Cannabis News Students for Sensible Drug Policy
  Medical Marijuana is Victory for Patients
Posted by CN Staff on January 07, 2006 at 08:11:15 PT
Editorial 
Source: Coventry Courier 

medical Rhode Island -- In a 59-13 vote Tuesday, the House of Representatives overrode Governor Carcieri's veto of a 2005 General Assembly bill, thereby making Rhode Island the 11th state since 1996 to legalize the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes and we say it's about time.

On June 6, 2005 a high court ruled that patients who use pot under recommendation by their doctors are not exempt from prosecution under federal law.

Carcieri said he opposed the legislation because marijuana use and cultivation is against federal law and legalizing the drug on a state level for any purpose causes a law enforcement conflict.

While that might be true, we sincerely hope our federal courts have more pressing issues to address than prosecuting the chronically ill and dying for smoking dope to relieve their suffering.

Other opponents of the legislation say it's a travesty, that it sends an irresponsible message to our youth about the use of illegal drugs.

We're not so sure about that.

Any PTA or anti-drug abuse coalition that doesn't think adolescents are just as likely to experiment with "safer" prescription drugs, such as Vicodin, Adderall, and Percocet (all of which are habit-forming and known to cause withdrawl symptoms by the way) is naïve.

Weren't certain cold remedies containing pseudoephedrine taken off drug store shelves recently because some rocket scientists were using them to make concentrated methanphetamine?

Studies conducted by numerous universities and medical institutions suggest that it is virtually impossible to overdose on marijuana and that even heavy smokers exhibit little to no withdrawl symptoms, save the potential for bouts of brief insomnia and mild anxiety.

And while studies have shown that marijuana smoke is more harmful to the lungs than cigarette smoke (which, while undeniably bad for you, is still legal) does anyone honestly believe that someone ailing from cancer or AIDS cares about what their lung tissue will look like after they die if they can't stand the pain they're enduring while they're still alive?

The Food and Drug Administration requires drug manufacturers warn consumers of side affects associated with all FDA approved medications.

You've heard them all during those commercials on TV where they show happy people doing everyday things with virtually no indication whatsoever about what the drug being promoting is actually used to treat.

But they do tell you that whatever it is, taking it could cause nausea, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, high blood pressure, stroke, certain sexual side effects in men and women, shortness of breath, and even thoughts of suicide.

Not every prescription or over-the-counter drug works or is appropriate for everyone.

Will marijuana work for everyone with multiple sclerosis, cancer, AIDS, HIV, wasting syndrome, Crohn's disease, Alzheimer's, and epilepsy? No.

Will it work for some of those patients? Yes and that's why this law makes sense.

Because this law is not about making "pot-heads" happy or about the importance of teaching our children the dangers of drug abuse period, it's about giving patients and doctors another option when it comes to treating chronic conditions and terminal illness. Period.

Newshawk: Mayan
Source: Coventry Courier (RI)
Published: January 7, 2006
Copyright: 2006 The Coventry Courier
Contact: cceditor@ricentral.com
Website: http://www.coventrycourier.com

Related Articles:

Cannabis Law Leaves Open Key Question
http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21453.shtml

Cheers, Concerns Greet Medical Marijuana Bill
http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21446.shtml

Legislators OK Medical Use of Marijuana
http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21443.shtml


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Comment #55 posted by afterburner on January 08, 2006 at 21:11:54 PT
Only the Beginning
Switzerland: Father of LSD, Now 100, and His 'Problem Child' http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v06/n026/a02.html

RE prohibitionists: "I ain't gonna take none of your foolin' around Ain't gonna take none of your puttin' me down." --Screamin' Jay Hawkins

RE Rhode Island's courageous override of the Governor's veto: Chicago › Beginnings http://www.lyricsfreak.com/c/chicago/29879.html

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #54 posted by global_warming on January 08, 2006 at 13:43:57 PT
puccinni
when Butterfly walked before her lord,



[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #53 posted by global_warming on January 08, 2006 at 13:30:32 PT
whoops
Entrance

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Comment #52 posted by global_warming on January 08, 2006 at 13:28:46 PT
Ah! and the fools
Entrence of Butterfly

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #51 posted by global_warming on January 08, 2006 at 12:52:58 PT
graven images
The softness that may become 'images,

Could be but 1 blink

Your eye catches

All the sparks,

In this world,



[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #50 posted by FoM on January 08, 2006 at 12:52:02 PT
whig
I understand.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #49 posted by whig on January 08, 2006 at 12:47:40 PT
#48
Don't make or worship graven images.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #48 posted by global_warming on January 08, 2006 at 12:43:34 PT
would these be the ways
idol worship?



[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #47 posted by whig on January 08, 2006 at 12:39:04 PT
FoM
I mean it really was written specially for you.

That doesn't mean it wasn't also specially for others, but don't discount that it was truly, literally meant for you to hear precisely when and how you did.

God hears you, and responds in mysterious ways.

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #46 posted by FoM on January 08, 2006 at 12:19:27 PT
Whig
You mean you understood that song too? It really helped me.

Did He give me the gift of voice so others could silence me?

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #45 posted by whig on January 08, 2006 at 12:16:55 PT
FoM
"I'm sorry I don't understand. There are many good people on the earth who are confused about the whole scheme of things. When Neil Young wrote When God Made Me it was like it was written just for me. It sure wasn't though and there are many people that I have read feel the same way about that particular song."

It sure was, FoM.

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Comment #44 posted by global_warming on January 08, 2006 at 11:57:53 PT
sorry
'the whole scheme of things, that is what i was saying,

'we those people, are that 'scheme of things,

'we are making the decisions,

'we are giving birth and strength

To this world,

'We, are the power and the Glory

For Ever And Ever



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Comment #43 posted by FoM on January 08, 2006 at 11:51:25 PT
global_warming
I'm sorry I don't understand. There are many good people on the earth who are confused about the whole scheme of things. When Neil Young wrote When God Made Me it was like it was written just for me. It sure wasn't though and there are many people that I have read feel the same way about that particular song.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #42 posted by global_warming on January 08, 2006 at 11:43:11 PT
and what i seen
is troubling my supposed soul.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #41 posted by global_warming on January 08, 2006 at 11:40:34 PT
I Wish
i never looked in the mirror,

For i caught a glimpse of my eye.



[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #40 posted by global_warming on January 08, 2006 at 11:27:35 PT
it has been 2006 years
Since Paul, has the crystal been so clouded?

It's easy to see the sick, those that have been swept up in this war on cannabis, can you see your own eye?



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Comment #39 posted by FoM on January 08, 2006 at 11:22:19 PT
global_warming
I don't know if anyone will ever know.

Paul said we look thru a glass darkly. If he couldn't figure it out how can we?

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Comment #38 posted by global_warming on January 08, 2006 at 11:15:15 PT
i gave up in the middle of the 60s
Going to church,

Church in these days seems to be some kind of reflection, something that is supposed to be good, you can listen and hear, testimonies, how jesus saved my soul, how i once was lost, but how i found my 'savior.

Sure wish i could find an answer,



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Comment #37 posted by FoM on January 08, 2006 at 11:00:52 PT
Siege
You're welcome.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #36 posted by FoM on January 08, 2006 at 10:53:43 PT
global_warming
You know something? I have never understood what a true committed christian is suppose to be and I surely never met one in my journey thru different churches. I gave up going to any church around the middle of the 80s.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #35 posted by global_warming on January 08, 2006 at 10:49:09 PT
and also
What the hell is a true commited Christian?

You got me, when some old lady cannot pay her electric bill.



[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #34 posted by siege on January 08, 2006 at 10:48:05 PT
FoM
had to use IE to get it thanks

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Comment #33 posted by global_warming on January 08, 2006 at 10:45:19 PT
Imagine
"This show demeans all true committed Christians, whether Episcopal or not."

Guess the war on people is not the same?

Maybe this show, "book of daniel has some timely reminders, for this plea bargained body of christ.



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Comment #32 posted by FoM on January 08, 2006 at 10:35:56 PT
Siege
I see articles about cannabis on the link you posted.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #31 posted by siege on January 08, 2006 at 10:33:15 PT
FoM
Episcopal Diocese Block all comments on cannabis!

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #30 posted by FoM on January 08, 2006 at 10:05:51 PT
siege
Maybe a comment about the cannabis that the housekeeper was smoking might stir interest too. She is a very nice lady on the show.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #29 posted by FoM on January 08, 2006 at 10:04:02 PT
Siege
Oh dear. What can I say. This blog was launched by the Episcopal Diocese of Washington. Oh me oh my.

http://blog.edow.org/weblog/

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Comment #28 posted by siege on January 08, 2006 at 09:54:00 PT
FoM
Lets see how long it stays up ok!

http://blog.edow.org/weblog/2006/01/saturday_update.html#comments

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Comment #27 posted by FoM on January 08, 2006 at 09:28:58 PT
whig
I've heard the names of the shows you mentioned but I never saw any of them. Right now the original Reefer Madness is playing on Showtime.

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Comment #26 posted by whig on January 08, 2006 at 09:24:13 PT
Er, not Dead Like Me
I was thinking of Six Feet Under.

I don't think I've actually ever watched Dead Like Me, but I got the show names confused.

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #25 posted by FoM on January 08, 2006 at 08:22:23 PT
Whig
You're background is different then mine and it would be harder to understand the humor if you weren't raised in a Catholic or Episcopalian Church. They have a blog called the Blog of Daniel that shows some of the reactions to the show.

http://blog.edow.org/weblog/2006/01/saturday_update.html#comments

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #24 posted by mayan on January 08, 2006 at 04:03:54 PT
Got Trillions?
Iraq War Could Cost US Over $2 Trillion, says Nobel Prize-Winning Economist: http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/0107-03.htm

Who needs anything but war?

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #23 posted by mayan on January 08, 2006 at 03:38:58 PT
Grateful Fred
Pot Shots: Business as Usual in San Diego - By FRED GARDNER: http://www.counterpunch.org/gardner01072006.html

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #22 posted by JR Bob Dobbs on January 08, 2006 at 02:46:15 PT
Re: Comment #20
Lunchtime, doubly so.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #21 posted by global_warming on January 08, 2006 at 02:14:00 PT
kaneh-bosem
"Jesus as almost certainly a cannabis user and an early proponent of the medicinal properties of the drug, according to a study of scriptural texts published this month. The study suggests that Jesus and his disciples used the drug to carry out miraculous healings. The anointing oil used by Jesus and his disciples contained an ingredient called kaneh-bosem which has since been identified as cannabis extract, according to an article by Chris Bennett in the drugs magazine, High Times, entitled Was Jesus a Stoner? The incense used by Jesus in ceremonies also contained a cannabis extract, suggests Mr Bennett, who quotes scholars to back his claims. "

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #20 posted by whig on January 08, 2006 at 00:54:23 PT
Comment #17
Time is an illusion, though.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #19 posted by whig on January 08, 2006 at 00:49:17 PT
FoM
I watched Book of Daniel. It was a bit over the top, I thought, though I enjoyed it. Hypocrisy on parade, I guess, *everyone* is leading a double life in this show. It reminded me a lot of Dead Like Me, but less subtle, more of a blunt instrument to the head.

Best line I think was the buddy Jesus when he says he talks to everyone, but few listen. He wasn't as funny as he could have been, I think Wonderfalls was closer to the sense of humor I like in this kind of material. (Great show btw, but it got inconsistent and then got pulled pretty quickly.)

I was raised Jewish so some of the context is different, though my mother is actually an atheist and my father is an agnostic who firmly believes that nobody else knows either. There's not much I can say to them about religious stuff, because they haven't experienced it. I certainly gained an understanding that most families go to church or synagogue or whatever they do out of social expectation and tradition, or out of blind faith. Apart from people who use cannabis I don't know anyone else who has (or at least will admit or seem to demonstrate) direct experience.

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #18 posted by potpal on January 07, 2006 at 22:55:27 PT
sons
I believe each Beatle has a son that looks a bit like their father. Think their ages may be close too. Not sure what Paul's son James looks like though.

Only Lennon's sons cut albums (do we call it an album anymore?).

Any one know if Sean Lennon has done anything since his first album, Into the Sun? I found his first quite entertaining.

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #17 posted by OverwhelmSam on January 07, 2006 at 19:49:55 PT
We Are All Destined to Die
All that we can hope for is that the actions we take while we are alive will echo throughout the centuries.



[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #16 posted by FoM on January 07, 2006 at 15:29:18 PT
Something Nice I Just Heard
On the concert for Bangladesh someone said this:

George never never never stopped hoping that the dreams of the 60s would be realized.

I think the same way.

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #15 posted by FoM on January 07, 2006 at 15:24:19 PT
Max Flowers and Potpal
It was something else how much they looked a like. Just like George was still alive. We are still watching the Concert for Bangladesh. The documentary portion is really great. Bob Dylan and George Harrison trying to harmonize in rehearsal is something to hear and see.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #14 posted by Max Flowers on January 07, 2006 at 15:05:20 PT
George's son
FoM, I'll tell you what, I freaked *out* when I saw Dani (sp?) Harrison on that video... I was yelling out loud "oh my GAWD, he looks EXACTLY like George did when he was 18!" Down to the haircut and everything. I just could not stop tripping on that. It almost kept me from being able to listen to the music, it was that distracting for me...

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #13 posted by potpal on January 07, 2006 at 15:01:31 PT
I agree
Music is magic.

Stay tuned.

Aloha.

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #12 posted by FoM on January 07, 2006 at 13:22:45 PT
Potpal
I buy good concert DVDs so when the mood hits me I can replay them again. I only have bought a few movies but concerts mean so much to me that's what I want for Christmas every year. I put them in my wishlist on Amazon and get them all within a short time.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #11 posted by FoM on January 07, 2006 at 13:18:55 PT
potpal
Oh yes I have the Concert for George. We bought it last year for Christmas and we just watched it again over the holidays. What a marvelous tribute to a great man. His son looks so much like he did when he was young. I loved the ending with all the flower pedals being dropped while they all sang I'll See You In My Dreams. George Harrison left a wonderful legacy.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #10 posted by potpal on January 07, 2006 at 13:10:23 PT
FoM
Have you seen the tribute concert for George Harrison that Eric Clapton arranged and performed in about a year after George's death? It's out there on DVD. Great show.

Check your library. I have a tri county library thing going here. I can search the database on line, if its out there, they messenger it to the branch in my county (if it's found in another), then they call me to let me know its 'here', and I get a week to pick it up and a week to viddy it, and it's free. 10 cents a day late fee. doh!

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #9 posted by global_warming on January 07, 2006 at 13:01:10 PT
I think you have hot the nail on the head
None of 'us are 21 anymore.

Most of us are 'baby boomers,

Most of us are scratching for some kind of sanity, in this world.



[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #8 posted by FoM on January 07, 2006 at 12:41:44 PT
global_warming
I know that when I was young and into my mid 20s all the families went to a church or a synagogue. Here's my school and what it's philosopy was.

http://www.cchsbc.pvt.k12.pa.us/index.htm

http://www.cchsbc.pvt.k12.pa.us/mission_and_vision_statement.htm



[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #7 posted by global_warming on January 07, 2006 at 12:29:01 PT
re:book of daniel
I did not watch this show. It strikes me odd, how most of us are participating in some aspect of the ideas and morality that are largely found in the bible.

I imagine, that most of us have been brought up in some form of c/j thinking, here in the US.

Does anybody think that this show would ever become popular in India or China?



[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #6 posted by FoM on January 07, 2006 at 11:56:51 PT
Thanks Potpal
Bye bye and don't delay! LOL!

We are watching the concert for Bangladesh and most of the people appearing with George Harrison are still alive and performing. Eric Clapton attached a lit cigarette to his guitar and all of them were smoking. How times have changed.

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #5 posted by potpal on January 07, 2006 at 11:45:04 PT
without delay
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4591250.stm

Maybe they'll let him be block captain.

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #4 posted by FoM on January 07, 2006 at 10:37:14 PT
Business as Usual in San Diego
http://www.counterpunch.org/gardner01072006.html

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #3 posted by FoM on January 07, 2006 at 09:29:17 PT
Whig
Thank you I'd like to know. It was funny but serious. Jesus was really cool I thought. I was raised Catholic but I had a male friend who was the son of an Episcopal Minister. I spend lots of time in their home and he was a trip. They broke off from the Catholic church back in the 1500 but most of the traditions are similar but marriage is allowed. The black housekeeper was outside smoking a joint in one scene and the Catholic priest looked quizzical when he sniffed the air like I know that smell. It hits on the way people act that go to church but it really isn't the way they are like it is in all churches.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #2 posted by whig on January 07, 2006 at 09:22:22 PT
Book of Daniel
I just downloaded it, so I'll let you know my thoughts once I get a chance to watch it.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #1 posted by FoM on January 07, 2006 at 08:59:49 PT
Just a Note
We are coming into a very slow time for news. Unless something really important happens it probably will stay slow for quite a while. I'll use this slow time to catch up on other issues of importance to me. I hope everyone has a great weekend. I'll keep checking for news but there probably won't be much of value for a while.

By the way the Book of Daniel was very good. I came from that type of background so I could relate to the show very well.

[ Post Comment ]


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