cannabisnews.com: Medical Marijuana Gets Heavy Support 










  Medical Marijuana Gets Heavy Support 

Posted by CN Staff on October 07, 2007 at 06:45:06 PT
By David Wahlberg 
Source: Wisconsin State Journal  

Wisconsin -- Mary Powers of Madison takes marijuana to relieve nausea caused by AIDS and cancer. Brian Barnstable of Milwaukee uses it to ease multiple sclerosis pain.Both patients can get the pot they smoke and bake with on the black market, but they say medical marijuana should be legal. "Why should it be so hard? " asked Powers, 48.
That question was the focus of the 37th annual Great Midwest Marijuana Harvest Festival Saturday on State Street Mall. The event continues at 1 p.m. today, with a walk to the Capitol at 3 p.m. On Saturday, amidst booths selling hemp clothes and pot posters, medical marijuana supporters urged passage of a bill, which could be introduced in the state Legislature this week, that would legalize the use of the plant to treat many ailments. "Every day, cannabis helps me live better, " said Gary Storck, of Madison, the organizer of the event, who uses marijuana for glaucoma and chronic pain. "Immediately when I take it I feel a good effect. "The bill, sponsored by Rep. Frank Boyle, D-Superior, and Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Madison, likely will be introduced Monday, Pocan said last week. It is being called the Jacki Rickert Medical Marijuana Act after a woman who rode her wheelchair 210 miles from Mondovi to Madison 10 years ago to raise awareness of the issue.Boyle, Pocan and others have introduced such legislation before. Rep. Leah Vukmir, R-Wauwatosa, chairwoman of the Assembly 's health-care committee, is an opponent who has vowed not to give the new bill a hearing.Twelve states have legalized medical marijuana: Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.Two years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the federal government 's ability to prosecute medical marijuana patients even in states that have made it legal. But most arrests for pot use are by local or state police, not federal officials.June Dahl, a UW-Madison professor of pharmacy, said "there really isn 't any strong evidence " that marijuana relieves pain."But people who have pain have a lot of anxiety, and marijuana can have a calming effect, " she said.Dahl said she opposes the legalization of medical marijuana because of the drug 's mood-altering effects and its lung-disease risks when smoked. Also, the pill Marinol, which contains the active pot ingredient THC, is available. And new pain medications are hitting the market, offering more alternatives, she said."There are huge implications to legalizing marijuana for patients, " she said. "For one, are you going to let them drive? "Also, since THC is stored in the brain, Dahl asked, "Are you going to have mass spectrometers in police stations to measure it like Breathalyzers for alcohol? "Meanwhile, the maker of Sativex, a mouth spray that contains THC and another active ingredient in marijuana, says a clinical trial is underway in the United States. The product has been available in Canada for two years.Such developments aren 't good enough for patients such as Carolyn McDonough, 21, of Sun Prairie. She has been smoking and baking with marijuana since she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis two years ago.McDonough said marijuana reduces the pressure behind her eyes, enables her to walk better and cuts down on her need to take muscle relaxants."I shouldn 't have to be a criminal for it, " she said. Source: Wisconsin State Journal (WI)Author: David WahlbergPublished: October 6, 2007Copyright: 2007 Madison Newspapers, Inc.Contact: wsjopine madison.comWebsite: http://www.wisconsinstatejournal.com/Related Article & Web Sites:I.M.M.L.Y.http://www.immly.org/Madison NORMLhttp://www.madisonnorml.org/ Mondovi Woman Leads Fight for Marijuana http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread23376.shtmlCannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml

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Comment #32 posted by whig on October 08, 2007 at 18:56:28 PT
afterburner
"And the Silent Guardian? Raytheon's Mac Jeffery says it is being looked at only by the "North American military and its allies" and is not being sold to countries with questionable human rights records. "O. M. G.
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Comment #31 posted by afterburner on October 08, 2007 at 11:33:32 PT
OT: File under Abuse of Technology
Run away the ray-gun is coming : We test US army's new secret weapon | the Daily Mail
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/technology/technology.html?in_article_id=482560
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Comment #30 posted by Storm Crow on October 08, 2007 at 07:54:07 PT
The US started...
With 13 little rebellious colonies.WE GOT 12!
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Comment #29 posted by goneposthole on October 08, 2007 at 06:10:45 PT
As long as there is a US gov...
Marijuana will remain illegal, even medical cannabis.It's efficacy will remain under attack as long as the FDA is controlled by big pharma.It doesn't matter anymore. If cannabis helps you, smoke or eat it to help you feel better.The Civil Air Patrol will continue to fly in every state looking for marijuana crops, just like down there in South America.
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Comment #28 posted by aolbites on October 08, 2007 at 00:09:16 PT
thc detection
 the best i know of is the cozart rapiscan which is a saliva test, but i think there were still accuracy problems perhaps? can't recall..ah, they got a new one out the dds,I think these 2 devices are the only reasonably accurate detectors for THC blood levels [needed for charges to stick] - But impairment levels have not yet been scientifically set similar to alcohol .. so theres still a ways to go to prove all this stuff in court.this was simply a contact surface testsuch a screen would probably be a illegal search in the us"here let me see what you've been touching lately" won't go down well I promise.
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Comment #27 posted by afterburner on October 07, 2007 at 23:04:52 PT
Had Enough #5: Brit Cops Already Testing a Device
Also, since THC is stored in the brain, Dahl asked, "Are you going to have mass spectrometers in police stations to measure it like Breathalyzers for alcohol? "
DRUG SCANNER CHECKS PUBLIC 
(Source:Oxford Mail)
12 Sep 2007
http://www.mapinc.org/norml/v07/n1055/a03.htm
Excerpt: {
Scores of pub-goers in Bicester were tested for traces of illegal drugs during a police operation aimed at tackling violent street crime. Police used the force's new drugs itemiser - which scans people for traces of banned substances - at the Litten Tree pub. It was the first time the new technology, which detects traces of drugs from heroin to cannabis, had been used in the town. 
}
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Comment #26 posted by gloovins on October 07, 2007 at 22:58:01 PT
This is also great testimony
from Nadelmann in Detroit...
Great Testimony
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Comment #25 posted by gloovins on October 07, 2007 at 22:39:01 PT
This is hands down the best legislative testimony 
Irv Rosenthal, my hero, he, if any, can poke massive holes in the "Oh, but its still "federally illegal" party line...No it's not - big Pharm won't have it. They give you expen$ive Marinol - F them. It's getting almost too late to inform those the truth about the goverments (now of course, ended by Bush in '92) federal (successful for once) policy - the exemptee's & their long life medicating (mildy to hevaily I'd say, 300 joints a mo., right.?) stand as testimony .
 
Irv in Mich
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Comment #24 posted by tintala on October 07, 2007 at 18:32:53 PT:
ARCHAIC LAWS >< Their mere existence shows how 
Rediculous our govermnment's decisions are, WAR in Iraq 2 times and Afhganistan still.... still cannabis is persecuted to the extent or worse than a child molester or rapist or murderer for that matter.. my brother faced 12 years for having less than an ounce in Texas .. Our governements decisions on the Environment ,health and oil, shows pure neglect to the American people and a healthy lifestyle. They are the criminals. Bush elected twice?? wow, this shows the apithemy of "imperialism".Instead we must support organizations such as mpp.org and votehemp.com they will help redeem us and stop the terrible dependance on oil and persecution of cannabis and it's users.legalize marijuana maybe HEMP will follow.
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Comment #23 posted by FoM on October 07, 2007 at 16:22:40 PT
aolbites 
I agree with you. It really is bordering on insanity that the laws haven't been changed by now. Maybe we will see change in the future. That's what I am counting on. 
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Comment #22 posted by aolbites on October 07, 2007 at 16:15:39 PT
No Problem...
FoM: no prob, just putting the facts straight .. and providing info for people who believe in a reality based public policy =PDoing my part to help speak truth to power! Cause if we've got anything in this fight its the high ground of scientific inquiry vs lies, propaganda, threats, personal attacks, word twisting etc...Keep those cameras on those cops! let them shoot themselves in the foot ... accountability is important!http://youtube.com/watch?v=aFUpa0OwlyUhttp://youtube.com/results?search_query=police+brutality&search=Search
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Comment #21 posted by aolbites on October 07, 2007 at 15:58:56 PT
Rep. Leah Vukmir -Blogger
Rep. Leah Vukmir, R-Wauwatosa, chairwoman of the Assembly 's health-care committee, is an opponent who has vowed not to give the new bill a hearing.She posts on this blog:http://blogs.jsonline.com/backroom/default.aspx
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Comment #20 posted by FoM on October 07, 2007 at 15:21:25 PT
 aolbites 
Thank you for the information you are posting.
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Comment #19 posted by FoM on October 07, 2007 at 15:02:37 PT

runruff
I am so happy for you. Enjoy every precious moment with Linda and your pets. I few more days and you will be home. That makes me very happy! God Bless You and Linda.
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Comment #18 posted by aolbites on October 07, 2007 at 14:36:13 PT

Cannabis Treatments in Obstetrics and Gynecology
"A query to JAMA about the use of marijuana for the pain of labor and delivery in 1930 led an AMA consultant to write: “The sensation of pain is distinctly lessened or entirely absent --- a woman in labor may have a more or less painless labor.” (2)In spite of all of this long history, there was no definitive proof of the analgesic effectiveness of marijuana."----------------------------------------*Yea, whatever, its not 1930 anymore.*----------------------------------------Cannabis Treatments in Obstetrics and Gynecology:A Historical Reviewhttp://www.freedomtoexhale.com/russo-ob.pdf
Cannabis Treatments in Obstetrics and Gynecology:A Historical Review
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Comment #17 posted by runruff on October 07, 2007 at 14:35:00 PT:

Hi FoM and everyone!
Yes I'm here. For the moment anyway. Just had to pop in and misspell a few words for you all today like "illegal". Ha! I don't know why I do that all the time but I admit it's a little embarassing. Like lemonade instead of lemon-aide. I don't want to look stubid before all youse guys but sometimes I do. Ok enough about that. It is always good to get to check in here and see what everyone is saying these days. I get to go home 10-10-07. Linda says Deva, Zelda,Sisco,Trubs,Missy,Connie and Petunia[our desert tortise] are all waiting for me. Petunia couldn't wait up, she had to go into hybernation for the winter. She is undre my dresser sleeping. Linda says she will wait untill I get home to put her into her hybernation box for the winter. Connie the Cat and the three big scoobs are going to the groomer on Tuesday. Little Miss Dixie will get a bath in the sink given by Mom. Linda says she want the crew to be nice and clean for me when I get home so we can hug and roll together. Yesterday I got a six hour pass to spend with my Dear Wife. We had a wonderful time together. When you are as close to someone as me and Linda are, It is as if no time has passed at all between us when we got together. It was wonderful. I kept thinking of that song by Eric Clapton "Wonderful Tonight". Do you know that song? I'm at the library again. I'm supposed to be out on a walk. Like at me! Still the rebel. I guess I'm hard wired that way. I'll be in touch more later. Happy trails!
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Comment #16 posted by aolbites on October 07, 2007 at 14:08:01 PT

immune system...
Noteable: -=the immune system serves a highly specialized function in the CNS including negative feedback mechanisms that control immune reactions. Recent studies have revealed that endocannabinoids participate in one of the most important ones of the brain's negative feedback system.=-Institute of Immunology, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Germany. oliver.ullrich medizin.uni-magdeburg.deThe immune system is designed to defend the organism from hazardous infection. The way by which cells of the immune system perform this function can be dangerous for the survival and function of the neuronal network in the brain. An attack of immune cells inside the brain includes the potential for severe neuronal damage or cell death and therefore impairment of CNS function. To avoid such undesirable action of the immune system, the CNS harbours an impressive arsenal of cellular and molecular mechanisms enabling strict control of immune reactions--the so-called "immune privilege". Under inflammatory and pathological conditions, loss of control of the CNS immune system results in the activation of neuronal damage cascades frequently associated with neurological disease. On the other hand, processes of neuroprotection and neurorepair after neuronal damage depend on a steady and tightly controlled immune surveillance. Accordingly, the immune system serves a highly specialized function in the CNS including negative feedback mechanisms that control immune reactions. Recent studies have revealed that endocannabinoids participate in one of the most important ones of the brain's negative feedback system. The CNS endocannabinoid system consists of cannabinoid receptors, their endogenous ligands and enzymes for the synthesis and degradation of endocannabinoids. It participates crucially in neuronal cell-cell-communication and signal transduction, e.g., by modulating synaptic input and protecting neurons from excitotoxic damage. Over the last decade, it has also become evident that endocannabinoids play an important role in the communication between immune cells, and in the interaction between nerve and immune system during CNS damage. Thus, therapeutic intervention in the CNS endocannabinoid system may help to restore the well-controlled and finely tuned balance of immune reactions in pathological conditions.PMID: 17068977 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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Comment #15 posted by FoM on October 07, 2007 at 14:04:35 PT

runruff
It's good to see you. You will be home soon won't you?
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Comment #14 posted by runruff on October 07, 2007 at 13:57:02 PT:

Illigal laws!
How you can tell if you are living in a police state? If you can break the law without committing a crime.
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Comment #13 posted by aolbites on October 07, 2007 at 12:20:16 PT

hmm
"People putting things into their respiratory systems scare me," Dahl said.In fact, marijuana has more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than cigarettes, so many feel that the positive effects may be outweighed by the bad.Dr. Donald Tashkin Marijuana Lung Cancer Study
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJmQ16cGBHU part 1 [~20min]Marijuana Study Shows No Lung Cancer Links
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6pBw0bgmgA part 2 [~20min]
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Comment #12 posted by aolbites on October 07, 2007 at 12:13:53 PT

-watch out for the boogieman-
noteable: "People putting things into their respiratory systems scare me," Dahl said.-=snip=-
Under the doctor's supervision, McMahon began using marijuana regularly and
noticed a significant improvement. Without regular use of the drug, McMahon
was just as sick as before.After two years of applying to a special government program, his doctor was
finally able to secure McMahon a spot. This little-known government program
now sends McMahon 300 pre-rolled marijuana cigarettes per month, allows him
to legally smoke the drug in any state, and helps keep him stable enough so
that he can speak publicly about his condition.June Dahl, a professor of pharmacology at the UW School of Medicine,
acknowledged the perceived positive effects of medical marijuana."There is evidence that the THC in marijuana has some effect on pain,
muscle spasms, and nausea," Dahl said. "People like marijuana because they
can smoke it and can choose their own dosage."Critics of the movement towards marijuana as a medicine are concerned about
the drug's less-positive side effects, which could include the risk of lung
cancer."People putting things into their respiratory systems scare me," Dahl said.In fact, marijuana has more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than cigarettes, so
many feel that the positive effects may be outweighed by the bad.Pubdate: Wed, 17 Sep 2003
Source: Badger Herald (Edu, Madison, WI)
Copyright: 2003 Badger Herald
Contact: editor badgerherald.com
Website: http://www.badgerherald.com/
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Comment #11 posted by aolbites on October 07, 2007 at 12:02:18 PT

Marijuana and Pain, June Dahl, PhD
Marijuana and PainJune Dahl, PhD
What about marijuana? I’m always asked this question when I speak about pain control at a public forum. Friends and acquaintances often ask me as well because in the last few years the media have bombarded us with claims about the medical benefits of marijuana: that it reduces nausea and vomiting, stimulates appetite, diminishes tremors in patients with multiple sclerosis and much much more. We have heard reports from patients and physicians that it relieves migraine headaches, depression, seizures, insomnia and chronic pain.
In 1996, voters in California and Arizona approved ballot initiatives to remove state criminal statues for possessing marijuana for medicinal use. These are symbolic gestures, since under federal law it is illegal for states to make marijuana available for any purpose. Marijuana remains in Schedule I, which is a category reserved for drugs with no approved medical use. To drive home this point, a bill was recently introduced in the US House of Representatives, which states in part:   · Marijuana is a dangerous and addictive drug and should not be legalized for medicinal use.
   · The US House of Representatives is unequivocally opposed to legalizing marijuana for
   medicinal use, and urges the defeat of state initiatives which would seek to legalize marijuana
   for medicinal use.This perspective is clearly in line with the decision by the Washington State Supreme Court last July which rejected an attempt to legalize the medical use of marijuana for pain control, saying “the government’s authority to protect its citizens outweighs a cancer patient’s desire to relieve his or her pain.”But enough about the politics of pot. What’s important to us is whether there is any basis to the claims about its medical usefulness. Although marijuana itself is not available as medicine, its psychoactive component, delta-9-THC (Marinol), has been available since 1987 for the oral treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea that does not respond to other drugs. It is rarely prescribed because it is not very effective and may produce adverse psychological effects, particularly in the elderly. In 1992, Marinol was approved for use as an appetite stimulant in AIDS patients.
But what about pain control? Two thousand years ago the Chinese used marijuana in high doses to induce a state of altered consciousness during major surgery. Marijuana was cited as analgesic in most medical texts in the last century albeit with the qualification that it has less “potency” than the opiates. Sir William Osler’s medical text (1898) indicated that marijuana was the treatment of choice for migraine headache. The clinical literature of the time suggested the drug relieved pain due to inflammation or intermittent spasms. To meet the substantial medical demand, fluid extracts of marijuana were marketed by leading pharmaceutical companies such as Lilly, Parke Davis, Squibb and Burroughs Wellcome.1 A query to JAMA about the use of marijuana for the pain of labor and delivery in 1930 led an AMA consultant to write: “The sensation of pain is distinctly lessened or entirely absent --- a woman in labor may have a more or less painless labor.” (2)In spite of all of this long history, there was no definitive proof of the analgesic effectiveness of marijuana. Then, in 1932 the Federal Bureau of Narcotics began its campaign to ban the use of marijuana with assertions that it was a very dangerous drug. Medical use ceased and experimental studies were discouraged. Two adequately controlled studies in cancer pain conducted in the 1970’s compared graded doses of oral delta-9-THC to placebo. One included graded doses of codeine as a control. Although there was evidence of an effect, the studies indicated a “narrow therapeutic margin between the doses that produced useful analgesia and those producing unacceptable CNS effects.”In recent years, there have been many anecdotal reports of the analgesic effects of marijuana and suggestions that AIDS patients get pain relief from smoking the drug. AIDS clinicians suggest that the major benefit may be attributed to the calming and relaxing effects of the drug. Research in the ‘90’s has focused on the analgesic effects of synthetic derivatives of THC (cannabinoids) because they might provide pain relief with fewer adverse effects. At last fall’s meeting of the American Pain Society, researchers from three laboratories presented evidence that such compounds relieved several kinds of pain in animal models. Both oral and parenteral routes of administration
were used. Of particular interest is evidence that these derivatives may be of benefit in neuropathic
pain.The routes of administration of delta-9-THC are of special relevance. Many patients who wish to use this drug prefer to smoke marijuana rather than use Marinol. This may be because the peak effects after oral administration are slow in onset and variable in intensity. Those who smoke assert that they can better “titrate” the dose of THC to obtain a more predictable therapeutic benefit while diminishing the likelihood of adverse effects associated with high blood levels of THC.Nevertheless, I believe that it would be a great step backward to return to prescribing smoked marijuana which contains at least 60 cannabinoids.3 After all, the focus of the last hundred years has been on providing drugs of known purity and making them available in stable and known doses. If any of the current research identifies effective analgesics in the cannabinoid family, it will be critical to develop delivery systems that provide rapid and predictable effects with more safety than smoked marijuana.Would THC or one of its analogs be better than the analgesics that are now available? Some would argue that THC is safer and there would be no deaths from accidental or deliberate overdose. They also assert that THC is less addicting than morphine and would not depress respiration. These claims feed into the myths about morphine that are so prevalent among patients, families, and health care providers. What is of importance to me are the preliminary reports that THC may provide relief of neuropathic pain. We do need more effective agents for this type of pain, which may be relatively unresponsive to drugs in the current therapeutic armamentarium.There is also a need for further research on the potential adverse effects of long-term administration of this class of substances, especially in individuals who are HIV-positive or have tumors, malignancies or diseases where immune system function may be important in the genesis of the disease. Both in vivo and in vitro studies support an adverse effect of THC on immune function. The NIH workshop on the Medical Utility of Marijuana concluded that: “the possibility that frequent and prolonged marijuana use might lead to clinically significant impairments of immune system function is great enough that such studies should be part of any marijuana medication development research, particularly when marijuana will be used by patients with
compromised immune systems.”(4)The question of whether marijuana is a safe and effective pain reliever is far from answered. It is definitely a question that warrants further investigation. 
Marijuana and Pain, June Dahl, PhD
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Comment #10 posted by FoM on October 07, 2007 at 10:40:37 PT

OverwhelmSam
I can't check out the link but is it about Ron Paul? If so he is a nice man. He should be a Democrat.
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Comment #9 posted by OverwhelmSam on October 07, 2007 at 10:36:27 PT

Everyone Knows I Am Not A Republicon Fan
But this guy is the voice of reason we need in government. Included in his message, is the protection of recreational and medical cannabis consumers. If you care about your family, your property and your rights, this is definately worth consideration:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FG_HuFtP8w8
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Comment #8 posted by FoM on October 07, 2007 at 10:23:32 PT

Had Enough
I got it fixed. We had a friend from back in the 70s here and I have been away from the computer. We had a nice visit. His Mom died a week ago so we talked a lot about life. Another friend from back in the 70s called and he flew in from Arizona because his Dad is dying. We also will talk about life when he can get out here. 
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Comment #7 posted by whig on October 07, 2007 at 10:15:36 PT

Had Enough
We mustn't let them get the upper hand in describing cannabis as dangerous to driving. It is not, by all existing evidence. It causes drivers to be more cautious, if anything. It does not impair driving.
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Comment #6 posted by Had Enough on October 07, 2007 at 09:04:42 PT

I can see it Know.
now.nownow.FoM would you fix that please.Thanks…

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Comment #5 posted by Had Enough on October 07, 2007 at 08:57:25 PT

Pharmacist Noise
June Dahl, a UW-Madison professor of pharmacy.Haven’t we heard the noise from pharmacists before?Of course they are going to oppose anything that gets in the way of their profits.Once pot gets re-legalized there will be less use for Corporate Pharms. And they know it too.“Also, since THC is stored in the brain, Dahl asked, "Are you going to have mass spectrometers in police stations to measure it like Breathalyzers for alcohol? "”More expensive cop toys – Boy wouldn’t some Law Enforcers just love to have one of these in every police station. This could very well be the beginning of the trail down the road of the future.I can see it now.“Step out of the car son. I think you have smoked pot. Your refusal to cooperate and come downtown with me will cost you your driver’s license, & your insurance is to be revoked. And your chip will be turned off also"Hhmmm, seems we are further down that road than we thought.

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Comment #4 posted by Truth on October 07, 2007 at 08:50:55 PT

the truth
"Immediately when I take it I feel a good effect. "Can't argue that!
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Comment #3 posted by The GCW on October 07, 2007 at 08:35:59 PT

Pharm mouthpiece phart.
June Dahl would rather cage sick humans for using cannabis for illness than allow them to choose to use cannabis instead of pharm pills.Sick people who use the God-given cannabis plant to help their illness and reduce the amount of pharm pills they consume don't care what Dahl thinks.June Dahl, is a UW-Madison professor of pharmacy; not a professor of natural substances made by God that can replace or limit pharmacy.
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Comment #2 posted by kaptinemo on October 07, 2007 at 08:21:11 PT:

And this woman is a Professor of Pharmacy?
(Professor) Dahl: "...there really isn 't any strong evidence " that marijuana relieves pain. "But people who have pain have a lot of anxiety, and marijuana can have a calming effect, " she said.Search string using the words "cannabis pain relief studies": http://tinyurl.com/38xo2sLooks like someone needs to go back to school...or have whatever license she possesses revoked. Such ignorance is easily curable...if you wish to cure it. But it's absolutely inexcusable to be making statements like that with resources like Google at one's fingertips.
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on October 07, 2007 at 08:16:19 PT

Harvest Fest Attendees Renew Push For Legalization

Medicinal Marijuana Issue At Center Of Annual Fest October 7, 2007MADISON, Wis. -- Hundreds gathered on Madison's Library Mall Saturday to celebrate the Great Midwest Marijuana Harvest Festival. This year's festival had a broader goal in mind -- legalizing all marijuana.Some attendees, such as Jacki Rickert, a medicinal marijuana user, said their involvement had less to do with legalizing pot and more about legalizing their choice of medication. Rickert credits medicinal marijuana with easing the pain of her connective tissue disorder as well as helping her maintain a healthy weight. For Rickert, the benefits of medicinal marijuana are clear: "You have a much better chance at living life instead of just existing using cannabis," said Rickert.Rickert is putting her beliefs into action, as her "Medical Memorial Act," which has the goal of legalizing medicinal marijuana in Wisconsin, will be introduced to the State Legislature this week. The introduction of a separate bill, which would authorize a study about the economic benefits of hemp cultivation, will follow. As Rickert said, "The marijuana issue is sort of the tip of the iceberg."Patient activist Gary Storck is also working to legalize it, as he believes legalizing marijuana would reduce crime as well as create safer places for users to smoke.Storck claims one of the biggest hurdles to legalization is the belief that marijuana use leads to the use of "harder" drugs, a belief that Storck does not share.The festival ends Sunday. The traditional parade will begin at 3 p.m. on State Street, and will conclude on the steps of the State Capitol with closing remarks and live music. Copyright: 2007, Internet Broadcasting Systems, Inc. http://www.channel3000.com/news/14287020/detail.html
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