Experts Say It Helps but Can Become Addictive TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - A growing number of states are weighing whether to legalize marijuana to treat post-traumatic stress disorder. But for many veterans, the debate is already over. They're increasingly using cannabis even though it remains illegal in most states and is unapproved by the Department of Veterans Affairs because major studies have yet to show it is effective for PTSD. Although the research has been contradictory and limited, some former members of the military say pot helps them manage their anxiety, insomnia and nightmares. Prescription drugs such as Klonopin and Zoloft weren't effective or left them feeling like zombies, some say. [continues 649 words]
VA Documents Increase in Number of Vets With Marijuana Dependence TRENTON, N.J. - A growing number of states are weighing whether to legalize marijuana to treat posttraumatic stress disorder. But for many veterans, the debate is already over. They're increasingly using cannabis even though it remains illegal in most states and is unapproved by the Department of Veterans Affairs because major studies have yet to show it is effective against PTSD. While the research has been contradictory and limited, some former members of the military say pot helps them manage their anxiety, insomnia and nightmares. Prescription drugs such as Klonopin and Zoloft weren't effective or left them feeling like zombies, some say. [continues 433 words]
Studies have not found marijuana to be effective. TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - A growing number of states are weighing whether to legalize marijuana to treat post-traumatic stress disorder. But for many veterans, the debate is already over. They're increasingly using cannabis even though it remains illegal in most states and is unapproved by the Department of Veterans Affairs because major studies don't show it is effective against PTSD. While the research has been contradictory and limited, some former members of the military say pot helps them manage their anxiety, insomnia and nightmares. Prescription drugs weren't effective or left them feeling like zombies, some said. [continues 416 words]
TRENTON, N. J. - A growing number of states are weighing whether to legalize marijuana to treat post-traumatic stress disorder. But for many veterans, the debate is already over. They're increasingly using cannabis even though it remains illegal in most states and is unapproved by the Department of Veterans Affairs because major studies have yet to show it is effective against PTSD. Although the research has been contradictory and limited, some former members of the military say marijuana helps them manage their anxiety, insomnia and nightmares. [continues 557 words]
TRENTON (AP) - After battling the legal system on two coasts and spending time in and out of prison, New Jersey's loudest champion of marijuana went legit last year when he opened up a restaurant across from city hall in this state's capital city. Now, he's headed back to court. Ed Forchion, better known as NJ Weedman, said Wednesday that Trenton police infringed on his religious rights after shutting down the cannabis temple attached to his restaurant for operating too late at night last weekend. [continues 472 words]
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - Three of New Jersey's five medical marijuana dispensaries have had their business pages shut down by Facebook, cutting off what advocates call an integral place for customers to learn about which plant strains best treat their illness and where to find discounts. Compassionate Sciences in Bellmawr, Garden State in Woodbridge, and Breakwater Treatment and Wellness in Cranbury had their pages shut down this week. Facebook's advertising policy bans promotion of selling drugs - as well as tobacco and guns - and the medical marijuana pages weren't spared even though they have been legally allowed to operate in New Jersey since 2011. [continues 452 words]
I want to commend you on your article on methamphetamine abuse in the metro area. A lot of people have heard about it but few know what the drug does to people's lives and their loved ones. It is by far the worst drug I have ever seen. I tell people this is the closest thing to the devil they will ever see. This drug passes all socioeconomic boundaries and it knows no race. It is an equal opportunity life destroyer. Finley is a detective in the narcotics unit of the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office. [end]
WASHINGTON - Attorney General John Ashcroft Wednesday announced the arrests of four members of a right-wing paramilitary group on charges of participating in a $25 million drugs-for-arms deal. According to Ashcroft, agents for the Autodefensias Unidas de Colombia (AUC) sought to buy thousands of machine guns and grenades with cocaine and American dollars from an undercover FBI agent posing as an arms dealer. The State Department has listed the AUC as a foreign terrorist organization since September 2001. It was the second arms-for-drugs plot that U.S. investigators say they've uncovered recently. In Hong Kong, three men are fighting extradition to the United States in connection with an alleged scheme to use profits from illicit drug sales to finance the purchase of Stinger surface-to-air missiles for the al-Qaida terror group. [continues 382 words]
U.S. Says Weapons Tied To Terrorism WASHINGTON - Attorney General John Ashcroft on Wednesday announced the arrests of four members of a right-wing paramilitary group on charges of participating in a $25 million drugs-for-arms deal. According to Ashcroft, agents for the Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia (AUC) sought to buy thousands of machine guns and grenades with cocaine and U.S. dollars from an undercover FBI agent posing as an arms dealer. The State Department has listed the AUC as a foreign terrorist organization since September 2001. [continues 290 words]
