cannabisnews.com: Montel Speaks for Medical Marijuana Montel Speaks for Medical Marijuana Posted by CN Staff on May 10, 2004 at 11:27:10 PT By Zach Church, Gazette Staff Writer Source: Legislative Gazette After years of speaking to children about the dangers of drug use, talk-show host Montel Williams has reneged slightly to support the medical use of marijuana.Williams, diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1999, said at a press conference last Tuesday that he regularly uses marijuana to mitigate pain in his legs caused by the disease. He said that the pain felt like having a hot poker driven into his leg at all hours of the day. “I’m breaking the law every day and I’m going to continue to break the law every day,” he said. Williams has been prescribed Oxycontin, Percocet and Vicodin, among other drugs. Those, as well as illegally obtained morphine, did not alleviate his pain, he argued. But according to him, marijuana does.Legislation that would make Williams’ drug use legal is working its way to the Assembly floor, where Assemblyman Richard N. Gottfried, D,L,WF-Manhattan, is the lead sponsor. Gottfried said that marijuana could help relieve the pain of not only people with MS, but also those with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other life-threatening diseases.The legislation, which has been in the Assembly in various forms since 1997, would allow a licensed practitioner to prescribe marijuana to patients with a life-threatening condition. The bill would also allow patients to possess and manufacture less than eight ounces of marijuana. The drug would be distributed by certified not-for-profits, which would buy it from a federal, state or local law enforcement agency.The most recent proponent of medical marijuana is the Medical Society of the State of New York, a group that Gottfried thinks will help influence legislators, particularly in the state Senate, to support the bill. Liz Dears, of the MSSNY, said group representatives have met with Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, D,L,WF-Manhattan, Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno, R,C-Brunswick, and other Republican senators.The bill has 45 sponsors in the Assembly. Ten of those are Republican.Republican support will be necessary for the legislation to succeed. Gottfried said he hopes to have a Senate Republican sponsor of the bill soon.Mark Hansen, a spokesman for Bruno, said the majority leader had met with Williams. “He felt that Mr. Williams made a very compelling case for the issue,” Hansen said. He added that Bruno would take a “very serious” look at the legislation.State Sen. Hugh T. Farley, R,C-Schenectady, a member of the Senate Health Committee, said the bill is worthwhile, but would require a closer look.“There’s some merit to it, but it’s one that has been around for a lot of years,” he said.State Sen. John A. DeFrancisco, R-Syracuse, also a member of the Senate Health Committee, would not support the bill, according to Deanna Ho, a spokeswoman for DeFrancisco. Also from the Senate Health Committee, Senator William J. Larkin Jr., R,C-New Windsor, said he may consider co-sponsoring the bill after taking a closer look at it.Medical marijuana laws have already been enacted in nine states, including California and Washington State. Williams and Gottfried said that New York’s law would be the most restrictive one in the nation.The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws classifies New York as a state that has “decriminalized” marijuana use, meaning there is typically no jail time or criminal record for a first-time, in private, small quantity violation of possession laws. Source: Legislative Gazette (NY)Author: Zach Church, Gazette Staff WriterPublished: Monday, May 10, 2004Copyright: 2004 Legislative Gazette Website: http://www.legislativegazette.com/Contact: http://www.legislativegazette.com/submit.phpRelated Articles & Web Sites:NORMLhttp://www.norml.org/Montel Williams Showhttp://www.montelshow.com/Medical Marijuana Information Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/medical.htmNY Rethinking Its Ban on Medical Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18803.shtmlTalk Show Host Lobbies in Albanyhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18799.shtmlMontel Williams Pushes Pot -- for Medical Reliefhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18797.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #19 posted by darwin on May 11, 2004 at 10:34:35 PT Thanks I'll look forward to reading that one. [ Post Comment ] Comment #18 posted by Ethan Russo MD on May 11, 2004 at 09:47:44 PT Bladder Issue There is an excellent paper on this concerning effects of cannabis extracts on bladder function by Ciaran Brady coming out soon in the journal, Multiple Sclerosis. I will advise people of its release. [ Post Comment ] Comment #17 posted by darwin on May 11, 2004 at 09:22:58 PT Sorry... I apologize if my question seemed to be on an individual level. I meant the question as more of an inquiry into the specific research you did, and mentioned myself as an example, which I should not have done. I am fine and have no concerns as I have a good handle on my health.I am specifically interested in the connection between CPPS, IBS, IC, and irritable bladder syndrom (which I'd never heard of). Many Urologists think that all of these are connected somehow to pelvic floor muscle problems. Specifically, myofascial trigger points in the pelvic muscles. I seemed to notice that your research somewhat backed up this theory up of a connection between these conditions, which is what caught my interest. Although you did not mention CPPS. So I'm wondering if you knew more about these theories and whether their is a nexus between the different syndromes and how cannabinoids may affect them or may affect myofascial trigger points. Also, is irritable bladder syndrome a unique condition or is it a catch all diagnosis of exclusion such as IBS or CPPS. The connections with these syndromes is an interesting topic that has had very little research. so I was more asking if you knew anymore about the topic that you could share. If such a connection can be found, we may find that the aforementioned conditions are symptoms and not a condition in themselves. More understanding will create better daignosis and treatments.Keep up the good work. [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by Ethan Russo MD on May 11, 2004 at 07:54:00 PT Questions It is not appropriate for me to comment on individual cases and symptoms. Cannabis based medicine extracts work on many conditions where other pharmaceuticals do not. Each individual is different, and may enjoy better or suffer worse results than others do with the same medicine.As to medical school, in North America, 4 years of college, 4 years of medical school, and 3 or more years of residency are required. I had 5. That makes for a long haul in the education department. To me, medicine has been a life-long learning project. [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by darwin on May 11, 2004 at 07:23:34 PT ?? for Dr. Russo (CE: it takes years to be an MD) I read your study, as I was interested in the IBS section. I've thought I had IBS for years, and now am diagnosed with (mild) Chornic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) a form of prostititis, which most people think is linked to IBS. You mentioned that IBS is possibly linked to irritable bladder syndrome, which I think is really a CPPS condition, as anyone with CPPS pretty much has irritable bladder symptoms.I've read a lot about it and from searching a user forum, most people with CPPS thinks Cannabis flares up there symptoms. Yet For 10 years, it has helped my IBS symptoms dramatically. Do you know anything about CPPS? Does cannabis have a role with treating pelvic floor issues or not? My personal belief is that too much pop/caffeine caused my problems, and after cutting it out of my diet, I feel 95% better now with both the IBS and CPPS. It seems contradictory that cannabis would help IBS but hinder CPPS if the condition is related. Any insight on this would be appreciated. [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by Jose Melendez on May 11, 2004 at 04:02:56 PT careful Be careful what you ask for, Cannabis Enthusiast.We humans have a time honored tradition of torturing, then crucifying those who would heal. [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by Cannabis Enthusiast on May 10, 2004 at 22:17:44 PT Dr. Russo, how do you become a doctor? Do you just have to get a Bachelors degree in biology and get straight A's and then you can get into med school?All I have is a high school diploma and im sick of working shit jobs. I wish I was a doctor. :-P [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by Jose Melendez on May 10, 2004 at 18:33:30 PT highlight colors http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:toJj8xtiL4UJ:www.sky.org/data/grow/c19.html+indigenous+cannabinoid+deficiency&hl=en [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by Jose Melendez on May 10, 2004 at 18:29:54 PT Reschedule, or Retire. Those . . . did not alleviate his pain, he argued. But according to him, marijuana does.Pop quiz: Who FEELS the pain?Answer: THEM, in THEIR WALLETS, when we CRIMINALIZE PROHIBITION.Blow this whistle:http://www.usdoj.gov/atr/ [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by Virgil on May 10, 2004 at 18:23:51 PT Right on Dr. Russo Original use does not mean first use. It means arriving at the term independent of reading it. But am I not the first to use color?- indigenous cannabinoid deficiency [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by Jose Melendez on May 10, 2004 at 17:48:04 PT oops Apologies, my emphasis added on the link makes it fail.I should know well enough to test first:http://rxpot.com/vote [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by Jose Melendez on May 10, 2004 at 17:43:59 PT Don't skip C.D. (Cannabinoid Deficiency) Freedom. "Justice." Right:http://www.cannabis-med.org/membersonly/mo.php?aid=2003-03-04&fid=2003-03-04-7&mode=a&sid=http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13601.shtmlhttp://www.mmpu.org/storm/columns/dd_2003_04_10.htmlhttp://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread17932.shtmland, from: http://neuro-www.mgh.harvard.edu/forum/DepressionF/yesthereis.htmlThe problem is that it is "moral" to have serotonin deficiency depression but immoral to have opiod or cannabinoid deficiency depression; the one gets prescribed for mood, one is prescribed but gets taken away if it affects mood and the other is illegal. Further evidence of this hypothesis is showing up in terms of a few people who are depressed and taking Ultram or Stadol (single opiod receptor opiod agonist/antagonist synthetic pain relievers) report results more like what you hear from people for whom the lights come on when they take Prozac. When they report this to the doc they are usually immediately removed (addiction danger, instead of reducing pain a bit it makes them feel MUCH better and you can't have that kind of thing happening) plunging them back into depression and pain. - (12/20/98) - - -http://RxPot.com/VOTESHERMAN ANTITRUST ACT, 15 U.S.C. Sherman Act, 15 U.S.C.Trusts, etc., in restraint of trade illegal; penalty Monopolizing trade a felony; penalty Jurisdiction of courts; duty of United States attorneys; procedure Conduct involving trade or commerce with foreign nations Much more, see also Clayton Act on same page:http://www.usdoj.gov/atr/foia/divisionmanual/ch2.htm [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by FoM on May 10, 2004 at 16:58:06 PT Press Release from MPP FROM: Aaron Houston, MPP national field directorDATE: Monday, May 10, 2004SUBJECT: Help protect medical marijuana patients by volunteering for MPP's National Day of Action on June 4!======================================================================The first anniversary of a major court victory for medical marijuana is coming up, and the Marijuana Policy Project needs your help to convince members of Congress to end federal attacks on medical marijuana patients and providers.Last year on June 4, medical marijuana activist Ed Rosenthal was sentenced in federal court for marijuana cultivation charges that could have earned him 40 years in prison. Rosenthal was convicted despite the fact that he had complied with state law and, in fact, had been working directly with the Oakland city government. In the end, the federal judge, recognizing the injustice of the federal government's prosecution, sentenced him to just one day of time already served.One year later, the federal government is still wasting taxpayer money on raiding, arresting, and prosecuting medical marijuana patients and providers.That's why MPP is fighting back. Last year, an MPP-supported medical marijuana amendment received an impressive 152 votes on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. This amendment -- which was sponsored by U.S. Reps. Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) and Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) -- would have barred the U.S. Justice Department (which includes the DEA) from spending any money to interfere with state medical marijuana laws. Had the amendment been enacted into law, it would have effectively ended the federal government's attacks on medical marijuana patients and providers.MPP is lobbying to pass the Hinchey-Rohrabacher amendment this year. We only need 66 more votes to pass the amendment, and we need your help to get them. This year, in commemoration of Ed Rosenthal's historic court victory, MPP is planning a "National Day of Action" to educate targeted members of Congress about the Hinchey-Rohrabacher amendment.On June 4, hundreds of volunteers from around the country will gather outside of the local offices of their U.S. representatives to hand out literature urging them to vote for the Hinchey-Rohrabacher amendment. Would you please join this grassroots campaign?Please reply to this e-mail or call me at 202-462-5747, ext. 114, today to learn what MPP is doing in your congressional district.Thank you in advance for taking action in support of medical marijuana patients and providers. Please don't forget to forward this e-mail message to your friends and family who support what MPP is doing. The Debate: Hinchey - Rohrabacher : http://freedomtoexhale.com/dofcomm.htm Marijuana Policy Project [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by Ethan Russo MD on May 10, 2004 at 16:04:11 PT Priority Virgil, this is not something I made up yesterday. I have maintained this theory of endogenous cannabinoid deficiency for several years. Reference is made to that in the article.It was published twice in 2001: in my Handbook of Psychotropic Herbs (written in 1999), and also in the article Hemp for Headache, available on FoM's site, but encompassing writings dating to 1996. Do not feel badly. Ideas are often discovered independently by different people. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by E_Johnson on May 10, 2004 at 16:00:20 PT Wormwood and malaria A new malaria treatment faces problems similar to medical marijuana -- it's based on a plant that can't be patented. The money isn't big enough to get the FDA involved.http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/10/health/10MALA.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by Virgil on May 10, 2004 at 15:46:01 PT It just isn't right. I want to claim credit for the original use of the term "indigenous cannabinoid deficiency" and will record some variations of spelling and phrase alteration. It must have been about two years ago now. Here is my story and I will stick with it. The best article I ever read on cannabis was at Yellowtimes maybe about 3 years ago. I printed it out, as there were no nine pages better than that on the subject. What gets me about Yellowtimes.org is that they let you circulate there articles without threat of copyright infringement if you only give them credit. So you hit Edit-select all-copy and that thing can go anywhere.There needs to be someone say something at Yellowtimes that would be 3,4, and 5 double sided page summaries. Add a few staples and there could be little booklets.I hate to be bound by facts, but I may give it a go here tonight and concentrate for one hour and put my best words together.Anyway, I was explaining indigenous cannabinoids and anandamide, not to be bound by correct spelling. I was talking about Medical Miracleplant and said there are people with and talking about the Yellowtimes article. I said I had an indigenous cannabinoid deficiency and he laughed because I was high, not to be confused with "work until I'm tired.I regret not documenting the use of term. I think Dr. Russo had used the term here about three months ago and I would think EJ would have used the phrase also.I think the term "indigenous cannabinoid deficiency" is a good bullshit term in conversation. It is a conversation piece and it is highly true. Anandamide means "bliss" in Greek and if you do not have some bliss every once in a while you might try the natural THC and friends to experience a slight bliss as America sinks further into hell with our treasonous rule.Let's see who can win the two two thousand-word contest and see who can get published at Yellowtimes. Lay some facts out there and War Against Prohibition.I need to build me some words for the 10.000 word contest on a Victory by List theme and get some quotes together. My favorite quote is from Francis Young and I would have to put Jimmy Carter's Words Against Prohibition.Now do I get credit for saying Words Against Prohibition first. How about "Words Against Prohibition Contest"?This is night one and the "Words Against Prohibition Contest" has begun. The Thousand Words Against Prohibition Contest ends with tomorrow’s date here at Cnews. By Sunday we as in I and maybe one other person should have words together for the “Two Thousand Words Against Prohibition Contest” due with a Sunday’s date. Now I feel compelled to include "indigenous cannabinoid deficiency." I might not have it printed here first, but I used it in original speech. Now has anyone printed it in color indegenous cannabinoid deficiency Usually I just use ICD. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by FoM on May 10, 2004 at 13:15:37 PT Thank You Dr. Russo I wanted to ask you if I could put it on line but my e-mail went down. I hope it's ok since it is online already. I also put it on my medical marijuana page.Thanks so much for all you do!http://www.freedomtoexhale.com/clinical.pdfhttp://www.freedomtoexhale.com/medical.htm [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Ethan Russo MD on May 10, 2004 at 12:57:12 PT Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency Dear Friends and Colleagues, I would like to share the article listed below from Neuroendocrinology Letters with you. I hope that this will extend insights into the importance of the endocannabinoid system in the pathophysiology of certain chronic disease states, and the promise that clinical cannabis represents in their treatment.http://cannabiscoalition.ca/info/Russo_Clinical_Endocannabin.pdf [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by kaptinemo on May 10, 2004 at 12:27:55 PT: Are their eyes so bad off they need magnifying glasses? How much 'closer a look' do they need?'Take a closer look' is Pol-speak for "I'll wait until I think the public pressure is off and the sheeple are distracted by something else, and then I'll refuse to support it."These guys need to be politically grabbed by the scruff of the neck and have their faces rammed into the legislation. They need to be publicly put on the spot lest they squirm away. Better yet, have Mr. Williams invite them onto his show, live, nationally, and have them explain to his audience just how close a look they need. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment