cannabisnews.com: Canada Approves Cannabis Spray Canada Approves Cannabis Spray Posted by CN Staff on April 20, 2005 at 10:12:30 PT By Eric Bailey, Times Staff Writer Source: Los Angeles Times Canada became the first nation Tuesday to approve a pharmaceutical prescription spray derived from the cannabis plant, a move that could shift the medical marijuana debate in the U.S.The drug, called Sativex, is being produced by GW Pharmaceuticals of Britain and is expected to be available in Canadian pharmacies within weeks, principally for the treatment of pain from multiple sclerosis. "I think the Canadian approval will change an awful lot of things," said Geoffrey Guy, GW Pharmaceuticals executive chairman. In particular, it should help "create momentum" for approval in other countries, including the U.S., he said.The company isn't expected to apply in the United States until late this year. An examination of the drug's merits could take three to five years.But the Canadian approval of Sativex, announced by GW Pharmaceuticals at the opening of the London stock exchange, is causing ripples in the U.S.Bush administration officials declined to comment but have privately said approval of a prescription form of cannabis in the U.S. might draw a bright line between its use by patients and by recreational users.Some medical marijuana activists, meanwhile, see approval of Sativex as proof that cannabis is a worthy medicine."Sativex is for all practical purposes liquid marijuana, so the question of whether marijuana is medicine has been settled," said Bruce Mirken of the Marijuana Policy Project. "The only question is what form people use, and that's best left to doctors and patients."Snipped:Complete Article: http://www.freedomtoexhale.com/spray.htmSource: Los Angeles Times (CA) Author: Eric Bailey, Times Staff Writer Published: April 20, 2005Copyright: 2005 Los Angeles TimesContact: letters latimes.comWebsite: http://www.latimes.com/Related Articles & Web Sites:Marijuana Policy Projecthttp://www.mpp.org/GW Pharmaceuticalshttp://www.gwpharm.com/The Lesson of Sativexhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20542.shtmlCanada Approves GWs Cannabis Drug for MS http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20541.shtmlGW Clears Cannabis Hurdlehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20540.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #29 posted by kaptinemo on April 21, 2005 at 05:30:55 PT: A last blurb before I go This is partly why I come here: I learn something new each time. I hadn't thought about the ramifications of testing regarding Sativex until CorvallisEric mentioned it. This is a real quandary for the Lords of Pee.Sam Adams, IMHO the only thing keeping this Administration from a full-on Watergate style meltdown is the lapdog media. Scandals litter this Administration like those bomblets that have been strewn all over Iraq and Afghanistan; so many of them that any one of them could blow up the criminal crew running things. But so long as Repub-friendly corporations hold as much sway as they do, I don't anticipate any explosions. Time was the media used to be the journalistic equivalent of Rotweillers; now, too many are so suborned that they can never do more than pant and yap like some pathetic little puff-ball of a Pomeranian. Or cheerlead for *de facto* war criminals. As Kipling wrote about 19th century British army recruits in "The 'Eathan", they've " 'lost their gutter-devil; they haven't got their pride' ". They traded it for kibble and scraps from the table.Returning to radio silence. But I'll be reading here, *first*, as I always do, every day.And if anybody's curious as to what *else* I read daily, these are my other mental 'vitamins':DrugWarRant: http://blogs.salon.com/0002762/LastOneSpeaks: http://lastonespeaks.blogspot.com/GritsForBreakfast: http://gritsforbreakfast.blogspot.com/TalkLeft; The Politics of Crime: http://www.talkleft.com/The Raw Story: http://www.rawstory.com/Radley Balko's The Agitator: http://www.theagitator.com/Lew Rockwell: http://www.lewrockwell.com/Many differing viewpoints, but all pretty much in agreement about the DrugWar - namely, that it sux, big time. [ Post Comment ] Comment #28 posted by CorvallisEric on April 20, 2005 at 23:49:40 PT Sativex and drug-testing There were some questions on older threads about how Sativex would affect drug testing. I will try to answer based on memory, guesswork, and not-necessarily-reliable info on Peter McWilliams' death.It would seem that Sativex is chemically indistinguishable from any other form of cannabis. Does vaporizing or (especially) smoking cannabis give rise to distinctive compounds that could trigger a positive result on a newly-created test? Possible, but probably not without a lot of research. Tobacco smoking will likely confound any such test.If I recall correctly (sorry for all the caveats), McWilliams was allowed to use Marinol (pure THC) but not cannabis after his arrest. He was subject to testing. The test (probably gas chromatography) detected metabolites of the THC analog called THCV which is present to a greater or lesser extent in all natural cannabis (but not Marinol). The THCV molecule looks just like the THC molecule except that a 5-carbon chain is replaced by a 3-carbon chain. THCV is psychoactive and probably undergoes metabolism the same way as THC while retaining the telltale 3-carbon chain.Or, to make a long story short, it is easy to test for Marinol vs cannabis. It will probably be extremely difficult to test for Sativex vs cannabis. And that will have interesting consequences. [ Post Comment ] Comment #27 posted by afterburner on April 20, 2005 at 22:35:26 PT Flashbacks to Highway 420 Conference and Protest "We're here, we're high, get used to it" went the chant as we marched down the main carnival street of Niagara Falls, Ontario, on our way to Queen Victoria Park, the site of the smoke-in. Signs of approval included horn honking, waving and cheering from local residents and tourists.Video cameras and regular cameras were in abundance within the peaceful crowd to inspire "Rodney King-o-phobia" in the watching (and admiring?) police force nearby. "Governments don't give rights; we have to keep demanding our rights" to get them to concede."All use is medicinal. You may not realize when you toke a joint to relax after a hard day at work that you are medicating yourself." "We need to redefine words, like medicine, using the Native American (Indian) meaning, 'something that is good for you.'"BTW, it's a sick comment on a sick federal government that they chose to raid a medical cannabis grower of the stature of Marco Renda, a healer, a philanthropist, just days before GW's coup with Health Canada was announced. My prayers are with Marco Renda, Bob LeDuc, and all the medical cannabis patients, spiritual seekers, and social consumers, who continue to be threatened by the crazy-quilt of Canada's dead-but-not-yet-buried cannabis laws. What, no US Supreme Court ruling today? [ Post Comment ] Comment #26 posted by FoM on April 20, 2005 at 19:38:05 PT Related Article from Advocate.com Liquid Medical Marijuana Product Approved in Canada April 21, 2005 The Canadian government this week approved the prescription sale of a liquid marijuana extract to treat symptoms of multiple sclerosis, the Washington, D.C.-based Marijuana Policy Project reports. Sativex, produced by U.K. firm GW Pharmaceuticals, is a whole-plant extract that contains all of the naturally occurring compounds called cannabinoids that are found in marijuana plants. MPP did not report when the product would be available in Canada, or whether health authorities would seek wider approval of Sativex to treat symptoms of other diseases, including HIV and cancer.The U.S. government does not permit medical marijuana use, but 10 states--Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington--have passed measures that allow seriously ill people to legally use the drug for medicinal purposes. Maryland has a law that does not legalize medical marijuana use or stop police from arresting users, but prevents those who are arrested from being jailed. The only federally approved marijuana-related product available in the United States is Marinol, a pill containing a synthetic version of THC, an active ingredient in marijuana. The Bush administration claims there is no scientific data to show that medical marijuana offers any health benefits to patients who smoke or ingest it, and vigorously opposes state-level laws permitting its use.But MPP says that the Canadian government's scientific review and approval of Sativex shows that Bush-administration arguments that marijuana has no medicinal value are false. "If Sativex is safe and effective, marijuana is safe and effective," the organization says in a press release. MPP executive director Rob Kampia adds, "With Canada taking such a significant step toward recognizing marijuana's safety and effectiveness as a medicine, it's becoming harder and harder for U.S. officials to defend arresting and imprisoning medical marijuana patients in our own country." Source: Advocate.com Copyright: 2005 LPI Media Inc.http://www.advocate.com/news_detail.asp?id=15814 [ Post Comment ] Comment #25 posted by Sam Adams on April 20, 2005 at 17:26:07 PT Kapt Of course you're right, you've perfectly articulated the disgust everyone here is feeling about Dr. Barthwell & her buddy hooking up with GW. You're right about the worsening corruption in US government also. And it's not just the drug policy field, or criminal justice, it's nearly ALL areas of government, right down to local towns.The pig is getting fatter and fatter and wallowing deeper and deeper into the sh**. It's actually starting to get medieval! A guy just shot a cop in Rhode Island, when he appeared in court 2 days ago, he was beaten so bad, he made Rodney King look good. The enforcer-thugs watch what the military does in Iraq & Guatanomo Bay, they know the Bush cabal is in charge, and they're emboldened by it.If you want to see pictures of this guy, go to www.projo.com and click on "more stories about the cop killing", you can register quickly by giving a bogus email address... [ Post Comment ] Comment #24 posted by goneposthole on April 20, 2005 at 17:02:07 PT that's what you call... conflation, confound it, anyhow.Sorry to pick on George Bush like that, but it was what was coming.You can't have it all one way. What goes around, comes around. [ Post Comment ] Comment #23 posted by goneposthole on April 20, 2005 at 16:08:31 PT That's IT!!! that's the ticket... the POT... P-O-T drove him to do it. That 'splains everything, alright... George Bush, supposed former POTHEAD, is driven to reefer madness! He maniacally, nay, demonically decides to bomb and then invade IRAQ because he once smoked the evil-weed. It's just plain obvious. Why didn't I see it all at once? I should be mule-kicked for being so inexplicably ignorant.It's all clear to me now. I've been wondering how that stuff finally takes effect, and now I know. What a relief.So that's how it works, eh? That 'splains volumes.Nevermind that the poor soul was maxed out on PROZAC like Rush on Oxycontin. Forgetaboutthat and give me a break! [ Post Comment ] Comment #22 posted by kaptinemo on April 20, 2005 at 16:06:57 PT: Sam, I'm just sick of the rampant hypocrisy But to try to answer your question: I think it matters because for literally YEARS violations of the Hatch Act have been occuring, during both Dem and Rep Administrations, and yet the offenses are so egregious that in any country with more than a pretense to official neutrality these offenses would have led to changes in government...because in the pasts of those nations, the same kind of croneyism and political chicanery we're experiencing now were recent history. When I was a Fed civil servant, we had to attend a lecture on how IF WE WERE HIRED ON WITH A PRIVATE COMPANY AFTER LEAVING THE FEDS WE COULDN'T USE OUR CONNECTIONS WITH OUR FORMER BUDDIES BACK IN THE FED TO COMMERCIAL ADVANTAGE. Yet...that's how the 'revolving door' and 'fox guards henhouse' strategies work for most former Fed civ servants. Jump from a regulatory agency to a company being regulated and back again. Barthwell will be directly profiting as a 'consultant' in offering her governmentally sanctioned verbal bilge, once paid for by the taxpayers, now useed to justify continued 'raw drug' prohibition. With her face and name as a 'seal of approval' for having been the Number Two ONDCP wonk. A face and name that would have been almost wholly unknown, save for her willingness to engage in pandering to ignorance and prejudice. A face who will trade her name for access to key legislators. The latest turn of a card comprising a stacked deck.But Mr. Mirkin is right in what at first may seem so childishly simple yet (as the physicists I once knew were fond of saying) 'elegant' explanation of the core of the problem. Immediately, he is rebuffed with Barthwell's ridiculous analogy; anyone who has given the matter sufficient thought, if intellectually honest, will note the sheer prepostorousness of her rejoinder. The lies are becoming so brazen, that the probability they will say something so outrageous the average newsviewer will say "I can't believe they said that!" grow exponentially. Richard Cowan is only too right when he says a large part of the problem of continued prohibition is simply two words: bad journalism. But let something get really out of hand, the media actually take notice and criticise as they once did, and the public will begin to ask the right questions. [ Post Comment ] Comment #21 posted by FoM on April 20, 2005 at 14:58:06 PT Sam Yes the bottles are beautiful. We sure have lost a lot along the way.Plastic people living in a plastic world comes to mind. [ Post Comment ] Comment #20 posted by Sam Adams on April 20, 2005 at 14:56:09 PT FOM What also strikes me about the pictures is the beautiful bottles they used for tincture. Our culture is so soul-less now. All unecessary art eliminated from everyday life. Drugs come in ugly brown bottles, all exactly alike. Is it any wonder America is turning to redneck culture? What did we expect? [ Post Comment ] Comment #19 posted by FoM on April 20, 2005 at 14:55:38 PT Excerpt from Article In the aftermath of the shootings, friends and classmates described Weise as creative, troubled, depressed and given to violent fantasies. He was also an admirer of Adolf Hitler, a fan of George Romero's horror films, was taking high doses of the anti-depressant PROZAC ( emphasis mine ) and had attempted suicide as recently as last summer.http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/11355989.htm [ Post Comment ] Comment #18 posted by FoM on April 20, 2005 at 14:49:58 PT observer I sure did! It was so wrong I didn't even read the whole article. That kid was on high doses of Prozac! If anything contributed to what he did it would be Prozac not Cannabis! I get so angry sometimes. [ Post Comment ] Comment #17 posted by observer on April 20, 2005 at 14:46:37 PT Minnesota Killer was a Pothead anyone see this gem?Minnesota Killer was a Pothead http://www.aim.org/media_monitor/2873_0_2_0_C/ (Cliff Kincaid, April 20, 2005) [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by FoM on April 20, 2005 at 14:33:33 PT Sam That's a great link. I've spent a good deal of time looking at the pictures in the past. I have it on my FTE site. It is amazing and a picture is worth a thousand words! Thanks! [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by Sam Adams on April 20, 2005 at 14:28:34 PT Tincture This is a good time to post a link to this excellent web page, which features dozens of photos of cannabis tinctures, powders, and more, from pre-1930 America. http://www.conquestdesign.com/uncler/index.htmlAll were grown 100% organic of course, chemical fertilizers and pesticides had not been invented yet. Having a medical problem solved by cannabis opens one's eyes to so many things; cannabis is a touchstone for many trends in our society - for instance, it dispels the myth of progress. We're supposed to believe every new technology and invention is the best and renders everything prior totally obselete. Cannabis shatters that myth. (So does Vioxx, for that matter!)Kapt, I've been thinking the last thing you said - should we really get that worried or angry about GW hiring prohibitionists to stump in the US? It doesn't really affect the root problem, those in power want medical cannabis illegal. Until they change their minds, it doesn't really matter what medical or legal excuses they use. The actual lies and liars have been coming and going for 80 years, should we even care?The bottom line is that the only way more people will be allowed to use medical cannabis is if more money is spent on state ballot initiatives. That has been the case for the last 10 years, and I don't see it changing in the next ten. [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by FoM on April 20, 2005 at 14:14:58 PT dongenero I sure agree with you! [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by druid on April 20, 2005 at 13:57:30 PT LOL in my previous comment I said "subscription" and I meant prescriptionhehe [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by Druid on April 20, 2005 at 13:55:57 PT Marco Renda He knew what he was doing and his website is still in full swing with plans to continue providing those in need with medicine no matter where they are from. Marco has vowed to help anyone with an exemption/recomendation/subscription for Cannabis anywhere in the world. It doesn't matter to him where you are from as long as you can prove you need it. "If someone presents medical evidence that marijuana helps them I will do what I can to help them," he told the Mercury."They're not going to stop me. I'm still moving forward."Sad thing is that the plants that were confiscated at his house were being grown for another med user in Canada. The med user has had Marco's address on his Health Canada exemption for the last few years but for some reason this year the wrong address was put on. *********************DEIRDRE HEALEY MERCURY STAFFGUELPH - Bob LeDuc is terrified he has to face the next three months of his life without his medicinal marijuana.It will mean days full of violent epileptic seizures, memory loss, irritable bowel syndrome and painful dry skin caused by cirrhosis, he said. LeDuc, 55, is authorized by Health Canada to grow up to 39 marijuana plants to curb the symptoms of his many illnesses.But the Guelph man lost his entire crop of marijuana Wednesday after police raided his friend's home and seized 31 plants LeDuc had growing there.Four drug enforcement units, including Wellington OPP's tactical team, searched Marco Renda's rural home in Dundalk Wednesday afternoon as part of an ongoing investigation.While Renda is authorized to grow up to 78 marijuana plants -- he has hepatitis C and suffers from chronic vomiting -- officers found 109 plants growing in his garage."They destroyed my plants," said LeDuc, who estimates it will take another three months before he can grow and harvest more plants."That's my medicine. What I am faced with if I don't get my medicine scares the hell out of me."LeDuc blames Health Canada for the mishap because he said they put his Guelph residence on his exemption card as the place where his marijuana was being grown and not Renda's address."I have been growing my marijuana at his house since 2001 and every year it has been his address on my exemption card except for this year," LeDuc said. "I called Health Canada three times to change it, but they never did and I eventually gave up. I thought it must not be a big deal. Now this has happened."***************************** [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by dongenero on April 20, 2005 at 13:48:57 PT Ahhhh Andrea... Bad metaphor... I think the comparison of a cup of coffee to coffee beans is better.So to match Andrea's fire metaphor let's say Sativex is to marijuana as a lighter is to matches. Either one will do the job but one costs more. [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by FoM on April 20, 2005 at 13:02:09 PT kaptinemo I'm glad you're still here. I know it's about the money. I personally must keep believing that right will win and we are right. The Cannabis plant is Sativex and if we keep reminding people that they are one and the same thing maybe they will take pity on those who don't have enough money to afford a big prescription bill if and when it is allowed here in the states. We don't have universal health coverage and home remedies have sustained poor folk thru out all of history. Just my 2 cents. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by kaptinemo on April 20, 2005 at 12:50:48 PT: I was going to go back to radio silence But this time, I feel the need to say something.It's long been an article of faith in reform circles that Korporate Amerika has been behind the concerted effort against MMJ. FoM speaks of logic; logic dictates that if your present or expected profits from a synthetic drug you have patented and developed from a natural source that almost anyone can grow almost anywhere becomes endangered, you would take whatever steps necessary to protect those profits by shutting off access to the natural source. Which would necessarily require government intervention in your favor to maintain your monopoly. That intervention obviously cannot take on an *overt* position of favoring a corporation over the commonweal. Despite many presently in power possessing such towering arrogance, it would be political suicide to attempt it. So the proscription against the public growing their own medicine must be couched in language that is overtly solicitous of the public's health, while in fact its' actions are essentially hostile to that public's health. This requires that a public face be presented which gives the impression of that faux concern, while furthering the corporation's agenda. Enter the 'experts'. Like Barthwell. Who evidently now will be stumping for GW Pharma AND her own anti-drug organization. And is conveniently blind to the bald-faced hypocrisy of doing so while she receives a paycheck for short-circuiting the public's access to the (gasp!) 'crude drug'.The ramifications of this are obvious: this is exactly what has been predicted by the more politically savvy reformers. Namely, a corporately derived and governmentally blessed pricey 'alternative' to the much cheaper (if legal) natural cannabis being used as a wedge to drive apart the loose coalition of medicinal and so-called recreational users that has been in existence for years. Simply put, it's 'Divide and Conquer' time. The Achilles' Heel of course will be the *price* of the newly re-invented 'wheel' of cannabis medicines; easily made extracts of cannabis have been around far longer than GW Pharma has, despite it's beliefs of owning rights to all such extracts. Although I find Rob Kampia's distilling of the matter down to its most essential facts flawless, the problem has always been the Federal government has thus far been impervious to reason on cannabis, partly because it's own hands are far from clean regarding it's own actions. Yes, the argument against the 'crude drug' has become even less valid...if you're a reasonable person. But Barthwell's tirade is indicative of the kind of obfuscation we shall soon be hearing from Johnny Pee and his minions. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by FoM on April 20, 2005 at 12:10:59 PT Fire is Fire Cannabis is Sativex and Sativex is Cannabis.I feel like Spock today. It just isn't a logical comparison. Make Pot Brownies or use Sativex. How about that? [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by FoM on April 20, 2005 at 12:05:05 PT Rubbing Sticks Together or Using A Lighter Both ways you will make a fire so both should be allowed. I do not understand Barthwell's logic. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by FoM on April 20, 2005 at 12:02:25 PT Thanks Druid I've read about this case and I just don't know what to say but I'm sorry. I never heard of Marco before the bust and I do hope it goes well for him. The exportation is what might make it very hard for him if it isn't just charges from Canada. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by goneposthole on April 20, 2005 at 12:02:06 PT she's burned out she comes up with some real winners. The time to give her the benefit of the doubt has elapsed.Get back to the whole plant, please. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by Druid on April 20, 2005 at 10:46:31 PT Update on Marco Renda from Treatingyourself.com A Hero to the Sick and Disabled Faces a Dark DayMarco Renda the well known Medicinal Marijuana Guru had a visit from four drug enforcement units on Friday, and lost not only the plants he was growing for a sick friend but his liberty too. Marco the founder and leader of one of the biggest online communities “Treating Yourself.com” (www.treatingyourself.com) was arrested and had 31 of the plants he was growing taken, along with his computer!Guelph, Ontario (PRWEB) April 20, 2005 -- Marco Renda the well known Medicinal Marijuana Guru had a visit from four drug enforcement units on Friday, and lost not only the plants he was growing for a sick friend but his liberty too. Marco the founder and leader of one of the biggest online communities “ Treating Yourself.com” (www.treatingyourself.com) was arrested and had 31 of the plants he was growing taken, along with his computer!His bail conditions do not permit him to have any dealings what so ever with his community or friends world wide. Will this stop the wonderful work that goes on quietly and in a non-profit way? No, of course it wouldn’t! We are all supporting him and continuing his wonderful vision from all parts of the globe. We have to, we are all in the same boat, and we are all ‘Guilty’ of using a benign herb to improve the quality of our lives.The word got out to the TY community in the early hours of the morning. Many were shocked that a man who does so much good, for so many people could be treated in this way, the messages on the forum are many and varied, offering support and donations, love and any help that is needed. “It really is heart warming to see the influx of supporters from around the globe, this shows a true sense of solidarity, a solidarity that can not be easily ignored.” the newly appointed representative told us. “The voice of ‘the people’ cannot continue to go unheard! WE must stand united in this; if we do we will win!”The charges Marco faces are as follows: 3 counts Trafficking, 3 counts exportation out of country, 1 count cultivation (this is the Health Canada error and is likely to be dropped), 1 count possession for the purpose (cannabis resin). Marco Renda returns to court May 2 to set his next court date.What has happened has overwhelmed a worldwide community, people who can not speak highly enough of what Marco Renda does and has done for them; “Personally if i hadn't found this place i would be dead, this place saved my life many times and has saved so many others too” said one of the members, “Marco Renda has only tried to help other suffering people. Some who would have died without his help. He has done nothing but be a Good Samaritan to those in need. Isn't that what we are supposed to do?” said another, “This man has given me back my life, I am still in chronic pain but not alone anymore because of TY and Marco Renda”, “I count myself blessed to be called a friend of Marco Renda. In my eyes there has never been a man more giving and caring (in his own special way)”.A call goes out to all our friends around the globe, now is the time to stand tall, join forces and let the governments of our world know that we are a mightier force than they thought possible. The authorities must be made aware that we will not sit back and watch someone who many look up to as a leading light in the fight for the sick and disabled to use an ancient herb to help with their suffering. They are waging a global war on drugs look at what is happening in Amsterdam, the UK, everywhere! Read up on it...it is not just confined to our own countries. This is all part and parcel of it. The government really doesn't care if the sick and disabled uses a little Marijuana now and then. It might even prove to be useful some day in terms of taxes, as long as they don’ t help too many people or make too much noise! This is all politics folks. This all comes down to money. It is the bottom line.The government(s) of course want control of this miracle we call Marijuana, in their own way. In the meantime, while control is being established by either side of this war, the sick are in pain and people are dying.We ask people that you write to the Prime Minister of Canada and The Minister of Health, requesting that these charges be dropped and his property returned, so a sick man (whose only wish is to help others in the same situation) can get on with his life and doing what he does best – helping others. Please also write to your Government and ask them to write to the Canadian Government and ask for clemency and a decent policy on the whole issue of Medicinal Marijuana.Marco Renda should be held up as a real Canadian, a true pioneer, a hero, not a criminal.Until such time that Marijuana is legal for all peoples round the world, the Medicinal Marijuana community will continue to grow and will support each other, with our networks and contacts. Written for, and on behalf of; Members from the Medicinal Marijuana Community World Wide, by People Helping People.For more information go to http://www.treatingyourself.com or http://www.people-helping-people.org.uk [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by potpal on April 20, 2005 at 10:44:02 PT crude and out of control What are prohibitionists? [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by E_Johnson on April 20, 2005 at 10:40:48 PT A raging forest of snake oil in the home furnace What drug is Barthwell on? Isn't she in recovery herself? She talks like a crackhead. Her metaphors are insane. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on April 20, 2005 at 10:27:02 PT In Snipped Portion of Article To help win U.S. approval, the firm has hired U.S. drug experts as well as Andrea Barthwell, former medical director for federal drug czar John Walters."Having this product available will certainly slow down the dash to make the crude plant material available to patients across the country," said Barthwell, an addiction medicine specialist.Some medical marijuana activists suggested that Sativex could help spur efforts to legalize medicinal use of leafy marijuana."In practical terms," said Mirken, of the Marijuana Policy Project, "Sativex is to marijuana as a cup of coffee is to coffee beans."Barthwell drew a different comparison."Comparing crude marijuana to Sativex is like comparing a raging forest fire to the fire in your home's furnace," she said. "While both provide heat, one is out of control." [ Post Comment ] Post Comment