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The World Wide Weed: Marijuana Goes Online |
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
Like many controversial topics, marijuana has deep roots in the
World Wide Web. Because the internet provides a certain degree of anonymity
not available in other forms of communication, individuals may feel more
free to explore taboo topics without the risk of stigmatization or legal
prosecution. Because the internet crosses geographical, cultural, and political
boundaries, a great many members of the on-line community are not governed
by the same laws or cultural mores. Thus, the value of marijuana that seems
to arise from the internet is not consistent with U.S. drug policy. Through
the World Wide Web, one can learn about cannabis culture, marijuana in
the news, drug policy reform, and marijuana research findings. A careful
search and critical evaluation of the material on-line can provide one
with extensive and accurate information about many aspects of marijuana.
SEARCHING FOR "MARIJUANA" ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB
Using any of the internet search engines, one may quickly find numerous
sources of information on marijuana. Alta Vista and Google typically
locate at least 10,000 uses of "marijuana" on the WWW. The Alta Vista
related searches, groups of words commonly found together on web pages
emphasize cultivating marijuana:
However, many sites present educational nd entertaining information
about marijuana. Below is a selection of annotated websites that
present diverse perspectives on marijuana.
LINKS
Cannabis, hemp, pot, marijuana -- talk about this infamous weed
is in the news and on the Net. From medicinal marijuana to the complete
legalization of pot, the debate over this plant has proliferated on the
World Wide Web. Websites range from modest endeavors developed by an individual
to extensive commercial sites.
- how to grow marijuana
- marijuana pics
- growing marijuana
- effects of marijuana
- legalization of marijuana
- marijuana seeds
- marijuana pictures
- marijuana cultivation
Utne
Reader Feature Article
A series of article in the online version of the Utne Reader.
Chris Conrad
Author, policy developer, expert witness in medical marijuana.
High Times Magazine Web Site
The 25 year old marijuana "lifestyle" magazine.
Marijuananews.com
Recently became just an archive, but had been an outstanding
collection of stories in the media and commentary by the site's host, Richard
Cowen. Still loaded with info, but kind of slow to respond.
Wo/Men's Alliance for Medical Marijuana
(WAMM)
A group that provides FREE medical marijuana for terminally
ill patients.
MSNBC Article on Santa
Cruz Pot Farm
Features Valerie Corral, founder of WAMM, and head farmer &
researcher at the only state-approved pot farm.
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
A Division of the National Institute on Health. Lots of info
and government reports on drug abuse research, policy, and educational
brouchures.
NIDA Marijuana
Information Sheets & Research Notes
Educational brouchures that NIDA publishes on marijuana. "Marijuana"
is a very clear and concise overview. Teen and Parent brouchures are a
little more perjorative against marijuana. Available English and Spanish.
Also brief summaries of marijuana research findings from projects funded
by NIDA
The Lindesmith Center
A policy research institute founded in 1994 that focuses on
broadening the debate on drug policy and related issues. Based in San Francisco
and New York City.
National Organization for the Reformation of Marijuana
Laws (NORML)
Since its founding in 1970, NORML has been the principal
national advocate for legalizing marijuana. During the 1970s,
NORML led the successful efforts to decriminalize minor marijuana
offenses in 11 states and significantly lower penalties in all others. Though the decriminalization movement eventually fell victim to the
"war on drugs," NORML has remained the nation's principal
organization dedicated to ending marijuana prohibition.
Alliance for
Cannibis Therapeutics
Founded in 1981 by Robert Randall and Alice O'Leary, The Alliance
was the first non-profit organization dedicated to reforming the laws which
prohibit medical access to marijuana. Robert Randall is one of the eight
surviving patients receiving medical marijuana from the Federal government
for FREE through a compassionate use program.
Institute of Medicine
Report
The entire text of MARIJUANA AND MEDICINE: ASSESSING THE SCIENCE
BASE. Hosted by Illinois Cannibis Education.
Institute On Medicine
A division of the National Academies of Science, the mission
of the Institute is to advance and disseminate scientific knowledge to
imporve human health.
Media Awareness Project (MAP) of DrugSense
MAP is a worldwide network of activists dedicated to drug policy
reform who gather news items as well write to politicians and for editorial
purposes. "We aim to impact public opinion, and especially media coverage,
on public policy related to drugs -- to create a more balanced view about
our drug policies."
The (Steve) Kubby Files
Steve Kubby is a politician and cancer-pot patient. He and
his family have been battling legal fallout from an arrest for cultivating
marijuana. He also ran for Governor of California on the Liberterian ticket.
UK Medicinal Cannabis Project
"The Project is a group of organisations and individuals committed
to the development of non-smoked prescription cannabis-based medicines
for treating a wide variety of conditions with a view to making these medicines
available to patients as soon as possible."