Thank you Jake! Dr. Berry’s stance here mirrors here parroting of masking mandates, the “effectiveness” of social distancing, the Covid shots, and her dismissal of drugs like ivermectin as effective in battling Covid - all of which have subsequently been proven incorrect. That being said, is it not simply common sense that making it easier for an addict to use drugs, or to escape the personal consequences of drug use, will in all probability encourage future use, rather than seek the difficult road to sobriety?
Talk about a campaign slogan! "Jake Seegers - because common sense makes sense." I feel so encouraged by the effort you're investing to save the future of this beloved place we all call home. Thank your wife on our behalf, for sacrificing time with you so that you can do this important work! May God bless all you do!
The drug epidemic is tearing through every corner of America, and at this point it’s clear that no single approach will fix it. One thing we do need more of is recovered addicts stepping forward and sharing their stories. Real-life recovery is powerful, sometimes hearing from someone who’s actually been there is what cracks that wall of hopelessness for someone still struggling.
I also think our harm-reduction strategies need to evolve if they are gonna stick around. They may play an important role in keeping people alive, but we’ve drifted away from structure and accountability. We used to require used syringes in exchange for new ones, and that simple step not only reduced waste and community impact but also created a meaningful point of contact. Those encounters matter. Perhaps we could find groups of people in active recovery whom are willing to get out there and connect during these times. Use it as an opportunity to build trust, offer resources, and connect people to treatment when they’re ready.
Perhaps maybe a program paired with garbage service, where you bring in a bag of garbage in exchange for your supplies.
We need compassion, but we also need systems that encourage progress. Not just maintenance. It’s time to bring back some accountability and pair it with real support, real stories, and real pathways out.
You drive an excellent point. The BOCCC will listen to the people who financially benefit from the programs, but where's the input from those who have actually lived it and have no financial interest in the matter?
sc, " We used to require used syringes in exchange for new ones, and that simple step not only reduced waste and community impact..."
I agree but I would like to add the same for boofing kits. As discarded needles are a public health risk, so are the discarded syringes used for boofing. Wouldn't want to throw a cloth down for a family picnic that had one of those there, which was recently retrieved by volunteers or paid county employees. Gross, but true. Safety first.
It is so obvious that this whole "Harm Reduction" panacea is a total scam. We do need more survivors to speak out and tell their stories. Maybe then people will believe this is a scam, and redirect some $$ to more helpful avenues.
Absolutely Jennifer! I remember a few years ago just days after visiting dream park in Port angeles with my daughter, a young child was pricked by a needle there.
Parents were horrified as word spread throughout Facebook mom groups. I think it may have even made the paper.
The same standards should apply for boofing kits as well as glass pipes. Shared glass pipes can spread MRCA. Everything needs to be properly discarded before more is handed out.
SC, at work I was pricked by a needle (that was when you had to recap needles, they weren't the retractable type) Pt was HIV pos. Anyways, I was tested every few months for a year. A VERY LONG YEAR FOR ME. Fortunately I was cleared. Those insulin needles ARE NOT safety needles. I don't care how thick your gloves are, they can be punctured. Clean up crews should have hazardous pay.....or perhaps the Health Department should take a stand on needle handouts. As you said, take one out, bring it back for an exchange. Children are the most likely ones to get a needle prick playing in the parks.
It is our own North Olympic Peninsula Board of Health, led by Dr. Allison Berry, that extorted us, banned us from public venues and isolated us so we would inject experimental toxins that neither stopped contraction of nor transmission of the targeted disease, ( COVID ). The healthiest among us today are those who were brave enough to not inject those toxins. In light of the competency necessary to obtain medical credentials the problem is not a lack of intellect. The problem is the repeated brainwashing and propaganda doctors and nurses must endure to earn those credentials. They are unwitting Manchurian Candidates; institutionally trained puppets. We unfortunately now must all be our own health care advisor. Institutional drug addition treatment has the same frailties.
Garry, luckily I retired from Indian Health Services before the Covid propaganda. Unfortunately, my fellow colleagues had the choice of either losing their jobs or getting vaccinated (and required boosters!) A few reported to me unusual side effects. One lost his eyesight in one eye do to a micro clot about 10 days after the shot. One young nurse quit having her periods...others with outbreaks of skin conditions. The reports of Tribal members dying were ones that had had the shots. Native Americans had a higher death rate, they were first in line to get these shots!!!
For anyone who hasn't listened to an entire episode of a Board of Health meeting you're missing out on the symbiotic chummy relationship everyone has. I think we suffer in a sense all being in such a small community where the lines of professionalism and friendships are a blurred.
Our Commissioners take their queues from the Board of Health for all "health related matters." Dr. Sarah referenced this meeting not long ago in one of her comments and I took the time to listen to the meeting. The BOH meeting starts at 44:51, but discussion on opioids starts at 1:09:13.
"...money that is legally allowed for treatment, prevention, housing, and recovery..."
Our law enforcement is part of the "prevention" arm. Why aren't they receiving additional funds?
A fantastic, well researched, and eye opening article. Thanks Jake for all the time and effort it must have taken to assemble this in a meaningful and useful manner.
Here in Fire Dist. 3, Sequim, I received a newsletter just this last week, thanking the community for passing the Levi lift. And they are hiring 3 new first responders. Might this be of help?
As I understand it they're on an entirely different budget/taxing entity. I don't know if there's crossover where the BOCCC can disburse opioid funds to them.
Apparently, the levi lift/15.00/month more for us taxpayers, is funding this "Day Unit" Team, consisting of 2 Firefighters/EMTs, focused on Basic Life Support responses. But no mention of drug overdoses. Just wonder if there are statistics on percentages of drug overdoses handled by the Fire Dept. alone.
Bravo! CCHHS has adopted an old way of taking money. The adage "a consultant borrows your watch to tell you the time, and then keeps the watch" comes to mind.
Thank you, Jake, for bringing us the other side of the harm reduction debate that is never discussed by the elected and appointed county officials. I hope this grant funded program is brought to more people's attention so that there is more awareness for alternative solutions. We can become so dependent on government only help and solutions that too many people will never consider any other way to think through a problem. Where I previously worked, the teachers devised a way for their elementary students to develop critical thinking. Any time a student approached a teacher for an answer to a social or academic related problem, the teacher asked, "How do YOU solve your problem?" Most of the time the student was able to resolve the issue. So instead of immediate resolution and satisfaction, the students used their own brains and handled their own situations. We even used this with the SpEd kids and had very positive results. A great tactic that develops a lifetime skill.
Harm reduction as practiced here keeps a compliant slave class for the homeless/addiction industry. The system expects less accountability from ambulatory adults than we expect from children with severe challenges.
The bias in scientific reports that Dr. Bero and Jake Seegers allege does certainly exist. It is at its greatest in the studies cited by the BPA and the ACE to support the continued operation of the Snake River dams; and by the DNR in studies supporting a continuation of its current logging practices. Even worse, these studies contain outright misrepresentations as evidenced by the BPA and the ACE losing court case after court case challenging their biological assessments, and by the admission by State Lands Commissioner Upthegrove this past week that DNR's carbon sequestration studies are neither accurate nor honest. It remains to be seen if Jake Seegers in his campaign for county commissioner sticks to his criticism of science by acknowledging the deception practiced by the BPA, the ACE, and the DNR.
It was good chatting with you the other day, Ron. As mentioned, most research should be scrutinized on the quality of the data sets and research protocols to evaluate for bias.
Take a hard right at the light Ron. You are becoming another independent by virtue of your decisions not to bury America under mountains of debt. I thank you for that. Obviously your not going to get a pat on the back at the Tribal/Soros Water Buffalo Lodge.
I lived and fought under liberal banner most of my life. You would be hard pressed to find someone that stuck his neck out for Cannabis policy farther than John Worthington did. It cost me a lot. One of the main reasons I fought so hard was to bring about economic advantages for American government. The globalists ruined that opportunity.
I voted for Trump, not because I was a believer in the "trickle down" theory, but because a vote for him was a vote against the globalists and their Socialism and Communism..
His allowance of the attack on non-psychoactive cannabis is a Soros collaboration with big pharma. He just threw the Soros world faction a bone. They finally got it down to a non-psychoactive product that is perfect for older people......older people that used to be on pills. They just screwed Kentucky and North Carolina in a big way..... And nobody noticed. They will grow and manufacture it in Thailand and it will be another ship on the world real time shipping map that makes French and Ozias hiss like Vampires that see too much light.
I'm missing the segue for Jake to take your bait. How is the BOCCC or other county officials using/misusing the information you assert. Could you clarify?
I don't believe that I missed your point. Given this article lays out a problem with how our county officials make decisions about county issues, the focus that I understand Jake is making has to do with local matters. This goes to my question, if Jake is focused on local matters that our elected officials are mismanaging, what would you suggest should draw him to be interested in your point that makes it local?
The BPA/ACE Snake River salmon issue is probably one of our most important local issues. The extremely negative effect the Snake River dams have on salmon populations in the Pacific Ocean impacts Jefferson and Clallam counties as much or more than any other counties in the State of Washington. Likewise, DNR's fake science is leading to extreme mismanagement of our forests that will have an increasingly negative influence on our forests' productivity and our water supply situation.
In order for me to understand, let's take your previous statement, "I did not address that issue in my comment which was directed more at what Jake Seegers might do as a county commissioner."
What I'm wanting to appreciate is what do you see a county commissioner being able to do about this matter, whether Jake, Mark , Randy, or Mike? Put another way, let's put you back in the driver's seat. What would you do?
What I'm looking for is an understanding how a local official can address matters that are being decided at the state or federal level which are the entities you've referred to as having bad policy. I suppose they can offer/suggest what the county's preference is, but beyond that I can't piece it together.
Here's a quote from the State Lands Commissioner printed in the Everett HearalNet just last week. “I remain strongly committed to ensuring the agency engages in robust and honest carbon accounting, which will take time to get right. I look forward to working with the new Board and our expert staff to develop a carbon accounting method that accurately reflects the impact of DNR’s timber activities,” he said. You don't frequently get such a clear admission from a state official that the DRS's carbon accounting is not honest and is not accurate, despite representing the opposite in court case after court case the past three years. That is mismanagement. So are its harvesting practices that are resulting in increasingly smaller yields, increasingly lower water tables, and increasingly dying forests (as established by several of DNR's own studies).
Ron, are you suggesting that Jake has manipulated numbers and cherry-picked information to impose his bias on any issue? Presented false facts that support his position, while suppressing facts that do not? Or questioning whether he might do so if elected? Do you hold yourself and the rest of the Clallam County Charter Review Commissioners to a different standard? I may have mistaken you for seeming more balanced in your rhetoric than you are.
No, no opinion on how he might respond because he has no track record there. That's why I said it remains to be seen. If he is elected, I hope he would stick to his opinion expressed in this article.
Looking at the current commission and the misinformation that has been presented by the CCD and other NGO and non-profits, I believe that Jake is exactly as he presents. Authentic. Integrity. What else can you ask for. No track record in politics is a plus for me. No deals to pay back.
I also think you have shown yourself to be fair and honest in your presentations and work on the Charter Review Commission. Wish I could say the same for some others.
Here's a quote from the State Lands Commissioner printed in the Everett HearaldNet just last week. “I remain strongly committed to ensuring the agency engages in robust and honest carbon accounting, which will take time to get right. I look forward to working with the new Board and our expert staff to develop a carbon accounting method that accurately reflects the impact of DNR’s timber activities,” he said. You don't frequently get such a clear admission from a state official that the DNRS's carbon accounting is not honest and is not accurate, despite representing the opposite in court case after court case the past three years. That is deceptive.
Jake must know someone that knows someone that sleeps with someone to get all the data and graphics. Okay cross out the last little bit.
My question is, when our commissioners read (they do know how to read, right?)about
the miserable failures of programs like
“harm reduction “, how can they not be incredibly humiliated?
Do they ever feel like they are letting the public down? Or have they just dismissed those of us that send questions to them, as bunch of trouble makers? If I had a job that I was so incompetent at, first I’d be fired, but second I would feel extreme shame. No work ethic, no changes. The arrogance speaks volumes. Jeff thanks for bringing Jake on board. Jake never change. Politics have turned some into sewer rats that eat their young. Don’t be a sewer rat, we have plenty !
Wow! Nice article, Jake! Thanks for your research and sharing this data. I hadn't known about the Shielding Hope program before reading this. I hope the commissioners are reading this.
A wonderful article that sheds so much light on what is happening; thank you for doing the work to make this information known, Jake! And thanks to the Watchdog for facilitating a platform that encourages sharing information to help the people of Clallam County! Of course it inspired some memes and some number crunching of those stats that have more exclamation points than results!
Jake, your going to have to beat their argument that addicts are "sick" and cannot do meaningful employment. They can drive cars, ride bikes and even ride skateboards all day...but they are too "sick" to work. They say "immediate terror of being dope-sick," and "their brain is in full survival mode."
My counter is this:
"Bartertown" concept—a minimum-security facility for people with addiction, self-funded through resident labor and (presumably legal) drug sales. I'll draw from historical precedents, economic logic, and evidence from similar models like therapeutic communities (TCs) and the old U.S. Narcotic Farms. The core idea: turn addiction treatment into a self-sustaining ecosystem that builds skills, reduces taxpayer costs, and generates revenue while promoting recovery. This isn't without risks or ethical debates, but here's why it could work as a bold alternative to traditional harm-reduction or punitive approaches.
1. Historical Precedent: It Worked (Sort Of) in the Past
The U.S. once ran exactly this kind of setup with the Narcotic Farms in Lexington, KY (opened 1935) and Fort Worth, TX (opened 1938). These were federal "prisons" for drug addicts—minimum-security compounds where thousands of people (many voluntary, some court-ordered) lived, worked, and received treatment.
Labor-funded operations: Residents farmed crops, raised livestock, and ran workshops, producing food and goods that offset costs. The Lexington farm was largely self-sufficient, with inmate labor covering much of the food supply and maintenance, saving taxpayers millions. This wasn't just busywork; it built vocational skills, routine, and a sense of purpose, which studies later linked to lower relapse rates.
Research and rehab integration: They combined labor with medical research on addiction, leading to breakthroughs like methadone's early development. Recidivism was lower than in standard prisons, with many alumni crediting the work ethic for their recovery.
Modern twist for Bartertown: Update it with legal "drug sales"—e.g., growing and selling cannabis or psilocybin (Schedule I but approved for therapeutic use in some states). Revenue from on-site dispensaries or farms could fund housing, counseling, and operations, echoing how states like Colorado use cannabis taxes ($2.9B since 2014) to support addiction programs. This closes the loop: addicts contribute to a legal industry they're familiar with, generating profits to sustain the facility.
These farms closed in the 1970s amid shifting policies, but their model showed labor-based self-sufficiency could cut government spending by 30–50% compared to fully subsidized rehabs.
John, I can't figure out how we got to this beyond the money making end. Bartertown would still be money making somewhere to some entity. It has to end. No more welfare state mentality. Personally, I give to no one but my family and myself period. I'm done been ridden hard and put away wet. The one and only person I will support, besides my family, will be Jake Seegers in 2026. I know where my money goes without question.
Okay, my one minute of blowup is done. I'm feeling much better now, thank you for asking
Even if the younger generation wants to re-visit zero tolerance to search for seeds and roaches in ashtrays, its their call. I just want them to know what has been tried before.
The cost of forcing strait behavior was through the roof. The cost and problems with harm reduction are obvious. Seattle may have completely bailed on harm reduction. Although our problems are pale in comparison to Pugetropolis. Seattle just dropped harm reduction funding levels.
I believe harm reduction is on its way out even though its still advocated for and funded here.
Jake, the fiscal element of harm reduction is too hard to ignore. That is safe ground. Even Seattle, the liberal mecca is phasing it out. Leave them to argue with themselves on that one. None of their talking points are accurate anymore and the statistics show that.
The addicts are still stealing the chain saw out of the garage. The binge just gets worse and worse. They just kill you at the gas station and make an insanity defense.
I told Jake when I first met him in person that its his world and I am in it. I said that because he is younger than me and is in his physical and mental prime. Dr. Sarah is another person that comes to mind. I was so glad to see them step up...Regretfully, Its going to be up to their generation to live with what we left them. My hope and goal is to give their generation good feedback to navigate their way ahead,
2. Economic Self-Sufficiency: Stop the Taxpayer Drain
Traditional addiction treatment and harm reduction cost billions—U.S. states spend $42B+ annually on substance abuse fallout, much of it taxpayer-funded rehabs with high dropout rates (50–70%). Bartertown flips the script:
Labor as revenue generator: Residents could work in agriculture, manufacturing, or services (e.g., on-site cafes, repair shops), selling products to the public. Modern TCs like Delancey Street Foundation (San Francisco) run successful businesses—restaurants, moving companies—fully funded by resident labor, with no government money. They've rehabbed 20,000+ people since 1971, boasting 70% long-term sobriety rates.
Drug sales for profit: In a legal framework (e.g., state-licensed cannabis ops), sales could rake in serious cash. Oregon's psilocybin program (launched 2023) funds mental health via fees and sales taxes; scale that to a facility where residents handle cultivation/sales under supervision, and it pays for therapy, meds, and security. This mirrors self-sustaining TCs like San Patrignano in Italy (Europe's largest), where 3,000+ residents work farms and workshops, funding 90% of operations through product sales (including non-drug goods). Net result: Break-even or profitable, freeing public funds for prevention elsewhere.
ROI math: Studies on TCs show $4–$12 saved per $1 invested (via reduced crime/healthcare), but self-funding amps that to near-infinite ROI for taxpayers. If Bartertown cuts theft/crimes by 50–80% (as TCs do), it pays societal dividends too.
3. Psychological and Social Benefits: Build Dignity Through Contribution
Addiction thrives on chaos and dependency; Bartertown counters with structure and agency.
Work as therapy: TCs emphasize "community as method"—residents run the place, enforce rules, and mentor each other, fostering responsibility. Meta-analyses of 60+ studies show TCs reduce substance use 20–40% more than outpatient programs, with gains in employment post-release. Labor isn't punishment; it's skill-building (farming, sales, trades) that preps for real-world jobs, breaking the "hustle-for-dope" cycle.
Minimum security = motivation: Unlike max prisons, low barriers encourage voluntary stays (as in Narcotic Farms, where 40% were voluntary). Tie privileges (e.g., better housing) to labor output, harnessing that "dope-sick energy" for productive ends without coercion.
Peer-driven recovery: In models like The Other Side Academy (Utah), ex-addicts/criminals live/work together, self-funding via businesses. Crime recidivism drops to <10%, far below national averages, because residents "own" the system.
4. Addressing Criticisms Head-On
Skeptics might call it exploitative or risky (e.g., relapse from drug proximity), but safeguards like drug-free zones, mandatory counseling, and phased programs mitigate that. Ethically, it's empowering—residents aren't "wards of the state" but active participants. Legally, frame drug sales as regulated (cannabis/psilocybin for therapy), avoiding black-market pitfalls. Pilot it small, like Portugal's decriminalization farms, where user contributions fund communal recovery.
In sum, Bartertown could be a pragmatic evolution: self-reliant, cost-neutral, and effective at turning addicts into contributors. It's not a cure-all, but in a world drowning in fentanyl and failed policies, it's worth testing over endless subsidies or jails. What specifics did you have in mind for the "drug sales" part?
John, the piece you and others are circling around is exactly what academic research has been saying for over 50 years — but nobody ever translates it into plain English for normal people. Three big theories help explain why some approaches work and others don’t:
1. Behavioral Theory
People don’t change just because they “should.”
They change when their environment changes — incentives, boundaries, relationships, routine.
That’s why Shielding Hope works: it meets people at the exact moment when their behavior is most changeable and gives them a structured alternative.
2. Family Systems Theory
No one recovers in isolation.
Families — biological, chosen, or peer communities — are the most powerful forces that stabilize people.
Programs that involve families or build “family-like” structure (like Delancey Street or The Other Side Academy) consistently outperform programs that treat people as isolated individuals.
3. Ecological Systems Theory (Bronfenbrenner)
People are shaped by multiple layers of environment — home, peers, services, laws, and community norms.
If those layers contradict each other (e.g., laws say “don’t use,” programs hand out supplies, families are sidelined), the system breaks down and people stay stuck.
When you apply these theories to real life, the path forward becomes clearer — and it matches what we’ve already seen work here and in other places.
If Clallam County wants real change, the policies that align with all three theories are the ones that consistently produce results:
• Moment-of-change interventions (Shielding Hope)
(Behavioral theory: leverage the window when change is possible)
• Voluntary, structured communities with real work
(Family Systems + Behavioral: routine, belonging, accountability)
• Funding tied to actual outcomes, not activity
(Ecological: align systems instead of working at cross-purposes)
• Strengthening families, not replacing them with bureaucracy
(Family Systems: recovery stabilizes when support systems stabilize)
• Clear public-order boundaries with real pathways out
(Ecological + Behavioral: predictable consequences + real alternatives)
When communities do these five things, the data is remarkably consistent:
Overdoses drop, ER visits drop, and visible homelessness decreases within 12–24 months.
Not because people suddenly become “less sick,” but because all the systems around them finally stop working against each other.
That’s the piece our county has been missing — not compassion or funding, but coherence.
When the systems line up, the outcomes change. When they contradict each other, we get exactly what we have now.
I can see the Church's role as a social fixer but its not an avenue for social misfits. To them its fingers on a chalkboard.
It was so structured back in the day. You went to Church, learned a language and how to play an instrument, then went off to college in a new suit of clothes.
If you didn't make that boat and hung around the bowling alley and caused trouble they had Benny Piper and Johnny Sweat knock you around and take you before the judge and you became an apprentice or went into the military, via deferral. But those were the pill and booze days. That's what my parents did...and fight over Willy Lou's receipts..
How much of the habit monster do you let out of Pandora's box? Non-psychoactive cannabis should be allowed because people can function under the effects...If you met them on the street you couldn't tell if they were hopped up because they are not. Its not possible.
I don't mind parts of the past but others I think had to evolve.
THCA, CBD and CBN are three alternatives that our accepted use should have evolved to.
No, CBN (cannabinol) is not considered psychoactive in the typical sense.
Here's a clear breakdown:
THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) is the primary psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis — it’s what causes the "high."
CBN is a mildly psychoactive or non-psychoactive degradation product of THC. It forms when THC is exposed to oxygen and light over time (e.g., in old or poorly stored cannabis).
Key points about CBN’s psychoactivity:
At normal doses, CBN does not produce a significant "high" or euphoria like THC.
Some studies and anecdotal reports suggest CBN can have mild sedative or calming effects, which is why it's often marketed in sleep products.
In very high doses, some users report slight psychoactive effects (drowsiness, grogginess, or mild altered perception — but these are subtle compared to THC and not consistently reported.
Most experts classify CBN as non-intoxicating or only very weakly psychoactive.
Summary:
CBN is generally regarded as non-psychoactive or minimally psychoactive at typical doses. It won’t get you "high" like THC, even though it interacts with the endocannabinoid system (primarily as a weak partial agonist at CB1 receptors).
So legally and practically, CBN is treated as non-psychoactive in hemp-derived products (legal under the 2018 Farm Bill in the US if Δ9-THC < 0.3%).
No, CBD (cannabidiol) is not psychoactive.
CBD does not cause a "high," intoxication, euphoria, or altered perception like THC does.
Key facts about CBD and psychoactivity:
CBD is non-psychoactive and non-intoxicating.
It does not bind strongly to CB1 receptors in the brain (the main receptor responsible for the psychoactive effects of THC).
In fact, CBD can partially block or reduce the psychoactive effects of THC when both are present (this is one reason high-CBD strains feel less "heady").
CBD is widely used for:
Anxiety and stress relief
Sleep support
Pain and inflammation
Seizures (e.g., Epidiolex, an FDA-approved CBD medication)
At very high doses, excessive doses, some people report feeling drowsy or mentally foggy, but this is a sedative side effect, not psychoactivity.
Legal status (U.S.):
Hemp-derived CBD with less than 0.3% Δ9-THC is federally legal under the 2018 Farm Bill and is sold openly in all 50 states.
Bottom line:
CBD is definitively non-psychoactive. You can take pure CBD or full-spectrum CBD products and still drive, work, or function normally without any "high."
THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) is non-psychoactive in its raw form.
Key facts:
Raw THCA does NOT get you high.
It does not bind effectively to CB1 receptors in the brain, so consuming raw cannabis flower, fresh juice, or untreated THCA diamonds/crystals will not produce a psychoactive effect.
THCA becomes psychoactive only when heated (decarboxylated).
Once converted, the resulting THC is fully psychoactive and will produce the classic cannabis high.
Factoid: all the marijuana busts for raw plants were not legal because marijuana was not yet Physcoactive..Until NORML and ACLU helped change the definition to include non-phsycoactive marijuana. Thanks Allison Chin Holcomb..
Thank you Jake! Dr. Berry’s stance here mirrors here parroting of masking mandates, the “effectiveness” of social distancing, the Covid shots, and her dismissal of drugs like ivermectin as effective in battling Covid - all of which have subsequently been proven incorrect. That being said, is it not simply common sense that making it easier for an addict to use drugs, or to escape the personal consequences of drug use, will in all probability encourage future use, rather than seek the difficult road to sobriety?
Thank you, Robert. Common sense makes sense.
Talk about a campaign slogan! "Jake Seegers - because common sense makes sense." I feel so encouraged by the effort you're investing to save the future of this beloved place we all call home. Thank your wife on our behalf, for sacrificing time with you so that you can do this important work! May God bless all you do!
Aww, thank you, Brandy! I will pass that on to her(:
Thank you for standing up for change...Together our community will make it a reality!
The drug epidemic is tearing through every corner of America, and at this point it’s clear that no single approach will fix it. One thing we do need more of is recovered addicts stepping forward and sharing their stories. Real-life recovery is powerful, sometimes hearing from someone who’s actually been there is what cracks that wall of hopelessness for someone still struggling.
I also think our harm-reduction strategies need to evolve if they are gonna stick around. They may play an important role in keeping people alive, but we’ve drifted away from structure and accountability. We used to require used syringes in exchange for new ones, and that simple step not only reduced waste and community impact but also created a meaningful point of contact. Those encounters matter. Perhaps we could find groups of people in active recovery whom are willing to get out there and connect during these times. Use it as an opportunity to build trust, offer resources, and connect people to treatment when they’re ready.
Perhaps maybe a program paired with garbage service, where you bring in a bag of garbage in exchange for your supplies.
We need compassion, but we also need systems that encourage progress. Not just maintenance. It’s time to bring back some accountability and pair it with real support, real stories, and real pathways out.
Great thoughts, SC.
You drive an excellent point. The BOCCC will listen to the people who financially benefit from the programs, but where's the input from those who have actually lived it and have no financial interest in the matter?
sc, " We used to require used syringes in exchange for new ones, and that simple step not only reduced waste and community impact..."
I agree but I would like to add the same for boofing kits. As discarded needles are a public health risk, so are the discarded syringes used for boofing. Wouldn't want to throw a cloth down for a family picnic that had one of those there, which was recently retrieved by volunteers or paid county employees. Gross, but true. Safety first.
It is so obvious that this whole "Harm Reduction" panacea is a total scam. We do need more survivors to speak out and tell their stories. Maybe then people will believe this is a scam, and redirect some $$ to more helpful avenues.
Absolutely Jennifer! I remember a few years ago just days after visiting dream park in Port angeles with my daughter, a young child was pricked by a needle there.
Parents were horrified as word spread throughout Facebook mom groups. I think it may have even made the paper.
The same standards should apply for boofing kits as well as glass pipes. Shared glass pipes can spread MRCA. Everything needs to be properly discarded before more is handed out.
SC, at work I was pricked by a needle (that was when you had to recap needles, they weren't the retractable type) Pt was HIV pos. Anyways, I was tested every few months for a year. A VERY LONG YEAR FOR ME. Fortunately I was cleared. Those insulin needles ARE NOT safety needles. I don't care how thick your gloves are, they can be punctured. Clean up crews should have hazardous pay.....or perhaps the Health Department should take a stand on needle handouts. As you said, take one out, bring it back for an exchange. Children are the most likely ones to get a needle prick playing in the parks.
Yikes!
It is our own North Olympic Peninsula Board of Health, led by Dr. Allison Berry, that extorted us, banned us from public venues and isolated us so we would inject experimental toxins that neither stopped contraction of nor transmission of the targeted disease, ( COVID ). The healthiest among us today are those who were brave enough to not inject those toxins. In light of the competency necessary to obtain medical credentials the problem is not a lack of intellect. The problem is the repeated brainwashing and propaganda doctors and nurses must endure to earn those credentials. They are unwitting Manchurian Candidates; institutionally trained puppets. We unfortunately now must all be our own health care advisor. Institutional drug addition treatment has the same frailties.
Garry, luckily I retired from Indian Health Services before the Covid propaganda. Unfortunately, my fellow colleagues had the choice of either losing their jobs or getting vaccinated (and required boosters!) A few reported to me unusual side effects. One lost his eyesight in one eye do to a micro clot about 10 days after the shot. One young nurse quit having her periods...others with outbreaks of skin conditions. The reports of Tribal members dying were ones that had had the shots. Native Americans had a higher death rate, they were first in line to get these shots!!!
For anyone who hasn't listened to an entire episode of a Board of Health meeting you're missing out on the symbiotic chummy relationship everyone has. I think we suffer in a sense all being in such a small community where the lines of professionalism and friendships are a blurred.
Our Commissioners take their queues from the Board of Health for all "health related matters." Dr. Sarah referenced this meeting not long ago in one of her comments and I took the time to listen to the meeting. The BOH meeting starts at 44:51, but discussion on opioids starts at 1:09:13.
I’m sorry I can’t watch I have BDS…..Berry Derangement Syndrome…she was my doctor for 5 long years!
"...money that is legally allowed for treatment, prevention, housing, and recovery..."
Our law enforcement is part of the "prevention" arm. Why aren't they receiving additional funds?
A fantastic, well researched, and eye opening article. Thanks Jake for all the time and effort it must have taken to assemble this in a meaningful and useful manner.
Thank you for the kind words, MK. Law enforcement is definitely part of the solution.
Here in Fire Dist. 3, Sequim, I received a newsletter just this last week, thanking the community for passing the Levi lift. And they are hiring 3 new first responders. Might this be of help?
As I understand it they're on an entirely different budget/taxing entity. I don't know if there's crossover where the BOCCC can disburse opioid funds to them.
Apparently, the levi lift/15.00/month more for us taxpayers, is funding this "Day Unit" Team, consisting of 2 Firefighters/EMTs, focused on Basic Life Support responses. But no mention of drug overdoses. Just wonder if there are statistics on percentages of drug overdoses handled by the Fire Dept. alone.
Good questions, AFB. I appreciated receiving the update via newsletter so that I am informed where the tax money goes.
Yes, I did too. I am trying to find some statistics on % of drug overdoses handled by Fire Dist 3...
Bravo! CCHHS has adopted an old way of taking money. The adage "a consultant borrows your watch to tell you the time, and then keeps the watch" comes to mind.
You said it, Rita!
How would Superman handle this? “Truth, Justice, and the American Way”
https://www.jakeseegers.com/
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You are awesome, Jennifer(:
Thank you, Jake, for bringing us the other side of the harm reduction debate that is never discussed by the elected and appointed county officials. I hope this grant funded program is brought to more people's attention so that there is more awareness for alternative solutions. We can become so dependent on government only help and solutions that too many people will never consider any other way to think through a problem. Where I previously worked, the teachers devised a way for their elementary students to develop critical thinking. Any time a student approached a teacher for an answer to a social or academic related problem, the teacher asked, "How do YOU solve your problem?" Most of the time the student was able to resolve the issue. So instead of immediate resolution and satisfaction, the students used their own brains and handled their own situations. We even used this with the SpEd kids and had very positive results. A great tactic that develops a lifetime skill.
Harm reduction as practiced here keeps a compliant slave class for the homeless/addiction industry. The system expects less accountability from ambulatory adults than we expect from children with severe challenges.
Yes. Even pets can be potti trained.
Lloyd, thank you!
The bias in scientific reports that Dr. Bero and Jake Seegers allege does certainly exist. It is at its greatest in the studies cited by the BPA and the ACE to support the continued operation of the Snake River dams; and by the DNR in studies supporting a continuation of its current logging practices. Even worse, these studies contain outright misrepresentations as evidenced by the BPA and the ACE losing court case after court case challenging their biological assessments, and by the admission by State Lands Commissioner Upthegrove this past week that DNR's carbon sequestration studies are neither accurate nor honest. It remains to be seen if Jake Seegers in his campaign for county commissioner sticks to his criticism of science by acknowledging the deception practiced by the BPA, the ACE, and the DNR.
It was good chatting with you the other day, Ron. As mentioned, most research should be scrutinized on the quality of the data sets and research protocols to evaluate for bias.
Take a hard right at the light Ron. You are becoming another independent by virtue of your decisions not to bury America under mountains of debt. I thank you for that. Obviously your not going to get a pat on the back at the Tribal/Soros Water Buffalo Lodge.
I lived and fought under liberal banner most of my life. You would be hard pressed to find someone that stuck his neck out for Cannabis policy farther than John Worthington did. It cost me a lot. One of the main reasons I fought so hard was to bring about economic advantages for American government. The globalists ruined that opportunity.
I voted for Trump, not because I was a believer in the "trickle down" theory, but because a vote for him was a vote against the globalists and their Socialism and Communism..
It’s a big tent. We are pro-choice Trumplicans in our house.
His allowance of the attack on non-psychoactive cannabis is a Soros collaboration with big pharma. He just threw the Soros world faction a bone. They finally got it down to a non-psychoactive product that is perfect for older people......older people that used to be on pills. They just screwed Kentucky and North Carolina in a big way..... And nobody noticed. They will grow and manufacture it in Thailand and it will be another ship on the world real time shipping map that makes French and Ozias hiss like Vampires that see too much light.
I'm missing the segue for Jake to take your bait. How is the BOCCC or other county officials using/misusing the information you assert. Could you clarify?
MK, oops, I missed that subtle jab. How do I take back my "LIKED"?
I did not address that issue in my comment which was directed more at what Jake Seegers might do as a county commissioner.
It is almost like (when) Jake is elected, if he did nothing we would be better off.
JJW, I'm not good with gov-speak, it gets me every time.
I don't believe that I missed your point. Given this article lays out a problem with how our county officials make decisions about county issues, the focus that I understand Jake is making has to do with local matters. This goes to my question, if Jake is focused on local matters that our elected officials are mismanaging, what would you suggest should draw him to be interested in your point that makes it local?
The BPA/ACE Snake River salmon issue is probably one of our most important local issues. The extremely negative effect the Snake River dams have on salmon populations in the Pacific Ocean impacts Jefferson and Clallam counties as much or more than any other counties in the State of Washington. Likewise, DNR's fake science is leading to extreme mismanagement of our forests that will have an increasingly negative influence on our forests' productivity and our water supply situation.
In order for me to understand, let's take your previous statement, "I did not address that issue in my comment which was directed more at what Jake Seegers might do as a county commissioner."
What I'm wanting to appreciate is what do you see a county commissioner being able to do about this matter, whether Jake, Mark , Randy, or Mike? Put another way, let's put you back in the driver's seat. What would you do?
What I'm looking for is an understanding how a local official can address matters that are being decided at the state or federal level which are the entities you've referred to as having bad policy. I suppose they can offer/suggest what the county's preference is, but beyond that I can't piece it together.
Please list mismanagement by DNR. Thank you.
Here's a quote from the State Lands Commissioner printed in the Everett HearalNet just last week. “I remain strongly committed to ensuring the agency engages in robust and honest carbon accounting, which will take time to get right. I look forward to working with the new Board and our expert staff to develop a carbon accounting method that accurately reflects the impact of DNR’s timber activities,” he said. You don't frequently get such a clear admission from a state official that the DRS's carbon accounting is not honest and is not accurate, despite representing the opposite in court case after court case the past three years. That is mismanagement. So are its harvesting practices that are resulting in increasingly smaller yields, increasingly lower water tables, and increasingly dying forests (as established by several of DNR's own studies).
Ron, are you suggesting that Jake has manipulated numbers and cherry-picked information to impose his bias on any issue? Presented false facts that support his position, while suppressing facts that do not? Or questioning whether he might do so if elected? Do you hold yourself and the rest of the Clallam County Charter Review Commissioners to a different standard? I may have mistaken you for seeming more balanced in your rhetoric than you are.
No, no opinion on how he might respond because he has no track record there. That's why I said it remains to be seen. If he is elected, I hope he would stick to his opinion expressed in this article.
Looking at the current commission and the misinformation that has been presented by the CCD and other NGO and non-profits, I believe that Jake is exactly as he presents. Authentic. Integrity. What else can you ask for. No track record in politics is a plus for me. No deals to pay back.
I also think you have shown yourself to be fair and honest in your presentations and work on the Charter Review Commission. Wish I could say the same for some others.
I am a day late to the party here. I would be interested in the deceptive DNR practices.
Here's a quote from the State Lands Commissioner printed in the Everett HearaldNet just last week. “I remain strongly committed to ensuring the agency engages in robust and honest carbon accounting, which will take time to get right. I look forward to working with the new Board and our expert staff to develop a carbon accounting method that accurately reflects the impact of DNR’s timber activities,” he said. You don't frequently get such a clear admission from a state official that the DNRS's carbon accounting is not honest and is not accurate, despite representing the opposite in court case after court case the past three years. That is deceptive.
Until our streets and neighborhood parks appear safe again, it isn't working.
Jake must know someone that knows someone that sleeps with someone to get all the data and graphics. Okay cross out the last little bit.
My question is, when our commissioners read (they do know how to read, right?)about
the miserable failures of programs like
“harm reduction “, how can they not be incredibly humiliated?
Do they ever feel like they are letting the public down? Or have they just dismissed those of us that send questions to them, as bunch of trouble makers? If I had a job that I was so incompetent at, first I’d be fired, but second I would feel extreme shame. No work ethic, no changes. The arrogance speaks volumes. Jeff thanks for bringing Jake on board. Jake never change. Politics have turned some into sewer rats that eat their young. Don’t be a sewer rat, we have plenty !
He won't change; there's only one version of Jake. I've never met anyone like him, not even close.
The bigger they can make the problem, the more money and power they achieve. Govt-101.
Wow! Nice article, Jake! Thanks for your research and sharing this data. I hadn't known about the Shielding Hope program before reading this. I hope the commissioners are reading this.
Thank you for the kind words, Andrea…I hope so too!
A wonderful article that sheds so much light on what is happening; thank you for doing the work to make this information known, Jake! And thanks to the Watchdog for facilitating a platform that encourages sharing information to help the people of Clallam County! Of course it inspired some memes and some number crunching of those stats that have more exclamation points than results!
That's good to hear!!! :)
Thank you Clallamity for standing up for our county and sharing your humor…and for the custom meme from time to time(;
Jake, your going to have to beat their argument that addicts are "sick" and cannot do meaningful employment. They can drive cars, ride bikes and even ride skateboards all day...but they are too "sick" to work. They say "immediate terror of being dope-sick," and "their brain is in full survival mode."
My counter is this:
"Bartertown" concept—a minimum-security facility for people with addiction, self-funded through resident labor and (presumably legal) drug sales. I'll draw from historical precedents, economic logic, and evidence from similar models like therapeutic communities (TCs) and the old U.S. Narcotic Farms. The core idea: turn addiction treatment into a self-sustaining ecosystem that builds skills, reduces taxpayer costs, and generates revenue while promoting recovery. This isn't without risks or ethical debates, but here's why it could work as a bold alternative to traditional harm-reduction or punitive approaches.
1. Historical Precedent: It Worked (Sort Of) in the Past
The U.S. once ran exactly this kind of setup with the Narcotic Farms in Lexington, KY (opened 1935) and Fort Worth, TX (opened 1938). These were federal "prisons" for drug addicts—minimum-security compounds where thousands of people (many voluntary, some court-ordered) lived, worked, and received treatment.
Labor-funded operations: Residents farmed crops, raised livestock, and ran workshops, producing food and goods that offset costs. The Lexington farm was largely self-sufficient, with inmate labor covering much of the food supply and maintenance, saving taxpayers millions. This wasn't just busywork; it built vocational skills, routine, and a sense of purpose, which studies later linked to lower relapse rates.
Research and rehab integration: They combined labor with medical research on addiction, leading to breakthroughs like methadone's early development. Recidivism was lower than in standard prisons, with many alumni crediting the work ethic for their recovery.
Modern twist for Bartertown: Update it with legal "drug sales"—e.g., growing and selling cannabis or psilocybin (Schedule I but approved for therapeutic use in some states). Revenue from on-site dispensaries or farms could fund housing, counseling, and operations, echoing how states like Colorado use cannabis taxes ($2.9B since 2014) to support addiction programs. This closes the loop: addicts contribute to a legal industry they're familiar with, generating profits to sustain the facility.
These farms closed in the 1970s amid shifting policies, but their model showed labor-based self-sufficiency could cut government spending by 30–50% compared to fully subsidized rehabs.
John, I can't figure out how we got to this beyond the money making end. Bartertown would still be money making somewhere to some entity. It has to end. No more welfare state mentality. Personally, I give to no one but my family and myself period. I'm done been ridden hard and put away wet. The one and only person I will support, besides my family, will be Jake Seegers in 2026. I know where my money goes without question.
Okay, my one minute of blowup is done. I'm feeling much better now, thank you for asking
; )
Even if the younger generation wants to re-visit zero tolerance to search for seeds and roaches in ashtrays, its their call. I just want them to know what has been tried before.
The cost of forcing strait behavior was through the roof. The cost and problems with harm reduction are obvious. Seattle may have completely bailed on harm reduction. Although our problems are pale in comparison to Pugetropolis. Seattle just dropped harm reduction funding levels.
I believe harm reduction is on its way out even though its still advocated for and funded here.
Thanks for always sharing your knowledge and experience with us, John.
Jake, the fiscal element of harm reduction is too hard to ignore. That is safe ground. Even Seattle, the liberal mecca is phasing it out. Leave them to argue with themselves on that one. None of their talking points are accurate anymore and the statistics show that.
The addicts are still stealing the chain saw out of the garage. The binge just gets worse and worse. They just kill you at the gas station and make an insanity defense.
Good info, John.
I told Jake when I first met him in person that its his world and I am in it. I said that because he is younger than me and is in his physical and mental prime. Dr. Sarah is another person that comes to mind. I was so glad to see them step up...Regretfully, Its going to be up to their generation to live with what we left them. My hope and goal is to give their generation good feedback to navigate their way ahead,
You and your research is/will be invaluable.
2. Economic Self-Sufficiency: Stop the Taxpayer Drain
Traditional addiction treatment and harm reduction cost billions—U.S. states spend $42B+ annually on substance abuse fallout, much of it taxpayer-funded rehabs with high dropout rates (50–70%). Bartertown flips the script:
Labor as revenue generator: Residents could work in agriculture, manufacturing, or services (e.g., on-site cafes, repair shops), selling products to the public. Modern TCs like Delancey Street Foundation (San Francisco) run successful businesses—restaurants, moving companies—fully funded by resident labor, with no government money. They've rehabbed 20,000+ people since 1971, boasting 70% long-term sobriety rates.
Drug sales for profit: In a legal framework (e.g., state-licensed cannabis ops), sales could rake in serious cash. Oregon's psilocybin program (launched 2023) funds mental health via fees and sales taxes; scale that to a facility where residents handle cultivation/sales under supervision, and it pays for therapy, meds, and security. This mirrors self-sustaining TCs like San Patrignano in Italy (Europe's largest), where 3,000+ residents work farms and workshops, funding 90% of operations through product sales (including non-drug goods). Net result: Break-even or profitable, freeing public funds for prevention elsewhere.
ROI math: Studies on TCs show $4–$12 saved per $1 invested (via reduced crime/healthcare), but self-funding amps that to near-infinite ROI for taxpayers. If Bartertown cuts theft/crimes by 50–80% (as TCs do), it pays societal dividends too.
3. Psychological and Social Benefits: Build Dignity Through Contribution
Addiction thrives on chaos and dependency; Bartertown counters with structure and agency.
Work as therapy: TCs emphasize "community as method"—residents run the place, enforce rules, and mentor each other, fostering responsibility. Meta-analyses of 60+ studies show TCs reduce substance use 20–40% more than outpatient programs, with gains in employment post-release. Labor isn't punishment; it's skill-building (farming, sales, trades) that preps for real-world jobs, breaking the "hustle-for-dope" cycle.
Minimum security = motivation: Unlike max prisons, low barriers encourage voluntary stays (as in Narcotic Farms, where 40% were voluntary). Tie privileges (e.g., better housing) to labor output, harnessing that "dope-sick energy" for productive ends without coercion.
Peer-driven recovery: In models like The Other Side Academy (Utah), ex-addicts/criminals live/work together, self-funding via businesses. Crime recidivism drops to <10%, far below national averages, because residents "own" the system.
4. Addressing Criticisms Head-On
Skeptics might call it exploitative or risky (e.g., relapse from drug proximity), but safeguards like drug-free zones, mandatory counseling, and phased programs mitigate that. Ethically, it's empowering—residents aren't "wards of the state" but active participants. Legally, frame drug sales as regulated (cannabis/psilocybin for therapy), avoiding black-market pitfalls. Pilot it small, like Portugal's decriminalization farms, where user contributions fund communal recovery.
In sum, Bartertown could be a pragmatic evolution: self-reliant, cost-neutral, and effective at turning addicts into contributors. It's not a cure-all, but in a world drowning in fentanyl and failed policies, it's worth testing over endless subsidies or jails. What specifics did you have in mind for the "drug sales" part?
John, the piece you and others are circling around is exactly what academic research has been saying for over 50 years — but nobody ever translates it into plain English for normal people. Three big theories help explain why some approaches work and others don’t:
1. Behavioral Theory
People don’t change just because they “should.”
They change when their environment changes — incentives, boundaries, relationships, routine.
That’s why Shielding Hope works: it meets people at the exact moment when their behavior is most changeable and gives them a structured alternative.
2. Family Systems Theory
No one recovers in isolation.
Families — biological, chosen, or peer communities — are the most powerful forces that stabilize people.
Programs that involve families or build “family-like” structure (like Delancey Street or The Other Side Academy) consistently outperform programs that treat people as isolated individuals.
3. Ecological Systems Theory (Bronfenbrenner)
People are shaped by multiple layers of environment — home, peers, services, laws, and community norms.
If those layers contradict each other (e.g., laws say “don’t use,” programs hand out supplies, families are sidelined), the system breaks down and people stay stuck.
When you apply these theories to real life, the path forward becomes clearer — and it matches what we’ve already seen work here and in other places.
If Clallam County wants real change, the policies that align with all three theories are the ones that consistently produce results:
• Moment-of-change interventions (Shielding Hope)
(Behavioral theory: leverage the window when change is possible)
• Voluntary, structured communities with real work
(Family Systems + Behavioral: routine, belonging, accountability)
• Funding tied to actual outcomes, not activity
(Ecological: align systems instead of working at cross-purposes)
• Strengthening families, not replacing them with bureaucracy
(Family Systems: recovery stabilizes when support systems stabilize)
• Clear public-order boundaries with real pathways out
(Ecological + Behavioral: predictable consequences + real alternatives)
When communities do these five things, the data is remarkably consistent:
Overdoses drop, ER visits drop, and visible homelessness decreases within 12–24 months.
Not because people suddenly become “less sick,” but because all the systems around them finally stop working against each other.
That’s the piece our county has been missing — not compassion or funding, but coherence.
When the systems line up, the outcomes change. When they contradict each other, we get exactly what we have now.
Thank you for your insight, Sarah!
Anything would be better than what we have now. There is something to be said for the Stella Mudd types..the shielding wife..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-s0N8Mviig0
I can see the Church's role as a social fixer but its not an avenue for social misfits. To them its fingers on a chalkboard.
It was so structured back in the day. You went to Church, learned a language and how to play an instrument, then went off to college in a new suit of clothes.
If you didn't make that boat and hung around the bowling alley and caused trouble they had Benny Piper and Johnny Sweat knock you around and take you before the judge and you became an apprentice or went into the military, via deferral. But those were the pill and booze days. That's what my parents did...and fight over Willy Lou's receipts..
How much of the habit monster do you let out of Pandora's box? Non-psychoactive cannabis should be allowed because people can function under the effects...If you met them on the street you couldn't tell if they were hopped up because they are not. Its not possible.
I don't mind parts of the past but others I think had to evolve.
THCA, CBD and CBN are three alternatives that our accepted use should have evolved to.
No, CBN (cannabinol) is not considered psychoactive in the typical sense.
Here's a clear breakdown:
THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) is the primary psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis — it’s what causes the "high."
CBN is a mildly psychoactive or non-psychoactive degradation product of THC. It forms when THC is exposed to oxygen and light over time (e.g., in old or poorly stored cannabis).
Key points about CBN’s psychoactivity:
At normal doses, CBN does not produce a significant "high" or euphoria like THC.
Some studies and anecdotal reports suggest CBN can have mild sedative or calming effects, which is why it's often marketed in sleep products.
In very high doses, some users report slight psychoactive effects (drowsiness, grogginess, or mild altered perception — but these are subtle compared to THC and not consistently reported.
Most experts classify CBN as non-intoxicating or only very weakly psychoactive.
Summary:
CBN is generally regarded as non-psychoactive or minimally psychoactive at typical doses. It won’t get you "high" like THC, even though it interacts with the endocannabinoid system (primarily as a weak partial agonist at CB1 receptors).
So legally and practically, CBN is treated as non-psychoactive in hemp-derived products (legal under the 2018 Farm Bill in the US if Δ9-THC < 0.3%).
No, CBD (cannabidiol) is not psychoactive.
CBD does not cause a "high," intoxication, euphoria, or altered perception like THC does.
Key facts about CBD and psychoactivity:
CBD is non-psychoactive and non-intoxicating.
It does not bind strongly to CB1 receptors in the brain (the main receptor responsible for the psychoactive effects of THC).
In fact, CBD can partially block or reduce the psychoactive effects of THC when both are present (this is one reason high-CBD strains feel less "heady").
CBD is widely used for:
Anxiety and stress relief
Sleep support
Pain and inflammation
Seizures (e.g., Epidiolex, an FDA-approved CBD medication)
At very high doses, excessive doses, some people report feeling drowsy or mentally foggy, but this is a sedative side effect, not psychoactivity.
Legal status (U.S.):
Hemp-derived CBD with less than 0.3% Δ9-THC is federally legal under the 2018 Farm Bill and is sold openly in all 50 states.
Bottom line:
CBD is definitively non-psychoactive. You can take pure CBD or full-spectrum CBD products and still drive, work, or function normally without any "high."
THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) is non-psychoactive in its raw form.
Key facts:
Raw THCA does NOT get you high.
It does not bind effectively to CB1 receptors in the brain, so consuming raw cannabis flower, fresh juice, or untreated THCA diamonds/crystals will not produce a psychoactive effect.
THCA becomes psychoactive only when heated (decarboxylated).
Heat (smoking, vaping, baking, etc.) converts THCA → Δ9-THC:
THCA → (heat) → Δ9-THC + CO₂
Once converted, the resulting THC is fully psychoactive and will produce the classic cannabis high.
Factoid: all the marijuana busts for raw plants were not legal because marijuana was not yet Physcoactive..Until NORML and ACLU helped change the definition to include non-phsycoactive marijuana. Thanks Allison Chin Holcomb..
No one can top, John.
Denise, that man has the tenacity of a bulldog!
Stella Mudd could stop me in round 1.
I have said it before and still stand by it
In CC Harm Reduction = Assisted Suicide
Sloppy Hospice
I have so many thoughts on this topic, but right now I just want to thank you for a thoughtful, well researched article to educate the public.