuana as a medicine.

The bill would allow patients with a registration card and a designated care giver, if any, to collectively possess up to 6 marijuana plants and one ounce of "usable marijuana". Usable marijuana is defined in the bill as "the dried leaves and flowers of marijuana, and any mixture or preparation thereof, and does not include the seeds, stalks and roots of the plant".

Thirteen states have already legalized medical marijuana and New Jersey Governor Jon S. Corzine has said he will sign the bill into law if it reaches his desk.

The Chronic Report fully supports the New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act and strongly urges all New Jersey residents to contact their representatives telling them you support this bill.

The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws has setup a web page to make sending this message as easy as filling in the blanks. You don't need to think of what to say or even know who your Senator is they will automatically send a pre-written email to the right people based on your zip code. You do not need to change the wording of the email if you choose not to but adding a personal touch is always nice.

Let your voice be heard. Although you might not change the mind of anyone already dead set on voting no on S.119, if you can push even one person who is sitting on the fence on this issue down on to our side it may be the difference in getting this bill passed!

New Jersey residents click here to send your Senator a message supporting S.119

By TwistMasterDeluxe

Eight arrested in connection with the Phelps bonging.

This sheriff has to be out of his mind. Not only is he wasting taxpayer money chasing this ridiculous excuse for news but he arrested eight people none of which were Michael Phelps.

All of this over a bong hit its unreal, its not like he was selling it. And this coming from someone who thinks SOMEONE should be selling it legally.

I hope it was all worth it to the person who sold the photo in the first place. All Phelps was guilty of was being stupid enough to take the hit in what amounts to a public place. I doubt he's a regular user though so in his defense I can understand him not having a close group of friends with which to enjoy some weed with in a more private setting.

He was at a party blowing off some steam cut the kid a break. Phelps was much better off hitting that bong than he would be drinking the beer in the background of the photo.

Millions of Americans smoke weed once in a while and unless you count the gold medals Michael Phelps is no different from them. I'm disappointed Phelps chose not to take a stand but I do understand why. There are a lot of pressures coming from all different angles for someone like him and it surely was in his best interest to handle it like he did. Its unfortunate a sponsor like Kellogg's drops him even after he toes the line but the really sad part of the story is that now other people are paying for his mistake. Seven were arrested for possession and one for distribution. Seven more people who are no different from the millions. At least stoners are showing with the boycott of Kellogg's they'll stand up for Phelps even if he won't stand up for us. I'm really going to miss Cheese-Its.

By TwistMasterDeluxe

clipped from www.cannabisculture.com The Michael Phelps bong photo fiasco continued today as Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott arrested eight people connected to the party where the photo was taken. full story 'Insane' Sheriff Makes Eight Arrests From Party That Produced Phelps Photo

Seattle police chief to become nation's drug czar

"Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske has accepted a job as the nation's drug czar in the Obama administration, according to a Washington, D.C. source familiar with the administration's plans."

By Steve Miletich and Mike Carter

Seattle Times staff reporters

read the full story

President Obama made it clear he opposed using federal government to raid medical marijuana shops yet raids continue. So far the DEA performed five raids in California according to a recent Washington Times article. Even though, as the article points out Obama made promises to end such raids. The DEA seems to have misplaced the memo. It's starting to look like Obama wanted to get more of the key positions filled before issuing any directives or he may be trusting appointees to makes the changes themselves. Either way I hope it's done soon. Wasting taxpayer resources to seize medical marijuana when the taxpayers have enacted laws allowing it is crazy. Add in todays economy and its almost criminal. The Justice Dept and the DEA know how the President feels on this and more importantly they know how the citizens of these states feel, after all they did pass laws allowing medical cannabis. Why they continue these operations I will never understand.

If you think about it, laws created by the people themselves should always trump laws created by congress. Part of the reason Congress even exists is to insure that it's not a small handful of people creating laws. The more people you have in the process the less chance tyranny wins and bad laws get enacted. Less chance that what the majority of the population thinks is best gets tossed aside. Many more people were directly represented when they voted to make medical marijuana legal then were involved in making pot illegal. Congress should recognize this and defer to the voters. Opponents within the legislature will say they represent the "will of the voter" but all too often that's just not the case. Quite a few of the people I've talked with who have recently sent letters and emails to their "representative" have received mixed replies. Most seem to be getting supporting replies with one "I don't support this issue" response. 'I' does not sound like the will of the voter to me.

Polls show an overwhelming public support for medical marijuana. It's time our reps in Washington realize its not what they think its the people they were elected to represent who's opinion matters.

Some people are saying that Obama so far has not picked marijuana friendly people to fill key positions indicating nothing will change but others seem to think Obama will push one way or another to get these raids ended and they remain optimistic. I just hope that these appointments signal the beginning of the end for the "dark ages" of medical marijuana. Only time will tell.

By TwistMasterDeluxe

Marijuana - The Real Facts, Educational Anti-Marijuana Video

Anti-marijuana educational videos have changed very little since I was in high school. And its been a while. This one differs in that it includes tips for those who would be outside growers on how to keep your farms from being detected. Filled with great aerial shots and quite informative. You've paid for the education you might as well get it.

Segment starts at about 33:00. If you have an hour to kill watch the whole thing. The dry, leave it to beaverish announcer is pretty funny once you get over the "arguments" he offers. Check it out

clipped from www.youtube.com Marijuana - The Real Facts, Educational Anti-Marijuana Video

Medical marijuana bill to be introduced today

"Medical marijuana bill to be introduced today," Brown Daily Herald, Feb. 10, 2009

"Though medical marijuana is currently legal in 13 states, none had state-run distribution centers like those proposed under the bill until New Mexico passed a law last year, Stout added.

The bill, which now has 50 co-sponsors in the House, also enjoys popular support. A 2008 poll paid for by the Marijuana Policy Project found that 69 percent of Rhode Islanders favored allowing registered patients to obtain marijuana from state-licensed, state-regulated facilities."

read the full story

This bill addresses problems that arise from what amounts to medical marijuana decriminalization. While MMJ laws allow for people to use and grow for themselves, patients that can not or will not grow for themselves are left out in the cold. A cold and gray area of the law when it comes to where they get their medicine. Anyone buying in states where the waters are muddy is really breaking the law to obtain a medicine they are allowed to use. Sellers in these states and even some donating to the less fortunate are clearly on the wrong side of the law. This has to change.

There are people that want to open up these markets but out of date laws do not allow for commercial cultivation of medical marijuana in most areas.

These issues need to be addresses by legislators. People will always try to make a profit with marijuana, even if its illegal. I think even the DEA will tell you that will never change. Trying to keep prohibition up on medical suppliers is pointless.

There are a lot of people that are passionate about growing marijuana, who would otherwise be law abiding citizens, just itching to fill this niche. Legislators need to allow for dispensaries and the local growers to supply them. Jobs would be created, cash injected into local economies, tax revenue generated and patients would have safe legal options to access the medicines they need.

Opponents offer up fears reminiscent of those raised before gambling was legalized in New Jersey. There is no reason to think that the medical marijuana industry would pose more problems than regulating casino gaming did in the '70s. New Jersey is the latest state to consider a medical marijuana bill and the bill does address growing for others but in it's current form it will fall short of filling the needs of many sick and suffering patients. Sources close to the bill have told me it looks like dispensaries are not on the agenda and for profit transfer would still be against the law. The state of New Jersey did an outstanding job seeing to it organized crime did not end up running casinos and I can tell you from a few personal experiences they are one of the smoothest government agencies you could ever deal with. They know what they're doing. They have the ability to oversee a project like this and there are no reasons to assume that legitimate businesses would risk their license by supplying unlicensed patients. The state also stands to lose sorely need revenue making this a win, win, win situation is they approach it from the right angle.

The price of MMJ has dropped by as much as 50% in some areas of California since prop 215 passed. Lower prices give less incentive for cartels and the people willing to risk todays legal penalties to traffic in cannabis. They have easier ways to make money. New Jersey's bill already precludes convicted drug felons from getting licensed. The systems are already in place for licensing and background checks and could easily be made available for use here. State jobs would be created and it could be incorporated into the Casino Control Commission to save on duplicate costs. It's time to make a change.

Compassion clubs across the globe will always be committed to helping patients who can't afford medicine by making sure these people receive what they need. Some of the support comes from the efforts of commercial growers and breeders themselves. They need a way to legally operate and generate profits, some of which they give back helping others. Marijuana can be a very social drug and tokers know how to share.

If we don't leave room for legitimate business to profit from medical cannabis then only criminals are left to profit.

By TwistMasterDeluxe

BUSTED: The Citizen's Guide to Surviving Police Encounters

Great video! Know your rights. Done by www.FlexYourRights.org its about 45 minutes long, has some stoner humor to keep things light (I like to call it Bob Marley cologne...you'll get is when you watch it)and is packed with info everyone should know.

Just remember not all state's marijuana laws are the same and no two cases are the same no matter HOW much they are exactly alike. Know the laws for your area and try to talk to a good attorney in your area regarding questions. Try your local chapter of NORML many states have one. Some have forums with local attorneys that have experience with your laws willing to answer questions.

If your state or country has no local chapter check the national NORML site for listings of attorneys in your area.

By TwistMasterDeluxe

clipped from www.youtube.com