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Posted by CN Staff on September 19, 2006 at 07:04:57 PT By Debra J. Saunders, Chronicle Staff Writer Source: San Francisco Chronicle 
California -- Yvonne Westbrook of Oakland uses medical marijuana to control the spasms of multiple sclerosis. Valium left her with a heavy, drugged feeling. "A few tokes and the spasticity calms right down," she noted in the documentary "Waiting to Inhale," which will be shown at the Oakland International Film Festival on Thursday. Irvin Rosenfeld sees marijuana as "a muscle relaxing anti-inflammatory" that helps him with multiple congenital cartilaginous exostosis. Without it, he explains, he would be dead or on disability, not a stockbroker who pays taxes. Berkeley's Jed Riffe, who made the documentary, also taped a debate in Washington, D.C., last week on medical marijuana. David Murray from the White House drug czar's office spoke against legalization of marijuana, while two drug-war opponents, Rob Kampia, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project, and Ethan Nadelmann, executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance, spoke in its favor. Murray was not exactly in an enviable position. A former colleague had canceled last minute. So there he was, taking an unpopular position alone, debating two opponents and a moderator sympathetic to legalization, columnist Clarence Page, as well as an audience filled with people who -- I'm guessing here -- either just want to smoke pot to get high or (worse for Murray) have a sick loved one such as Westbrook or Rosenfeld. (Riffe tells me he issued tickets to both sides so the audience would be balanced, but apparently the pro-medical marijuana crowd was more motivated.) Murray argued that doctors are not "the principal proponent" of pushing "smoked marijuana as medicine." True, the American Medical Association isn't pushing for medical marijuana. But the California Medical Association has supported medical marijuana. More important, doctors across the country have recommended marijuana to patients -- at the risk of their own careers. Snipped: Complete Article: http://tinyurl.com/zmfu2 Newshawk: Mayan Marijuana Policy Project Drug Policy Alliance Waiting To Inhale CannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archives Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help |
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| Comment #4 posted by Hope on September 19, 2006 at 20:13:56 PT |
| A simple, forthright, truthful column on medical marijuana, except maybe the part she was "guessing"...and she said, "I'm guessing". [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #3 posted by whig on September 19, 2006 at 16:19:56 PT |
| Thanks. I added this to the article on cannablog too. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #2 posted by FoM on September 19, 2006 at 09:36:24 PT |
| Hundreds Of Rhode Islanders Register For Medical Marijuana *** September 19, 2006 PROVIDENCE -- More than 250 Rhode Islanders are now permitted to possess small amounts of marijuana under the state's medical marijuana program, according to health authorities. Rhode Island in January became the 11th state to legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes, and patients and caregivers began registering in April. To enroll, patients need documentation from a doctor saying they have one of several chronic illnesses, such as cancer or AIDS, and that the benefits of marijuana use outweigh the risks. Charles Alexandre, chief of health professions regulation, said state authorities initially guessed about 1,500 people would register with the Department of Health. But the actual numbers have been much lower. Health officials said 131 patients have received cards allowing them to possess 12 marijuana plants or 2.5 ounces of the drug. An additional 129 caregivers have also registered, allowing them to supply up to five registered patients with marijuana. While the state authorized limited possession for medical purposes, the law doesn't say how patients can buy the drug. Possessing marijuana remains illegal under federal law. Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press http://www.turnto10.com/news/9884827/detail.html [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #1 posted by Wayne on September 19, 2006 at 08:11:13 PT |
| DPA has a complete transcript of the debate. It's all more of the same government BS, and I haven't had time to read the whole thing yet, but it's out there for all to see. [ Post Comment ] |
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