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| In Memoriam: Tod Mikuriya |
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Posted by CN Staff on May 21, 2007 at 20:55:13 PT By David F. Duncan, DrPH, FAAHB Source: National Association of Public Health 
USA -- Pioneering researcher on marijuana and cannabis therapeutics dies at 73.Tod Hiro Mikuriya, MD, prominent psychiatrist and advocate for the legal use of marijuana for medical purposes, has died at the age of 73. After earning his medical degree at Temple University he completed a psychiatric residency at San Francisco's Southern Pacific General Hospital. This was followed by service in the US Army Medical Corps and at state hospitals in California and Oregon. He was Director of the Drug Addiction Treatment Center of the New Jersey NeuroPschiatric Institute. In the 1960's he directed marijuana research for the National Institute of Mental Health's Center for Narcotics and Drug Abuse Studies (predecessor of today's National Institute on Drug Abuse) but when the research failed to support the government's view of marijuana as a dangerous drug, he believed the evidence instead of the politicians. That ended his career with the federal government. In the subsequent years, he practiced psychiatry in California. Following passage of the California Compassionate Use Act (Proposition 215) in 1996, Dr. Mikuriya served as Medical Coordinator of the Oakland Cannabis Buyers' Cooperative, the Hayward Hempery, and the San Francisco Cannabis Buyers' Club - organizations established to provide access to medical marijuana for patients. In 2000 he founded the California Cannabis Research Medical Group -- http://www.ccrmg.org/ -- a non-profit organization "dedicated to conducting quality medical marijuana research, to ensuring the safety and confidentiality of all research subjects, and to maintaining the highest quality of standards and risk management". He described the roots of his activism in the ironic statement that, "I had the good fortune to have a Japanese father and a German mother in a small Pennsylvania town during the Depression and World War II," As a consequence of this background, "my sister and I were chased, shot at, beaten up, spat upon, called names. The local kids chased us like a pack of dogs. I realized that people could be brainwashed and trained to hate. The same thing has been done with marijuana and marijuana users. I've learned to fight back." He fought the good fight against bad laws and their abusive enforcement for many years and at high personal cost. His passing will be mourned by the many he helped and by those who seek to see drug policy based on realities instead of propoaganda. A collection of some of his writings on drug policy can be found online at the Schaffer Library of Drug Policy. Source: National Association of Public Health (US Web) Tod Mikuriya M.D. CannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archives Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help |
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| Comment #9 posted by museman on May 22, 2007 at 09:07:02 PT |
| Though I have been in the woods on some of this, I regret the passing of someone such as this. I extend my honors and give my respects. It is good to hear from you herbdoc, I've been wondering what happened. Glad you are safe. Though I don't believe in 'heaven' I believe in eternity, and that in that eternity there exists no swag, only the best. On the day that we all wake up in a new existence (I believe in that too) we will all meet to share the incense of YHWH in remembrance of lives and adventures lived, and in celebration of the endless days to come. Until that day, peace to the warriors of truth, those who sleep, and those who are still awake. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #8 posted by The GCW on May 22, 2007 at 08:26:43 PT |
| Velo News Vol. 36/ No.9 May 28, 2007 Letters to the Editor, Page 20 (EDITED by VeloNews) E CANNABIS UNUM As a VeloNews subscriber, a Christian, cannabis activist and parent who’s had to confront cancer, the Berkeley Patients Group-Montano Velo team (“Smokin’ Fast,” May 14) was the most interesting story I’ve read lately. Sadly, since statistics indicate one out of four Americans will confront cancer, nearly every cyclist’s family will deal with this disease too. Cannabis or marijuana helps patients fight the effects of cancer, along with many other ailments. I wish The Berkeley Patients Group-Montano Velo team and the BPG patients much success. S. W. Dillon, CO -0- Referred: From the story at VeloNews, I posted at: http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/22/thread22953.shtml Comment #15. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #7 posted by FoM on May 22, 2007 at 07:23:50 PT |
| I don't want to get anyone in trouble so I found a song that says that I understand. People talking without speaking. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Kd8xp86reY [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #6 posted by Hope on May 22, 2007 at 07:08:49 PT |
| "yall will have to put up with me again!" You're ok! I'm so relieved. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #5 posted by Dr Ganj on May 21, 2007 at 23:21:25 PT |
| Back in November of 1996, I was in jail for growing pretty green plants when Prop 215 passed. It was a truly satisfying moment, as I knew I had been right all along.
Many months later, on the the night I was released, I told the jailer I had a film container (hidden at home) filled with seeds, and I was determined to grow the finest marijuana known to man.
Although I was still on formal probation for three more years, I knew I must move to Oakland to fulfill my dream.
It was there, where I met up with Jeff Jones, Rob Raich, Debbie Goldsberry, Dr. Frank Lucido, Angel McClary, and Dr. Tod Mikuriya.
They all were the trailblazers at the time, going forward at full speed not knowing if the government would win, or if the will of the California voters would.
We all went to countless meetings in Oakland, and Berkeley trying to piece together a viable framework in which we all could see the landmark Compassionate Use Act be implemented.
Our vision at the time, I remember, was to have so many cannabis clubs that it would force federal policy to acquiesce to the will of the people.
After a decade of legal battles, and defiance, our dream is oh so near.
However, back in 1998 it wasn't so clear on what was to happen with this progressive new law.
It was then when I called Dr. Mikuriya for advice. My wife and I had just opened a new cannabis club in Oakland called Herbal Therapy Center. Our hope was to serve ill Californians with organic marijuana.
I made an appointment to see Dr. Tod, and on a clear Tuesday morning in 1998, we drove up to his house in the Berkeley hills.
I remember sitting at his kitchen table discussing Prop 215, the unique characteristics of this special plant, and one thing very important: How THC is an oil, and how it can't be made into a hydrochloride salt, or a sulphate salt like most drugs can.
As we discussed the chemistry of THC, and its analogs, he presented me with a vile of honey oil and a soldering gun. He demonstrated the art of vaporization, and continued with a brilliant lecture on how the harmful inhalation of particulates will be the thing of the past.
His encyclopedic knowledge of marijuana was unparalleled, and his quest to share the truth with all, is also unequaled.
He was a pioneer, a visionary, and most of all, truly compassionate toward fellow man.
I will miss him greatly, but I will continue to teach what he taught me, knowing he was right all along. Thank you Dr. Mikuriya [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #4 posted by HempWorld on May 21, 2007 at 22:26:58 PT |
| wasn't for Tod Mikuriya! He was a great, great man who inspired me and many others, I'm sure. He taught us how to fight! Now we have to carry on without him. Tod was an eloquent and humorous cannabis activist and an experienced doctor no less. Tod you are sorely missed. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #3 posted by herbdoc215 on May 21, 2007 at 22:05:51 PT |
| and by ban I mean plea deal...in order to get misd., I had to agree to two years of no net postings, wave stirrings,etc...which I've pretty much followed but it's about over so I'm excited. In four months I'll come straight here and post whole story and bring everybody up to speed, but it looks like all my stuff was just bs out of Canada to steal my gold mine...time is fixing to tell? I am now back living in HumCo now and safe, I'm looking at my plans for round two...just laying low for now is all! Keep up the good work and know I read here every day!
peace, steve [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #2 posted by FoM on May 21, 2007 at 21:38:45 PT |
| It's really good to see you. I don't know what you mean by a ban but please be careful. Dr. Tod doesn't hurt anymore. I'm sure he will Rest in Peace. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #1 posted by herbdoc215 on May 21, 2007 at 21:28:11 PT |
| The collective debt we ALL owe this man...this Great man. Myself, and all those whom have stood upon his shoulders will never forget this man nor the many things he taught us, and his work lives in many of us! Fighting the good fight is about all some of us have left, and Tod did it with a grace few of us will ever show...Tod, tonight I'll burn a few in your memory. Four more months left in my ban from net and yall will have to put up with me again! I'd be proud to go to jail for praising Tod though, so if the big bad gov't wants me, I'll even sign my name as Tod deserves no less~! Sleep well and rest my friend, in the end we'll all fire one up together in heaven!
Peace, Steve Tuck [ Post Comment ] |
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