cannabisnews.com: Medicinal Pot Issue is About The Sick, Dying Medicinal Pot Issue is About The Sick, Dying Posted by CN Staff on September 20, 2002 at 12:09:21 PT By L.A. Chung, Mercury News Source: San Jose Mercury News Strip away the hoopla and the circus atmosphere from the big pot rally at Santa Cruz City Hall this week and what you're left with isn't the high. It's the dying.More specifically, the grace in dying. Sure, it might have been a rally, complete with provocative signs and catcalls at the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, which two weeks ago raided the Wo/Men's Alliance for Medical Marijuana and seized 100 medicinal marijuana plants. City council members, the mayor, ex-mayors, county officials and 1,100 people showed up for support. But at the heart of the rally were a bunch of sick and dying people who stood up together.It was a beautiful thing.Having a terminal illness and a doctor's prescription are prerequisites for patients in the collective known as WAMM. Leukemia. AIDS. Pancreatic cancer.And here's a sobering thought. The stark reality of WAMM is that someone has to die before somebody new can join. WAMM has seen a lot of that lately. Eighteen of its patients have died since January.Unless you pay special attention to the medicinal marijuana movement, not many people outside of Santa Cruz are familiar with the sense of community engendered by this group. So 20-some DEA agentsweren't ready for the reaction when they barged into the Davenport home of Valerie and Mike Corral, forcing them to the floor, holding guns to their heads and cuffing a paraplegic on oxygen for good measure.Compassion and care Why did more than 30 supporters come to the remote farm and block the agents, who had arrived in seven SUVs and two U-Haul trucks? Why did more than 1,000 people support the Corrals, the collective's founders? Why did state Attorney General Bill Lockyer warn U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft that the move ``seriously threatens to wreck the . . . relationship of the DEA with California's state and local law enforcement''?Because the issue is about real compassion, not made-up compassion you use for a campaign slogan.WAMM patients and caretakers work very hard to make sure their members are surrounded with care when they need it. Discussions at meetings are not ``Who needs a toke?'' They are about ``Who needs a ride to the doctor? Who needs help in home care? Who's losing a home? Who needs a place to live?''And more importantly, how can we care for our members when the end might be near?``The most precious time of your life is when you're facing death,'' Valerie Corral said. ``We make sure you're not left alone without support and care. What a gift to be invited to be a part of that. That's what's made WAMM members so strong.''It's been widely reported how Corral, 50, found relief from debilitating epileptic seizures through marijuana. Less reported is the transformative experience she had in taking care of her dying grandmother (who took marijuana in her tea to ease her leukemia) and her father, who died of an inoperable tumor. They set her on this course, she said.Disservice to sufferers There's always a little wink-wink-nudge-nudge aspect to talking about medicinal marijuana when it comes up in cocktail parties or talk shows. Riiiii-ght, someone always says, all you gotta do is find one doc who will write you a prescription for your debilitating case of, uh, athlete's foot and you've got doobies for the weekend. And you can always make fun of the '80s-style feminist lexicon in WAMM's name.That insults the people really affected by these DEA shenanigans. That does a disservice to the concern over an administration that mouths ``state's rights'' but ignores California voters' voice in legalizing medicinal marijuana and treats scrupulous people like thugs in a crack-house raid.WAMM's work is ``just a profound experience,'' Corral said. ``The marijuana is what brings us together, but it's not the story of who we are.''Source: San Jose Mercury News (CA)Author: L.A. Chung, Mercury NewsPublished: Friday, September 20, 2002 Copyright: 2002 San Jose Mercury NewsContact: letters sjmercury.comWebsite: http://www.sjmercury.com/ Related Articles & Web Sites:WAMMhttp://www.wamm.org/Pictures From WAMM Protesthttp://freedomtoexhale.com/eventpics.htmWorld Watches Pot Handouthttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14154.shtmlSanta Cruz Defies U.S. On Marijuana http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14153.shtmlMedical Marijuana Backed in Santa Cruz http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14152.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #25 posted by DdC on September 21, 2002 at 14:55:57 PT A Firm Grasp of the Obvious Very nice read. As a so called death and dying in home cannabis care giver I haven't run into many objections in the so called final stages. My patients start out sick and require health procedures to maintain an existence. Then they decide its enough and the care turns into a comforting procedure. Both need cannabis. I've witnessed too many patients and too many symptoms aided by cannabis to even consider the D.E.A.th lies to "protect the kids". Sleep alone is a major foundation to health and comfort. Cat napping around the clock is common with many Dis-eases and mostly their "treatments". Get a PDR and see for yourself, ask questions about the side effects of Pharmaceuticals given. You won't need to watch a movie to get the violence of a chemically induced bloody nightmare, its all in the eyes. Cannabis removes the bad dreams. As an analgesic it removes the aches and pains and allows a nice peacefully easy feeling to drift off. Don't be surprised when the grumpiness, lost appetite and depression leaves. That alone should end the debate when hallucinogens are in most sleep aids and many other treatments. Better living through chemistry, thalidomide was reintroduced as an alternative appetite stimulant by the FDA...More Pharmaceutical sales people visit Doctors offices than patients, I see them, and tell them, but they already seem to know. They also know its political and that means money or "National Interest". That isn't as hard to cope with in Santa Cruz as in Florida, but "Liberal" is too lose a term for the most expensive property, most clogged freeways and trinket sales on the planet. More long haired rednecks and yuppies and homeless than I've ever seen. But when enough pressure is added a few realist will step up to the plate. Dr Leff and Mardi are two who have consistently acted realistically over politically. Other Physicians have given their nods of approval but too much is at stake for them to do much in public. And both hemp and ganja meds are politically as correct as fining someone for cigarette smoking outdoors standing in line. But still no mention or concern over the 650 chemicals added to American cigarettes. like igniters, flavors and retardants burned and sucked into the lungs. Go figure why the tobacco is blamed and compared to cannabis, the expectorant used in cough syrups. Also aiding in coughing up phlegm and reflux, drying nasal drip and drooling and increasing liquid intake from the cottonmouth. Grateful Dead and ganja will stimulate the nervous system and calm spasms and aid in exercising Neurological Dis-orders. But the consistency is hard to come by unless growers are allowed to do what WAMM has done in separating the strains and matching them with feedback from the patients. Finding growers underground cost big bucks and deservingly with the risk of California's C.rA.M.P. "project". Though nationwide 99% of these eradications are ditchweed, adding to tally sheets that will comprise the budget next year. In CA its ganja for "medicine". What is medicine? An aid to an injury. Internally or externally and the Hypocrites Oath has been adulterated if thalidomide is deemed more fit than ganja and prison a better remedy than healing or dying at home. Or living at home without the corporate alcohol politico's call "The American Way". We as United Statians seem to have a problem with the end of the road. I've been told morphine is used instead of heroin because its a depressant and we can't have our sick and dying euphoric, why it just t'aint chrishun. And we have to protect the kids by keeping it on the streets for less than a case of beer. England can use it. Cannabis strains can differ and I've used it without the Rox Cocktails lingering coma's for days. Peaceful not unconscious. I have also witnessed sparks of rebellion in seniors that laugh at the fact they could still get worked up over something. And clear the cobwebs of dementia. Correct me if I'm wrong but in having a Glaucoma patient and learning of the "Glutimates" discovery in causing the pressure and doing research with cannabis finding the "Glutimates" reducing brain swelling in trauma cases done in Israel, maybe it does lower the dementia or at least the angst of it. All I know is a couple teaspoons of the milk extractum gave restful sleep and less cat napping, as I mentioned a foundation. That may have contributed. Is cannabis' dreaded "euphoria" the reason Walters Asa and Ashcroft's Ralph Reed Robertson Falwelian hysterical reefer madness what's behind their being so damn afraid of the so called "sick and dyings" cannabis users? THE SICK HAVE TO PAY FOR THEIR SINS? And the Ashcraft Monsanto/UpJohn St Louis connection must be a conspiracy, as is Walters Philanthropy Roundtable tax shelter for Partnership donors coincidentally in competition. Like Bush and Cheney's Meat and Pharmaceuticals and Crude Oil profits? In the name of Geezus we must poison this land? To create new disease to treat for huge profits and jobs and starving foreign deterrents to remind us how good we have it. With Micky D and the Burgerclones supplying the planet with meat raised on our public lands leaving gas and waste for our natural resources. Fed on grain's maintained with the same chemicals Monsanto and Dow poison the "99% hemp eradications and Colombian babies. Causing more illness, injury and abortions called miscarriages in bible belt lands. Just to keep out that heathen hempseed nutrition? "Protecting the kids" from pot by torturing and killing patients, quicker than Kovorkian without the compassion. The hard case kids used as deterrents in juvi prison getting raped 5000 times a year when its reported. More family values with dad's doing 90 years in Okie Keating prisons for growing a few plants while he and Bush bro Kneel and Horowitz Pacific Lumber Home Depot bilked billions in the savings & loan scams. Just Us Dept? Our homeless remind us not to question the bossman and the terminator seed will end the frankenfood debate. Traffic still profits Exxon and Chevron and greenhouses gas is just an illusion, the islands would have disappeared anyway, and the profits on crude CO2 emissions and deforestation have nothing to do with it. The working class is warehoused at three times the cost of homecare without subsidies entitlements or social security and the gall of this buck naked emperor taxing diseases in homecare and medical expenses. To buy more Dyncorp, Sikorskies and Lockheed products to protect our crude oil interest and not our citizens? Oh some have loved ones who provide the care and some go to K Mart parking lots for the cheapest they can find. And bargaining and roulette wheeling of times to lessen the cost in hopes that the patient falls before the buzzer. 100 grand a year and a third goes to W and a third's overhead, leaving most working and those building this land, shipped off to warehouses without their home, pets or possessions. Cutting out the bulk of the price is a risk for the private caring person. Thinking with their hearts might be morally fulfilling but not very financially prudent. To think a tax paid entitlement will go to taxes or 4 or 5 more medications to treat side effects of heavy Pharmaceuticals treating illness caused by chemical exposure and the beat goes on. More in the west are starting to grasp the obvious atrocity of D.E.A.th's torturing sick and dying people. Yet still quickly jump out and shout "but NOT the HEALTHY USERs!!! And not HEMP except to inflate the eradication numbers. I haven't had a cold since 69, my lungs are clean while toking ganja and tobacco since. I don't profit on it and I refuse to consider myself a criminal or terrorist or deserving of being caged because I'm healthy. Deal with the actions of a person, not the predictions of what actions may or may not occur. End the entire insanity of Cannabis prohibition, the keystone of WoD, the paycheck of 21st century fascism. Peace, Love and Liberty or the Merchants of D.E.A.th! DdC Reply to: Medicinal Pot Issue is About The Sick, Dying http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread14193.shtml D.E.A.th Deceptions [ Post Comment ] Comment #24 posted by The GCW on September 20, 2002 at 19:40:33 PT That was good, TimStone. We have a john an asa a bush and a dick. [ Post Comment ] Comment #23 posted by FoM on September 20, 2002 at 18:29:15 PT Thanks Tim I liked it so much I put it on the page I'm building on the raids at WAMM. It's really good. I hope everyone checks it out.http://www.freedomtoexhale.com/valc.htm [ Post Comment ] Comment #22 posted by Tim Stone on September 20, 2002 at 18:21:56 PT Anyone seen this? Not sure if this is new. Apologies if it's old. Please check the following URL for a nice animated bit. If it works on my antiquated Mac, it should work for everybody:http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/gate/archive/2002/09/18/fioreprotect.DTL [ Post Comment ] Comment #21 posted by karkulus on September 20, 2002 at 18:01:51 PT Well,Nothing was said by Soros.. about drug stuff nor was he asked ..But that could be telling ,too.Like,Maybe it's not so contraversial anymore? [ Post Comment ] Comment #20 posted by mayan on September 20, 2002 at 17:34:59 PT Compassion Why did more than 30 supporters come to the remote farm and block the agents, who had arrived in seven SUVs and two U-Haul trucks? Why did more than 1,000 people support the Corrals, the collective's founders? Why did state Attorney General Bill Lockyer warn U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft that the move ``seriously threatens to wreck the . . . relationship of the DEA with California's state and local law enforcement''?Because the issue is about real compassion, not made-up compassion you use for a campaign slogan.Puppets Asscrotch & Hutchinsin know nothing about compasssion. They & their DEA are nothing but a klan of weak-minded,insecure,fascist control-freaks. I guess harassing the sick & dying makes these cowards feel like real men. What a bunch of losers.Thanks for the poll link Vitamin T!!!unrelated -Mike Ruppert to speak in Manhattan again! http://www.fromthewilderness.com/events.html Transcript from Chris Matthews last night regarding Condi Rice & the Bush Administration lying to the public about 9/11(Scroll half-way down to David Shuster & again to Howard Fineman) http://www.msnbc.com/news/810513.asp?cp1=1FBI Flubbs Terrorist's Timeline: http://www.madcowprod.com/Musings On Courage & The Forces For Truth: http://www.scoop.co.nz/archive/scoop/stories/ef/73/200209200943.58cd255e.htmlEvidence of cutter charges in Building 7? http://whatreallyhappened.com/wtc7collapse.htmlIs Congress Wising Up On The WTC collapse? http://rense.com/general29/cong.htmThe most comprehensive 9/11 timeline on the web: http://cooperativeresearch.org/completetimeline/ [ Post Comment ] Comment #19 posted by karkulus on September 20, 2002 at 17:30:37 PT Soros is on WALL STREET WEEK ..sorry peep's.. 8:30 PBS TONIGHT est. My mistake . [ Post Comment ] Comment #18 posted by FoM on September 20, 2002 at 16:57:01 PT karkulus Thank you. I wish I got PBS but they took it off the satellite. I don't know why but they did. [ Post Comment ] Comment #17 posted by karkulus on September 20, 2002 at 16:50:16 PT George Soros on TV..PBS.tonight On "Washington week in revue" ..8:00 E.S.T. around here ..It was announced on the last show but didn't say what would be discussed. [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by FoM on September 20, 2002 at 15:50:38 PT Hi Mike I think that must be it. He can get into Mapinc. In this day and age nothing surprises me anymore. [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by Mike on September 20, 2002 at 15:35:13 PT They censored the word "cannabis"?? Wow!Amazing... Pretty scary the modern nazis that exist. I imagine if it were up to John Walters, anyone caught even uttering the word would be put to death... You know, to send the proper message to our children. [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by FoM on September 20, 2002 at 14:40:41 PT VitaminT Why don't you ask observer. Maybe a room could be made that would be for C News and observer could keep his eye on it or you could. I don't go to chats. The last time I was in a chat was DrugSense and it was a long time ago. Having special limited hours would be nice too. I don't even know what a good time would be for most people. I am always looking for news so it's hard for me to stay in a chat but I forgot I have a satellite now and could probably look for news and be in the chat at the same time. We could talk about different things which would be nice. Please ask observer if that would be possible. Thanks! [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by VitaminT on September 20, 2002 at 14:33:09 PT What a drag maybe there's a hacker in here who could show us how to mask a redirect so that this unsavory content will look more wholesome! lol! [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by VitaminT on September 20, 2002 at 14:28:47 PT observer is there day and night! when does he sleep? I've seen other C-NEWSers hanging out over there and you're quite popular too! There's usually plenty of room available for chatters who want to stop in so you may want to just promote that room a little more instead opening your own. Unmoderated chatrooms just get way too stupid for words and the occasional dealer/DEAth dealer make it more trouble than it's worth. But maybe we could have a room moderated by c-news regulars - perhaps w/ limited hours and rules to keep you comfortable - I'd be willing to give it a try. Just a thought. [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by FoM on September 20, 2002 at 14:11:33 PT Update Naaps got back with me and he tried but web sense grabbed and blocked it. Bummer. He misses everyone here and hopes to get his computer on line in 6 months or so. That's a long time. He's doing fine though. [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by FoM on September 20, 2002 at 13:50:43 PT Thank You VitaminT I hope he gets to post today but maybe not until next week depending on if he checks out the site and has time. I wish I had a chat room. DrugSense is moderated isn't it? I could ask Matt if he could put one on C News but I would need to have a moderator. I guess using their chat would be the best way. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by VitaminT on September 20, 2002 at 13:43:14 PT This is so good! As long as your sisters site can handle the traffic! I wouldn't spread it around too much if it can't!But you are a clever gal FoM!!! (_8\'(|) homer(I got that from mike on the Drugsense chat room last night LOL!) [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by FoM on September 20, 2002 at 13:19:56 PT VitaminT That is GREAT! They put a filter on where he works and it made C News not available. The name of the site would be blocked just because of cannabis being in it. I put it in a frame so it looks like it is coming from my sisters site. I sent this link to him. He doesn't have a computer at home that works on line. This is so good! [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by VitaminT on September 20, 2002 at 13:14:46 PT I think it works FoM, I'm posting from http://www.marybair.com/cn.htm everything seems normal except for a bit taken out of the top of the page. Who's blocking Naaps? [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by FoM on September 20, 2002 at 13:06:13 PT VitaminT Isn't this all something else? I'm truly amazed! Thanks!PS: Would you check the link I posted to see if you can get around C News. Naaps has been blocked from here because of the name of our site so I am using my sister's web address and that won't be blocked I hope. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by VitaminT on September 20, 2002 at 12:56:20 PT The Rebellion Grows! Posted to DPFT listserv:Jane Weirick reports KTVU's Mornings on Two just showed a nice shot of a huge banner hung over the Treasure Island tunnel of the San Francisco Bay Bridge this morning - SAVE MEDICAL MARIJUANA. good job! Caltrans says it's not a traffic hazard so they plan to leave it up. ------ Dale Gieringer (415) 563-5858 // canorml igc.org 2215-R Market St. #278, San Francisco CA 94114 [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by FoM on September 20, 2002 at 12:45:35 PT Thanks VitaminT I just voted! [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by FoM on September 20, 2002 at 12:35:30 PT Dr. Russo I put my thinking cap on and sent this to our missing friend. If this works he might be back sooner then months from now.http://www.marybair.com/cn.htm [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by VitaminT on September 20, 2002 at 12:32:51 PT Poll at Merced Sun-Star.com Should the federal government allow California to sell marijuana as medicine?Yes 70.66 % (496) No 29.34 % (206) Total Votes: 702 Merced Sun-Star.com [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Ethan Russo MD on September 20, 2002 at 12:19:38 PT: DEA: Required Reading This should be placed under the nose of every DEA agent and politician in America, with the question to follow, "Have you no moral decency, nor sense of right and wrong?" [ Post Comment ] Post Comment