cannabisnews.com: Drug Czar Calls Marijuana Bill 'Immoral'
Drug Czar Calls Marijuana Bill 'Immoral'
Posted by CN Staff on March 25, 2003 at 06:28:28 PT
By John Biemer, Associated Press
Source: Washington Times
Annapolis — The nation's drug-control chief yesterday sharply criticized medical marijuana legislation making headway in the state legislature, calling it a "cynical, cruel and immoral effort to use the sick and the suffering" to advance the cause of decriminalizing pot. The House of Delegates has approved a bill to drastically reduce penalties for people caught using marijuana to ease medical symptoms, and a matching measure is expected to be debated on the Senate floor today.
To lighten sentences to $100 for those who smoke marijuana to treat symptoms of cancer, HIV or AIDS, multiple sclerosis, glaucoma or Crohn's disease is "scientifically irresponsible and contradictory to our high standards for approval of medications," said John P. Walters, director of the National Drug Control Policy. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved the use of marijuana for treating such illnesses. Mr. Walters, appointed by President Bush to the Cabinet-level position, successfully campaigned last year against marijuana-reform ballot measures in Nevada, Arizona and Ohio that did not deal with medical marijuana. Mr. Walters contends that groups that wish to legalize marijuana altogether are pressuring state legislatures to enact medical marijuana laws as a steppingstone to legalizing a harmful and addictive drug. Under current law, simple possession or use of marijuana can bring penalties of a year in prison or a $1,000 fine. "We owe people with debilitating medical conditions the best that science has to offer, not the results of interest-group lobbying and political compromise," Mr. Walters said. "The legislation being considered in Maryland for so-called medical marijuana would also mean more availability of a dangerous drug in our neighborhoods." The sponsor of the House bill, Delegate Dan K. Morhaim, Baltimore County Democrat and physician, countered that "it's disingenuous to show up at the last minute if he's really concerned." The measure has been debated for the past few years in the General Assembly and had been moving forward during the past few weeks. The bill passed the House last year but was stymied in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee. That committee, under new chairman Sen. Brian E. Frosh, Montgomery County Democrat, approved the measure last week. Mr. Frosh said the influential testimony in committee came from sick people, not from legalization groups. He added that he didn't believe they had received any federal testimony on the bill, calling Mr. Walters' message "a dollar short and many days late." "We're not decriminalizing. We're just saying in this case maybe the sentences should not be harsh," Mr. Frosh said. Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. also supports the concept of medical marijuana, although he has not taken a stand on the current legislation.Source: Washington Times (DC)Author: John Biemer, Associated Press Published: March 25, 2003Copyright: 2003 News World Communications, Inc. Website: http://www.washtimes.com/Contact: letters washingtontimes.comRelated Articles & Web Site:Medical Marijuana Information Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/medical.htmSenate Panel OKs Marijuana Measurehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15765.shtmlHouse Approves Medical Marijuana Billhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15751.shtmlMedical Marijuana Advances in Md. House http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15721.shtml
Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help
Comment #21 posted by afterburner on March 25, 2003 at 21:51:31 PT:
Loretta Nall
The Alabama Marijuana Party: Drug War Vigil -
The Alabama Marijuana Party with Pot-TV -
Running Time: 4 min -
Date Entered: 25 Mar 2003
http://www.pot-tv.net/ram/pottvshowse1847.ramThe Marijuana Party's Voice of Freedom and Justice in Alabama, Loretta Nall gives an inspiring speech speech on the steps of the Alabama State Capitol Building.Free the pot prisoners. Stop destroying families.ego destruction or ego transcendence, that is the question.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #20 posted by FoM on March 25, 2003 at 21:34:59 PT
New Web Site from Lycaeum
Lycaeum War News: http://war.lycaeum.org
Mobilizing Online Against War
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #19 posted by FoM on March 25, 2003 at 18:37:05 PT
Truth
You're very welcome.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #18 posted by Truth on March 25, 2003 at 18:14:44 PT
FoM`
Thank you
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #17 posted by FoM on March 25, 2003 at 14:25:31 PT
Just a Comment
I hope that no one thinks badly about anyone wanting to check out the Al Jazeera web site. I am a person who wants to always see different views. I think that knowledge is important so we can figure out how we feel. In times of war people can get very upset and I thought I should mention why I want to read different views of the war.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #16 posted by FoM on March 25, 2003 at 14:00:30 PT
Truth, Here's the Web Site and an Article
Headaches as Al Jazeera Launches English WebsiteWednesday, March 26, 2003. 7:54am (AEDT)Hacker attacks and technical glitches have caused a string of headaches for Arab satellite TV network Al Jazeera's new English-language website.The Qatar-based network, already controversial in the West for airing messages from Osama bin Laden, has faced a storm of criticism in the United States for broadcasting Iraqi footage of five US prisoners of war and at least eight corpses.Its new site -- http://english.aljazeera.net -- went live this week but was quickly hit by hacker attacks, as was the Arabic-language site: http://www.aljazeera.netStaff were unable to update the English site for about four hours on Tuesday, managing editor Joanne Tucker says."We've had a lot of obstacles thrown in our way," Ms Tucker said. "I thought the launch of this site would be quite smooth and wouldn't make make too many waves but the reaction has been amazing - it has been almost surreal."Complete Article: http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s816285.htm
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #15 posted by Truth on March 25, 2003 at 13:51:40 PT
Al Jazeera
FoM, do you have the address for the Al Jazeera site?
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #14 posted by JR Bob Dobbs on March 25, 2003 at 13:43:41 PT
Brief LTE
Sirs, Our drug czar's definition of "immoral" must be right up there with President Clinton's definition of what is is. To wit: John Walters says it is moral to treat sick and dying Americans the same as dangerous criminals, but immoral to allow them access to a plant which makes them feel better.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #13 posted by i420 on March 25, 2003 at 13:11:52 PT
History DOES repeat itself...more reefer madness.
"We owe people with debilitating medical conditions the best that science has to offer, not the results of interest-group lobbying and political compromise," Mr. Walters said. "The legislation being considered in Maryland for so-called medical marijuana would also mean more availability of a dangerous drug in our neighborhoods." WE DO NOT ACCEPT " THE BEST SCIENCE HAS TO OFFER" WE WILL ACCEPT NOTHING LESS THAN THE BEST GOD HAS TO OFFER.
GENESIS 1:12 READ IT, BREATH IT, LIVE IT
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #12 posted by i420 on March 25, 2003 at 13:08:35 PT
Get a life....
Mr. Walters,
We are all out of weedies.
F.U.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #11 posted by FoM on March 25, 2003 at 12:34:56 PT
Virgil
They announced on MSNBC that al jazerra launched an english speaking web site like you said but I checked and it doesn't work for me. They said it is being hacked on MSNBC.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #10 posted by Virgil on March 25, 2003 at 11:05:42 PT
Industry controls the regulators
Paul Krugman is a bigtime economist that is regularly published by the libruls of the NYT. He pretty much summarizes why Walters does what he does when he says in his recent article "government and business have melded into one big `us'"-http://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/25/opinion/25KRUG.html The reason Walters says what he says in defense of an insane position is because he represents business interest and not the public good.I suggest reading the entire article because it is about Clear Channel of 1200 radio stations that is directly linked to Bush in Texas. It is an informative article and includes this paragraph-There's something happening here. What it is ain't exactly clear, but a good guess is that we're now seeing the next stage in the evolution of a new American oligarchy. As Jonathan Chait has written in The New Republic, in the Bush administration "government and business have melded into one big `us.' " On almost every aspect of domestic policy, business interests rule: "Scores of midlevel appointees . . . now oversee industries for which they once worked." We should have realized that this is a two-way street: if politicians are busy doing favors for businesses that support them, why shouldn't we expect businesses to reciprocate by doing favors for those politicians — by, for example, organizing "grass roots" rallies on their behalf?
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #9 posted by FoM on March 25, 2003 at 09:54:22 PT
Truth
All fixed! No problem!
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #6 posted by Truth on March 25, 2003 at 09:42:01 PT
John Pee
Assscroft is the guy who couldn't beat his dead competitor if my memory serves me correct.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #5 posted by The GCW on March 25, 2003 at 08:14:18 PT
John "Pee" Walters
does not support the American people.John "Pee" Walters does support the 20% of the population that supports caging humans for using the plant cannabis.If there is an immoral act taking place (about cannabis) it is in caging humans for using the plant. Treating Our bodies like temples, would include, not caging one for using a plant from the Creator.Isn't this the guy that couldn't beat a deadman in Missouri, for Senate?And didn't He get His job from a murderer who was not elected by the people?Sheep's clothing.Crisco salesman.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #4 posted by BigDawg on March 25, 2003 at 07:42:54 PT
He said it...
"We owe people with debilitating medical conditions the best that science has to offer, not the results of interest-group lobbying and political compromise," Mr. Walters said. So I guess this means we're going to legalize cannabis and make corporate lobbying illegal....right?
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #3 posted by FoM on March 25, 2003 at 07:32:39 PT
What is Immoral?
I really mind when people throw the word immoral around. I have strong opinions on what is immoral and what is not immoral. I resent John Walters using the word when we are doing what we are doing in the world. That's not all I'm thinking but the only thing I will type because it makes me furious and I won't even begin.
Medical Marijuana Information Links
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #2 posted by TecHnoCult on March 25, 2003 at 07:18:30 PT
Walters
I know this isn't exactly a peace loving thing to say, but I would pay money to punch Walters in the face! He's a bold face liar, and everyone knows it!THC
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #1 posted by paulpeterson on March 25, 2003 at 07:13:15 PT
walters go home
This is the same sorry story he gave last year to badger a sovereign state legislature to jettison their valid legislative efforts. This man has no business trying to directly affect state matters. I am proud to hear these state guys fight back with that classic line "a day late and a dollar short". That should be Walters' nickname from now on. Sort of like I have heard John Ashcroft is sometimes called "Crisco John" (after his use of false annointing oil at his swearing in ceremony). Since we all know that the chief priests of old used hash oil preparations for their "annointing oil", this means Ashcroft has just used a "false sign" meaning that I nominate Ashcroft as the Anti-Christ. Well, if the shoe fits.... Just let my people go, OK?
[ Post Comment ]
Post Comment