Tuesday, December 30, 2008

National Religious Freedom Day

To initiate celebration of National Religious Freedom Day ( January 16th, 2009) the California Cannabis Ministry has posted a ten minute video documentary trailer on You Tube, entitled "Return to Reason." The ten minute film was made by international Cannabis scholar Paul von Hartmann, a biodynamic agriculturist and resident of Mount Shasta.

The video features the European hemp industry and research, demonstrating sustainable agricultural solutions through wise use of an abundant, unique and essential, beneficial rotational crop. I trust that people will view the video and pass it along for discussion before the community meeting scheduled for 7:30 pm at the Stage Door, Thursday, January 15th.

The general public, medical patients, professionals and caregivers, civic leaders, educators and students, spiritual leaders, law enforcement and environmental community of Siskiyou County are specifically invited to participate in the process of implementing responsible, effective drug policy. Discussion of Cannabis agriculture is the first step toward an abundance and variety of healthful, good-paying jobs, serve as a model for compassionate, responsible drug policy based in science and reason, and rejuvenate regional economics while reclaiming critical, fundamental human rights.

Freedom to farm IS freedom of religion, protected by "substantive due process" that recognizes the legal power of historical precedent. Once the incomparable stature of Cannabis history, agriculture, industry and nutrition are fully appreciated, there can be no truly legal grounds for impeding immediate reintroduction of Cannabis agriculture to the free market.

To do otherwise disregards both State and Federal Constitutions, by violating our "First Freedom." At the same time Cannabis prohibition has created a vicious black market, a corrupt, expensive, predatory bureaucracy, global food insecurity, epidemic malnutrition and a "forbidden fruit" that's more attractive to justifiably angry, curious & rebellious youth.

A Compassionate Cultural Center in Mount Shasta will fulfill the requirements of Proposition 215 and AB 420 by providing a well-regulated organic medical Cannabis dispensary, nutritional counseling, and wellness center, based on the model of the British Columbia Compassion Club Society (BCCCS) in Vancouver
http://www.thecompassionclub.org/

By this spring it is hoped that communication with elected officials in Sacramento and Washington, D.C. will secure our self-evident rights. It is critical that we make the best use of the limited time we have left to recover from the present environmental, economic, and social imbalances imposed by prolonged, essential resource scarcity, leading eventually to unstoppable synergistic collapse.

Monday, December 29, 2008

Obama transition Team's "Open for Questions"

Below are eight questions I've just submitted to the Obama transition Team's "Open for Questions" website, under the name "projectpeace."

If you agree that the Obama administration needs to weigh the benefits of Cannabis agriculture vs. the counter-productive effects of marijuana prohibition, then please visit the "Open for Questions" site

http://change.gov/page/content/openforquestions20081229/

and cast your vote for our freedom to farm.

Thank you for your time and consideration,

Paul

===========================

- Economy

"Since inducing scarcity of a "strategic resource" weakens America's economy and threatens our food security, how can our government claim rightful, legal jurisdiction over god-given resources that are both unique and essential, as is Cannabis?"



- Science & Technology

"Research in Cannabis therapeutics, industry & ecology is being done in all of the developed countries, except in the U.S. Will the Obama administration continue to suppress knowledge of the true value of hemp, or lead the world in scientific inquiry?"



- Health Care


"Since hemp seed nutrition is the most cost effective way to prevent and successfully treat many illnesses, why wouldn't the government take an active role in educating people about the importance of eating hemp seed protein and hemp seed oil? Please!"





- Foreign Policy

"If abundant, essential food and fuel resources can be farmed sustainably, organically, all over the world, using hemp, then isn't Cannabis agriculture the most peaceful, responsible, affordable, globally available strategy for effecting world peace?"





- Additional Issues

"The California Cannabis Ministry is an individual expression of religious freedom, recognizing that freedom to farm is a sacred, fundamental human right. Will Obama honor substantive due process, that protects our most ancient right to farm Cannabis?"




- National Security

"Executive Order 12919 identifies hemp as a strategic resource available by essential civilian demand. What's the protocol for essential civilian demand, for the world's most ancient, nutritious, useful, potentially abundant, agricultural resource?"




- Education


"When kids find out that our government is lying about the true value of hemp by waging a counter-productive drug war, then doesn't that damage the credibility of law, impede the motivation to trust & learn, and fundamentally subvert social evolution?"





- Energy & Environment

"No other crop produces as many "monoterpenes" (VOCs) as hemp, while sequestering carbon and remineralizing the soil. Why won't our government consider reintroducing organic hemp agriculture to help mitigate climate change, and stop "global broiling?""

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Dear President Obama,

An honest, science-based assessment of the "drug war" has revealed, for decades, that prohibition is counter-productive to its own stated objectives. The Conference of Mayor's resolution of June 2007 stops short of endorsing Cannabis agriculture, but the reason is there to follow the example being set in France, Germany, Canada and most other developed countries who have embraced the wisdom of ancient, beneficial Cannabis agriculture.

To continue prohibition of the world's most useful agricultural resource in the face of the challenges and threats that are before us, is absolute madness. To pretend otherwise is worse than mere foolishness. It is criminally negligent to under-value Cannabis, a Federally recognized "strategic food resource," during the present era of epidemic malnutrition and global food insecurity.

Cannabis is the ONLY crop that produces a seed containing three essential fatty acids, all of the essential amino acids, and is the world's best available source of organic vegetable protein. In addition, Cannabis is the ONLY crop that can sustainably produce bio-fuels and food from the same harvest. Rotational planting of hemp improves the soil, detoxifies contaminated soils and discourages pest infestation. Many safe and uniquely therapeutic agents are produced by the Cannabis plant, making it an effective home remedy with preventative as well as curative properties. Atmospheric aerosols called "monoterpenes," produced in abundance by Cannabis, may be critical to protecting the Earth from increasing UV-B radiation. Carbon sequestration and carbon storage potential of hemp exceeds that of any other crop.

My vision for the United States is for our god-given, self-evident freedom to farm to be recognized as an integral component of our "First Freedom," the freedom of religion.

ON TWENTY-FIVE ACRES OF DECENT FARMLAND, I CAN GROW ENOUGH CANNABIS HEMP IN ROTATION WITH OTHER ORGANIC CROPS TO PROVIDE ALL THE FOOD, FUEL, AND FIBER THAT MY FAMILY NEEDS TO THRIVE. AT THE SAME TIME, A POSITIVE SPIRITUAL ORIENTATION TO CANNABIS WILL RESULT IN RESPECT FOR THE PLANT, A RENEWED FAITH IN AMERICAN JUSTICE AND REGARD FOR THE LAW.

I CHALLENGE THE RIGHTFUL JURISDICTION OF ANY COURT OVER NATURAL RESOURCES THAT ARE BOTH UNIQUE AND ESSENTIAL. I FURTHER INSIST THAT THE SO-CALLED "DRUG WAR" BE STOPPED IMMEDIATELY, BECAUSE IT IS KNOWN TO ENRICH A VICIOUS AND VIOLENT BLACK MARKET, WHILE EXPOSING AMERICA TO TERRORIST ATTACK THROUGH AN UNACCOUNTABLE, UNTRACEABLE DRUG MARKET.

I call upon the United States government and the United Nations Food & Agriculture Organization to transcend the tragic misvaluation of Cannabis seed nutrition, recognize the exceptionally beneficial properties of Cannabis agriculture, manufacture and trade, and end prohibition of both industrial hemp and marijuana effective immediately.

How bad do things have to get before all solutions are considered?

I envision the country I was taught to love, by my Russian-born parents; for which I accepted responsibility as a child, pledging allegiance everyday at school; taught to preserve the freedoms we inherited; led by a President with the courage and personal integrity to save this planet.

Please contact me soon, for more information.

Monday, December 22, 2008

Bush's opportunity for a parting "Christian" gesture of magnanimity and compassion

Bush's opportunity for a parting "Christian" gesture of magnanimity and compassion


If President Bush...

Were truly a great leader...

If he wanted to do all he can to protect our troops...

And defuse the hatred that's festering against all Americans because of the horrible war he started...

If he has any shred of human conscience and compassion for the immense suffering he's caused countless, innocent men, women and children in Iraq...

Then he would recognize the opportunity that has been given to him by Mr. al-Zaidi, to behave in a presidential manner, now. By insisting that Muntazer al-Zaidi be pardoned and released, and providing him with the best medical treatment available for his injuries, President Bush could demonstrate the qualities that he has used to justify America's military presence in Iraq.

Mr. al-Zaidi's expression of frustration and anguish hurt no one. We can all recognize, with gratitude, that in this case, a relatively harmless means of expression was chosen to convey the legitimate grievance of a society caught in the crossfire, rather than a lethal attack.

Having compassion for Mr.al-Zaidi, particularly at this time of the year, would demonstrate a measure of compassion for the immense harm done to his country and his people.

It is inconceivable to me that President Bush would allow this opportunity for a parting, magnanimous gesture to pass without recognizing the urgent need for initiating and demonstrating the process forgiveness.

I trust that if President Bush does nothing to help Mr.al-Zaidi, that President Obama will.

Meaningful Holidays to All,

Paul

Posted by: P.E.A.C.E. on Dec 22, 2008 12:37 PM
http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/114635/shoe-throwing_journalist_faces_trial_on_dec_31/?cID=1088653#c1088653

Sunday, December 14, 2008

“drug wars” have not worked -- ?

Greetings, TJ and friends ENCODian,

TJ G wrote:

"...it’s a waste of time arguing with drug warriors who will probably never ever admit that “drug wars” have not worked whatever the evidence."

It seems to me that the so-called "drug wars" HAVE "worked," to :

-- prolong the global economic addiction to fo$$il fuel$ and other expensive, unevenly distributed, expensive and otherwise unavailable forms of energy.
-- impose food insecurity and malnutrition, substituting a genetically modified source of protein (GM soy) for a more healthful, potentially abundant and globally distributed, sustainable, organic agricultural resource (Hemp, chanvre, hanf, hennep, konopya, ...)
-- create economic disparity that affords control over many by a few.
-- cripples organic agriculture by eliminating autonomy, made possible by regional agricultural biofuels production AND protein production, from the same harvest!
From the same harvest!!

This is enormous. That Cannabis produces fuel and food for humans, to the benefit of the soil, water, atmosphere, and wildlife is a critical plank in constructing the bridge out from under the misguided prohibitionist dominance we were born into. The argument really ends when simple logic establishes rightful jurisdiction. Such is the case with fp's direct and simple triumph over the unaccountable Costa. The UN's limitations of accountability establish the "border" of prohibition.

In the context of economically unobjective courts, it is less likely that the subject will be introduced in other than the court of public opinion, so if we really want prohibition to end, we must first admit that we have understated our case and not done everything we can.

I would postulate this to the world, for whom ever may care to consider that mankind's role in a properly balanced Natural Order is to grow crops that produce volatile organic compounds (VOCs), in abundance, in order to supply the atmosphere with enough "monoterpenes" to shield the planet from "global broiling" -- increasing UV-B radiation.

The combined significance of Cannabis essential nutritional productivity, fuel production capacity, environmental benefits, and global distribution convey the power of true value, which becomes more precious as conditions continue to deteriorate. In the end, there will be a paucity of time, unless people stand up now, and declare Cannabis a legitimate spiritual right protected under the "freedom of religion" in every human rights document that's ever been written.

Only absolute freedom to grow as much Cannabis of every kind for every purpose will be sufficient. Let the "drug war dinosaurs" who cannot bear to answer simple questions argue for a return to prohibition if they choose to, but out of necessity we must actively reverse the global consensus globally declaring an accurate assessment of Cannabis for all of its uses and benefits.

Recent stunning developments in the field of Cannabis medicine and history have established that the United States government is lying in order to impose Schedule I status for 'marijuana.' In addition, if the legal distinction is made between herbs and drugs, then gratitude for the harvest is sufficient to convey an end to prohibition by reason of legitimate religious protections already in force under existing laws.

The cost effectiveness of a more direct argument will pay for itself in the short term. Already, in countries where the Cannabis industry has taken root and flourished, there is an economic benefit to the community that supports the consciously lucrative, green Cannabis industry.

There is no more available, proportionate solution to the majority of the world's imbalances, than the reintroduction of the world's most useful and nutritious agricultural resource.

The "drug war" has also been successful in

-- imbedding institutionalized punishment-for-profit industries into our society to the extent that the prison&sherriff's lobby was able to defeat Proposition 5 in Califiornia last month:

See the Nonviolent Offender Rehabilitation Act
http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/California_Proposition_5_(2008)

defeated by the $1.8 million spent by the California Correctional Peace Officers Association, a lobbying group vested in the prison industrial complex.

-- stigmatize free-thinking, marginalize and disrupt the family structure of liberal-minded and agricultural communities.

-- sell more expensive products that would otherwise not be able to compete in a truly "free market"

All of these undesirable, truly illegal effects are profitable for a relative few people, who have invested part of their wealth to buy political influence, that control the courts and influences the vote.

-- imposed intentional ignorance and scarcity on people's fundamental right to survive through the freedom to farm, creating a regional abundance of balanced nutrition and sustainable energy.

How else to explain the blatant and prolonged criminal negligence of the United Nations Food & Agriculture Organization (UNFAO), that refuses to facilitate agricultural production of the world's most complete, potentially abundant and globally available food, in a world where 923 million people are starving?

State of Food Insecurity in the World 2008
ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/011/i0291e/i0291e00.pdf

For what it's worth, I suspect that the prohibition of 'marijuana' will end in the rest of the world, soon after prohibition industrial hemp ends in the United States. Such a huge lie cannot stand up to the public scrutiny any longer. Prohibition has to end or we're all going to die, and people all over the world are learn why that's true.

A 180 degree shift in public values is what's needed before we can hope to sway the courts or our chemically-vested politicians. The U.S. puts so much economic pressure on other countries to wage a profit-driven, hypocritical and selective global drug war, that prohibition has to end here, if it is to end any- and everywhere.

Just because countries other than the U.S. may be able to farm industrial hemp to some degree, under the strict and watchful eye of expensive government bureaucracies, doesn't mean that Cannabis prohibition in the US isn't impacting your hemp industry.

Prohibition of Cannabis in the US is the cornerstone of the global drug war, for two reasons. First, because marijuana availability is inversely proportionate to hard drug use, i.e. the more marijuana there is, the less people are inclined toward use of hard drugs (legal or illegal). Secondly, because the volume of marijuana being produced and sold on the black market dwarfs the quantities of hard drugs being sold.

If there are people in the European drug policy reform community who see the sense in this, and can afford to direct practical support and encouragement to activists in the US, then you are cordially invited to do so at a time when there appears to be an opportunity for change.

"After receiving nearly 100,000 total votes on more than 10,000 public policy issues, the most widely voted on question for Obama is:

"Will you consider legalizing marijuana so that the government can regulate it, tax it, put age limits on it, and create millions of new jobs and create a billion-dollar industry right here in the U.S.?"

from "Pot Supporters Bang on Obama's Doors for Drug Reform"
http://www.alternet.org/blogs/DrugReporter/#112401

Best wishes to all for a meaningful Holiday,

PvH


Paul J. von Hartmann
California Cannabis Ministry
http://www.californiacannabisministry.blogspot.com

Project P.E.A.C.E.
Planet Ecology Advancing Conscious Economics
http://www.webspawner.com/users/projectpeace

Friday, December 12, 2008

Human security

"Human security is an emerging paradigm for understanding global vulnerabilities whose proponents challenge the traditional notion of national security by arguing that the proper referent for security should be the individual rather than the state. Human security holds that a people-centered view of security is necessary for national, regional and global stability."

from "Human security"
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_security

"The State of Food Insecurity in
the World 2008 represents
FAO’s ninth progress report on
world hunger since the 1996 World
Food Summit (WFS). In previous
editions, FAO has expressed deep
concern over the lack of progress in
reducing the number of hungry
people in the world, which has
remained persistently high.

"FAO’s most recent estimates put the number of
hungry people at 923 million in 2007, an increase of more
than 80 million since the 1990–92 base period."


"The State of Food Insecurity in the World 2008"
ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/011/i0291e/i0291e00.pdf

Premise

Cannabis seed is nutritionally unique and essential.

Conclusion

Absent a global free market in Cannabis agriculture, research, manufacture and trade,
mankind will never achieve sustainable existence on Earth.

As individuals, we possess the right to grow Cannabis for food -- if we claim it, as is our responsibility, on behalf of future generations.

Time is the limiting factor in the equation of survival. Every spring that passes is an opportunity for global healing that is gone forever.

If you have money and this makes sense to you then please make contact. There is no money on a burned-out planet.

Shift your toxic petro dollars into the economic vacuum that's giving rise to a groundswell awareness. Support the California Cannabis ministry's Compassionate Cultural Center to develop regional, organic agriculturally based economics. Green market economics could easily end the black market, if society is grown up enough to accept individual responsibility for our own well-being.

How BAD do things have to get before all compassionate solutions are considered?

For prohibition to end, the true value of Cannabis agriculture, research, manufacture & trade must become common knowledge.

===============================

Contact me for more information
about how to legally transcend
Cannabis prohibition -- right NOW.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Until the freedom to farm "every herb bearing seed" is reclaimed in the U.S. -- and Cannabis prohibition ended -- global agriculture and regional economics will be crippled by soil demineralization, ag chemicals and fuel expenses.

Our most useful and nutritious crop is being suppressed through a counter-productive prohibition. Because of 'marijuana' prohibition, industrial hemp agriculture and the knowledge of hemp's unique and essential food value has been edited from the collective consciousness. That the United Nations Food & Agriculture Organization doesn't actively promote global hemp agriculture to produce vegetable protein and essential fatty acids is the crime of two Centuries.

It's time for farmers to reclaim our right to farm Cannabis for food, fuel, and much more. Article One, freedom of religion, is currently in force to protect our right to farm Cannabis. January 16th is

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM DAY
http://religiousfreedomday.com/

Please celebrate.

"Many of Jefferson's ideas about government, which are the philosophic underpinnings for our country, are based on the interrelationship between the land and the people. He clearly felt that the closer people were to the land, the freer they were to lead more "natural" lives and thus experience more directly the full possession of their natural unalienable rights. And in the process they might also feel closer to their God, the source of those rights."

from Thomas Jefferson: Agronomist
http://www.earlyamerica.com/review/2005_summer_fall/agronomist.htm

It is time to plant Thomas Jefferson's favorite crop once again. Every spring planting season that passes is an opportunity lost forever.

How bad do things have to get before all compassionate solutions are considered?

The test of President Obama's true character will be in his openness to "essential civilian demand" for hemp, as provided for in Executive Order 12919, and his practical support of religious freedom.

The spiritual legitimacy of individualized religion

There is no greater challenge or opportunity for compassion facing mankind than to end prohibition of the world's most nutritious and useful "herb bearing seed," Cannabis.

"God said, "Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed...and every green herb..."

Drugs don't make seeds. Herbs do. Organized religions have been politicized by a counter-productive "drug war", effecting the degree to which an individual's personal, evolving relationship with "god" is respected by law. It is the challenge of our generation to recognize the spiritual legitimacy of individualized religion, reclaim our self-evident freedom to farm hemp, and develop universal compassion for the world's oldest global culture.