Two Durangoans Advocate Use Of Plant To Treat Physical Ailments Durango prides itself on being a "green" city, but two local men think it could be greener. Aamann Degarth and Eric Gay are spearheading an effort to open a local chapter of the Portland, Ore.-based The Hemp and Cannabis - or THC - Foundation, which advocates the use of medicinal marijuana in the 13 states that have legalized the practice. In November 2000, Colorado voters approved Amendment 20 to the state constitution, legalizing the use of marijuana to treat certain medical conditions, including AIDS, cancer, glaucoma, hepatitis, chronic pain and spastic disorders. But nearly seven years later, Degarth believes the controversial treatment remains a marginalized option in the medical community. [continues 1268 words]
LA Plata County Growers Keep Operations Inside A recent article published by Tribune Newspapers and the Los Angeles Times cites statistics by a Virginia researcher that says marijuana is now the nation's No. 1 cash crop, and the fourth most lucrative in Colorado behind only hay, corn and wheat. Information about Southwest Colorado is sketchy, but it's definitely a business here for some. Jon Gettman, who owns a research and consulting firm in Lovettsville, Va., compiled the report by tracking the amount of marijuana confiscated by government agencies and making state-by-state estimates for what the police don't find. The entire report can be found at www.drugscience.org [continues 678 words]
