cannabisnews.com: Feds Should OK Medicinal Marijuana Use










  Feds Should OK Medicinal Marijuana Use

Posted by CN Staff on August 27, 2007 at 08:38:44 PT
Editorial 
Source: Albuquerque Tribune  

Santa Fe, NM -- It's criminal that in the "war on drugs" sick New Mexicans remain collateral damage.In spite of a recently passed state medicinal marijuana law - which permits marijuana to be prescribed and used by patients who might benefit from it and to be distributed by the state Health Department - state officials have had to indefinitely suspend their own oversight of the program.
That's because distributing or using marijuana is illegal under federal law, which doesn't recognize its medical use or state laws that do.State Attorney General Gary King has warned that state officials could get charged with criminal drug possession or distribution by the feds.Last week, Gov. Bill Richardson properly sent a letter to President Bush asking the feds to back off legitimate state medicinal marijuana programs. Meanwhile, he ordered the department to resume planning for full implementation of the program, including issuance of public regulations by October, with a formal decision on when to implement to come later.It is unlikely Richardson will order state employees to put themselves at risk. But if Bush fails to act compassionately, Richardson and the New Mexico congressional delegation should vigorously pursue reforms at the federal level that would permit state officials to do their jobs within state laws.The bottom line is improving medical care for untold numbers of patients, for whom marijuana provides relief from pain or other symptoms of devastating illnesses such as cancer, AIDS, multiple sclerosis epilepsy and glaucoma.Richardson, a candidate for the Democratic nomination for president in next year's election, also could make the issue a popular part of his campaign, appealing to the compassion of the American people and placing unresponsive federal authorities on notice.The state's comprehensive regulations, of course, will have to include licensing marijuana producers, as well as some legal way to get the otherwise illegal drug into the hands of qualified patients, many of whom use the drug to combat nausea caused by cancer and AIDS therapies.What is it about pain, nausea and comforting the afflicted that the federal government, Congress and the White House still don't get?Why, in 2007, with New Mexico becoming the 12th state to authorize medicinal marijuana use, are we in this goofy confrontation between states and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration?Why are doctors and patients not making the decisions about whether marijuana should be part of any patient's therapy?Why are federal bureaucrats and law enforcement officials essentially making those medical decisions, by threatening to arrest anyone, including state officials acting under valid state laws, who distributes marijuana for medical use?Why hasn't Congress recognized the need and passed, by nonpartisan voice vote, approval for state-authorized medicinal use of marijuana? That it hasn't defies human compassion, sound medical care and basic common sense.Sooner or later, Congress will realize that - as usual - the states and the people are way ahead of it on this issue.Why not sooner - like before Congress adjourns this year? If not, why not make this issue part of the 2008 presidential and congressional elections and demand unsympathetic senators and representatives to explain their positions? On what grounds really, does the federal government deny patients access to a drug that helps them?Why not force the federal government to do the right thing?Source: Albuquerque Tribune (NM)Published: August 27, 2007Copyright: 2007 The Albuquerque TribuneContact: letters abqtrib.comWebsite: http://www.abqtrib.com/Related Articles:New Mexico Resumes Marijuana Programhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread23262.shtmlGovernor Demands Plan for Medical Marijuana http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread23261.shtmlState Workers Could Face Charges for MJ Lawhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread23245.shtml

Home    Comment    Email    Register    Recent Comments    Help






 


Comment #28 posted by FoM on August 28, 2007 at 17:52:17 PT

NM: Feds Raid Man's House for Marijuana 
August 28, 2007 
A drug task force made up of local agencies and the D.E.A. raided a man's home Tuesday in the Eddy County town of Malaga, looking for marijuana. The man who was the target of a federal raid is a wheel-chair bound man who lost his legs about 20-years-ago. Investigators say 44-year-old Leonard French had six potent Marijuana plants. French is licensed by the state to grow and smoke medical marijuana, but the investigators did not know that until after the raid. The state recently announced it would let qualified patients grow their own marijuana, because health officials feared that they would be vulnerable to federal drug prosecution. French said he smokes medical marijuana for chronic pain and muscle spasms. He says marijuana is better than taking valium because it has less severe side effects. French says he worked with his doctor and the state to get a medical marijuana license, so he could smoke it and grow it, but now he says he doesn't know what to do for medicine. "I'm kinda stuck between a rock and a hard place, it makes me fee like someone says here's your drivers license to drive, and the first time I left the drive way, they took my car away," said French. So far French has not been charged, but the press release sent out by investigators Tuesday says they still expect to file drug charges against French even though he is licensed by the state to grow and smoke medical marijuana. French says he let the officers into his home when they knocked on his door, believing he wasn't doing anything wrong.
 
 
Copyright: 2007 - KOB-TV, LLC Video: http://kob.com/article/stories/S179565.shtml?cat=519
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #27 posted by JohnO on August 28, 2007 at 10:56:53 PT:

Constitutional convention
MAX, say it aint so! A constitutional convention can only make things worse. As you said, a convention of that sort will open the whole of the document for revision but there is no gurantee that what we like about it will survive. For instance almost everyone loves free speech, but there are some who would like the common definition of people in the second amendment to apply in like manner toward the first. So then while we now understand free speech to be an inalienable individual right, the line could be blurred as is common now in the legal interpretation of the second amendment where the word people no longer means individual but rather collective, as in state controlled. Do we want our free speech redefined in that manner? If you think it can't be done just look at the second amendment and how the word people is scoffed at by the very people who cherish their individual right to speak. There is a blindness as to the selectivity some hold toward the respecting of the rights we once held dear. Nowadays if we think our neighbor has an advantage we ask government to tax, bind, regulate or otherwise limit his freedom simply because we do not understand or trust in his ability to handle his freedom. The Cannabis lobby should understand this more than anyone. I can't tell you what the perfect answer would be to our many social ills but I can tell you how to make them worse 
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #26 posted by FoM on August 28, 2007 at 06:00:09 PT

Press Release from The Drug Policy Alliance
NM: Don't Let Them Shut Out Patients!Monday, August 27, 2007 http://www.drugpolicy.org/news/082707nmpats.cfm
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #25 posted by FoM on August 27, 2007 at 17:30:34 PT

ekim
I only saw a Republican Poll on the link you left so I didn't vote since none support Universal Health Care but I did see Dennis Kucinich at the forum today and I hope he gets a really important position if the Democrats win. He is smart and likeable and knows what he's talking about I think.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #24 posted by ekim on August 27, 2007 at 17:11:34 PT

has anyone read this poll
IS HEALTHCARE IMPORTANT TO YOU? 
Especially for you when you get older, for your children and your children's children?Then vote for the presidential candidate who introduced the only legislation, HR 676, that Michael Moore, maker of the movie SICKO endorses.http:/ /www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3096434MSNBC PRESIDENTIAL HEALTHCARE POLL!

[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #23 posted by The GCW on August 27, 2007 at 16:02:53 PT

RESPECT.
Government must respect the doctor patient relationship. Politics, not science is responsible for cannabis prohibition.And yes, Denver, it's time to stop caging humans for using cannabis. Call off Your dogs. 
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #22 posted by Toker00 on August 27, 2007 at 15:50:02 PT

New Iraq Movie...
Trailer...:http://www.noendinsightmovie.com/?utm_source=democratsdotcom&utm_medium=email&utm_term=democratsdotcomunityToke.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #21 posted by FoM on August 27, 2007 at 14:45:11 PT

News Article from TheDenverChannel.com
Pot Initiative Could Spark Heated Debate At Denver Council Meeting Council Members Will Consider Initiative Making Pot 'Low Priority' For Cops 
By Russell Haythorn, 7NEWS Reporter August 27, 2007DENVER -- Denver City Council will consider Monday night a measure that would make possession of less than one ounce of marijuana the "lowest priority" for police.The council itself could vote on the measure or put it on the ballot for voters to decide.A large rally is planned for supporters of the measure outside the Denver City & County Building prior to the meeting. 
 "It's time we stop arresting adults for using a drug that's less harmful than alcohol, and it's time we start allowing them to make the safer choice to use marijuana instead if that's what they prefer," said Mason Tvert, spokesman for Citizens for Safer Denver.The measure is controversial and expected to draw both praise and criticism at the council meeting which is open to public comment.Copyright 2007 by TheDenverChannel.com.http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/13985521/detail.html
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #20 posted by FoM on August 27, 2007 at 13:23:23 PT

BGreen
He says more in this comment.http://cannabisnews.com/news/23/thread23255.shtml#28
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #19 posted by BGreen on August 27, 2007 at 13:16:19 PT

Post 18: Gov. Richardson still doesn't get it
What if we allowed sick people to have prescription pills for their pain, but we decided that the drug dealers (pharmaceutical companies and pharmacies) were illegal and should be shut down and imprisoned for dealing drugs?Where, in the name of God, are people supposed to get their medicine? How can something be helpful and palliative and yet at the same time be criminal to produce and distribute?That is nonsense, Gov. Richardson, and you'd realize it if you just thought about it.The Reverend Bud Green
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #18 posted by FoM on August 27, 2007 at 13:03:14 PT

Richardson on Cancer
August 27, 2007Excerpt: Richardson defended his decision to pass a medical marijuana law as a treatment for pain. "The Bush administration is trying to prosecute Department of Health employees in New Mexico that are implementing this law," Richardson said. "You know what, we're going to fight them on this because they should be going after drug dealers instead of going after people that just want to have their pain eased from a deadly disease. That is wrong. That shows a misplaced priorities, not just in this administration, but also the priorities in this country."URL: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/08/27/334715.aspx
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #17 posted by whig on August 27, 2007 at 12:06:51 PT

Corporations
Are motivated by profits, not people.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #16 posted by whig on August 27, 2007 at 12:04:45 PT

Corporations
Are secretive, undemocratic, limited from liability, unable to experience pain or punishment for misdeeds, immortal.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #15 posted by FoM on August 27, 2007 at 11:28:56 PT

dongenero 
That explains alot to me. I have been slowly getting it. I'm not quick in this area. I don't like words that remind me of someone terrible like Hitler. I guess if the shoe fits we must wear it at least for now.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #14 posted by mydnytmover on August 27, 2007 at 11:28:32 PT

Hope ur not Catholic
"While the majority of people go about their daily business completely ignorant, not only of what is going on now, but of what is to come upon the world shortly, preparations are being made for the greatest social and political changes that the world has seen in centuries." http://www.lastdays.org.uk/new_world_order.html
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #13 posted by dongenero on August 27, 2007 at 11:22:49 PT

corporatism
When most people hear the word "fascism" they naturally think of its ugly racism and anti-Semitism as practiced by the totalitarian regimes of Mussolini and Hitler. But there was also an economic policy component of fascism, known in Europe during the 1920s and '30s as "corporatism," that was an essential ingredient of economic totalitarianism as practiced by Mussolini and Hitler. So- called corporatism was adopted in Italy and Germany during the 1930s and was held up as a "model" by quite a few intellectuals and policy makers in the United States and Europe. A version of economic fascism was in fact adopted in the United States in the 1930s and survives to this day. In the United States these policies were not called "fascism" but "planned capitalism." The word fascism may no longer be politically acceptable, but its synonym "industrial policy" is as popular as ever.I suppose this explains Bush family ties to Hitler and the Nazis and explains the continued approach of the Bush Administration.http://www.banned-books.com/truth-seeker/1994archive/121_3/ts213l.html
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #12 posted by FoM on August 27, 2007 at 10:32:07 PT

whig
I haven't told you lately but you are very smart. Thank you for caring.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #11 posted by whig on August 27, 2007 at 10:27:48 PT

Max Flowers
I think Dennis Kucinich believes in a social safety net. Ron Paul seems not to believe we should have one because he believes government is the problem and private solutions are better. Those private solutions become de facto governments and corporations then rule. It's been going on a long time and Kucinich and Paul are both earnestly representing for the respective sides.
If Ron Paul will treat corporations as people, equal in rights to human beings, how can he be moral?
That's just my opinion.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #10 posted by FoM on August 27, 2007 at 10:12:20 PT

Dennis Kucinich on MSNBC Right Now
Thank you Paul.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #9 posted by paul armentano on August 27, 2007 at 10:00:02 PT

The Pot-Pushing "Terrorists" Under Your Bed
Thought folks may enjoy my latest essay, "The Pot-Pushing "Terrorists" Under Your Bed," featured today by the Ludvig von Mises Institute in Auburn (AL). A brief description of the piece is below, and links to the full text appear at the bottom of the message.The Pot-Pushing "Terrorists" Under Your BedFaced with mounting public criticism over the Justice Department's decision to shutter several locally authorized California medical marijuana dispensaries, Drug Czar John Walters recently traveled to Northern California to oversee police efforts to eradicate clandestine marijuana crops growing on public lands, and to label California's pot farmers as "terrorists."According to a published report, writes Paul Armentano, the Czar proclaimed, "[T]he people who plant and tend [these marijuana] gardens are terrorists who wouldn't hesitate to help other terrorists get into the country with the aim of causing mass casualties."While Walters's hyperbolic statement was no doubt meant to piggyback on recent terrorism fears fueled by US Homeland Security Chief Michael Chertoff, the allegation nonetheless reeks of desperation and dishonesty.Read the full text here:http://www.mises.org/story/2672Readers can comment on the story here:http://blog.mises.org/archives/007042.asp
http://www.mises.org/story/2672
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #8 posted by goneposthole on August 27, 2007 at 09:43:57 PT

cannabis distribution
There might be a federal law that prohibits the distribution and use of cannabis, medical or recreational, but it is done everyday by the ton.There is nothing that the federal government can do to stop it. They try all of the time, but it can't be done.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #7 posted by FoM on August 27, 2007 at 09:28:53 PT

Max Flowers 
I appreciate many of the comments in the article too. I know more then I did now.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #6 posted by Max Flowers on August 27, 2007 at 09:22:32 PT

FoM
Thanks for that link, it was really interesting reading (especially the comments that followed the piece).
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #5 posted by Max Flowers on August 27, 2007 at 09:10:11 PT

2009 Constitutional Convention
This is what the country really needs---a new convention to reconfirm and straighten out just what is meant by all the key parts of the Constitution... the whole darn thing in fact. Then we could get all the tax nonsense straightened out, the war stuff nailed down, correcting for the record and out in the open everything that is misapplied and misinterpreted. If leading Constitutional scholars were allowed to participate and head the process, it would be interesting indeed.But I fear it will never happen because to do it right would take months and would turn the country upside down (which I personally believe *needs* to happen anyway, if it leads to corrections and reformation). 
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #4 posted by FoM on August 27, 2007 at 09:06:09 PT

Interesting Article About Kucinich and Ron Paul
http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_d018019c_070826_why_kucinich_and_not.htm
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #3 posted by Max Flowers on August 27, 2007 at 09:02:24 PT

Gonzales resigning today
Don't let the door hit your small, evil ass on the way out! This is a great day for the recovery (if possible) of ethics to American government. It's a great start, anyway.I really despise that little lying sack of rotten plasma... as much as I do Bush even. What a charlatan and poor excuse for a human being he is. These criminals think they can just slink away and escape justice by resigning; in the end we'll see if that's really true. (my money's on NOT)
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #2 posted by FoM on August 27, 2007 at 08:50:52 PT

It's Time
Now that we will finally get back to the Democrats being in power, as long as they win in 08, the law will be changed. If a Republican wins I think it will be time to say we gave it a good try but it's over. I do have great hope now though.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #1 posted by HempWorld on August 27, 2007 at 08:46:45 PT

Why, why, why?
Well because, congress lives by a different set of rules! If you see the approval rating of congress it is obvious they get their approval from somewhere else. In short they are on the take, both Dems and Reps. Marijuana is a non-issue, not even to be discussed because most of them are late night puffers and most of them have interests and agreement with lobbyists from the Pharmaceutical and other companies. So the short answer is; money and interests they do not want to give up.
Nobody can stop this!
[ Post Comment ]





  Post Comment