cannabisnews.com: Psychiatrist Championed Legal Medical Marijuana





Psychiatrist Championed Legal Medical Marijuana
Posted by CN Staff on May 25, 2007 at 05:16:22 PT
By Valerie J. Nelson, Times Staff Writer
Source: Los Angeles Times
San Francisco -- Dr. Tod H. Mikuriya, a psychiatrist who was a leading figure in California's medical marijuana movement, died from complications of cancer Sunday at his Berkeley home, his family said. He was 73.He helped draft Proposition 215, a state ballot measure that legalized marijuana for the seriously ill who have a doctor's recommendation. Since its passage in 1996, Mikuriya had written approvals for almost 9,000 patients, said his friend Fred Gardner.
Mikuriya had studied the drug's therapeutic potential since the 1960s and briefly directed marijuana research at the National Institute of Mental Health. He left when he realized the government only "wanted bad things found out about marijuana," he told the online newsmagazine AlterNet in 2004.In 1999, Mikuriya founded the Society of Cannabis Clinicians to educate colleagues about the plant's medical uses. He wrote books on the subject and kept a list of medical conditions that had been eased by cannabis; among the 285 ailments were many cancers, insomnia and stuttering.When then-White House drug czar Barry McCaffrey saw a version of the list at a 1996 press conference, it included "recovering forgotten memories" and "writer's cramp." It moved him to assail Mikuriya's brand of medicine as a "Cheech and Chong show." "The very thing the drug czar ridiculed him for was Mikuriya's greatest insight — the idea that so many conditions could be treated by marijuana," Gardner, editor of the society's journal, told The Times this week.With the criticism came increased scrutiny of Mikuriya and others among a group of about 15 physicians commonly called the "pot docs" who take credit for the majority of marijuana recommendations in the state. Many weathered investigations by the Medical Board of California. In 2000, Mikuriya was accused of unprofessional conduct and incompetence in recommending marijuana to 16 patients for failing to conduct proper physical exams and keep adequate records, according to a 2004 Times story. Complete Title: Tod H. Mikuriya, 73; Psychiatrist Who Championed Legal Medical Marijuana Snipped:Complete Article: http://tinyurl.com/2ne8vkSource: Los Angeles Times (CA)Author:  Valerie J. Nelson, Times Staff WriterPublished: May 25, 2007 Copyright: 2007 Los Angeles TimesContact: letters latimes.comWebsite: http://www.latimes.com/Related Articles & Web Site:Tod Mikuriya M.D.http://www.mikuriya.com/ Tod Mikuriya -- Psychiatrist, Marijuana Advocatehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22992.shtmlIn Memoriam: Tod Mikuriyahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22991.shtml
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Comment #23 posted by FoM on May 28, 2007 at 04:57:16 PT
Dankhank 
I thought last year that a Gore - Obama ticket would be one I would be interested in. I am beginning to think that there still is prejudice that might prevent people from voting for Obama and I believe that Gore could jump in if Clinton looks like she will win the nomination. It's really a comforting feeling to have a few people that will do. I hope you and everyone are having a happy holiday.
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Comment #22 posted by Dankhank on May 27, 2007 at 21:58:30 PT
repug runnin' mate?
Good choice Mayan ...now the best choices for folks that think like us ...Gore or Richardson/Obama or Kuchinich vs Paul/Johnson ...what to do ... what to do ...dreams .............
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Comment #21 posted by mayan on May 27, 2007 at 21:24:09 PT
Running Mate?
It would be nice if Gary Johnson, the former Governor of New Mexico, would be Paul's running mate. He's the only other republican I can think of that has any respect for The Constitution. 
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Comment #20 posted by ekim on May 27, 2007 at 19:38:39 PT
this is the one 
for Tod 
http://www.magiceye.com/3dfun/stwkdisp.shtml
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Comment #19 posted by ekim on May 27, 2007 at 19:33:18 PT
 standing alone
and hard for some to see but Dr Tod worked to keep cannabis free
http://www.magiceye.com/gallery/051707s.html
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Comment #18 posted by danimalman on May 27, 2007 at 16:30:49 PT:
Dr. Tod, the lightning rod
I went to the memorial service for Dr. Tod on Friday. Dr. Lucido said an important thing about his reputation for giving anyone a recommendation. He said that Dr. Tod was the lightning rod to draw the fire to himself so that the other Docs could do their work.That's what kind of man we lost last week.My own feeling is that the herb is a useful treatment for Western Civilization, and all its attendant woes.RIP Dr. Tod.
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Comment #17 posted by FoM on May 27, 2007 at 05:33:56 PT
Dankhank
I agree with you. I feel that I have a few choices with the Democrats and that helps me think about who I would want. I can think of 5 different people but one isn't running yet. I can't think of anyone other then Ron Paul in the Republican Party that is worth anything.
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Comment #16 posted by DjLoTi on May 27, 2007 at 04:03:20 PT
Pure facts and numbers 
3 million people = more thenAlaska, Wyoming, and North and South Dakota COMBINED. 3 million votes = 3 million people = (more then) FOUR STATES NOT COUNTED FOR THE ELECTIONS. I plan on setting up a little table with pictures and free water in front of the 311 concert next month. :-)ps - I've been up for 6 hours doing research. I really have nothing to do with my time :-)
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Comment #15 posted by DjLoTi on May 26, 2007 at 23:21:57 PT
Ron Paul and who?
Ron Paul and Harvard University. Who knows. Someone will step up.  haha...
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Comment #14 posted by Dankhank on May 26, 2007 at 23:14:45 PT
Ron Paul
I can come up with running mates for the Dem side ...I can't for the life of me come up with two Repubs that I'd like to see running together ... Ron Paul and WHO?any ideas, anyone?
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Comment #13 posted by DjLoTi on May 26, 2007 at 22:54:14 PT
She also asked about prostution in the question
I agree with his statement that prostitution should not be a concern of the federal government, it should be a concern for the people... states and counties ect.... makes sense to me.... it definitely won't happen over night, but at least we're getting to the solution.... :))) Just didn't want the quote to sound out of context. :)
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Comment #12 posted by DjLoTi on May 26, 2007 at 21:55:52 PT
Here's the quote! 
Paul: Well, I understand prostitution has been around for a few years. And they tried to legislate it out of existence and I don't think it's worked very well. I would essentially have no restrictions, certainly on the federal level. And marijuana - I think it's tragic what's happening today in the drug war. Since the early '70s we've spent maybe $200 to $300 billion on the drug war. That's not been any good. This whole effort on the drug war doesn't make any sense at all to me.(I should have posted this earlier... :DDDD :PPP )))))
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Comment #11 posted by FoM on May 26, 2007 at 21:39:51 PT
DjLoTi
I think many of us here on CNews have different views of politics. At least we have a few good choices for 08. 
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Comment #10 posted by DjLoTi on May 26, 2007 at 21:29:08 PT
FoM
I hope others watch it too. I personally like Ron Paul. He brings me hope for change. I hope others see this as well. With over 100 million dollars invested to Mitt Romney, and many more dollars donated to the other campaigners, I think a Ron Paul victory would be a nice blow to the attemtped control. .... Along with many other problems. The information is true, and the facts are real. I know it's going to change eventually; it has to. *I* am trying to make it happen... we all have to.... I wish everybody good luck...I found this video because of my interest in Ron Paul. 
I first heard of Ron Paul because of this website. Thank you, and everyone in our community. Thank you very much.
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Comment #9 posted by FoM on May 26, 2007 at 21:23:37 PT
DjLoTi 
I just finished the video. I hope others watch it too. I saw the video of Ron Paul on Bill Maher today. He seems like a good man. 
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Comment #8 posted by DjLoTi on May 26, 2007 at 21:14:40 PT
FoM
I'm glad you watched the video. I hope it becomes bigger by the days. I will be happy every time someone watches the video. You watching the video makes me happy. Thanks. I want change just as much as all of us. I could cry over my stolen right to live my life. I would also like to say Ron Paul is against the drug war. You can read that here:
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/sleuth/2007/05/do_tell_ron_paul_on_babies_pro.htmlLove you all. 
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Comment #7 posted by FoM on May 26, 2007 at 21:10:14 PT
Videos
I am just finishing watching the video. It is good. I really like RFK Jr. Dankhank, I saw the video of Michael Moore on Bill Maher and it was really good too. Thanks!
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Comment #6 posted by Dankhank on May 26, 2007 at 19:57:06 PT
May day video
A good one ...more pressure ...we have to keep it up ...
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Comment #5 posted by DjLoTi on May 26, 2007 at 17:42:25 PT:
Please watch this video
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=39548587694412620053.5 million votes not counted last election... All about the war in Iraq and the media... Please watch. You'll be very informed. 88 % of the votes not counted were minorities. 
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on May 26, 2007 at 05:58:36 PT
Have a Great Weekend Everyone
I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday. We are watching a movie called: Swim for the River on World Link TV. Here's is a trailer if anyone is interested.PS: Hello Dan B. It's good to see you.http://www.adreaminhanoi.com/SWIM/video/abovid.html
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Comment #3 posted by Dan B on May 26, 2007 at 01:01:35 PT
Dr. Mikuriya
I only knew of him by reputation and by reading about his many contributions to the cause. I know that he will be missed, and my sympathies go out to those who knew and loved him. I am sure there are many.Dan B
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Comment #2 posted by Dankhank on May 25, 2007 at 20:41:26 PT
double shot ...
Bill Maher tonight ...Michael Moore AND Ron Paul ...good stuff ....
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on May 25, 2007 at 06:07:57 PT
The Life of Dr. Tod Mikuriya
http://www.counterpunch.org/gardner05242007.html
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