cannabisnews.com: Group Sues Feds Over Medical Marijuana Claims





Group Sues Feds Over Medical Marijuana Claims
Posted by CN Staff on February 21, 2007 at 11:21:47 PT
By Lisa Leff, The Associated Press 
Source: Associated Press
Oakland, Calif. - Armed with a new study that showed smoking marijuana eased pain in some HIV patients, medical marijuana advocates sued the federal government Wednesday over its claim that pot has no accepted medical benefits.The lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court by Americans for Safe Access accuses the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services of engaging in "arbitrary and unlawful behavior" that prevents "sick and dying persons from seeking to obtain medicine that could provide them needed, and often lifesaving relief."
The Oakland-based advocacy group wants a judge to force the department and the Food and Drug Administration to stop giving out information that casts doubt on the efficacy of marijuana in treating various illnesses."The FDA position on medical cannabis is incorrect, dishonest and a flagrant violation of laws requiring the government to base policy on sound science," Joe Elford, chief counsel for Americans for Safe Access, said in a statement.California is one of 11 states where marijuana use is legal for people with a doctor's recommendation, but because the U.S. government does not recognize pot's medical benefits patients can still be arrested and prosecuted by federal authorities.Last week, researchers from the University of California, San Francisco reported in the journal Neurology that a test involving 50 HIV patients showed that those who smoked pot experienced much less pain than those given placebos.Americans for Safe Access said in the lawsuit that Health and Human Services has rejected its requests to retract the assertion that cannabis "has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States," a position the agency has advertised since 2000.Countering that statement by petitioning the government and distributing evidence that marijuana eases the symptoms of cancer, multiple sclerosis, HIV and other conditions has cost Americans for Safe Access more than $100,000, the group said in its suit.The Department of Health and Human Services did not immediately have a response to the lawsuit.Source: Associated Press (Wire)Author: Lisa Leff, The Associated Press Published:  February 21, 2007Copyright: 2007 Associated Press Related Articles & Web Site:Americans For Safe Accesshttp://www.safeaccessnow.org/Marijuana Can Ease HIV-Related Nerve Painhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22639.shtmlResearch Supports Medicinal Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22637.shtmlUnprecedented SF Study Finds Pot Helps Ease Painhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22634.shtml
Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help




Comment #5 posted by OverwhelmSam on February 22, 2007 at 12:04:27 PT
My Comment To Lou
Lou Dobb's alarmist's story about the dangers of marijuana should be called olds instead of news. I enjoyed Lou's comical 1950s perspective of the danger's of marijuana. This spin is refer madness and old news. Just about everyone in the general population is aware that pot is not dangerous. I would ask Lou to answer one simple question: If marijuana is so dangerous, where are all of the sick and dying marijuana users? As the most prevalent drug in Society, surely the hospitals should have lines of people sick and dying from marijuana use, the morgues should be full. The cigareete smokers are there, the alcohol overdoses, domestic violence cases and highway fatalities are there. Where are all the people who are suffering from this dangerous drug? Short answer, there are not any. Marijuana is no big deal, and everyone knows it except Lou.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #4 posted by Storm Crow on February 22, 2007 at 08:32:29 PT
Got ya beat, Zandor! (lol)
I've been toking for 40 years now. Since I switched to a vaporizer (I still have an occasional pipe or joint), my lungs are clear. I work in education, so I assume that my mind is clear. I'm migraine free (so bad they interfered with my work) and it takes care of other minor physical complaints, too. My blood pressure is normal, my diabetes is under control and I've lost over 60 pounds in the last 3 years (still have about 40 to go)- in other words, my health is improving! Psychologically, I've been told I have a very upbeat personality and am described as a competent self-starter by my bosses. I'm 59 and look and feel younger... So just when are these bad effects supposed to hit? My hubby heard about 2 minutes of the article and walked away in disgust- saying a few words FoM won't print! I agree with him totally!
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #3 posted by Sinsemilla Jones on February 22, 2007 at 01:33:17 PT
Couldn't agree with you more, Zandor.
Everyone can let Lou Dobbs, Bill Tucker, and CNN know how they feel about their one-sided propaganda piece -http://www.cnn.com/feedback/cnntv/
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #2 posted by zandor on February 21, 2007 at 15:24:52 PT
On CNN's Lou Dobbs for today 2-21
He is claiming that Marijuana is not medicinal but rather harmful and can cause long term psychotic effects. Hell I have been smoking for over 30 years; how much longer do you need to smoke to get the point it's hot harmful?O am sorry to say but it looks like Lou Dobbs is working for the Gov propaganda machine after all. You know I thought this guy was all right before today......guess he looses my respect now. To air lies like this is irresponsible. He will not bring on the other side either just the one bull shit government opinion.What a hack job.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #1 posted by FoM on February 21, 2007 at 11:28:35 PT
Press Release from Americans For Safe Access
Patients File Lawsuit Challenging Federal Government on Medical Cannabis, Demand FDA Correct Misinformationhttp://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/news_press_release,64070.shtml
[ Post Comment ]


Post Comment