Cannabis News Media Awareness Project
  US Sailing Bans Sailor for Medical Marijuana
Posted by CN Staff on November 23, 2005 at 13:12:53 PT
By Jessica Ricci 
Source: Providence Phoenix  

medical Rhode Island -- Competitive sailor Irvin Rosenfeld has been using medical grade marijuana for 20 years to treat multiple congenital cartilaginous exostosis, a disease that causes bone tumors to grow on most of the long bones of his body.

The 52-year-old Florida stockbroker, who joined a federal program called Compassionate Care Investigational New Drug in 1982, says the 10 to 12 marijuana cigarettes he gets each day from Uncle Sam offer the only relief for his excruciating chronic pain. He is one of six current participants in the program.

Rosenfeld, who has taken part in three races organized by the Portsmouth-based United States Sailing Association (USSA), wants to sail in the association’s 2006 North American Challenge Cup for the disabled next summer. The USSA, however, says Rosenfeld needs an exemption from the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) to use marijuana while competing, and the USADA, which considers marijuana a banned substance, denied his request.

Rosenfeld believes that both US Sailing and the USADA are discriminating against him because marijuana is his medicine. He says that most of the people in the event are on banned substances, such as steroids, and that he is being singled out. "The irony is the US Sailing wants as many people as possible to have the pleasure of sailing," he says, "but they are discriminating against the disabled in a race for the disabled because I use a medicine they don’t understand."

US Sailing says it is bound by the rules of the Anti-Doping Agency. Marlieke Eaton, a US Sailing spokeswoman, says the rules remain the same even if a federal program regulates Rosenfeld’s marijuana. "There are standard procedures that everyone must follow to make it fair for every competitor," she says. "He [Rosenfeld] is not being discriminated against." Eaton says she was not aware of the use of banned substances by other disabled sailors. (The USADA declined to comment on Rosenfeld’s case.)

Rosenfeld says marijuana does not enhance his performance; his health, which is closely monitored, has not suffered as a result of using it; and he says he does not get high from the drug, apparently because of the functioning of the cannabinoid receptors in his brain.

As he appeals to the USADA for an exemption, he rallies ahead with advocacy, having spoken to the Rhode Island Senate, for example, as it was contemplating legalizing medical marijuana. "The government has done a good job brainwashing the American public," Rosenfeld says. "[But] I can’t just shut up — that’s why I was in Rhode Island. Doctors told me at the age of 10 I wouldn’t be around very long. God’s kept me around for a reason."

Complete Title: Drug Wars: US Sailing Bans Sailor for Medical Marijuana

Source: Providence Phoenix (RI)
Author: Jessica Ricci
Published: November 25 - December 1, 2005
Copyright: 2005 Phoenix Media Communications Group
Contact: providence-feedback@phx.com
Website: http://www.providencephoenix.com/

Related Articles & Web Site:

Patients Out of Time
http://www.medicalcannabis.com/

Medical Marijuana User Banned from Regatta
http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21143.shtml

7 Americans Get To Smoke Pot in Federal Program
http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20817.shtml


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Comment #6 posted by John Tyler on November 24, 2005 at 19:30:26 PT
this is just spitefulness
This is just plain spitefulness. It’s pretty obvious that the Prohibitionists put out the word to do what can be done to squelch cannabis advocates anyway they can. This guy is an embarrassment to the Prohibitionist cause. He shows up their lies and they are just “messing” with him to get him back. They will deny this and hide behind their rules, but these rules were made to hide behind.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #5 posted by CorvallisEric on November 24, 2005 at 16:28:37 PT
No evidence, just a hunch ...
... that cannabis is a performance enhancer some of the time for some people doing some things under some conditions. And for other people, etc, etc, it's the opposite. Just like the hundreds of other meds that disabled people use to deal with their difficulties.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #4 posted by mayan on November 23, 2005 at 17:23:58 PT
Discrimination
"There are standard procedures that everyone must follow to make it fair for every competitor," she says. "He [Rosenfeld] is not being discriminated against."

If he's not being discriminated against then let him sail. If it is a race for the disabled then why discriminate? The only folks who shouldn't be allowed to participate are folks who aren't in some way disabled.

How sickening. Irv will end up making this whole ordeal look totally ridiculous. USSA and USADA, the light is shining on you!

THE WAY OUT...

Professor Jones is Right: Government Refused to Examine Trade Center Collapses: http://georgewashington.blogspot.com/2005/11/professor-jones-is-right-government.html

Ex-MI5 Officers Discuss Probability of 9/11 Being an Inside Job on BBC: (video - ffwd to 19 min.) http://www.yourbbsucks.com/forum/shaylernewsnightscotland.rm

More Miraculous 9/11 Evidence: Four Credits Cards Found in Perfect Condition From Inside the Wallet of Flight 11 Passenger: http://www.arcticbeacon.citymaker.com/articles/article/1518131/37886.htm



[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #3 posted by global_warming on November 23, 2005 at 14:13:31 PT
why?
This drug war,

Which is placed fully on the backs,

Of those who have the least strength

To carry the load

Is an abomination

Before the table of the Lord

False sacrifice

Along with cunning and craftiness

Are like the baboons colorful ass

Easily observed

By the colour and stink

Take

A, moment to reflect,

End this war on people

It is within your grasp



[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #2 posted by lombar on November 23, 2005 at 13:34:36 PT
I have often wondered...
Ever since the Olympics tried to take away the gold medal from the snowboarder (Ross R - dont recall) I have wondered why they consider cannabis a banned substance if it does not enhance performance at certain tasks/events. The olmypics believe it is a performance enhancer but all the governments claim that cannabis usage is so harmful it requires the force of criminal law. Which one is it?

If it's all that bad, who cares if people use it in the Olympics, it would reduce their performance.

If it is an performance enhancer, why is it banned from society?

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #1 posted by global_warming on November 23, 2005 at 13:31:04 PT
Getting Over, a bad trip..
"The government has done a good job brainwashing the American public," Rosenfeld says..."

End this war on people, so we can have a true Thanksgiving.



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