I am an insulin dependent diabetic with painful, peripheral neuropathy. My 7 year old daughter has severe Crohn's disease. The Cannabinoids, a specific group of chemicals in the plant, have a vast array of beneficial properties, including but not limited to: Reduction in inflammation, boosts immune systems, helps with the transport of glucose into the cells, controls pain without the risk of respiratory depression, etc. I have tried multiple pain medications for diabetic neuropathy and nausea, with no success. My daughter takes dangerous chemotherapy drugs and steroids to control her Crohn's disease. It is damaging her liver, increases her risk of cancer to 11% and causes sterility in females. The next step for her is intravenous chemotherapy. Cannabis has been scientifically proven to force Crohn's disease into remission. This was proved by several double-blind placebo studies done recently. For more information on the scientific study please visit: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1542356513006046 http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/cam/cannabis/healthprofessional/page3 Please, sign the petition and force our government to listen to America. If it can relieve pain, heal tissue and treat PTSD, then what is the issue? Thousands of years of human use and no recorded deaths related directly to Cannabis. With any medicine, there is the potential for abuse. Morning Glory Flowers are not illegal, yet they do have some psychoactive effects. People are also dying from "Potpouri" and "Spice", which are synthetic drugs, with no therapeutic value. People are turning to these even though it is illegal. Castor Bean Plants, Hemlock, many plants KILL and are poison, but not illegal. Let's end this insanity, Tax, regulate and enforce. It has worked with alcohol and tobacco, which both are FAR more deadly than the plant, Cannabis. It's the 21st century in America. I served my country in the Marine Corps during Desert Storm. I was subjected to all kinds of chemical exposure. Our U.S. Government knows how ineffective prohibition is, that's why alcohol is legal today. One major difference between Alcohol and Cannabis, Cannabis does have medicinal qualities and the studies prove it. I have worked as a RN for years, and have never oberved a patient admitted for soley using marijuana. Let's face it, in today's world, you could consider Robitussin, Nyquil and many other OTC drugs as "gateway" drugs. Alcohol and tobacco are the biggest gateway drugs yet our government doesn't have a problem with these killers. Let's move towards a nation of FREE people instead of a nation of INCARCERATED people! Americans continue to use Marijuana despite the laws. The use hasn't stopped because of the War on Drugs, it has increased! If we actually study history, we know prohibition doesn't work. It leads to deaths, incarceration and innocent people being hurt by the government's decision. Thank you and please SIGN the petition for all those Americans suffering right now. SIGN the petition for the 19-year-old American that has a Felony on their record for using marijuana! Any substance can be abused. Over 1000 people die every year from Acetaminophen over-dose. I have personally observed this as a registered nurse. I have NEVER seen a person admitted to the hospital for ANYTHING RELATED TO CANNABIS in my 15 years of health care experience! Thank you, Laney's Dad "aka" Emery Myers RN, DON-CLTC For more information on the scientific studies please visit: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1542356513006046 http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/cam/cannabis/healthprofessional/page3

Francisco Toro is the author of a viral piece at the blog he co-founded--Caracas Chronicles--titled, "The Game Changed in Venezuela Last Night – and the International Media Is Asleep At the Switch." In it, he outlined a purported "tropical pogrom" and a paramilitary shooting spree that took place throughout the night of February 19. His post accused the Times and other news outlets of complicity in an "international blackout" regarding the supposed "pogrom." However, as any examination of protest-related homicides over the past two weeks shows, there were no deaths recorded on the day or night of the 19th. When confronted on Twitter with the lack of any evidence of his "pogrom," Toro admitted to making an "overstatement in the heat of the moment." Nevertheless, Caracas Chronicles has yet to issue any updates, clarifications or corrections to its now disproved coverage. "The Game Changed in Venezuela Last Night" has received over 370,000 Facebook likes and shares, and 10,000 tweets. Given their influence, Toro and his colleagues at Caracas Chronicles should show greater regard for journalistic standards.

It is time for Arizona politicians to stop embarrassing the citizens of Arizona by acting on the will of the narrow-minded minority and start acting for the good of the majority of the people!

On Feb. 2nd, a coal ash pond belonging to Duke Energy spilled 30,000 to 40,000 tons of toxin-laced ash into the Dan River, coating 70 miles of riverbed with toxic sludge. Yet Duke Energy may be able to evade responsibility for the disaster and for cleaning up its coal ash lagoons because of their cozy relationship with high-ranking McCrory appointees and employees within NC's environmental regulatory agency.

Colorado succeeded in a fight to not let corporate industry pollute our air while developing our state's natural resources. Our experience can serve as a model for other states.

We have been researching garment factories in Bangladesh, and have found that the factories are continuously unsafe and the workers' rights are unfair. The Bangladesh Fire Safety Accord was created to improve factory conditions, and was signed by numerous prestigious companies, yet Walmart was not one of them. Not only does Walmart need to sign the accord as it is an influential corporation, but it also must go further to increase the wages and amount of training of the workers for it will encourage other companies to follow in its lead.

Our Goal is to demonstrate the need for more mountain biking recreational opportunities, particularly throughout the Wasatch. With this support we plan on acquiring funding in order to build new or renovate existing bike parks and trails. The rapid increase in cyclists and the lack of safe quality trail lends the area to be a perfect candidate to increase biking opportunities. Getting more people outside recreating, playing, and enjoying themselves in the wonderful outdoors we have just outside our doorsteps.

Produce begins to lose nutritional content the moment it is picked. We are requesting to make it mandatory that all produce be marked with a "DATE PICKED" label.

Extreme lawmakers in the Mississippi legislature are pushing bills designed to intimidate and criminalize those who would engage in peaceful protest activities, such as picketing or demonstrations, outside corporations or the houses of CEOs. These bills—SB 2473 and SB 2653—have already passed the Senate and would have a chilling effect on anyone who tried to stand up for economic and social justice in Mississippi. They would restrict MIssissippians’ ability to participate in protests to hold corporations accountable for treating workers badly or polluting the environment. Instead of trying to take away the constitutional rights of Mississippians, our legislators should be focused on creating jobs. Tell Mississippi lawmakers to vote NO on these bills.

Read more about attacks on Clean Elections: http://azadvocacy.org/press-a-media/press/424-voting-rights-groups-slam-bills-on-clean-elections-ballot-measures Read more about HB2305: http://azadvocacy.org/press-a-media/press/422-voters-can-suppress-the-suppressors Read more about HB2651: http://azstarnet.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/bill-would-give-clean-election-funds-to-ariz-lawmakers-for/article_b98824fe-a8bd-5b50-97f1-59ede260868c.html

Some traditions are too important to let something like a change in conference stand in the way. Think of the tax dollars currently being lost in Kansas City, Columbia, and even Lawrence...

Our valley and entire state have long been ruled by the funds of environmentally destructive industries that have no regard for the people of this state. It is time to take a stand and protect our safety and the best interest of the people who live here.