Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Hope The Cure Makes All The Rage
Monday, March 17, 2014
Healing Cancer With Cannabis
Cannabis Cures Breast Cancer. It is time to start talking about it. It is time to get the big "foundations" to start fighting for it. It is time to fix what is broken in societies where cannabis consumption is illegal.
The NCIB released:
Clinically, there are still limited therapeutic interventions for aggressive and metastatic breast cancers available. Clearly, effective and nontoxic therapies are urgently required. Id-1, an inhibitor of basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors, has recently been shown to be a key regulator of the metastatic potential of breast and additional cancers. Using a mouse model, we previously determined that metastatic breast cancer cells became significantly less invasive in vitro and less metastatic in vivo when Id-1 was down-regulated by stable transduction with antisense Id-1. It is not possible at this point, however, to use antisense technology to reduce Id-1 expression in patients with metastatic breast cancer. Here, we report that cannabidiol (CBD), a cannabinoid with a low-toxicity profile, could down-regulate Id-1 expression in aggressive human breast cancer cells. The CBD concentrations effective at inhibiting Id-1 expression correlated with those used to inhibit the proliferative and invasive phenotype of breast cancer cells. CBD was able to inhibit Id-1 expression at the mRNA and protein level in a concentration-dependent fashion. These effects seemed to occur as the result of an inhibition of the Id-1 gene at the promoter level. Importantly, CBD did not inhibit invasiveness in cells that ectopically expressed Id-1. In conclusion, CBD represents the first nontoxic exogenous agent that can significantly decrease Id-1 expression in metastatic breast cancer cells leading to the down-regulation of tumor aggressiveness. http://
I do not have cancer, I just know many men and women who have fought it. I am tired of watching my universe suffer through inhuman treatments, when the cure can be grown in your own home. Stand up and support the cure for Breast Cancer.
Saturday, March 15, 2014
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Sunday, February 16, 2014
The Green Scene
Troy has started Permanent Farms in honor of his father, George Marion Stephens
Saturday, February 15, 2014
The Green Scene
Thursday, February 13, 2014
The Green Scene
Sunday, February 9, 2014
Tears Of The Fallen
My Warrior, Rest In Peace
I gave him my tears
He gave me his hope
Together we reminded each other that there is nothing we can not dream
My soul brother and me, invincible it seemed.
Now he lay lifeless, his spirit gone
And I just can not stop screaming, NO!
I still want him, I still love him, I still need his light
He was my Warrior, without him I have no fight.
Give him back, God
I have not asked for much in life
You gave me a brother to love and be the perfect kin
Too short a time, I want to hug him just once again...
Snow falling on tears that will not stop to breathe
Want to run to the woods and never return
For there is where my brother and I made a bond of the heart
Take his last breath, tear our hope apart.
Warrior.. Chuck, you stand with Apache now
Kiss him and pet his mane
Let him nudge you one time, and pull your dirty little ears
Know you are loved from this life, take with you my tears.
Tawnee
Chuck Jones RIP
Saturday, February 8, 2014
Friday, February 7, 2014
Thursday, February 6, 2014
The Faces Of Activism
The first time I went to Olympia was in November, to speak up against the fleecing of our medical cannabis laws. That was the first time I saw Kari Boiter. She was busy rushing to meetings and greeting patients she knew. She was speaking to committees on behalf of safe access for patients and protection for providers.
A few weeks ago I saw Kari on Lobby Days with many advocates I already knew, working on a project called, "Health Before Happy Hour". She greeted me with a friendly smile and then rushed off to another meeting.
Last week I was able to sit with her and talk. Kari empowered me to speak again to the Legislature about my needs as a patient. She offered to help me get meetings with key lawmakers I had been trying to get meetings with. She listened when I told her my thoughts and views, and that was important because I feel like she is the first person that has really cared enough to ask and then listen. She told me that my needs are important, and that the things I feel are valid, and then she helped me collect my thoughts enough to be able to speak them effectively to the lawmakers.
Yesterday I spoke to the Legislature, and I think I did okay. When I think of activism, I think of Kari Boiter. Kari empowered me to become part of the process.
What I am trying to do is make sure that they not only understand that we oppose the laws they are proposing to combine medical with recreational use, but also give them a blueprint of what an effective law would look like. What would be better for the patient, and what regulations we will accept and need. We do recognize in fact that the medical cannabis laws as it stands right now is not what the voters intended, it is not what the lawmakers intended, it is not what the patients intended. I am here to work with lawmakers to get something better in the law. "
Kari Boiter worked as a Legislative Assistant to the Chair Of Health and Human Services Appropriations Mary Lou Dickerson 2010-2013
Working with Mary Lou Dickerson on first State Level Legislation to legalize Cannabis. House Bill 1550
Advocate For Richard Flor and Chris Williams
Community Organizer
White House Petition to reduce sentence for Chris Williams
Organized Journey For Justice
Received Award for Medical Cannabis Advocate of the Year 2013 , from Americans for Safe Access
Time keeps on slipping...
Yesterday's Speaking
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Public Speaking
Today I spoke to members of the Senate regarding the crafting of laws concerning the medicine I use to heal and maintain my quality of life. I was not at all comfortable with the idea of being so vulnerable, but it was a choice I felt I had to make. I need them to understand my needs as a patient. I did not feel anyone else could effectively be that voice, so I had to summon the courage to do it.
We filed into the room and listened to many things before the bills concerning us were heard. Our bills were pushed to the end, and so our speaking time was very limited. I was not sure I could get through all of my notes.
My name was called and I went to the table, I was relieved to see my friend Shawn sitting next to me and immediately felt a little empowered by her testimony and energy. I looked around and was then joined by my friend and fellow cancer patient Debbie and another patient Tammy. I felt courage and pride being surrounded by my peers.
I began my testimony by telling them my illnesses and then quoting the cures as adopted by the NCIB. I told them I need access to pesticide free organic cannabis and quality concentrate tailored to my illness. I told them the financial hardship repeated authorizations when I have a terminal illness and debilitating spine injury is unjust. I told them having me buy my medicine in a retail store where others with the flu frequent puts my life at risk. I told them medibles with refined sugar and salt are toxic to cancer patients, we need access to safe quality medicine that is labeled. I welcome some regulation. I did not have time to talk about the rest of my points, but I left them there for them to read. I want to write them a letter now. I want to ask if I can be a bigger part of the process.
What do you think?
Lobby Days Here I come... again
When I was a child I never felt that I had a voice. I would try to speak up for the rights of my siblings and I, but no one would listen. I once even fancied becoming a lawyer and being the one that did in fact listen. Those dreams were dashed with the idea that I was not worthy of having that voice, that people in that marble house on the hill did not care about the ones who needed the most protection. It never stopped me from trying.
When I found myself a patient, sometimes getting unnecessary treatments and tests so that others could profit, I started being an advocate for others that were being treated like petrie dishes. When I met a disabled vet begging for help, I became his advocate to the VA and tap danced on any desk I could get in front of to get my friend the assistance he needed.
Now I find a war on one of the few medicines that heal so many different diseases and challenges, being waged when the freedom for access to it was granted so long ago. Medical Cannabis has been proven to heal. I must go and fight for patient rights, at the law level.
I must go speak for those fighting cancer. I must go speak for those that have non stop breath stealing pain. I must go speak for the humanitarians trying to provide this medicine to the most needy. I must do this for them and I, for we are all the same. I must do it for those very lawmakers who might one day find themselves as one of those or I. We are all the same. In an effort to be a voice in the chamber of echoes of our basic human right, I take with me all those in quarantine. I carry with me the tears that stained my cheek as I hugged my room mate goodbye for the last time before she passed away. I carry with me the future hope for all those diagnosed with cancer. I hope that my voice is enough.
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
I Thought I Saw An Elephant Fly
Sunday, January 26, 2014
We all need our Heroes
I have been a medical cannabis patient for many years now. I have always used it for help with eating, since chemo ruined my tummy. I have used it for pain, since my spine was broken in 2004. I have heard that it will cure cancer, now is my only chance. There is so much out there, and so many places to choose... but where is the cure? How do I find it?
Enter Cat Jeter. Cat is a wonderful activist and healer.
She took my diagnosis and went to work, and yesterday met up with me. She brought me some oil to eat, and taught me how to dose it. I am very sensitive to medicines, cannabis being no different, so we have to start me on infant doses. She educated me on how I can heal my body, and then got in her car and flew off into the sunset.
Wish me luck, I only get one shot at this now. I have walked completely away from American medicine. We must find the cure, not pretend it does not exist. My life is better because Cat Jeter made the choice to find the cure in a plant that could have sent her to prison.
...
I was totally content being silent and just shrug
Totally happy letting visuals guide my muse.
Then he walked in and magically exposed the ruse.
No more letting him in side my head
It is one hour past midnight and I need my bed
But now the voices will not silent, it is like the party place
It's me against a ticking time bomb and I never lose a race.
If he would just give me back the key that must have slipped my hand...
I can going on trying to be someone other than I am.
tlc
...
I want that summer kiss on the beach
I want the butterflies to still be there in the winter chill
I want the one thing that eludes me, a touch that is real.
I guess I want a little too much
So instead of wanting, I shall count what I have
Blessings, challenges and everything in between.
Life is fuller when you have less things.
Puppies playing and kittens pouting,
Children laughing, and activists shouting
Sunrises and moon dreams
Flowers bursting at their seams.
Bugs proving alien life forms
Evolution rewriting the norm.
Women stronger, men are allowed to feel
Fighting against inhumanity, keeping it real.
Dancing by myself, as the last daily thing I do.
Don't look at me like I am crazy, don't you do it too?
Maybe tonight I will go for a ride
Drive til the stars fill the emptiness inside.
tlc
1.26.2014
pfft
You try to run away from your own skin...
You try to shove in as much living,
Because you know you won't do it again.
You hide the truth behind a smile
Because you are tired of all the tears.
You stay up endless nights in solitude,
Listening to your own unspoken fears...
You grasp at all that is happy
You latch onto all that is true
Yes when they tell you that you are dying
You kinda change your view.
You give
and don't worry about return
You become an adventurer
There is so much you want to learn.
When they tell you all hope is gone
Tears escape a stolen breath
The doorway to your dreams are just opening up
And in walks Dear ol' Death
I want to run and hide
Scream and rage
Give up and give in
My soul locked in this human cage.
I smile and walk out to face my life
Pretend I am talented and that I know how to fly
Try to be someone other than me
Kiss the moon, like it is my last goodbye.
tlc 1.26.2014
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Stephanie Bishop
My Notes That I took to Olympia to Lobby for my Rights
Regarding Recommendation #3 – Regulations regarding health care professionals …
Bullet point 3 - Keep “solely” for healthcare professionals and require training for those wishing to be “primarily.” Professionals with cannabinoid experience should be allowed to specialize.
Bullet point 7 – The ability to add conditions through due process should be kept. A process should exist to examine science as it becomes available in a regulated and appropriate manner.
Regarding Recommendation #4 – Collective Gardens
Collective Gardens should, in the near term, be allowed to survive issue. Patient access is unlikely to be provided for in the 502 system, at least at first. In our opinion, cannabis production under 502 will take more than a year to even begin to satisfy the needs of the legal market. Collective gardens have served the needs of the medical patient since before they were codified.
Implement the 502 system and see how it works. If we end up with a system that looks likely to serve patient with appropriate products, a reliable supply and prices to the patient that are reasonable for medicine, we can begin a conversation about transitioning to a 502 model.
Regarding Recommendation #5 – Possession amounts
Bullet point 1 – Possession amounts should be kept as they are currently. Patients need to hold larger amounts especially collectively. As supply actually materializes (that is reliable) and serves the needs of patients with reasonable prices we can revisit this issue.
Bullet point 3 – Patients should have the ability to grow a reasonable supply. If a 502 system emerges with reliable supply, appropriate medicine and reasonable prices emerge then we can revisit the issue.
Bullet point 4 – The ability for qualified patients to act as a compassionate caregiver to another patient should be kept. Not all patients possess the ability to grow for themselves and it is not appropriate at this time to tell patients that they will be served by a model that does not exist.
Bullet point 5 – Please provide specificity on cannabinoids to be tested. We suggest THC, THCA and CBD
Bullet point 7 – Affirmative defense should be kept.
I CHALLENGE YOU
We are all the same, and we are all in this together. I challenge you, for the sake of the patients, get it together, find common ground, title that playground, One Love.
Let's Talk about Law
Monday, January 20, 2014
Magical Butter Studios Supports The Seahawks and Marijuana Legalization
Namaste
Friday, January 17, 2014
About A Boy
Creating The Cures
Some time ago a patient found himself seeking Dawn because he had no other hope. He was a patient in Spokane and he had been fighting colon cancer. Treatment had ravaged his body completely and the doctors had advised him to get his affairs in order. Dawn immediately started him on oil and after 13 months of treatment on the oil, he just got the news that he is cancer free.
While lobbying in Olympia this week the Cannabis community wanted to honor Dawn and her commitment to the community. They wanted to acknowledge her accomplishments and contributions to healing and life. A patient, Debbie Hanson presented her with a plaque recognizing all her hard work, and generous giving.
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Lobby Days In Olympia
Here are a few of their individual thoughts: