Please archive.

Thanks,

Herb

Pubdate: 29 Jan 1998
Source: Carillon (CN SN Edu)
Website: http://ursu.uregina.ca/~carillon/
Address: Rm. 227 Riddell Centre, University Of Regina, Regina, Sk. Can. S4S 0A2
Contact: Carillon@URSU.Uregina.CA
Copyright: 2002, The Carillon
Fax: (306)-586-7422
Authors: Kendra Leslie Gaede and Tricia Ann Kuss

A SHORT BLURB ON THE HERB

How does THC work?

We have receptors for delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC- the marijuana
component responsible for getting "high") in parts of our brains
responsible for memory, mood, motor activity, and concentration. Because we
don't have receptors in the parts of our brains that control basic life
functions such as consciousness and respiration, it can't kill us.

Of late, pharmaceutical versions of THC have appeared. Dronabinol (brand
name Marinol), a synthetic version of THC, is prescribed to AIDS and cancer
patients with severe nausea.

"Marinol is only one component of cannabis," says Umberto Iorfida,
president of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws in
Canada (NORML). " Pot does not consist of THC exclusively; it has more than
400 ingredients." Thus patients taking THC pills can feel even more stoned
than smoking regular marijuana, making them not want to take any more pills.

The Root Word:

The word Kannibas is of the (Hellenized) Mediterranean Basin Greek
language, derived from the Persian, and earlier northern Semitics (Quanuba,
Kanabosm, Cana, Kanah) which scholars have now traced back to the new-found
dawn of the 6,000-year-old, Indo-Semitic-European language family base of
the Sumerians and Accadians. The early Sumerian/Babylonian word
K(a)N(a)B(a), or Q(a)N(a)B(a) is one of the man's longest surviving root words.

Some Local Advocates:

"We should be asking why marijuana is illegal rather than asking if it
should be legal," said Pat Baumet, owner of Vintage Vinyl and Hemp Emporium.

The store opened its doors three years ago and according to Baumet they
have had excellent community support. He adds that he has never had a
problem with the Regina Police Department.

"The laws prohibiting marijuana just add to their (the police's) workload."
He goes on to say that the police should not be worried about those people
who smoke marijuana but rather be concerned with the people who are guilty
of serious crimes. "I think that it is time the people woke up and smelled
the coffee."

According to Baumet the movement to legalize the use of marijuana has
gathered support over the past few years. People are definitely more
concerned as to where their tax dollars are going, with regard to the
justice and prison system.

Do not misinterpret what Baumet and others are lobbying for; they do feel
that legislation needs to remain in place to restrict the more dangerous
drugs such as heroin and cocaine.

Baumet goes on to say, "Amsterdam does not have any problems and it is no
different than buying a package of Camels. Generally it is just a fine thing."

Rick Morell of the Regina group Evergreen echoes his organization's
thoughts on the legalization of marijuana.

"It should be legal," said Morell, "it's absolutely ludicrous that alcohol
is legal and pot shouldn't be." He goes on to say that cigarettes and
alcohol cause more problems such as liver disease and lung cancer.

Morell and Baumet both argue that people who smoke and grow pot should not
be persecuted. According to Baumet the customers who visit his store and
leave educated are taking it seriously. He adds that people seem to be
standing up for themselves and speaking out more often.

When asked about the claim made by critics that say marijuana for medicinal
purposes is a red herring put forth by those people who want to smoke it
for pleasure purposes, the answer was extremely similar.

Marijuana has been proven to aid patients suffering from wasting syndrome
and other ailments caused by disease.

"I know people who smoke it every day for medicinal purposes and it does
help. It is the gospel truth," said Baumet.

Morell agrees and goes on to add that "the Toronto case is a good
precedent. To keep something illegal that would help chronic pain sufferers
is ludicrous."

However, Baumet is also concerned with having to attach the medicinal term
to legalization. In his opinion, marijuana should be legalized for pleasure
as well, as "everyone has their own bag."

"I would like to think legislation will be more liberal with the
millennium, without it being a matter of big business forcing their hand."

by Anders K. Robichaud

A Step-By-Step Guide

OK all y'all pipe smokin', bong hootin, vaporizer blastin pot fiends...time
to bone up on the ultimate expression of the dope smokers art: the joint.

Now some of you will say that joints are wasteful and tough to roll. True
enough...but there is nothing like the pride, satisfaction and sense of
community derived from passing around a really well-rolled bat.

Step 1 - Grab yer grass. Joints roll best with moist weed. If it's too dry
you have to spend more time picking out the stalks because they will tear
your paper and the joint will just generally be harder to roll.

Step 2 - Bust up your dope. You've got to cut your dope until it is about
the same consistency of the tobacco in a cigarette. Scissors work well.
Coffee grinders work the best.

Step 3 - Choose your rollies. If you're just starting out, Zig Zag blues
work well. As you progress you will discover a wide world of rollies for
every taste.

Step 4 - Prep your rollie. What you want to do is wrap your rollie tightly
around a pen. Make sure the seam on the glue is straight. This makes your
paper easier to roll and damn near guarantees a half decent spliff.

OK, this is where stuff gets a little tough, so you've got to practice.

Step 5 - Loadin' the rollie. Hold the rollie by one end so that it cups
upward. You then sprinkle your dope into the paper. You want to sprinkle in
a little more than you want to smoke because some will fall during the
rolling process. This extra can go back into your baggy (or better yet into
a pipe for some apres-joint hoots).

Step 6 - Shaping the spliff. Now you roll the front edge of the paper down
and up a couple of times to even out your weed. You may want to use the pen
to help even out the load of dope on the top of the joint. It is really
important that your grass be even at this stage. If it's not, you'll end up
with the dreaded pregnant snake joint.

Step 7 - Rolling and sticking. And now the critical moment; this is the
toughest part of rolling a joint and will require much practice to master.
Roll the front edge down and with your thumbs tuck the top edge over the
dope and under the back side. Then you just roll the joint up, apply
liberal saliva to the glue, and stick it.

Step 8 - Filter. Using a pair of scissors, cut a strip out of your rollie
pack or a pack of cigarettes about 1/4 inch wide and 3 inches long (this
length may vary depending on how thick your joint is). Roll this strip into
as tight a coil as you can. Then you insert the coil into one end of the
joint and tuck any excess paper from the joint into the center of the filter.

Step 9 - Light and enjoy. Your job as joint roller is not over. While the
joint is being smoked you should keep an eye out for runs. If you haven't
learned to pass yet, DO SO. Nothing annoys an old pot hand quite so much as
a newcomer who has no idea how to pass. If not you're sure how, ask!

Remember, joint rolling is an acquired skill. I myself spent 2 years
practicing before I finally got to the point where I could roll a half
decent joint on a regular basis.

For all you smokers out there, a great way to practice is to try to roll
your own cigarettes for a while. Some of the best joints that I have ever
smoked have been rolled by people who learned by rolling cigarettes.