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| Marijuana Initiative Being Pushed for Ballot Spot |
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Posted by FoM on April 16, 2002 at 16:39:00 PT By Jim Jackson, Staff Writer Source: Lingle Press 
According to a Marijuana Policy Project poll recently taken of 1,000 Wyoming voters, favor for marijuana use for medicinal purposes has found some support. In February, the Lucas Organization surveyed voters in 10 western and midwestern states to determine relative levels of support for medical marijuana.Four of those states, Alaska, Colorado, Nevada and Oregon, have medical marijuana laws on the books. The six remaining states, Arizona, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming, do not have such laws, the survey found. The 10-state poll included five questions relating to medical marijuana. Answers were determined by level of support such as, “I strongly support,” “I some what support” or “I do not support.” What is your level of support for a basic medical marijuana law that allows seriously ill patients to ‘use and grow their own medical marijuana with approval from their physicians?’” “If your own state legislators or members of Congress vote for a bill to allow seriously ill patients to use medical marijuana with the approval of their physicians, would you be more likely or less likely to vote for these elected officials in the November general election?” “In eight states, it is legal to possess or grow your own marijuana for medical purposes if you have the approval of your physician, but medical marijuana distribution remains illegal in all 50 states. Suppose an initiative is placed on the November ballot in your state that would make it legal for medical clinics or non-profit organizations to buy medical marijuana from farmers and sell it to seriously ill patients. What is your level of support for this ballot measure?” “The U.S. Supreme Court ruled last year that it is illegal under federal law for medical clinics to buy and sell medical marijuana. Suppose that an initiative on the November ballot would make medical marijuana distribution and sales legal under your state’s law, while it would remain illegal under federal law. What is your level of support for such a ballot measure?” “Suppose an initiative is placed on the November ballot that would require your state government to grow and distribute medical marijuana to seriously ill patients who have the approval of their physicians. What is your level of support for this ballot measure?” The results of this poll may bring an initiative on the November 2004 ballot in Wyoming. Out of the adults polled, 65.3 percent “strongly support” or “somewhat support” a proposed ballot initiative. The initiative would remove the threat of arrest and all other penalties for seriously ill patients who use and grow their own marijuana with the approval of their physicians. Dr. Ethan Russo, a neurologist from Missoula, Mont., has done extensive studies of medicinal marijuana on patients with migraines, multiple sclerosis for muscle spasms and pain, and patients with chronic pain. “I have a great number of patients that cannabis has been very effective on,” he said. According to Russo, at this time there aren’t any doctors who can prescribe it for their patients legally. “If I am approached by a patient and they ask if cannabis will help them with their problem, depending on the circumstance, I usually say yes,” he said. According to Russo, he has been road blocked by the National Institute on Drug Abuse from doing further studies even though he has permission from the Food and Drug Administration to do so. “NIDA holds control of cannabis use, and it is subject to their oversight,” he said. Russo said there are many pharmaceuticals that are more toxic than medical marijuana, and he believes it has become a moral issue as opposed to a medical one. “I know the government won’t be very happy with me,” he said. “But I believe we have a duty to discuss the pros and cons of any treatment. It comes down to freedom of speech.” U.S. Sen. Mike Enzi said during a recent visit at Eastern Wyoming College that he was against legalization of the illegal substance. “I have talked to thousands of people throughout the state,” he said. “I can assure you it will never pass. There are too many people against it.” Enzi said he believes there are other ways and medications available that will do the same thing as medical marijuana which can be regulated properly. Brian Jacobs, press agent for U.S. Representative Barbara Cubin in Washington D.C., said Cubin has no problem with them putting it on the ballot in 2004, if that is what the people in Wyoming want. As far as legalization of marijuana for medicinal purposes, he said Cubin is against it. “There is only a small amount of proof, if any, it has any effectiveness,” he said. Cubin has found the American Medical Association, the American Cancer Society and many other national organizations reject any claims that marijuana provides relief for terminal or other illnesses, according to Jacobs. “If it were to be legalized, it would almost be impossible to regulate,” he said. Cubin’s concern is lack of regulation would open up the use of marijuana to people who are not ill. The Lingle Town Council recently initiated a “no tolerance” policy that would support stern action from law enforcement against use of illegal substances. Mayor Routt said he was against anyone using marijuana for medicinal purposes unless is were highly regulated. “If they proved it could do some good for terminally ill patients than it would have to be regulated,” he said. Routt said it would have to be gotten through a prescription like any other drug and purchased through the doctor or drug store. Complete Title: Marijuana Initiative Being Pushed for Ballot Spot in 2004 Source: Lingle Press (WY) Related Articles & Web Sites: Marijuana Policy Project Hemp for Headaches PDF Format Cannabinoids in Pain Management CannabisNews Search - Ethan Russo MD Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help |
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Comment #9 posted by SoberStoner on April 17, 2002 at 08:16:34 PT:
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| One word for all those lieing assholes who say there is no medical eveidence to support medicinal marjuana MARINOL! of course, logic has no meaning here SS [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #8 posted by DdC on April 16, 2002 at 21:33:25 PT |
| Heaven forbid the healthy users using cannabis. Better they go to prison and catch something to justify it I guess. I'm still wondering how Nazi fascism developes medical symptoms outside of the Nazi fascism. If 70 million toked and 60 million walked away and never looked back, with no addiction and no victims, only lame lies and lamier theory?
Don't worry about answering the title... Its a trick question. They're both the same thing... Peace, Love and Liberty or D.E.A.th! DdC "Another weapon I discovered early was the power of the printed word to sway souls to me. The newspaper was soon my gun, my flag- a thing with a soul that could mirror my own." SCAPEGOATING - The Elkhorn Manifesto PREJUDICE - "You know, it's a funny thing, every one of the bastards that are out for legalizing marijuana is Jewish. What the Christ is the matter with the Jews, Bob? LIES - The assassins of youth...FRCn, DARE, PDFA NO PUBLIC DEBATE - I wish I could show you what a small marihuana cigaret can do to one of our degenerate Spanish-speaking residents. That's why our problem is so great; the greatest percentage of our population is composed of Spanish-speaking persons, most of who are low mentally, because of social and racial conditions. Anslinger/Hearst DEHUMANIZATION - The Drug War Gravy Train By Daniel Forbes PROTECT OUR CHILDREN - "A violently active, intrepid, brutal youth that is what I am after... CIVIL LIBERTIES SACRIFICED - Who is really behind the Partnership For A Drug Free America LEGAL DESCRIMINATION - Partnership for a Drug-Free America? "Through clever and constant application of propaganda, people can be made to see paradise as hell, and also the other way around, to consider the most wretched sort of life as paradise." INFORMERS - What the WHO doesn't want you to know about cannabis SECRET POLICE - This is your Ad Campaign on Tax Money. Any Questions? President Ronald Reagan, at the urging of then Vice President George Bush, appointed Carlton Turner as the White House Drug (czar) Advisor in 1981. ACS - Division of Analytical Chemistry - DAC Awards Partnership for Drug Policy Facts & Alternatives... CONFISCATION OF PROPERTY - Bigotry and Aparteid REMOVAL FROM SOCIETY - 1936: DuPont obtains a patent license to manufacture synthetic "plastic fibers" from German industrial giant I.G. Farben Corporation. The patent license is obtained as part Germany's reparation payments to the United States after World War I. A few years later, I.G. Farben manufactures deadly Zyklon-B gas, used in Nazi death camps to murder millions of Jews (along with many homosexuals and drug users). DuPont owned and financed approximately 30% of Hitler's I.G. Corps, the military-industrial backbone of the fascist Third Reich. 73 groups for medical cannabis. "There are 100,000 total marijuana smokers in the US, and most are Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos and entertainers. Their Satanic music, jazz and swing, result from marijuana usage. This marijuana causes white women to seek sexual relations with Negroes, entertainers and any others." AMA From Whom Did the Fascists Get Support? Self Perpetuating Lies "The masses have little time to think. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #7 posted by idbsne1 on April 16, 2002 at 21:03:28 PT |
| Why in the hell is it the SAME THING EVERYTIME?!?!.... The politicians ARE SO OUT OF TOUCH with what the people want... 65.3%....in my book (oh yes, and it IS a science book)...that is a majority.... Again, the same old STUPID drivel...."there is No evidence...yada, yada, yada..." Since these people are risking their lives for this medicine or the lack thereof, I've got one for the politicians.... IF THERE IS NO EVIDENCE FOR THE EFFICACY OF CANNABIS, THEN BET YOUR LIFE ON IT!!!!!!! If we can find evidence for MJ's efficacy throughout the world, as an opposing politician, you shall be put to death. How about that one....will YOU bet your life? Why NOT?!?!?!?!!? idbsne1 [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #6 posted by FoM on April 16, 2002 at 18:03:15 PT |
| Dan asked me to remove a post he made a mistake on and I removed the one where he asked me to remove the one post. [ Post Comment ] |
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Comment #5 posted by lookinside on April 16, 2002 at 18:00:59 PT:
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| Thanks for the book review Dr. Dan. Hmmm...These post numbers are a little weird. Did I miss something? [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #4 posted by mayan on April 16, 2002 at 17:24:45 PT |
| I've been wanting to read that book Dan B! One of the authors was on C-Span last year & it sounds really good. How can these organizations call themselves "nonprofit"? It seems as though they profit at the expense of the truth. [ Post Comment ] |
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Comment #2 posted by Dan B on April 16, 2002 at 16:57:29 PT:
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| Cubin has found the American Medical Association, the American Cancer Society and many other national organizations reject any claims that marijuana provides relief for terminal or other illnesses, according to Jacobs. Here's an excerpt from a book called Trust Us, We're Experts, by Sheldon Rampton and John Stauber: "Corporate sponsors have formed "partnerships" with a number of leading nonprofit organizations' names and logos in advertisements. Bristol-Myers Squibb, for example, paid $600,000 to the American Heart Association for the right to display the AHA's name and logo in adsfor its cholesterol-lowering drug Provachol. The American Cancer Society reeled in $1 million from SmithKline Beecham for the right to use its logo in ads for Beecham's Nicoderm CQ and Nicorette anti-smoking aids. A Johnson & Johnson subsidiary countered by shelling out $2.5 million for similar rights from the American Lung Association in its ads for Nicotrol, a rival nicotine patch. . . . Although the nonprofit organizations involved in these deals deny that the use of their names and logos consitutes an endorsement, the corporate sponsors have no such illusions . . ." (15). Since the pharmaceuticals companies have lined the pockets of those who run these "nonprofit" organizations with such deals, it should come as no surprise that these same organizations will endorse the opposition to medical marijuana ballot measures, even going so far as to refute the existence of mounds of evidence showing the efficacy of cannabis for the emelioration of symptoms associated with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. Remember, the fact that a big nonprofit is against some law is no indication that said law is unsound. It is merely a sound bite paid for by the corporate megalopolies. Dan B [ Post Comment ] |
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