cannabisnews.com: Drug Warriors: U.S.'s Internal Taliban





Drug Warriors: U.S.'s Internal Taliban
Posted by FoM on January 28, 2002 at 09:03:01 PT
By Salim Muwakkil
Source: Chicago Tribune 
The Bush administration's war on drugs is a fundamentalist crusade so irrational it resembles the failed jihad of Afghanistan's Taliban. Just as the Taliban forbid music, kite flying, close shaving and female education purely in the service of religious fanaticism, America adheres to an anti-drug dogma that similarly defies logic. The U.S. and the Taliban may be mortal enemies in the war on terrorism. But in the war on reason, they are soul mates. American policies demonizing marijuana are nothing if not an attack on reason. 
What else explains the fanatical prohibition of a substance that not only has proven to be less harmful than most legal drugs, but also has a wealth of medical benefits?Contemporary research has shown marijuana (also known as cannabis) to be valuable in the treatment of a wide range of ailments. According to the book, "Marijuana as Medicine: The Science Beyond the Controversy," by Allison Mack and Janet Joy, the substance offers relief for pain, nausea, spasticity, glaucoma and movement disorders like multiple sclerosis.The book, which is an expanded version of a 1999 study conducted by the Academy of Sciences' Institute of Medicine, found that marijuana is a powerful appetite stimulant that provides unique relief for patients suffering from the HIV/AIDS wasting syndrome.The authors' note new research that suggests marijuana's medicinal properties may protect the body against some types of malignant tumors and shield the neurological system against various toxins.Although most researchers agree that there are some minor respiratory risks involved in inhaling smoke from burning cannabis, the study concluded that for most patients the substance's short-term medical benefits outweigh any smoking-related harm.The Institute of Medicine report found no reported deaths associated with the ingestion of marijuana, although nearly 8,000 deaths resulted from the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin. Legal drugs like tobacco and alcohol account for the deaths of tens of thousands a year, according to the U.S. Centers for Health statistics.Marijuana's benefits are so wide-ranging and its damage so minuscule, the federal government would avidly be proclaiming the drug's virtue were science and rationality the motivating factor. Instead, we are held captive by a fundamentalist mindset that refuses to acknowledge data that threatens its dogma.Rather than hailing the drug as a cornucopia of pharmaceutical wonders, we demonize it relentlessly. The FBI's Uniform Crime Reports for 2000 revealed that 734,497 people were arrested for marijuana trafficking and possession.A marijuana arrest can result in imprisonment and a criminal record that could mean a loss of employment or welfare benefits, denial of student financial aid, suspension of driving privileges and expulsion from school, or public housing, regardless of whether it was for medical use.In October, Drug Enforcement Administration agents raided the Los Angeles Cannabis Resource Center, which distributed medical marijuana to nearly 1,000 seriously ill people with doctor's prescriptions, most of whom have AIDS.California is one of eight states that permit medical marijuana use, although the practice remains illegal under federal law.As a society, we remain oddly addicted to prohibitionist drug policies. Despite the wealth of information detailing the folly of our ways, we trudge ahead helter-skelter, spoiling thousands of lives and extending the miseries of the gravely ill.When I say "we," I'm talking primarily about the federal government, because national polls consistently show the American people favor the use of medical marijuana. A Pew Research Center Gallup poll in March found that 73 percent of Americans favored the medical use of marijuana with a doctor's prescription.In addition to California, the people of Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and the District of Columbia also have passed laws allowing marijuana's use as medicine. The Wisconsin Legislature also is considering a bill that would permit the use of medical marijuana. If the bill is passed, Wisconsin would become the second state in the nation to pass a medical-marijuana bill through the legislature instead of the ballot-initiative process.New Mexico is considering an even more radical bill that would decriminalize the possession of 1 ounce or less of marijuana. Pushed by Gary Johnson, the state's maverick governor, the measure would deal a heavy blow to the dogma of prohibition.These heretical challenges to our anti-drug theology may save us all from federal damnation. Salim Muwakkil is a senior editor at In These TimesSource: Chicago Tribune (IL)Author: Salim MuwakkilPublished: January 28, 2002Copyright: 2002 Chicago Tribune CompanyContact: ctc-TribLetter Tribune.comWebsite: http://www.chicagotribune.com/Related Articles & Web Site:Medical Marijuana Information Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/medical.htmFighting Drugs a Wasted Effort http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11380.shtmlPot Club Crackdown - Mother Joneshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11360.shtmlThe Feds Crack Down -- on Medical Marijuana http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11283.shtml
Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help




Comment #12 posted by b4daylight on January 30, 2002 at 10:39:59 PT:
gas mask?
something stinks!
have you ever felt non-repersented by your political figures.They walk in tailored 3peice suits, drive expensive cars, raise money for their own intrest, sell a book for millions, get a travel expense, get the most comprehensive health plan, (why fix ours right?), $150,000.00 dollar sallary, talks with lobbyist (Why not us?), free postal service, Gets to have a staff, gets a meal expense, privilaged parking, dose not work 12 months out of a year, factfinding missions and researches to florida and hawwai funded by local intrest. 
Now some polictics work hard with little of these lets not forget the few. but to the other politics wanting my vote.
    listed above i do not see how you could not only repersent me, but even understand that your closet is as big as my aparment.
    The reason America lacks is cause rich politictions spends all our tax money on crap literlaly crap.
   "
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #11 posted by E_Johnson on January 29, 2002 at 11:09:11 PT
The Plague was early Christian bioterrorism
During the Crusades, the Crusaders catapulted diseased corpses into the Muslim strongholds under seige, with the express purpose of spreading disease, and biowarfare scientists now believe that is how the Plague started to spread across Europe with such virulence.They created a huge concentration of infection, and the fleas and rats carried it from there, they say. Rats and fleas can't be identified as Muslim or Christian, and they board all ships and cross all natural boundaries with ease, and are quite well adapted to feeding from marching armies.I heard this from an expert in bioterrorism speaking at a public seminar on the subject this summer, before 9-11.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #10 posted by Sam Adams on January 29, 2002 at 09:18:01 PT
The Pope
EJ, don't forget the Spanish Inquisition! What did that run for, something like 100 years?Some believe that the Catholic Church was also directly responsible for the Black Death bubonic plague in Europe. Apparently, the spread of the disease through Europe followed a decree from the Pope that all cats should be killed.  The Pope had decided that cats were synonymous with, you guessed it, witchcraft, and that all should be killed. Very similar to the Chinese govt-ordered genocide of dogs in the back in the early 1990's. Of course, the cats were the only check on the rodent population, which exploded, leading to an explosion of fleas and thus to the Plague, which left 1/3rd of Europe dead. Oops!
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #9 posted by E_Johnson on January 28, 2002 at 21:22:46 PT
Christians had arguments for hunting witches
I think it's relying on a particular definition of Christianity to maintain that Christians have no arguments for supporting Prohibition.Once upon a time, Christianity defined itself by burning inappropriate people at the stake. And by fomenting and waging destructive wars all over Europe.The Taliban are strictly minor league compared to the Big C when it comes to terrorizing innocent people."Peace and love" Christianity comes in and out of vogue, it seems. It was way out of vogue when they were hunting witches, but when it came back in vogue, they stopped hunting witches. It was then seen as un-Christian to believe that a loving all-powerful God could be threatened by witches.When Christians start feeling like God is weak and needs protection from Satan, look out!
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #8 posted by FoM on January 28, 2002 at 17:35:19 PT
Rainbow
What you are doing is very important in my opinion. If a person that is an activist has a home church they might want to talk to their Pastor. I know if I was active in a Church like I was years ago and know what I know now I would. I hope they listen. They really need to. Thanks!
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #7 posted by Rainbow on January 28, 2002 at 16:47:53 PT
The Church
My activism has turned tot he church. I sent this article plus a long email to the Bishop of Winona, asking him to speak out against the pain and siffering and help us stop prohibition.He has not answered, but I ask all of you to start getting some of the chruch folk a listenning. They can carry a lot of weight in the bully pulpit if they see the lies and deceit and pain the amerikan people are going through.BTW Christian priests and other really have zero arguement in support of prohibition. If they really believe in Christ they have to help stop. Christ would not have done this much evil and in act he would have spoken out to stop it IMHO.Cheers
Tom
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #6 posted by SpaceCat on January 28, 2002 at 14:08:45 PT
Nazis
I was re-watching Triumph of the Will the other night, which everyone should view or review in times like this, because it shows how seductive and convincing authoritarianism can be, and it's quite scary to relate it to our current situation.The rhetorical parallels are frightening, with the Nazi's talking about how "the struggle will be long" and the paramount importance of solidarity to the cause and loyalty to the state for the good of the state.Taken out of context, it is attractive and compelling, and the film ruthlessly manipulates the viewer to instill that viewpoint. Knowing what was to come, and what they intended, and what they did, it is horrifying beyond belief that something so evil could seem so reasonable.Sieg Heil! sounds extremely sinister, but who would have batted an eyelash at a bunch of American troops shouting Hail Victory! before going to war in Afghanistan?
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #5 posted by Lehder on January 28, 2002 at 13:17:33 PT
thrift
Remember the $10 trillion budget surplus? Well, it's all gone and the g is hitting ss again. And I refuse to make a taxable income to replenish it: Once my income is within spitting distance of the taxable level, I'm through for the year. We'll see what George has to say about that surplus in his state of the union speech.Take the money away. Don't consume. 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #4 posted by Lehder on January 28, 2002 at 13:07:32 PT
Thank you, Salim Muwakkil
I have a right to anything that shows evidence of preventing cancer, and I most strongly resent the government's ugly prohibition of marijuana. That's why I have to the utmost of my ability withdrawn all support from the government consistent with my ability to live a decently comfortable life: no more government jobs or jobs with companies that aid and abet the g, no more taxes for the g, I spend as little as possible, and I'll vote for a Nazi before I vote for any incumbent (likely another Nazi anyway). It's a resentment that I will carry for the rest of my life, and I know that millions more feel the same. I'll do anything legal to undermine and impede the government's crude repressions. Thank you, Salim Muwakkil.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #3 posted by CorvallisEric on January 28, 2002 at 10:29:05 PT
good newspapers
One of the odd bits of trivia I remember from around 1970 was an article praising the "liberal" St. Petersburg Times and the "conservative" Chicago Tribune, both having editorial tendencies opposite that of the majority in their respective locales. I don't know their current overall politics, but they have both been among the best major papers, editorially, on drug reform.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #2 posted by lookinside on January 28, 2002 at 10:05:20 PT:
Dr. Russo...
Ditto!
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #1 posted by Ethan Russo MD on January 28, 2002 at 09:20:53 PT:
Bravo!
This article's author displays admirable courage. Not only is he going far out on the proverbial limb with a controversial issue, but I suspect that his name will cause many to accuse him of subterfuge and unpatriotism. On the contrary, to be American means to wish to integrate oneself into a country founded on principles of freedom of speech, rationality, and good sense that are severely lacking in the current debate.Bravo! 
[ Post Comment ]


Post Comment