cannabisnews.com: McCain Should Know The Truth About Marijuana





McCain Should Know The Truth About Marijuana
Posted by CN Staff on October 06, 2007 at 08:51:31 PT
By Steve Chapman 
Source: Chicago Tribune 
USA -- Through all his years in politics, despite the endless obligation to shake hands, smile for the cameras and coax money out of contributors, John McCain has somehow avoided becoming a complete phony—something that John Edwards and Mitt Romney managed to achieve within a week of entering politics. Annoy McCain, and you won't have to wait long to find out.Even a sickly, soft-spoken woman in a wheelchair gets no pass from him. The other day, at a meeting with voters in New Hampshire, Linda Macia mentioned her use of medical marijuana and politely asked his position on permitting it. Barely were the words out of her mouth before the Arizona senator spun on his heel, stalked away and heaped scorn on the idea.
"You may be one of the unique cases in America that only medical marijuana can relieve pain from," he said, in a skeptical tone. "Every medical expert I know of, including the AMA (American Medical Association), says there are much more effective and much more, uh, better treatments for pain." He also ridiculed the notion that police would arrest patients for using marijuana as medicine.It's refreshing that McCain is willing to state his position with such unvarnished candor. It would be even better if he knew what he was talking about.Apparently he missed the news that federal agents recently raided the home of Leonard French, a paraplegic who had been authorized under New Mexico law to use cannabis for his condition. He now faces possible federal charges, not to mention that he was deprived of the medicine recommended by his doctor.As for medical experts, McCain could easily find plenty who testify to the therapeutic value of pot. The American Academy of HIV Medicine says that "when appropriately prescribed and monitored, marijuana/cannabis can provide immeasurable benefits for the health and well-being of our patients."The New England Journal of Medicine has called the federal ban on medical marijuana "misguided, heavy-handed, and inhumane." A 1999 report by the federal Institute of Medicine concluded, "Scientific data indicate the potential therapeutic value of cannabinoid drugs for pain relief, control of nausea and vomiting, and appetite stimulation."It's true that actual arrests of patients are rare. But that's often little consolation. Consider the case of Angel Raich, a California cancer victim whose marijuana was confiscated in a federal drug raid.When she challenged the federal law, an appeals court ruled against her. But the court also had to acknowledge, "Raich's physician presented uncontroverted evidence that Raich 'cannot be without cannabis as medicine' because she would quickly suffer 'precipitous medical deterioration' and 'could very well die.' " Said the court, "All medical evidence in the record suggests that, if Raich were to stop using marijuana, the acute chronic pain and wasting disorders would immediatelyresume."But none of that mattered. In the end, the government and the courts gave Raich a choice: obey federal law, or risk jail by using the only treatment that helped her.Bush administration officials often insist there are no definitive studies proving the curative powers of marijuana. What they omit is that the federal government has done everything in its power to prevent such research.That effort has not entirely succeeded, though. Recently, the journal Neurology published the results of one clinical trial of HIV patients. It showed that pot "effectively relieved chronic neuropathic pain from HIV-associated sensory neuropathy," with no adverse side effects.The mystery is not why anyone believes cannabis can be safe and effective therapy. The mystery is why so many politicians, particularly Republican presidential candidates—Ron Paul, a physician, being the heroic exception—are unwilling to consider the possibility, or to leave the matter up to the states. It's not even clear their hard-line stance is smart politics in their own party.Wherever you look, public opinion supports medical marijuana. In Texas, a 2004 Scripps-Howard poll found that 75 percent of the people favor allowing it—including 67 percent of Republicans. Such red states as Alaska, Colorado, Montana and Nevada are among the 12 that have legalized medical marijuana.This is not a dispute between Republican voters and Democratic voters. It's a dispute between Republican politicians and everyone else.What McCain ought to say is that he would rather ignore medical opinion, and inflict needless pain on people whose doctors say they could be helped by marijuana, than admit the federal ban is a mistake. Now that would be real candor.Complete Title: McCain Should Know The Truth About Medical MarijuanaSource: Chicago Tribune (IL)Author: Steve Chapman Published: October 7, 2007 Copyright: 2007 Chicago Tribune CompanyContact: ctc-TribLetter Tribune.comWebsite: http://www.chicagotribune.com/CannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archives http://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml
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Comment #31 posted by whig on October 08, 2007 at 19:23:24 PT
CNN
I think it's awesome that they're showing this, too. It means we're winning.
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Comment #30 posted by whig on October 08, 2007 at 19:19:49 PT
Max Flowers
CNN is in business to make money, and their consumers do care about medical marijuana, especially in the twelve states that have made it legal so it's out of the closet except for the federal government being jerks.
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Comment #29 posted by whig on October 08, 2007 at 19:15:45 PT
Think, Mitt, Think!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSNss79K41k
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Comment #28 posted by FoM on October 08, 2007 at 18:11:47 PT
Max Flowers
You're welcome. Yes CNN played it. I saw it twice when I was watching CNN.
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Comment #27 posted by Max Flowers on October 08, 2007 at 18:08:03 PT
WOW!
You're saying CNN played that? I'm not naive, I know that they did it for any sensationalism value, but still, it obviously shows our issue in a positive light and Romney in a negative light. It can only have positive effect for our side.Thanks for telling me about that.
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Comment #26 posted by FoM on October 08, 2007 at 14:00:15 PT
Romney on The Situation Room
They showed the exchanged between Romney and the young man with Muscular Dystrophy. I sure appreciate them showing the clip on tv.
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Comment #25 posted by FoM on October 08, 2007 at 11:11:48 PT
Max Flowers 
I agree with what you said about Romney. No more Republicans for at least 8 years and I'll be happy because change will come in time. It will never come with Republicans in power or not for many, many years. Republicans seem to talk about freedom more then I would but where is the freedom in what these candidates are saying? The Party needs to be humbled and hopefully it will be in November 08.
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Comment #24 posted by FoM on October 08, 2007 at 11:07:19 PT
Max Flowers
This is what Senator Clinton said so far.http://granitestaters.com/candidates/hillary_clinton.html
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Comment #23 posted by Max Flowers on October 08, 2007 at 10:53:58 PT
Romney shows true colors
I saw that video. It is chilling. The guy is in a wheelchair, and Romney just walks away from him as he is trying to get a real answer. There you see in a single moment the utter lack of compassion, the cold heartless void of a politician's empty soul. He proves in that moment that he is NOT presidential material, and that he is a coward when under pressure with a tough issue. Instead of talking to the guy for a moment, even to placate him as most politicians would, he literally turns his back on the guy.I'm glad he did this, because yesterday I didn't know much about what kind of guy he is, and today I know everything I need to know to dread the idea of his being president.Yet, I want to see Hilary Clinton answer the same question...
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Comment #22 posted by Hope on October 08, 2007 at 09:26:07 PT
Cannabis....Marijuana
I am completely against anyone being arrested for using it for whatever reason.It's absolutely wrong and immoral to punish anyone for using or possessing it in any form. There is nothing immoral or wrong with injesting or having or growing, or sharing the plant...for any reason. It's idiotic puritanism and a truly immoral and cruel thing to punish anyone for having or using it....ever!
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Comment #21 posted by FoM on October 08, 2007 at 09:17:45 PT
Just a Comment
I watched the video and I hope others do too. My family has an inherited form of Muscular Dystrophy so it hit home with me. 
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Comment #20 posted by FoM on October 08, 2007 at 09:03:04 PT
Romney Confronted With Medical Marijuana Issue
October 8, 2007 Watch Romney tackle the medical marijuana issue with a voter in New Hampshire. http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/10/08/romney-confronted-with-medical-marijuana-issue/WASHINGTON (CNN) — Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney was confronted head-on Saturday over the issue of medical marijuana.Following a campaign appearance in Dover, New Hampshire, a member of the audience, Clayton Holton, told Romney he has muscular dystrophy and said five of his doctors say he is "living proof medical marijuana works.""I am completely against legalizing it for everyone, but there is medical purposes for it," Holton told Romney.Romney pointed out that there is synthetic marijuana as well as other pain medications available."It makes me sick. I have tried it, and it makes me throw up," Holton said. "My question for you is will you arrest me or my doctors if I get medical marijuana.""I am not in favor of medical marijuana being legal in the country," Romney said as he moved on to greet other people.Holton continued, "Excuse me, will you please answer my question?""I think I have. I am not in favor of legalizing medical marijuana," the Massachusetts Republican said.http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/10/08/romney-confronted-with-medical-marijuana-issue/
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Comment #19 posted by FoM on October 07, 2007 at 08:05:30 PT
OverwhelmSam
I have no idea either. It's the Democrats turn to try to fix the mess we're in. 
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Comment #18 posted by OverwhelmSam on October 06, 2007 at 21:55:33 PT
I Don't Even Know Why
Republicans are running. A snowball's chance is better than a Republican's chance after eight years of hell with Bush.
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Comment #17 posted by HempWorld on October 06, 2007 at 20:42:26 PT
Hey, McCain is Ok with Torture... I guess that
sums it up...
On a mission from God!
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Comment #16 posted by ekim on October 06, 2007 at 18:08:57 PT
good going Kapt
nice reading how some of the other posters express themselves seems that your posts brought some togetheragain cheers
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Comment #15 posted by whig on October 06, 2007 at 17:35:49 PT
kaptinemo
The nice thing about verbal self defense techniques is nobody gets hurt, unless it's their feelings.
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Comment #14 posted by whig on October 06, 2007 at 17:34:43 PT
kaptinemo
You are teaching them verbal arts? :)
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Comment #13 posted by kaptinemo on October 06, 2007 at 16:16:15 PT:
OT: wanna see a prohib get wigged out?
Many of you know I've been doing trench-fighting for our side at places like Political Crossfire http://tinyurl.com/2gwk8j. At Pete's place (That's DrugWarRant http://blogs.salon.com/0002762/, for new arrivals) I learned that an old nemesis was posting again at the Modesto Bee blogsite. http://thehive.modbee.com/?q=node/5518#comment-18982 I threw my hat in the ring...and apparently gave said nemesis a nasty shock. I think you'll enjoy it (wolf's grin).
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Comment #12 posted by nuevo mexican on October 06, 2007 at 15:09:19 PT
Hillary s' drinkin' 'the water, as in 'Blackwater!
We don't have to worry about Hillary, she is her own albatross around her own neck, that's why the media wants her to win, so they can take the New Democratic Party down, with her taking the lead!Just like bush has destroyed whatever was once good about 'murika', Hillarys' job is to finish it off, and instill a permanent corporate facist state, and she seems very excited about the prospects!John Edwards, whom I like as well as Obama, Kucinich, 
Gravel, Richardson and of course, AL GORE!Ron Paul? I'd vote for him if it was Hillary vs. Ron Paul, but thats' about it.BUT, there is a glitch, and it is BLACKWATER!Read this a weep, or cheer, or get disgusted, your choice!Clinton Strategist Represents BlackwaterBy Patrick HealyMark Penn is the chief strategist for Hillary Rodham Clinton’s presidential campaign, working 24/7 on her behalf (indeed, he is known to send email at 2 a.m.) and earning tens of thousands of dollars in fees.With that sort of day-and-night job, you would think Mr. Penn would have time for little else. Indeed, other Clinton senior advisers took leaves of absences or turned down clients in order to work for the campaign.But he somehow manages to remain president of Burson-Marsteller, a publicly traded global public affairs firm. And as such, he is inevitably linked to Burson’s clients — not all of whom are, shall we say, on Mrs. Clinton’s Christmas card list.Today we learned that recently one of those clients was Blackwater — the American contractor that provides security to some top American officials in Iraq, and which is under investigation for allegedly aggressive tactics and the role of its guards in the shooting at a Baghdad city square where 17 Iraqis were killed.http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/10/05/clinton-strategist
-represents-blackwater/I will work actively against Hillary Clinton, with the same vigor I oppose Bush/cheney, as she is the extension of the ONE Party system we now have.We can re-make this election process a multi-party system, sooner than we think, if we refuse to take the bait, which is, 'only Hillary can win, and Blackwater will make sure it happens, so fear Hillary, fear bush, it's really Blackwater calling the shots, as they make Billions, and can pay anyone off they need to, and money talks!The Democratic Party seems bent on forcing their base to start a third, fourth and fifth party, the Libertarians don't do it, and won't do it, the Greens can, if they get it together, and independents' got the Reform Party and Ross Perot out of virtually 'nowhere', so it can be done!Don't forget, we now have the 'Unity' Party, so check them out!Edwards Slams Top Clinton Strategist's Ties to BlackwaterIn a scathing attack, Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards went after front-runner Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., Friday, calling her a "corporate Democrat," comparing top Clinton campaign strategist Mark Penn to former Bush aide Karl Rove and assailing Penn's ties to Blackwater USA, the embattled private firm of military contractors accused by the Iraqi government of firing upon and killing 11 unarmed Iraqi civilians last month.http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=3694881&page=1
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Comment #11 posted by whig on October 06, 2007 at 14:38:00 PT
DRE
Not DRM. Sorry. That's a different issue. :)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_voting
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Comment #10 posted by whig on October 06, 2007 at 14:36:21 PT
mayan
We aren't doomed, but we have a serious challenge to overcome. Florida is presumably rigged because they are still using DRM voting machines that are proven hackable. They are trying to go first, as early as possible, to get away with it before they are forced to go to paper ballots.
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Comment #9 posted by mayan on October 06, 2007 at 13:59:53 PT
John Who???
And don't worry about Rudy. There are many aspects of 9/11 Truth which can and will bring him down...Giuliani's 9/11 Albatross (w/video archive): http://infowars.com/articles/sept11/giuliani_911_albatross.htmBesides, Ron Paul has unfathomable momentum and is poised to overtake both he and Thompson... Ron Paul's Chances of Winning Continue to Improve:
http://www.jbs.org/node/5891I just read that 27% of republican voters would vote for a pro-life, third-party candidate before they would for a pro-choice republican. That pretty much leaves the establishment with no choice but to rig the election for Hillary. We are doomed.
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Comment #8 posted by OverwhelmSam on October 06, 2007 at 13:45:21 PT
McCain is Dinosaur Going Out to Pasture
Spoken in a voice like Randy Savage's, "McCain, you're going no where. Stop waisting the People's time, play time is over. Ohhh Yeah." I can't believe there are American's with the mentality to support this non-person.
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Comment #7 posted by Telarus on October 06, 2007 at 13:27:01 PT:
McCain
I recently read a blog post about McCain publicly stating that the US..."is[sic] a Christian Nation and founded on Christian Principles" (in reference to the possibility of a President of the Muslim faith).If McCain can so easily ignore the history of this country (Treaty of Tripoli), I can see why he so easily ignores the reality of this War on (Some)Drugs. I mean, International treaties are the "law of the land" and only subordinate to the constitution...right? The Constitution EXPLICITLY states this, right? And the Treaty of Tripoli states "the US is, in no way, a Christian Nation".... Right?!?!?!Ok, enough Ranting, here's a good article   foreignpolicy.com that has some better news.---->
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/story/cms.php?story_id=3932&page=0Prohibition has failed—again. Instead of treating the demand for illegal drugs as a market, and addicts as patients, policymakers the world over have boosted the profits of drug lords and fostered narcostates that would frighten Al Capone. Finally, a smarter drug control regime that values reality over rhetoric is rising to replace the “war” on drugs.
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/story/cms.php?story_id=3932&page=0
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on October 06, 2007 at 11:44:23 PT
whig
I didn't know what he meant when he mentioned Edwards either. Edward is doing a fine job I think.
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Comment #5 posted by whig on October 06, 2007 at 11:39:13 PT
What?
How did John Edwards become a complete phony? Because he gets expensive haircuts?
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on October 06, 2007 at 11:24:56 PT
Max Flowers
I worry about Clinton too. I am afraid that they will find more skeletons in their closets and will wait until she gets the nomination to bring her and Bill down and maybe that will let Rudy win. They will fuel the anger and jealousy that those who love to hate will feel on the right. Scary stuff to me.
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Comment #3 posted by Max Flowers on October 06, 2007 at 11:13:49 PT
Whoops
I meant "soulless"Boy I sure wish this forum software had an edit feature...
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Comment #2 posted by Max Flowers on October 06, 2007 at 11:12:38 PT
McCain is a souless creep
But I'm not saying anything we all here don't know already. In fact I'm pretty sure most of the country has that figured out as well. I definitely don't think he will get the nomination.Problem is, the two guys who probably could get the nomination, Giuliani and Romney, are just as bad, especially Ghouliani.Not to worry though, thanks to the social engineering of the mass media, it is probably Senator Clinton who will be the next president... I say "not to worry" facetiously, because I worry about her as well.
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on October 06, 2007 at 09:32:05 PT
Thank You Mr. Chapman
Excerpt: This is not a dispute between Republican voters and Democratic voters. It's a dispute between Republican politicians and everyone else.I agree.
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