cannabisnews.com: Patients Deserve Right To Medical Marijuana
function share_this(num) {
tit=encodeURIComponent('Patients Deserve Right To Medical Marijuana');
url=encodeURIComponent('http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/24/thread24759.shtml');
site = new Array(5);
site[0]='http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u='+url+'&title='+tit;
site[1]='http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit.php?url='+url+'&title='+tit;
site[2]='http://digg.com/submit?topic=political_opinion&media=video&url='+url+'&title='+tit;
site[3]='http://reddit.com/submit?url='+url+'&title='+tit;
site[4]='http://del.icio.us/post?v=4&noui&jump=close&url='+url+'&title='+tit;
window.open(site[num],'sharer','toolbar=0,status=0,width=620,height=500');
return false;
}
Patients Deserve Right To Medical Marijuana
Posted by CN Staff on April 28, 2009 at 04:13:10 PT
Commentary
Source: Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago -- In Illinois, people who suffer from cancer and smoke marijuana to stem their nausea, reduce their pain or improve their appetite -- well, those folks are criminals.This must end, and fortunately a proposal before state lawmakers would bring much-needed common sense to the medical use of marijuana by legalizing it. People ravaged with cancer or AIDS or other horrible illnesses don't smoke marijuana to get high.
They smoke pot to reduce the bone-shaking pain and the constant urge to vomit.For them, marijuana is medicine.This measure is not about whether lawmakers are sufficiently tough on crime. It's about whether we as a society are caring enough to extend compassion to people who are suffering. Nor is this an extremist move. Thirteen other states already have legalized the medical use of marijuana.It makes little sense that patients in severe pain are denied access to marijuana when they can obtain prescription drugs that can be much more harmful when abused, such as OxyContin.Nationally, polls show that roughly 80 percent of Americans support legalizing the medical use of marijuana.In Illinois, a key supporter of the measure is state Sen. William R. Haine, who for 14 years was the state's attorney in Downstate Madison County.Hardly a radical.Also among the bill's supporters are dozens of clergy throughout the state.Earlier this year, Attorney General Eric Holder announced that the Drug Enforcement Administration would stop raiding marijuana dispensaries in states where they are legal, fulfilling a campaign promise by President Obama.Critics of the proposal fear that Illinois could become another California, where the voters legalized the medical use of marijuana in 1996 and have since had to deal with some unintended consequences. California, in fact, has provided a number of horror stories that critics of medicinal marijuana love to cite.There are the large-scale illegal pot dealers hiding behind the medical marijuana law as a legal defense.There are the people with negligible aches and pains shopping around for compliant doctors to get quickee prescriptions for pot.There are pot vending machines -- marijuana at the push of a button.While there are kernels of truth to such cautionary tales, they tend to be exaggerated and sensationalized and should not be allowed to derail the bill in Illinois.The proposal in Illinois is much more narrowly drafted than the general measure in California, precisely to safeguard against the abuses seen in California.Patients in Illinois would have to have relationships with their doctors before getting their OK for medical marijuana, and that prescription would have to be approved by the state.If a patient abused their new right, it could be taken away.State Sen. Haine has suggested that a commission be created to monitor the impact of the law; if the commission detected serious abuses of medicinal marijuana, the law could be fine tuned. An additional safeguard is built into the proposal itself -- the law would expire in three years. In the highly unlikely event that reefer madness had descended upon the state, state lawmakers could then refuse to extend the law.We suspect many state lawmakers would like to vote for this measure but fear the political backlash, though the vast majority of them come from safe districts.We suggest they consider a few facts.• • By and large, voters are not stupid.• • By and large, they understand the difference between legalizing marijuana for severely sick people under tight controls and passing out joints on playgrounds.• • The vast majority of voters have a relative or friend who has suffered greatly from cancer, AIDS or another brutal illness.Are we a compassionate society? If so, we will pass this bill.Source: Chicago Sun-Times (IL)Published: April 28, 2009Copyright: 2009 The Sun-Times Co.Contact: letters suntimes.com Website: http://www.suntimes.com/ URL: http://drugsense.org/url/2w4ePihKRelated Articles:Lang, Haine Give Medical Marijuana a Pushhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread24745.shtmlMarijuana Advocates Roll Out TV Campaignhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread24743.shtml
Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help
Comment #21 posted by Hope on April 28, 2009 at 16:27:48 PT
And yes, Westnyc....
You should be and have every right to be happy.We all want the whole world to be a better place... but if we wait for that to happen and for everyone to be well and safe, before we can allow ourselves to be happy... we won't ever get to. So be happy when it comes your way. Enjoy it. Savor it and remember it for the days that might not seem so good.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #20 posted by Hope on April 28, 2009 at 16:23:01 PT
Westnyc Comment 16
"At times, I have worried about the extent of my problems, and who would take care of my cat if I couldn't cope anymore."That part sucks. Don't even think like that. Please.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #19 posted by Hope on April 28, 2009 at 16:21:30 PT
Westnyc Comment 16
That was really bad to hear... until you got to the good part.Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful! I'm so happy for you. I don't know what all that stock stuff means... but I am so happy for you and hope it's going to make enough to help.Wonderful!
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #18 posted by FoM on April 28, 2009 at 16:12:49 PT
Pastors Push Pot for Patients
April 28, 2009URL: http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/religion_theseeker/2009/04/medical-marijuana.html
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #17 posted by FoM on April 28, 2009 at 15:17:18 PT
westnyc
I am so very sorry about your problems. I am happy you are happy. No matter how dark life can become there always is a light for each of us at the end of the tunnel. Don't ever despair.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #16 posted by westnyc on April 28, 2009 at 14:51:52 PT
CVIV Medical Marijuana Corp.
I've been down on my luck for so long--I lost my job, my credit, possibly my home.....I've been in the foreclosure process for awhile......I'm 40 and I've lost almost everything except for my cat. At times, I have worried about the extent of my problems, and who would take care of my cat if I couldn't cope anymore. So much has changed for me, and I was starting to feel like Life's Loser. However, before I was laid-off in Detroit I bought thousands of shares of CVIV for pennies on the pink sheets with the remainder of my 401k . Today it was listed on the exchange for the first time and given a new symbol mjna.pk and a 10-1 forward split. It increased in value by nearly 130+% this afternoon and ended at .50 after the 10-1 split. I can't believe it--I have thousands and thousands and thousands of shares.....I am stunned! I keep checking my account to verify that it is really true and not a mistake! Marijuana just may be the answer I've been hoping for--the answers to my prayers, for so long. I might even sleep tonight for the first time since last year when this crisis began! So much is happening in the world today....so much reason for concern.....and, I know I shouldn't be....but, I am so happy right now! One week you are down and ready to give-up--and then the next week--life begins anew. God bless everyone! :-)
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #15 posted by FoM on April 28, 2009 at 14:03:39 PT
Medical Marijuana Issue Will Waft Into Ill. Senate
Medical Marijuana Issue Will Waft Into Ill. Senate Next WeekApril 28, 2009URL: http://drugsense.org/url/vbJNw2Ot
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #14 posted by FoM on April 28, 2009 at 12:21:45 PT
Pot School: Oaksterdam Teaches 'Cannabusiness'
Audio for this story will be available at approx. 6:00 p.m. ETTalk of the Nation, April 28, 2009 · Oaksterdam University is a trade school for those who grow and distribute medical marijuana.Joshua Green, senior editor at Atlantic Magazine, took a 13-week seminar at the school in Fall 2008. There, he learned the ABCs of opening a pot franchise. He wrote about his experience for the magazine.URL: http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200904/pot-schoolURL: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103575063
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #13 posted by FoM on April 28, 2009 at 11:26:42 PT
NH Senate To Vote on Legalizing Marijuana for Pain
April 28, 2009CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - Hotly contested bills coming before the New Hampshire Senate on Wednesday include one to allow people with crippling ailments to use small amounts of marijuana.A Senate committee is recommending the bill, which already passed the House.Supporters say the bill would show compassion for the severely ill. Opponents side with law enforcement officials, who say the proposal would invite abuse and be difficult to regulate.The bill would allow severely ill patients or their caregivers to grow and possess six marijuana plants, six seeds and two ounces of the drug. It would require doctors to certify that a patient has a debilitating medical condition and would benefit therapeutically or by suffering less from using marijuana.Copyright 2009 The Associated PressURL: http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=10264641
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #12 posted by FoM on April 28, 2009 at 10:16:28 PT
mykeyb420
Last night I saw your Mayor on The Rachel Maddow Show. I really think he would be a good Governor for California. Rush Limbaugh is an angry person who makes a lot of money on the radio stirring other angry people. I have never watched or listened to him. I have only seen clips of him from time to time on the news.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #11 posted by josephlacerenza on April 28, 2009 at 10:05:14 PT
Just a Reminder
All this talk of big tobacco taking our beloved plant to production is laughable. The major reason the cannabis from the feds is soo bad is that cannabis tricombs are sticky and gum up their machines, so they use the seeds and stems predominantly. So, if the gov does legalize cannabis be prepared for thc to be federally regulated just as nicotine is. It is not to be forgotten the cigarette is a nicotine delivery system. The amount of nicotine is restricted to a certain level per cigarette.Another thing to remember of all this talk of legalization and regulation they can arbitrarily restrict the amount of thc a product can have. We can not make spirits at home, we can brew beer and wine. Are the feds to say what varieties we can grow at home, say anything over 4% is akin to distillation and you can not have it. The ATF is able to say do not distillate, and when a narc offs your operation you go to jail for a while.
Just some thoughts.....
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #10 posted by mykeyb420 on April 28, 2009 at 10:05:08 PT
re: arlen spector
I can't wait to hear what Rush Limbaugh is going to cry about spector changing parties. He ( Rush ) is already blaming Obama for the swine flu AND the Mexico earthquake,,,how stupid will they go,,,film at 11
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #9 posted by museman on April 28, 2009 at 10:04:49 PT
FoM
One thing that I recognize and accept in these things, is "One step at a time." But I ain't settling for halfway, no matter how many steps it takes to get there.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #8 posted by FoM on April 28, 2009 at 09:48:20 PT
museman
People's eyes are finally opening now. I really can't figure out who is leading the Republicans except people who seem more then a little extreme. Haters are slowly getting put in their place. We the people means we the people.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #7 posted by museman on April 28, 2009 at 09:41:34 PT
FoM:OT
Thats great, now if they'd all 'jump ship' and become real human beings, that would something to celebrate.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #6 posted by FoM on April 28, 2009 at 09:31:42 PT
OT: Arlen Specter
I always thought he didn't fit as a Republican. It's nice to know he is jumping ship and becoming a Democrat.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #5 posted by FoM on April 28, 2009 at 09:29:20 PT
museman
Equal with tomatoes and I am cleaning the house literally. I had to add that humor.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #4 posted by museman on April 28, 2009 at 09:26:15 PT
Some Green Journalism
Facts;"The Law" is immoral, unethical, antiquated, and departed from constitutional intent and purpose, a long, long time ago.The "Rule of Law" is another word for fascism, elitism, and dominion, -it is not about 'rights,' 'liberty,' or 'freedom' -except in the establishment of control of them by the 'chosen' social elite, who then transmute 'rights' into 'priviledge' that is of course only available for a certain price.There is not, and never has been any such thing as a 'benevolent government.'Each and every one of us is born a free, sovereign being with the same 'value' as anyone else (the fact that society and its ruling monsters that created the corrupted concept of 'law' and who is 'qualified' to rule does not alter the original truth of ones natural heritage).Time is as important and valuable to a poor man as any one else, and their time is worth no less than anyone else, no matter how many pieces of paper one hangs on their wall, or how many other pieces of paper, or digital numerical equivalents they have in the equally insubstantial banking systems.These are truths, regardless of how loudly the status-quo ass-kissers protest. And though the false powers and false authority are still in the appearance of strength, it is an overinflated bubble leaking hot air at an exponential rate.There is great wealth and treasure in such things as the untroubled laughter of a child. There are pearls of wisdom and fantastic knowledge freely floating through the consciousness ethers available to anyone with an actual open mind, and sincere heart.There is true authority within Love -and nowhere else on earth. -"One may gain the world, but if he has not love, he has nothing."Compassion is not a check writ out to your favorite scam called 'charity' compassion is getting your hands dirty on fundamental human levels. Charity is not a 'percentage' or 'tithe' of the invented 'coin of the realm' it is sharing of YOURSELF, and all that you have.Providence is a gift from our Creator to all of us, not just the ones who inherited the false authority and control of fake values-that claim to 'own' our equally shared providence, and will gladly sell it to us for our servitude to their fakeries. Everything listed on the first page of Genesis is free, non-gratis, given without strings attached, except the limited time we have to do the sharing.And that certainly includes CANNABIS!I am free. I do not answer to any of these pretenders. They may attempt to cause fear and loathing through threats of violence against me by their thugs with badges and guns, and they might even succeed in forcibly putting my body in one of their boxes, but they can't do anything about my freedom, because it is not about being able to move around in the outside parameters that they are closing down to all but the priveledged, it is about the movement in my own heart, mind, and spirit. No matter what they do they can't touch that, ever. And I have been in their cages for no other reason than exercizing my liberty, so I know.Step outside the false belief system that has to be propped up on a daily basis by the offices of the pretenders. Ignore the weak men behind the curtain of false power, say to yourself, "I am free." and do not allow the erroneous corrupted 'conditions' of this corrupt system to dictate the parmeters of your liberty -those limitations and 'conditions' aren't described by man in books and 'law' they are described by living them. Give them no quarter, no credibility, no respect, and none of your own personal sovereign power and authority over yourself. When enough begin this, they will diminish at a rate that is exponential to the rate that the people rise up within themsleves, and one morning we'll truly wake up to a new world. FREE CANNABIS FOREVER -LEGALIZE FREEDOM- EQUAL WITH TOMATOES -PLANT THE STREETS- CLEAN THE HOUSE- JUST SAY NO TO THUGS
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #3 posted by Hope on April 28, 2009 at 07:10:30 PT
"Bone shaking pain"
The cannabis haters and pharmaceutical lovers need to focus on those words a moment and try to understand something for a change instead of pretending to be all knowing.They like to play games. Games with people's lives and be the "Winner" in their made up "Wars". They play stupid, stupid games when they say people are lying about the help... the medicinal benefit of cannabis. Big pharmaceutical loving, cannabis hating prohibitionists are so dumb, so stupid, so ignorant, and so cruel... and so caught up in their stupid "Games" and game playing, that they won't believe the truth when they hear it. Only their magical pharma god and their all knowing government priests to their false god, can help pain and sickness. They are so cruel and ignorant when they refuse to hear the pleas of the people. They nonchalantly deliver their harshly enforced unjust law and say, "Tough luck"... and sacrifice lives to their false god. It's pure human sacrifice when they purposely deny people the help in cannabis so as to satisfy their extremist and blind faith in their false pharmaceutical gods.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #2 posted by ezrydn on April 28, 2009 at 06:10:39 PT:
Political Backlash
We keep hearing this "political backlash" krap. And that's just what it is, krap. Politicians don't fear that they'll face consequences from their constituents. No, they fear they'll not get their desired committee appointments from their "peers." It has nothing to do with the "will of the People." They're afraid of their own "clan" of fellow legislators, not the People. The People have long shown that they're a more compassionate group than any political body. So, enough of the "political backlash" krap. The public knows better.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #1 posted by FoM on April 28, 2009 at 04:23:45 PT
LTE: Religious Leaders Back Medical Marijuana
April 28, 2009URL: http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/religion/1547137,CST-NWS-marijuana28.article
[ Post Comment ]
Post Comment