cannabisnews.com: The Argument To Reassign Pot's Drug Classification





The Argument To Reassign Pot's Drug Classification
Posted by CN Staff on December 02, 2007 at 05:35:59 PT
By Wesley J. Smith
Source: San Francisco Chronicle
San Francisco, CA -- The United States is a nation governed by law at the federal, state and local levels. Sometimes these laws differ with each other. That's where the great principle of federalism comes in. Federalism permits state laws to be in conflict with each other, and even with the federal government. But that's OK. The sometimes messy business of federalism permits different locales to try different solutions to vexing problems, allowing the states to act as the "test tubes of democracy."
We see federalism in action most vividly today surrounding the controversy over medical marijuana. Ten states have either legalized cannabis for medicinal use or permit a medical purpose defense against prosecution. Their actions do not force other states to go along.But federalism also means that the federal government can't be compelled to accede to the state's laws, either, and indeed, when federal and state laws conflict - as currently it does in states that have legalized medical marijuana - both federal and state laws may operate at the same time. Thus, the Supreme Court of the United States has twice ruled that the federal government is entitled to enforce its total ban against all marijuana possession and consumption where such use is statutorily authorized. And that's exactly what the Drug Enforcement Administration and Department of Justice have done under Presidents Bill Clinton and Bush. People using and distributing marijuana for medicinal use have been prosecuted and convicted - even in states like California, where it is legal. The upset caused by federal law enforcement actions has made medical marijuana an issue in the current presidential campaign, with candidates increasingly being asked by reporters and medical marijuana activists whether they will promise to call off the DEA raids.According to Granite Staters for Medical Marijuana - http://www.granitestaters.com/ - most of the Democrats, including Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards, have promised to call off the dogs. The leading Republican candidates, including Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney, have refused to so pledge, worrying, as John McCain put it in also rejecting the request, that marijuana is a "gateway drug." (Fred Thompson did not answer the question.) Snipped:Complete Article: http://tinyurl.com/yp9qpvSource: San Francisco Chronicle (CA)Author: Wesley J. SmithPublished: Sunday, December 2, 2007Copyright: 2007 Hearst Communications Inc.Contact: letters sfchronicle.comWebsite: http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/CannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml
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Comment #14 posted by afterburner on December 03, 2007 at 23:50:30 PT
The Problem with the CSA 1970
It was enshrined in the international treaty UN Single Convention. However, countries can opt out by informing the UN gatekeepers. AND medical use is allowed under the treaty. Reschedule already!!!
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Comment #13 posted by FoM on December 03, 2007 at 10:53:55 PT
runruff
I think that the CSA of 1970 is a big part of the problem.
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Comment #12 posted by FoM on December 03, 2007 at 10:22:44 PT
nuevo mexican 
Thank you. That sounds like good advice. I am feeling better today then I was yesterday. Last Laugh 07 was funny but I wanted more of Lewis Black. The night before Lewis Black did the whole show and he really was funny. 
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Comment #11 posted by nuevo mexican on December 03, 2007 at 10:18:37 PT
Thanks for the heads up on Lewis Black!
Perfect way to spend Sunday evening, watching Last Laugh.....LMAO!Laughter IS the best medicine!For your cold, try 2 tablespoons of Apple cider vinegar, one in the AM, one in the PM, and you'll get immediate relief!Osha root is big here, soothing, quick and effective for your lungs and your breathing, and found locally here.You might have an equivalent herb that grows in Ohio, licorice works too!And LOTS of water, you can order a vortexer here:This is the one I actually use, and have for over 6 years, I wasn't expecting the website to come up first when I googled it.I almost spend too much time with these two bottles, a bigger version would be nice, though it is well worth the time, you will hydrate more easily as the molecules are aligned to enter your cell walls easily!Enjoy the info, all Cannabists should know about the water that enables Cannabis to be what it is:There are No Substitutions
  Drinking water is of vital importance for all bodily processes and functions. People who do not drink enough water, or the right kind of water, allow for accumulation of waste in their cells and blood vessels which speeds up the occurrence of disease and illness. If you replace water with other beverages such as soft drinks, coffee, tea, and alcohol, which are all forms of diuretics, you will urinate more frequently than normal, creating a general state of dehydration, resulting in urinary tract infections and cellular damage. http://www.vibrantvitalwater.com/index_vitalwater.htm
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Comment #10 posted by runruff on December 03, 2007 at 09:42:24 PT:
Congressional prostitutes.
Congress perverted The Bill of Rights when they created Drug Scheduling Act in 1970 to please Nixon who was a sociopath. Whenever congress has a piece of unconstituional garbage they want to shove down our throats they creatively find a way to insert [no,cram] it into the Commerse Clause. Free trade, free choice of medication, free use of the highways and byways, education, the commerce clause has become a dumping ground for legilative trash.
Since congress was paid off to create this draconian Drug Schedule, many say it will take an act of congress to change it. I see a day when all 50 states will have implimented medical marijuana and congress, the drug czar and the DEA, will all be standing around with thier arms stubbornly folded across their chest with thier bottom lip sticking out refusing to give in. The issue of medical marijuana is on fire around the nation. "Burn that mutha down!"
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Comment #9 posted by Max Flowers on December 03, 2007 at 09:15:38 PT
"Test tube" my butt
States are sovereign already---it's built in. The only time they're not is when their governors and other "officials" don't have the guts to exercise that sovereignty! (which, very sadly, is about 99% of the time)
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Comment #8 posted by afterburner on December 02, 2007 at 22:27:33 PT
More Comments
comments from SFGate.com
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article/comments/view?f=/c/a/2007/12/02/INLSTK07H.DTL
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Comment #7 posted by FoM on December 02, 2007 at 18:48:02 PT
DankHank
We watched him last night. We saw that show before but we laughed again. The man is hysterical. I'll looking foward to tonights show. I'm getting a cold or something so I'm going to kick back and enjoy.
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Comment #6 posted by Dankhank on December 02, 2007 at 18:43:59 PT
Lewis black
 is a maniac inspired ... or a inspired maniac ...When he starts wagglin' the finger ...
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Comment #5 posted by Sam Adams on December 02, 2007 at 18:31:33 PT
Hmmmm
more negative rhetoric from NORML in this article. Hate to see that.
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on December 02, 2007 at 18:08:05 PT
Off Topic: Bob Dylan on PBS - Lewis Black 
I hope everyone is having a nice weekend. This show just came on DirecTV with Bob Dylan and at 10 ET on Comedy Central will be Lewis Black's Last Laugh 07. I thought some might like to check these programs out.Lewis Black: Last Laugh 07http://www.comedycentral.com/shows/last_laugh_2007/index.jhtml***Bob Dylan: Live in Newport 1963-65Sunday, December 2, 9:00pmBob Dylan performs "Blowin' in the Wind," "Mr. Tambourine Man," "Chimes of Freedom," "Like a Rolling Stone" and "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue" during appearances at the Newport Folk Festival in 1963, '64 and '65.CC, Stereo TVPG
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Comment #3 posted by Dankhank on December 02, 2007 at 17:23:29 PT
scheduling ...
Doesn't take congress ...DEA can change it ...No one wants to ...
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Comment #2 posted by ripit on December 02, 2007 at 17:16:14 PT:
can somebody tell me
why it takes an act of congress to change the scheduling?
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on December 02, 2007 at 05:53:34 PT
Two Cents From The San Francisco Chronicle
What do you want the next president to do about the federal law on marijuana use?Sunday, December 2, 2007Reuben Sanchez,San FranciscoI want the next President to legalize marijuana and administer its sale and distribution like a regular pack of cigarettes.Yvonne Holt, MercedI think medical research needs to figure out whether or not the medicinal properties of marijuana can be used as prescription medicine. If medical research could put the benefits of marijuana in a pill, we wouldn't have this huge fight about it.Maria Theren, OaklandGet rid of it! What a colossal waste of taxpayer's money. Regulate it and tax it and we'd have millions if not billions of dollars of extra revenue to spend on real problems. Did we ever win the war on drugs? Yeah, I thought not. It's all just a bunch of "Reefer Madness" hooey.Ed Rose, San Francisco[The President] could certainly call for a move to an enlightened medical marijuana environment, if not all-out legalization (with, of course, the concomitant regulations and taxation.)Gary Carr,ClaytonLet the next president declare a moratorium on the enforcement of all marijuana laws for three years. Then let's see what the consequences might be. Hey, it's worth a shot - rather, a toke.Toby Dixon,San FranciscoNothing. Marijuana is simply one other distraction that the GOP will capitalize on. Our leaders need to address real problems like poverty, the war in Iraq and a host of others.Rosey Wong,Walnut CreekMarijuana use should be banned! Lives can be saved now. We need to help our people lead a productive life without aid from drugs that are addictive.Read more answers to this question at sfgate.com/twocents, where you'll also find FAQs about The Chronicle's Two Cents Project. To join, e-mail us at twocents sfchronicle.comURL: http://tinyurl.com/2f57g8
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