Raid on Care By Design Despite Full Compliance with California State Laws

It was my understanding that the Feds. had been instructed not to utilize funding to pursue medical cannabis operations that were in compliance with State laws and then this?? What makes it even more incomprehensible and unconscionable is that Care By Design is a shining example of a company that provides safe, effective medicines to people. They utilize clean, green growing and extracting practices and protocols. They are a science driven organization and their whole plant CBD-rich products can be relied on to provide consistent cannabinoid levels and ratios, which is not always the case within the cannabis industry. 

I have a personal connection with one of the Care By Design team and his knowledge of the ECS and cannabis therapeutics is beyond impressive. He is a caring and compassionate Soul. I have observed how he interacts with people who are just learning of the benefits of cannabis therapeutics and watch his eyes light up as he shares his vast knowledge with warmth and caring.

I don’t know who was involved in the raid but my Social Work mind moves quickly to the victims of such a heinous act by law enforcement. I have sat with people as they recount their stories of similar raids on establishments they worked at, operating in full compliance with State law, and the devastating effects the trauma of being terrorized by an unexpected law enforcement raid and the psychological imp, financial and social devastation that followed as they tried to navigate a Judicial system that is stacked against them even though they were operating in full compliance with State law and I pray that this will not be the case here.

How many more of us will fall prey to the hammer of prohibition? How many more will be subject to the gross injustices of this pitifully failed “War on Drugs”? When will responsible and empathetic people stop being criminalized over a life saving, life giving, life stabilizing plant? 

When is enough finally enough??
#EducateNormalizeLegalize #IntentionsMatter

http://blog.sfgate.com/smellthetruth/2016/06/15/police-raids-hit-major-northern-california-medical-
marijuana-brands/

http://www.beyondthc.com/the-take-down-of-care-by-design/

More Trauma Inflicted By the Failed "War On Drugs"

In October 2015, the San Francisco Daily News reported:

"Congress passed an amendment to the Justice Department's budget that prohibited the feds from "spending funds" to interfere with state medical marijuana law. While the Controlled Substance Act is untouched and cannabis is still a Schedule I drug, the intent, in the words of bill co-sponsor U.S. Rep. Sam Farr, was to assure the law-abiding California cannabis industry that "the Feds just can't come in and bust you."

Two nights ago, Care By Design facilities were raided in Santa Rosa California despite assurances from the "Feds" that they would not interfere with Organizations complying with State laws. Another example of how the Federal Government can really do whatever it is they want to do. It is sick and sad, that people continue to be victimized and traumatized as a result of the miserably failed "War on Drugs".

4 months ago, Russ Bellville caught up with my Colleague, friend and fellow "Families for Sensible Drug Policy" team member, Dale Schafer in an interview, I invite you to take some time and hear what they've got to say.

I believe it's important for us to know "where we came from" as we move forward to "where we're going". Thanks to those who have payed a great price for helping those in need.

#EducateNormalizeLegalize #IntentionsMatter

http://marijuanapolitics.com/dale-schafer-5-years-in-prison-for-california-medical-marijuana-growing/

"The Guilt of Being Alive is Heavy"

I hear her words, no I feel them in my Soul. 

My mind, the mind of someone who knows torment intimately, 

wanders... into myself and then beyond.

My mind wanders... it's June, PTSD awareness month.

My mind wanders... cannabis may just be the most effective treatment for PTSD.

My mind wanders... if we treat victims of trauma, acutely, while it's still a traumatic event and not a post traumatic event, could we prevent the "disorder" from developing in the first place?

My mind wanders... the victims of trauma.

My mind wanders... "the guilt of being alive is heavy".

Haven't they been hurt enough, 

can't we help them now, can't we at the very least try? 

No, we can't... our lawmakers said NO.

My mind wanders... my mind wonders...

My heart breaks... just a little bit more... one. more. time.

‪#‎EducateNormalizeLegalize‬ ‪#‎IntentionsMatter‬

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/the-guilt-of-being-alive-is-heavy-survivor-of-nightclub-shooting-says/2016/06/14/ac366268-3251-11e6-8ff7-7b6c1998b7a0_story.html

Mel Sembler: Florida's Medical Cannabis Foe

I have had multiple conversations, with multiple people regarding Mr. Mel Sembler, none of them have been very pleasant. All of these people are interested in communicating directly with Mel, they have a few questions they'd like to ask him on his "No on 2" anti-medical cannabis campaign in Florida.

Certain things spur me to action, and that "action" in me has been spurred, so I figured I'd share some horrendous truths that I have discovered thus far. 

Apparently, Mr. Sembler wears the fact that he founded an abusive drug treatment facility that tortured, tormented and traumatized thousands of adolescents and duped their parents into believing that their children were being well cared for and that their substance use disorders (which many of them didn't even have) were being effectively "treated". 

Before they led Save Our Society from Drugs and it's sister nonprofit, the Drug Free America Foundation,  Mel and his wife Betty were at the helm of Straight Inc. Straight Inc. was an adolescent drug treatment facility that operated from 1976 through 1993.

One doesn't have to go far to find torrid stories from former "residents" of the program. Stories of brutal beatings, rape, and systematic psychological as well as emotional abuses. Investigators found that Straight Inc. subjected teens to "unusual punishment, infliction of pain, humiliation, intimidation, ridicule, coercion, threats, mental abuse... and interference with daily living functions such as eating, sleeping, and toileting." 

I have read reports where a 13 yr. old female resident at the Tampa Straight Inc. clinic says she was locked in a room, and forced to wear clothes stained with feces, urine and menstrual blood, a punishment referred to by staff as "humble pants".

In 1984, 60 minutes did an expose on Straight Inc. Amazingly, the program remained in existence until 1993. I could go on and on about Straight Inc., but instead I'll just provide the link to the 60 minute piece and those who are interested can simply click on the link to learn more for themselves:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKZfTwhZLAw

So, back to Mel. As I mentioned earlier, instead of being outraged at the atrocities that were perpetrated on American teens, the founder of the program touts his creation as a "badge of honor" on his Corporate bio. stating " Although best known as a leading shopping center developer, Sembler is also renowned for his activism in the anti-drug movement. In 1976, Sembler and his wife Betty founded STRAIGHT, an adolescent drug treatment program. During its 17 years of existence, STRAIGHT successfully graduated more than 12,000 young people nationwide from its remarkable program. He is nationally recognized as an activist in the anti-drug campaign and as a staunch, long-time supporter of the Republican Party and its candidates." 

To read Mr. Sembler's full bio. please click here: 

http://www.sembler.com/company/executive-profiles/mel-sembler.aspx

Mr. Sembler may or may not still serve as Chair Emeritus of the Sembler Company, one of the Nation's most recognized shopping center developers. I have not verified if he in fact still holds this position, although I imagine that he does. 

I guess between running drug treatment centers, the Foundation for a Drug Free America, Save Our Society from Drugs and being a real estate and development mogel, Mr. Sembler has plenty of money to throw at the "Vote No on 2" campaign opposing medical cannabis in Florida. It would make sense, of course someone who has built a fortune and continues to reap financial benefit from the failed "War on Drugs" and Cannabis Prohibition would want to block any reform of antiquated, archaic, oppressive and destructive cannabis laws. The current structure serves him and his minions so well. If he isn't outraged over the abuse and traumatization of children why would he be concerned or even interested in alleviating human suffering.

If anyone is interested in learning more about the Sembler Company, below are the links to the "contact" information page as well as the "contact form" page. 

http://www.sembler.com/contact.aspx

http://www.sembler.com/contact/contact-form.aspx

Now, I'm sure that Mel and Betty Sembler have no idea who I am and part of me hopes it stays that way. I understand that the claims that I am making, can be viewed as inflammatory, it is however information that I believe needs to be disseminated.

Cannabis reform is a moral imperative. I believe that " If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor"

#EducateNormalizeLegalize #IntentionsMatter #StopTheHarm

Cannabis for PTSD in Florida

On March 7, 2016, an amendment was put forth by Senator Greg Evers to add PTSD as a qualifying condition for medical cannabis in Florida. Of the 40 Florida State Senators, 36 of them voted. One of the Senator's had been "excused" for the day due to a family issue, the Senate President, Andy Gardiner and two other Senator's declined to vote. The result was an 18/18 split decision, a majority would have been needed for the amendment to pass. Sadly, PTSD was not added as a qualifying condition in Florida.

I contend that over half of our Senators failed not only civilian sufferers of PTSD, but our Veteran brothers and Sisters on that day. They had an opportunity to provide real assistance and they refused to do so.

Cannabis is an effective treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, this is not opinion, there is Scientific data to back this claim. There is also a plethora of "anecdotal" evidence supporting my assertion. Anecdotal evidence, to me, is just a fancy way of saying that something actually works in living, breathing, humans.

You see, when someone suffers from catastrophic symptoms such as: a heightened level of alert; when they re-experience their trauma through nightmares and flashbacks; when they are "triggered" by certain images, sounds, or smells; when they live their lives avoiding certain people, places or things out of fear; when they can't relax; when they can't sleep and they tell me something helps them, I believe them.

When enough people tell me that cannabis helps them "handle" these symptoms better and allows them to carry on with the activities of daily living that those who are not afflicted with this condition take for granted, I believe them. Not only do I believe them, I want to help them gain safe and legal access.

How I wish that our lawmakers in Florida could step outside of themselves and extend this same courtesy to the Floridians around them who are suffering, many of us in Silence.

You see, if they did, perhaps Drew Winkler, the 26 year old Iraqi War Veteran from Crestview Florida would still be alive today. Sadly, he's not. Drew took his own life on Memorial day, June 2nd, 2016.

Drew became another "statistic", one of the 22 Veterans daily, who complete suicide. Another sufferer of PTSD, another casualty of the "War on Drugs". Are we really going to continue to send these men and women into harms way only to deny them access to a plant that they are telling us helps them cope more effectively when they return?

Are we going to accept our politicians "playing Doctor" as they decide who should receive cannabis as a treatment and who should not? Are we going to accept politicians statements before Committee meetings up at the Florida State Capital such as: "Well, I have a hard time refuting that PTSD is very frequently over diagnosed" in our Veterans, as Representative Matt Gaetz so callously commented in his address to his fellow lawmakers. Is he even qualified to "refute" such claims, I mean he's not a Mental Health Professional, or even a Medical Doctor. How would he know about Mental Health conditions being overly diagnosed? Because the Speaker of the House told him so? This was the response I received from him when I asked him where he got his information from.

I did not know Drew but I still grieve his death, maybe more so than other "strangers", because I failed too. I failed to convince 21 Senators in the State of Florida that cannabis is a safe and effective treatment for PTSD. I failed to convince them to vote "yes" and now a man is dead. Do I blame myself for Drew's death, no, not really. I understand that I can't be held accountable for someone else's decision, but I do acknowledge my failure. I will carry it forward with me in my quest to reform antiquated, archaic, oppressive and destructive laws.

I can't help but wonder, when will enough finally be enough? When will we decide, collectively that #Twenty22Many is unacceptable? When will we finally be ready to #StopTheHarm?
#EducateNormalizeLegalize #IntentionsMatter

"He had sent text messages to his family, assuring them he loved them. At 5:06 a.m., he made one last post to his Facebook page.

“1 of 22 per day ... (why) can’t they just help us ... goodbye”

The number 22 refers to the number of veterans who reportedly commit suicide every day."

http://www.nwfdailynews.com/article/20160601/NEWS/160609840