Marijuana Reverses Aging In Brain

In brains of mouses! Hopefully, it is the same for humans.

Professor Andreas Zimmer from the Institute of Molecular Psychiatry at the University of Bonn reported, "The treatment completely reversed the loss of performance in the old animals.", and "When the activity of the cannabinoid system declines, we find rapid ageing in the brain.".

Wow!!! If it turns out to be the same for humans, eating pot is gonna be really popular.

Science Digest: Cannabis reverses aging processes in the brain, study suggests

US Judge's Plea For Medical Marijuana - May 2012

The late Gustin L. Reichbach was a justice of the State Supreme Court in Brooklyn, who had been undergoing medical therapy for pancreatic cancer. He wrote the following article pleading that marijuana be legalized for medical purposes, because marijuana relieved pain, help him eat and sleep. When you cannot eat or sleep because of pain and nausea, and the only recourse for relief is marijuana, what do you do? The judge's friends despite all the legal risk, gave him some. And the hospital looked the other way when the judge toked away his last days.

NY Times: A Judge’s Plea for Pot

Marijuana Business Daily : Most Common Medical Conditions of Registered MMJ Patients

There have been an large increase in the number of new publications and organizations related to marijuana in the past year.

AI, Google, , George Soros (empathized medical marijuana as a path to legalization), Gates, Buffet, Tesla, Amazon, Branson, Marijuana.

Seems like the dawn of a new Golden Age. Sure, there are a lot of problems, but ...

17 More States Seek Legal Recreational Marijuana

Eight states in the USA have already legalized recreational marijuana, and 17 more states have introduced legislation for legal recreational marijuana. Some predict all states will have legal recreational marijuana by 2021. 

Nice! Thought I'd be dead long before pot was legalized in the US. 

I might still be alive when they legalize it in Korea. I'd probably have to live a lot longer.

Details can be found at LA Times: Lawmakers Working to Legalize Pot in 17 States

Western Undercover In Korea

Answered a request for help in CL. Pretty certain I ran into an undercover someone. Tried to get me to talk about pot, and offer pot to him. I asked why he was trying to elicit certain answers from me, and he suddenly had reasons for leaving quickly. Said he was busy.

Probably decided I was sincerely interested in helping foreigners adjust to Korea.

Strange times.

Korean Youth Unemployment and Student Debt - Any Plans?

There is high unemployment among Korean young people, along with high student debts. Are there people in the government who are planning for the future?

I sincerely doubt it. They all seem to be saying we need to improve the economy. Bullshit. The economy, military, government, and large corporations are doing okay. The average Korean is not doing well and is getting shafted, but most don't realize it.

Hmmm... What to do?

Hey, look what's happening in the US. And they are in a much better situation compared to Korea. This following article explains why only 5% of Americans can afford a new car, and why most people can't afford expensive things. Most people in the world are in need of help, even in so-called "advanced" countries.

At least, Bill Gates, Buffet and co. are putting their money to good use. There is hope.

Bloomberg: A $50,000 Chrysler Minivan Explains Slowing U.S. Auto Sales

World's Best Performing Hedge Fund Continues To Invest In Cannabis

Tribeca Investment Partners Pty, owner of the world’s best-performing hedge fund last year, has bought shares in the initial public offering of Cann Group, the only company to have a federal government license to grow marijuana in Australia.

Tribeca has also invested in two North American cannabis  firms Aurora Cannabis Inc. which has a 19.9 percent stake in Cann Group and Canopy Growth Corp., which has the world’s largest pot-growing facility near Niagara Falls.

Bloomberg: Top Hedge Fund Turns to Australian Cannabis Firm for Next Bet

151 billion dollar market projected to grow rapidly for decades. 151 billion dollars is about half of all annual consumer electronics sales globally. Guess there are some more billionaires in the making.

People Who See Through Thought, Not Eyes

There are blind people who can "see" their surroundings just by using their consciousness.

BBC: Blindsight -The Strangest Form of Consciousness

Global Market For Marijuana is $141.80 Billion

According to the 2005 United Nations World Drug Report, the total value of world’s marijuana market is $141.80 Billion.

Israel Continues Being Leader in Cannabis Research

Hebrew University of Jerusalem has established a Multidisciplinary Center on Cannabinoid Research to conduct and coordinate research about cannabinoids, endocannabinoids, medical cannabis in addition to promoting collaboration and dissemination of information.

Academic institutions and pharmaceutical companies worldwide are also channeling enormous efforts to basic and clinical research in this field.

Jerusalem Post: Hebrew University launches multidisciplinary center on medical marijuana 

Rich Get Richer, While Poor Get Poorer

This is true in Korea and other countries. With the future potential loss of jobs to AI and robots, the poor will only get poorer. While those who hold shares, own companies, or have real estate will keep getting richer.

Read all about it in the article below.

Bloomberg: America’s Rich Get Richer and the Poor Get Replaced by Robots

So, what are you gonna do about it, Korea? No plans?

ASTM Committee Formed to Develop International Standards for Cannabis

Sounds like everyone is planning for the legalization and commercialization of marijuana except for Korea.

Why doesn't anybody listen in Korea? Geez! Could help solve economic, health, and other problems.

ASTM: Committee D37 on Cannabis 

Why Are There Zero Pro-Marijuana Articles in Korea?

Maybe it is not a democracy?

Thousands Gather to Share Research on Psychedelics

More than 2,600 doctors, professors, health-industry professionals and psychedelic experts will gather to share the latest research on drugs.

From April 19-24, at Psychedelic Science 2017, more than 100 presentations on the therapeutic uses of psychedelics, neuroscience behind this research, the spread of psychedelic culture into the mainstream and more
.
The conference is being co-hosted by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) and the UK-based Beckley Foundation.

Wonder how many Koreans will be there? Pretty sure there will be some.

BBC Film Implicates Korean Government In Sewol Ferry Disaster

The Korean media seemed to point all the blame at the operators of the ferry. However, the Korean government and corruption were also to blame.

There were supposed to be safety inspections, training, and other regulatory procedures which were not carried out properly or not at all. 

The ferry was illegally modified and still passed the safety inspection when it was commissioned after being renovated. 

The ferry was overloaded and the freight was not properly locked down.

The people manning the Coast Guard stations were negligent in their duties. The actions of the Coast Guard and Korean Navy did not positively or effectively assist in the rescue. 

The situation room at the Presidential compound which is supposed to be used in these kinds of disasters was not used. 

And so on...

The BBC film focuses on these points. Thank you BBC for doing something mainstream Korean media cannot seem to do. 

BBC: Film points finger at South Korean government for Sewol disaster

Highest Percentage of Americans Approve of Marijuana Legalization

61% of Americans polled want marijuana to be legalized in the US and 88% want legal medical marijuana. That is the highest ever percentage. More than half of those polled believed that alcohol was more harmful than marijuana while only 8% felt that pot was worse than alcohol.

Time: Number of Americans Supporting Legal Pot Shoots Higher

In a few years Canada, US will have legal pot. Two countries have legalized pot already. It is widely used around the world.

Korea, when will you start changing your outdated laws and prejudices? Probably losing at least several billions of dollars while in denial of a drug problem. They always say on TV that there is no drug problem in Korea. Maybe less in Korea, but why do young Koreans go abroad so often and spend so much money?

It seems useless to rant and rave, but it relieves some of the stress.

Science Proves Existence Of "Higher" Consciousness

Neuroscientists observed increased neural signal diversity in people under the influence of psychedelic drugs.

The diversity of brain signals provides a mathematical index to show the level of consciousness. For example, people who are awake have more diverse neural activity than those who are sleeping.

This makes being high, a more alert state of consciousness. Contrary to popular belief that stoners are dumb, they are merely more interested in their thoughts than other people's opinions of them.

Just luv science!

Science Daily News: Evidence of a 'higher' state of consciousness?

Many US congressmen predict federally legal recreational marijuana within 5 years. What is Korea doing? Losing out on all those billions of dollars and jobs.

Huffington Post: Lawmaker Predicts Marijuana Will Be Legal Within 5 Years

How Korea Could Collapse

There was an article on BBC about how Western civilization could collapse. The arguments seem almost tailored for how Korea could collapse. There are a  lot of baby boomers with , no jobs, no income and no pensions. While the rich get richer.

BBC: How Western civilization could collapse

Majority of Americans Have Used Marijuana

Maybe that is why it is a great nation! Way to go.

I am guessing that the majority of Koreans who studied in the US used marijuana also.

NBC News: New Poll Finds Majority of Americans Have Smoked Marijuana

US May Strike North Korea

The US is considering launching strikes against North Korea, if it proceeds with nuclear tests. Getting a little uncomfortable in Seoul. 

If the US does strike, they would need to take out most of North Korea's artillery, or Seoul is toast.

NBC News: U.S. May Launch Strike If North Korea Reaches For Nuclear Trigger

1,600 Marijuana Related Bills Pending in US

There are over 1,600 bills pending in Federal and State governments in the US.

How many in Korea? Maybe zero? If there are no bills for marijuana, then could the reason be that there is zero tolerance, and serious repression of free ideas outside the norm? Is it a democracy? Legally, yes. But...

NORML: Weekly Legislative Roundup 4/01/17

South African Court Approves Home Marijuana Use

South Africa legalized medicinal marijuana last year and this year, a South African court just ruled against a part of a law that prohibits private and personal use of marijuana.

Voice Of America: South African Court OKs Marijuana for Home Use 

Argentina Legalizes Medical Marijuana

Soon in Argentina, patients will be provided with medical marijuana free of charge!

Drug Policy Alliance: Argentina Legalizes Medical Marijuana

Other countries in the Americas that have legalized -

Uruguay and Jamaica have legalized marijuana use.
Chile was the first Latin American country to cultivate marijuana for oncology patients.
Colombia and Puerto Rico legalized medical marijuana.
Mexico and Brazil allow imports of marijuana-derived medicines
Costa Rica and Peru are discussing legislation to legalize marijuana.

The United States has 28 states that allow access to medical marijuana.

Where to Attend Free Courses From Yale, Other Top Universities?

You can!

Visit Class Central, the education portal offering free online classes from top universities.

Canada To Legalize Marijuana July 2018

In keeping with his campaign promise, Canada is the latest nation to legalize recreational marijuana!

Fortune: Canadian Marijuana Stocks Soar After Reports That Justin Trudeau Plans to Legalize Weed

38% of US Jobs Could Be Taken Over By Automation Within 15 years

According PwC, within 15 years 38% of jobs in the US, 30% in the UK, and 20% in Japan could be taken over by automation. There are gonna be a lot of people not working.

CNN: U.S. workers face higher risk of being replaced by robots.

Representative Tulsi Gabbard Calls for Federal Decriminalization of Pot

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii urged Congress to pass a bipartisan bill to decriminalize marijuana. The bill, Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act would remove marijuana from the federal controlled substances list, allowing marijuana to be treated like alcohol and tobacco.

Rep. Gabbard homepage: Calls for Federal Decriminalization of Marijuana

60% In US Want Legal Pot

In a poll conducted by Gallup, 60% of Americans want to legalize marijuana.

Gallup: Support for Legal Marijuana Use Up to 60% in U.S.

Wasted Money?

Imagine if all the money wasted by the former administrations of President Lee Myung-bak and Park Keun-hye was instead invested in alternative energy. Pipe dreams? hehe

Illinois May Legalize Recreational Marijuana

Illinois is the newest state to consider legalizing recreational marijuana. They already decriminalized marijuana in 2016. 

Time: The Next Legal Marijuana State? Illinois Considers Recreational Marijuana Bill

Negative Emotions Are Necessary To Well Being?

Many studies say that negative emotions play an important part in emotional and mental well being, Depression helps to alter our consciousness and give us a different perspective on things that are troubling or concerning to us. Anger and other bad feelings draw attention to problems or important matters that need our attention.

Sometimes negative feelings result from physical pain, or cognitive dissonance, and other times they result from legitimate concerns.

For detailed information on negative feelings and well being, please refer to the following article in Scientific American.

Negative Emotions Are Key to Well-Being

Wisconsin Legalizes CBD Oil

The Wisconsin Assembly voted unanimously, 98-0, to legalize possession of CBD oil, a marijuana extract used to treat seizures.

Fox6Now: Wisconsin Assembly UNANIMOUSLY approves marijuana extract

China's First CBD Research Company

A company in China has registered to sell CBD oil in China, along with other hemp based products.

High Times: China Launches First CBD Research Firm

Empathy is stressful?

Agreed, but it seems to become less so when understanding comes.

Scientific American: Too Much Emotional Intelligence Is a Bad Thing

At the lowest stages of emotional intelligence, it seems that people would try to manipulate others, but that usually leads to cognitive dissonance.

In later stages, it becomes less depressing, sort of amusing, when contemplated alone.
There is always a mix of emotions inside. Not one or the other.

Many say South Korea is a democracy?

Many say South Korea is a democracy?

Ever try to start a leftist group in Korea?

Marijuana dampens response to potentially winning money

I knew that! Why spend money on research? Ask me next time.

This article in Science Digest seems to paint it in a slightly negative tone.

Marijuana use dampens brain's response to reward over time, study finds

To put it in a positive light -

Dampening response to material rewards is actually good. That is what they say you need to do to reach "enlightenment".

Want people want and like always change, and even when they get it, they are not satisfied. Why? Cognitive dissonance. How to remedy it?

Would people rather not die?

Would people rather not die, than never live a life?

Comforting, eh?

Death is the other side of life?
Life can only exist, if there is death?
Energy exists forever.

Israel To Reduce Penalties For Marijuana To A Fine

It seems that Israel has millions of pot users and the cabinet just passed a measure to reduce penalties for pot use to a fine, instead of criminal charges.

Let's hope all other countries that have yet to decriminalize do so.

NY Daily News: Israel moves to reduce penalties for using marijuana

Anti-Park Demonstrations - 18th Week (Saturday)

This is probably the last Saturday before the decision on the impeachment of President Park by the Constitutional Court and demonstrators were out in full force at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul.

Gwanghwamun at 7 pm

Packed from Gwanghwamun to Seoul City Hall