Looking for support for a possible new group! (the Cannabis group)

[F4lconF16]

Last edited Fri Apr 3, 2015, 09:54 PM - Edit history (2)

Alright, so another poster and I were discussing in a thread earlier about how it's unfortunate that there is a lack of a cannabis group on here, especially given all the users of both medical and recreational marijuana on here. I'd love to have a space to discuss those issues and things related to it. I looked around, and couldn't find much discussion about creating one, so I decided to go ahead and propose one now. Any thoughts, comments, suggestions, and especially declarations of support are welcome!

Take a look over this SOP I came up with and let me know what you think.

Our Statement of Purpose:

This group is intended to be a resource and an open forum for all things marijuana: discuss legal matters and advocacy efforts, post strain and product reviews, provide medical marijuana resources and assistance, talk about growing techniques, explore the possibilities of industrial hemp, etc.

If we get enough support, I'll go ahead and take this to the administrators. I think this could be a really good way to consolidate a lot of the research and resources that there is plenty of on here, and I'd love to have a good spot to have discussions about it.

Edit: Thanks everyone for all of your support and kind words! This thing went way beyond mine and tishaLA's expectations! I will be petitioning the admins for a new Cannabis group within the hour, and I'll make sure to post a link back here when we get it running. You all have a nice day now

Edit #2: Posted in AtA, just waiting to hear back now!

[Katashi_itto]

1. +1

[F4lconF16]

2. Thanks! nt

[Backwoodsrider]

3. I would find an MJ site very interesting

already have MJ card but rec use becomes legal in my state in exactly 3 months

[F4lconF16]

5. 'Bout time, Oregon.

Gotta be happy about that! Thanks!

[raven mad]

97. Rock on, Oregon!

You can always come up and visit your northern neighbors! (My niece and her wife are in Oregon...... my spouse was born there, a lot of his folks are there - neat place!)

Welcome to DU!

[bravenak]

4. I'll join it.

[F4lconF16]

7. Glad to have ya!

Thanks!

[raven mad]

98. Well, duh, girlfriend...............

[bravenak]

102. I should be a founding member.

[raven mad]

104. LOL! I think we're both there!

[bravenak]

115. Yay!!!

[raven mad]

116. When are you coming up this way?

Oh, wait - when am I going down your way?

Nobody speaks Alaskan but an Alaskan............

[bravenak]

118. I'm staying in the city for the summer this year.

I want to go back to school when my girls go back in the Fall. Trying to make that happen.
Maybe I'll go to Bluegrass this year though... Might see you there if I make it!

[raven mad]

119. We'll make a date and I'll buy the coffee............

as long as you're not allergic to cat hair. There's more cat hair on me than there is on the cats, come spring!

[bravenak]

125. I'll bring the dog hair, you bring the cat hair!

I'd enjoy that very much!
And I'll bring some fun smoke too!

[raven mad]

126. LOL! I hope our smoke will be greenhouse high by then!

We'll share - and my neighbordog will adore your dog hair - he only outweighs me by about 40 pounds! (The dog, not his hair......)

[War Horse]

6. Well, you got mine

I'm kind of doubtful this will take off, but there are enough knowledgeable folks here on this subject that it might prove valuable.

[F4lconF16]

8. Yeah, it probably won't be a high traffic forum, but who knows?

I think that it would be really good to have a place with all the research that's being done, and there would probably be some really good discussion. Thanks!

[War Horse]

11. Yep! :) n/t

[Dont call me Shirley]

66. It might be higher than you think

[F4lconF16]

67. I just sat there for like 20 seconds trying to figure out the rofl smiley

D'oh!

[Jackpine Radical]

87. Must be good shit.

[F4lconF16]

93. Ha! I wish, I was at work

And I'm not that dumb

[musiclawyer]

9. Count me in

I know some of the legal issues pretty well

[F4lconF16]

10. Great, we can use the expertise.

Thanks!

[F4lconF16]

12. Also, a possible welcome page:

...

Welcome to the Cannabis group! Before you begin posting, take a glance through the following:

Our Statement of Purpose:

This group is intended to be a resource and an open forum for all things marijuana: discuss legal matters and advocacy efforts, post strain and product reviews, provide medical marijuana resources and assistance, talk about growing techniques, explore the possibilities of industrial hemp, etc.

The rules in this group are as follows:

Rule #1: We are advocates of legalized marijuana. If you disagree with that, please refrain from posting about such or you may be blocked by a host.

Rule #2: Topics of OPs will vary widely as evidenced by our SOP. However, they should be at least vaguely related to marijuana. If not, a host may lock the thread. That said, this group is rather relaxed (for some reason or another—we’ve forgotten… ) and conversation about life, the universe, and everything is not only allowed, but encouraged.

Rule #3: Judgment of posters for marijuana usage is strictly prohibited.

Rule #4: Racism, sexism, homophobia, and any other sort of bigotry will not be tolerated, per DU’s Terms of Service. Cannabis connects people unlike anything else, and that spirit will be enforced.

Rule #420: No hating on Bob Marley.

All that said, welcome to the group! Make yourselves at home, and happy posting!

Note: this site is monitored and read by many people. If you are not of age, marijuana is not legal in your state, or you are worried about employers finding out, please remember that you post at your own risk. While this group is an advocate for legalized marijuana and we do not have a problem with currently illegal usage, we unfortunately do not make the rules and there is a chance, however slight, of adverse consequences.

...

I was thinking we could have a pinned strain review thread as well, and maybe a "Strain of the Week" type of thing as well. I have no idea, we could brainstorm a bit.

[Warren DeMontague]

26. I think you're alienating people with the Bob Marley thing.

I mean, there are a lot of pothead punks who can't stand Reggae. Not me of course.

That said, at the very least rule 420 should also include Jerry Garcia.

[F4lconF16]

33. Yeah, I was mostly joking with that.

I agree about Jerry Garcia, though shamefully I may need to do a bit more research...he was before my time.

[Warren DeMontague]

51. Well, you know, he said that the Dead are like licorice.

Not everyone likes licorice, but the people who like it, like it a LOT.

[waddirum]

133. Bob Marley was living in London when Punk Rock became a thing

He even wrote a song "Punky Reggae Party" as a shout out to his friends.

[Warren DeMontague]

135. Real music fans should be able to stick a toe into just about any genre, and wiggle it around IMHO.

For instance, punk can overlap things like rock, rockabilly and even bluegrass.

[KittyWampus]

30. I'd like to see reviews of strains used for various medical issues.

As long as it's understood it's not a substitute for medical care.

[F4lconF16]

34. Of course.

There would be a disclaimer of some sort that should go in there too. All things to discuss if we get the group up and running.

[raven mad]

103. I mean, rule 420 is a no brainer -

who doesn't love Bob Marley?

[AtomicKitten]

13. I'm in. Thanks. /nt

[F4lconF16]

14. Great, thanks for the support! nt

[zappaman]

15. In!

[F4lconF16]

16. Sweet, thanks! nt

[Pathwalker]

17. I'll join you. I'm no expert, but am an MMJ patient

in Mi. I have actually found a strain that damn near performed a miracle for my eye pressures( I have glaucoma); CBD strain "Tora Bora". Would love to share AND LEARN from DUers.

[F4lconF16]

18. And that's exactly what this forum would be for.

We'd love to have you along for the ride. (Also, going and looking up that strain right now...I know a couple people who could use that...)

Edit: wow, that sounds like a killer strain. Heavy heavy indica there.

[Pathwalker]

38. My eye pressures

were so high (37 in the left eye) that one of them wanted to put a stent in the eye. The other Dr. disagreed, since I'm already blind in that eye, and the risk of infection
was too high. I went in search of strains high in CBDs, and found this strain at a local dispensary, vaped it just before my last two appts. Everyone, including me was shocked when they were NORMAL - 19(left eye) & 17(right eye). They both know I'm an MMJ patient, one disapproves, but one tells me to "keep doing what I'm doing, because it's working". He's from Ann Arbor. My caretaker has started two plants for me.

You might also want to check out "Cannatonic", which is also a good CBD strain.

[F4lconF16]

47. That's incredible.

It is amazing how much it helps. I have a friend who I'm pretty sure is only alive today because she had access to it. I know there's been times where she used it to prevent huge seizures when she didn't have her meds with her.

Glad you've gotten so much better though!

[Jackpine Radical]

19. Looks good to me.

[F4lconF16]

20. Thanks! nt

[Politicalboi]

21. Sounds great

I think we need more forums for room mates that are compatible with politics and 420. And why not a singles forum for straight and LGBT.

[F4lconF16]

29. I agree with that.

It'd be good to be able to meet people from on here anyways. Thanks!

[tishaLA]

22. well I'm in

but you already knew that.

[F4lconF16]

24. That I did.

Thanks for convincing me to take the plunge

[KittyWampus]

23. No longer partake BUT briefly considered it when dealing w/menopausal insomnia.

Such a forum could potentially be informative for a wider variety of reasons than recreational users.

I STRONGLY URGE YOU TAKE INDUSTRIAL HEMP OUT OF THE MISSION THOUGH>

Smokable hemp and industrial hemp are two different things.

They aren't grown together.

If someone wanted to discuss industrial hemp I'd say start convos in Environment/Energy.

IMO. Not going to argue about it. Just my opinion.

[F4lconF16]

27. You make a very good point, and one I kinda agree with. I wasn't sure if I should add it or not.

I think I'll leave that for the new group to discuss when we get there, this is mostly to see if people were interested--evidently they were! Thanks for your support.

They are both illegal for the most part right now, though, right? Or am I completely clueless about that?

[Jackpine Radical]

42. Growing hemp is illegal but hemp products like fabrics & paper are legal.

[F4lconF16]

44. Weird. Thanks for the info. nt

[Warren DeMontague]

40. I'd disagree, because the problems getting industrial hemp to wider usage, etc are directly tied to

pot prohibition.

It is the legal framework of the drug war which keeps industrial hemp illegal in many places, etc. As such they're tied together.

[me b zola]

25. Count me in! n/t

[F4lconF16]

36. Thanks! nt

[Hun Joro]

28. I'm in!

[F4lconF16]

37. Thanks! nt

[haikugal]

31. Thumbs up..count me in! n/t

[F4lconF16]

39. Will do! thanks nt

[Warren DeMontague]

32. I support this idea.

I am an enthusiastic proponent of legalization, even though I personally only indulge once every several years, on average (and with that sort of tolerance, when that happens I'm generally ripped to the stratosphere)

Back in the day, though, I smoked the crap out of the stuff. Unlike booze it never caused me to wake up in a dumpster or gave me scars and stitches.

[F4lconF16]

41. Yeah that much time between uses?

You're going to be hit hard.

It's ridiculous that people still think it's more dangerous than alcohol and other drugs--shows what 50+ years of propaganda will do. Not that I think most people ever believed it lol.

[Warren DeMontague]

56. No shit!

Fortunately my mind is pretty battle-hardened from my youth so at those times I'm just like "wheeee!"

I think the knowledge that it's relatively benign has been out there for a while, and has been percolating up in the general consciousness. I always felt legalization was coming, but if you look back even 8 or so years here on DU you'd see people going "pot legalization is never going to happen, none of the serious political people™ think it's a serious political issue™"

Guess they were wrong, about that. One thing I think is important is for our party to get on the right side of this at the national level, certainly letting the so-called libertarian wing of the GOP grab the pro-legalization football would be a big political mistake IMHO.

[F4lconF16]

60. A strong mind and a strong stomach will get you through just about any high dosage.

I think even overshooting with brownies won't make you puke if you've got experience, unless you go crazy of course.

It's amazing how fast the legalization trend is going. I think it's like some other recent issues like gay marriage: once they realized the world wasn't going to end, most people just couldn't really give a crap, and the proponents have been able to make some serious progress. It's not good to see Dems still not getting behind this fully, though--we're still losing people to the libertarians because of it. I can think of at least two people off the top of my head that vote libertarian because of it.

[Warren DeMontague]

74. You will note that here in Oregon our party has its head on straight regarding the issue.

All the way up to Merkeley.

I don't think that is completely unrelated to the fact that we did better than average in this past cycle, too.

[Jackpine Radical]

89. That & your wonderful voting system.

[Warren DeMontague]

134. Doesn't hurt.

In fact I would highly recommend it for everyone, in terms of both convenience AND the fact that it leaves a reliable paper trail for recounts.

[immoderate]

35. On board...

--imm

[F4lconF16]

43. Excellent. Thanks nt

[RKP5637]

45. I think it's an excellent idea! n/t

[F4lconF16]

48. Great, thanks. nt

[Blue_In_AK]

46. Sure.

I LOVE cannabis.

[F4lconF16]

49. Heh.

I think a lot of us do thanks!

[ghostsinthemachine]

50. This is a great idea.....

Fully support.

[F4lconF16]

53. Awesome. Thanks nt

[Alittleliberal]

52. As long as it's a joint operation

aspiring towards a higher goal I'm game

[F4lconF16]

55. We just need to weed out any bad ideas

and then I think it'll be a pretty good group

[Alittleliberal]

65. I've got a pretty extensive knowledge of growing Cannabis

Looking forward to contributing!

[Warren DeMontague]

76. Oh no, here come the dopey puns

[Scuba]

54. I'm in.

[F4lconF16]

57. Glad to have you. Thanks nt

[fredamae]

58. I support this

Lots to learn, lots to share, lots to discuss.
Great idea.

[F4lconF16]

63. Thanks :) nt

[MADem]

59. Maybe you could tack on to the DRUG POLICY group.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1170

Morph the two missions, perhaps? A lot of what you are talking about is already found there.

I think the board is way too fractured, already, but that's just me.

[F4lconF16]

62. I thought about that, but there's a lot of things that don't really fit into drug policy.

Strain reviews, medical info, etc.

I understand where you're coming from, though.

[MADem]

69. Maybe a slight name modification? Drug information and policy, perhaps?

A lot of the cannabis conversations head that way, already....

[F4lconF16]

71. Perhaps.

But I think there's been a fair show of support for this idea, and I, as well as others I've heard, would prefer a dedicated group.

[hopemountain]

124. disagree. a cannabis

group would allow for expansion of topics related to cannabis as not only medicine and for recreational use, but also many topics to discuss around cultivation, workers/laborers, etc., in addition to all of the other possible topics. "drug policy" is too narrow and conflicts with the broader impacts of cannabis as a legalized herb.

[MADem]

130. Well, my suggestion involved a morphing of the two groups to accomodate all issues and topics.

It would require a title change, perhaps and a rewrite of the SOP.

If people don't want to do it, fine. I just think there are a lot of disused groups on this board, and it makes it a bit ... fractured!

[Ageless Democrat]

61. You got me.

I'm in!

[F4lconF16]

64. Thanks! nt

[Dont call me Shirley]

68. I'll join.

I want to start using it for medicine.

[F4lconF16]

72. What for, if you don't mind my asking?

It's helped a lot of people I know, from epilepsy to pain to depression.

[Dont call me Shirley]

159. Lupus, Fibro, Chronic low level soreness

But I just cannot handle the high, it wipes me out. The pot these days is just way to strong for me. I need something that doesn't get me high.

[jtuck004]

70. Add me please. n/t

[F4lconF16]

73. Will do. Thanks nt

[Canoe52]

75. You have my support!

Washington State resident and MM user

[OnionPatch]

77. I'd go there.

I have a doctor's rec, which makes me legal here in California. I do use it medicinally for a variety of medical conditions but I'd be lying if I said I didn't use it recreationally as well and I fully support complete legalization. It would be great to have a place to discuss that. I grow my own so I'd be interested in gardening posts too.

[mountain grammy]

78. I'm in!

proud and legal in Colorado. We grow most of our own and make our own baked goods.

[forest444]

79. Am I for it? I'd say it's high time.

[IVoteDFL]

80. I don't post too much

but I would love to lurk around on a MJ group.

[B Calm]

81. +1 k&r

[jomin41]

82. RYE TON!

Count me in. I'll post when I'm not in the garden...

[DisgustipatedinCA]

83. Good idea. I'm all in.

Thanks!

[maindawg]

84. Im in

[LuvNewcastle]

85. It's really surprising that there isn't

one already. I fully support a new group.

[tishaLA]

88. F4lconF16 and I were talking in a thread about girl scout cookies this morning

and I said the same thing--that I had looked for one the other day and was surprised I couldn't find one. At DU?! Incroyable! Thankfully, F4lconF16 took the bull by the horns and decided to do something about it.

[SalviaBlue]

86. I'm in

[bloomington-lib]

90. I'd like that

[scarletwoman]

91. You have my full support for forming such a group.

Please post the link when it happens!

[F4lconF16]

120. Will do! thanks nt

[calimary]

92. Supported!

[stopwastingmymoney]

94. I'll join

I've been interested in industrial hemp in particular for a long time

One thing, please use the word cannabis instead of marijuana in the SOP.

[F4lconF16]

123. A good idea.

I will be rewriting it for the group, since it looks like this definitely has enough support to become one!

[janlyn]

95. I would be interested.

Arkansas voted on medical, the vote was very close! It will probably come up for vote again. I am hoping this time around that given the number of states who have jumped on the band wagon since the first vote, that it passes.
I would love a non-chemical alternative for my fybromyalgia!

[hopemountain]

127. cannabis salve saved me from chronic,

debilitating nerve & inflammation pain from fibromyalgia. i'm unable to smoke it - but a basic cannabis & olive oil based salve helps me function and deal with the pain.

[raven mad]

96. Neat idea!

I hope it's legal where you are - it is here (except you can't buy or sell.........)

[F4lconF16]

121. Thank the stars, yes.

Gotta love Seattle

[yallerdawg]

99. You could expect very short posts and comments.

Wait a minute - what group is this?

[TeamPooka]

100. K&R!

[Dragonfli]

101. Consider this a declaration of Support!

It sounds like a fine idea for a group, I wish you luck.

[truedelphi]

105. Thank you! It might very well re-ignite my interest in DU.

I am tending to gravitate to sites where I feel that I can make remarks about medicinal Cannabis and recreational Cannabis without all those virtual eyebrows being raised.

Would very much support the forum.

[0rganism]

106. I'm in

MMJ user for a few months, it does miracles for my MS
First time i used one of the high-CBD strains it pretty much made my day - it was like 20 lbs of mud had been removed from each of my limbs, like a heavy wet blanket of despair got taken off my body. I'd forgotten what it was like to feel good inside - so much relief, the other pleasant effects are just a bonus.

[ruffburr]

107. Count me in.

As a child of the 60's I'm still grooving with Mr. Natural and the Fabulous Furry Freak Bros. (Ya gotta be old) Lol

[OnionPatch]

117. Love the Freak Brothers!

I'm old too.

[F4lconF16]

122. Ha! Normally I don't get any references by the older DUers here

But I know that one for once!

[Enthusiast]

152. I love the Furry Freak Brothers! And especially Fat Freddy's Cat.

[yallerdawg]

155. Fat Freddy's Cat!

Never trusted a cat since...

[flying_wahini]

108. Great Idea!

'Bout time.'

[tkmorris]

109. I'm in too

I think that Cannabis conversation really doesn't fit in well with discussion of other drug policy. Lumping it in with other drugs is kind of how we ended up with the stupid prohibitive policies of the past in the first place.

[potone]

110. Count me in!

I am interested in it for medicinal purposes; specifically for its analgesic properties. Not nearly enough research has been done on it, thanks to the Federal government shutting down research for decades on it, but now that it is legal in some states, there are starting to be more studies. I'd be very glad to have any good information on it.

[byronius]

111. Abso.

Lutely.

[marble falls]

112. I'm with you! Count me in!

[demigoddess]

113. + 1

[shireen]

114. you have my support

[hopemountain]

128. looking forward to participating nt

[Vincardog]

129. You might add to the list "Discuss the varied uses "

[Chan790]

131. Isn't this redundant to the drug policy forum?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1170

I mean "Drug Policy" is supposed to be about drug policy but if you go look at what gets posted there, it's basically the cannabis forum already.

[F4lconF16]

132. Here's what someone else posted upthread, and I agree with:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026456841#post124

[Chan790]

136. I saw it...I'm actually completely with MADem on this.

The forums are too fractured as it is with everybody wanting their own topic splinter...the result ends up being 5 fora with no discussion because the interested people are spread too thin. I've long been a proponent of identifying and consolidating fora. We went through this with feminist forums...there got to be like 6 of them and all 6 were dead because they each ended up with like 15 posters and a lot of topic-siloing.

Further, I suspect for their own liability reasons that almost-100% of what isn't covered by the current drug policy forum in that proposed SOP is going to be vetoed by administration. Discussion of farming practices and strain reviews and the such would be problematic both legally and in terms of avoiding "blacklisting" by institutions and net-filtering/parental-control software. (Such sites in turn are often blocked by advertisers from receiving their ads. Those ads keep the servers up.) A lot of things that are not covered elsewhere on DU are intentionally not covered on DU at-all.

[F4lconF16]

137. I suppose we will see what happens, then.

Thank you for your input.

[waddirum]

144. I consider cannabis to be an herb and not a "drug"

I think the topic deserves its own segregated forum, and not lumped in with other "drugs".

[Chan790]

146. That would make more sense if anything other than marijuana was more than rarely discussed in DP.

It's literally already the cannabis forum in all but name....let's change the name.

I doubt anybody would notice and we can avoid needless creation of segregated low-use fora for redundant topics.

[eridani]

138. Absolutely! n/t

[Renew Deal]

139. I'm not sure that SoP is best for DU

I don't plan on participating, but I would consider modifying the SOP slightly. The issue is that if DU gets into posting strains, reviews, and most importantly growing techniques it might get DU classified as NSFW.

Currently DU is classified as News and Media on Websense. If it gets classified as Drugs: Marijuana, DU may no longer be accessible or even safe to access. Here is my suggestion:

This group is intended to be a resource and an open forum for all things marijuana: discuss legal matters and advocacy efforts, post strain and product reviews, provide medical marijuana resources and assistance, talk about growing techniques, explore the possibilities of industrial hemp, etc.

[F4lconF16]

140. Thanks for the input.

That's unfortunate, because that would be a huge help to a number of members here as they have stated upthread.

[Renew Deal]

141. No problem

Maybe nothing will change. Just thinking about unintended consequences. For all I know, that type of info might getting posted already.

[Major Hogwash]

143. Fucking A, dude!

This is the best idea I've heard of ever since Skinner created the jury system!



But, it probably won't happen.
Because we would open the possibility of being investigated by the FBI, the CIA, and the NSA for passing DU mails back and forth to each other, asking guys and gals who live in Colorado, Alaska, and/or Oregon to send those of us some product who live in other states, after promising to send some money for it.
And that could lead to juries getting involved with the members of this forum in real life, and I don't think Skinner wants that headache.

There's nothing wrong with discussing it, per se.
But, discussing it may lead to temptation.
And temptation would lead to sin.
Sin would lead to getting high.
Getting high would lead to getting by.
Getting by would lead to satisfaction.

And, as everyone knows, I can't get no satisfaction!

[F4lconF16]

145. It's sounding like it won't happen

which is a real disappointment, because there's a whole bunch of DU members that could really benefit from this.

Love your post

[Enthusiast]

153. The FBI, the CIA, and the NSA already investigate the shit out of us.

You know, because we are advocates for social justice. It's anti-Nazi.

[Major Hogwash]

158. Not me, they don't.

Now you're getting me paranoid!

[eShirl]

147. medical marijuana patient here

it would be nice to have an area to discuss strains, various methods of use (smoking, vaporization, edibles recipes, tinctures, etc) and stuff

[JesterCS]

148. I support this n/t

[williesgirl]

149. I'm in

[SoLeftIAmRight]

150. Colorado grower here

I am in

[TexasTowelie]

151. Hello F4,

Please add my endorsement for this cause. You might have to put up with some of my catnip jokes though!

[tishaLA]

154. just kicking this for the weekenders nt

[fredamae]

156. There are many

cannabis forums around the country:
http://www.letfreedomgrow.com/
http://www.meetup.com/COLORADO-CARES-MEDICAL-CANNABIS-DISCUSSION-GROUP/messages/boards/
http://stephenking.com/xf/index.php?threads/medical-cannabis.6072/
http://forum.grasscity.com/
http://azmarijuana.com/forum/
http://www.medicalcannabis.com/
And Many, many more


For those concerned about creating a forum for this, I doubt (but do not know as Fact) there would be any issue at all.
We already post articles and discuss it, I think the OP is trying to pull it all together in one "meetin' room".
Please correct me if I am mistaken.

[DiverDave]

157. Sign me up

And don't bogart that...

[Tuesday Afternoon]

160. 420

[SHRED]

161. I support this idea

I think it will grow.