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| Transcript: Etheridge on Medicinal Marijuana |
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Posted by CN Staff on October 16, 2005 at 18:06:10 PT By Stone Phillips, Anchor Source: Dateline NBC 
Transcript: But there’s one part of her story she has never talked about publicly until now: A controversial choice she made to help with the harsh side effects of chemo.Etheridge: I decided instead of signing up for the drugs that— well, there’s the drug that you take for the pain. But that constipates you. So, you have to take the constipation drug. But then that actually gives you diarrhea. So, you need a little diarrhea drug. Instead of taking five or six of the prescriptions, I decided to go a natural route and smoke marijuana. Phillips: Medicinal marijuana. Etheridge: Medicinal marijuana. Absolutely. Every doctor I talked to that I asked about it said that’s the best thing to do. The doctors know. Phillips: You spoke to your doctors about using marijuana? Etheridge: Oh, yeah. From the surgeons to the oncologists to the radiation. Every single one was, “Oh, yeah. That’s the best help for the effects of chemotherapy.” While the medical community remains divided, California is one of 10 states that allows seriously ill people to use marijuana, with a doctor’s recommendation. But federal law prohibits the drug under any circumstances. So, Melissa’s doctors didn’t actually write a prescription. And Melissa used it, despite the risk of federal prosecution. Etheridge: If they really wanted to come get me really, I mean, there’s so much more going on. And I just—no, I didn’t worry. But it was worth it. Smoking the marijuana proved too harsh, so early on, she switched to a vaporizer to inhale it. She says it eased her pain, restored her appetite and lifted her depression. Phillips: How often were you using it? Etheridge: Oh, every day. I was doing a lot of it at the time, for my pain and for my symptoms. And the minute I didn’t feel it, it I stopped. Phillips: As a rock star, your position on this does not come as a complete surprise. Etheridge: I know, I know. Phillips: Do you worry at all that talking about this from a medicinal standpoint might encourage recreational use? That what somebody hears is, “This takes away pain. This is—this brings comfort.” Etheridge: Do I worry that it will be abused? Yeah. I mean, Vicodin is abused. Everything that brings pain relief is abused. Yeah. But does that mean because Vicodin is abused, do they keep it away from people? No.They prescribe it. Put the laws on it, prescribe it. Phillips: Have you thought about being more vocal in the medicinal marijuana movement? Etheridge: Well, I guess I am now. Yes. Complete Transcript: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9673481/ Source: MSNBC (US Web) Related Article & Web Site: Melissa Etheridge Melissa Etheridge Says She Used Marijuana Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help |
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| Comment #8 posted by ekim on October 16, 2005 at 18:36:34 PT |
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Bill Maher please have on Melissa and LA Police cheif Norm Stampler and have Todd McCormick Back on HBO to show what 5 years in prison is doing to too many. blogs.salon.com/0002762/ [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #7 posted by FoM on October 16, 2005 at 18:35:30 PT |
| Hopefully she will and yes both issues are personal and should be ok and shouldn't have any government inteference. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #6 posted by westnyc on October 16, 2005 at 18:34:06 PT |
| Mon Dieu! It is bewildering to me that this is an issue for a sick person. The real crime is that they should have to explain themself? I'm sorry but Stone Phillips should be questioning the ONDCP and the Supreme Court, not a self-medicating cancer sufferer. Famous or not! The Beatles were before my time; and, that old song about starting a Revolution, is making alot of sense to me these days. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #5 posted by PainWithNoInsurance on October 16, 2005 at 18:32:19 PT |
| I think she should become a MMJ and a gay activist. Both issues are personal matters and have nothing to do with government. Why should government be in the business of personal matters? [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #4 posted by FoM on October 16, 2005 at 18:24:11 PT |
| She does look good and she seems really in control of her life. It was an excellent interview. Marijuana to the rescue one more time! [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #3 posted by Hope on October 16, 2005 at 18:22:56 PT |
| What a brave woman. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #2 posted by PainWithNoInsurance on October 16, 2005 at 18:19:47 PT |
| Mellissa looks good these days, and I'm glad she found a natural substance that helped her without all of the side effects that come with the unaffordable pharms. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #1 posted by FoM on October 16, 2005 at 18:06:53 PT |
| And Dateline NBC! [ Post Comment ] |
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