![](images/ivancasselman.jpg)
Ivan Casselman is a Canadian researcher. He graduated in 1999
with an Associate Degree in Jazz Music from Vancouver Island
University, BC, Canada. In 2005 he graduated from University
of Victoria, BC, Canada with a BA Anthropology. After working
as an archaeologist in British Columbia, Canada he returned
to school in 2007 to complete a post degree certificate in Geographic
Information Systems (GIS). In September 2009 he completed his
MSc in Ethnobotany at the University of Kent, UK. In January
2011 he completed his MPhil in Ethnopharmacology at the School
of Pharmacy London, UK. He is currently a PhD candidate at Southern
Cross University in Lismore Australia as a member of the Plant
Science Department working on the molecular
phylogeny and phytochemisty of Salvia divinorum. Ivan has a
strong foundation in fieldwork methodology as well as a comprehensive
understanding of chemistry, bio-medicine and botany as it applies
to
his research interests. His overall methodological focus is
on
developing and improving innovative grass roots technologies
and the
flow of information through emerging technologies. His main
research
interest are plants which create heightened states of consciousness,
social models of psychoactive use and the development of novel
natural
product therapies.
ABSTRACT
As one of the first cultivated crops, cannabis has had a very
long
term relationship with humans. This plant is now used for food,
fibre,
medicine and consciousness expansion. After millennia of human
use and
centuries of prohibition, how does the cultural use of this
plant
manifest itself today? To date the majority of the ethnographical
studies have failed to explore the prevalent cannabis culture
in
“western” or “industrialized” countries
focusing instead on countries
in Africa, South America and Asia. Drawing on a decade of ethnographic
data from Canada, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Australia,
this presentation will explore three aspects of modern cannabis
culture. How law enforcement has affected the cost and quality
of
cannabis, how national “epicentres” of cannabis
culture and
legalization are developed and maintained, and finally will
compare
and contrast how the use of medical cannabis in the aforementioned
countries. Under UN convention the use of Cannabis is prohibited
globally, however, nations differ in how these conventions are
enacted. This presentation will conclude with a discussion of
these
differences and the growing civil disobedience in defiance of
these
laws.
http://www.entheo.net/lecture/ivan_casselman