cannabisnews.com: Marijuana Bill is Off The Mark
Marijuana Bill is Off The Mark
Posted by CN Staff on December 12, 2005 at 08:36:48 PT
By Rachel White
Source: Juneau Empire
Alaska -- I am writing in regards to the article "Governor set to push anti-marijuana legislation again" that was published Dec. 9. I would just like to comment on the ignorance established behind these ideas. Keep in mind, this rebuttal is coming from a law-abiding citizen, born and raised in Juneau and under the age of 25. The point of this bill is "the state wants to prevent marijuana from getting into the hands of children by going after local growers." Seeing as how you have people like John Fielder, a clinical physiologist at St. Mary's medical hospital in San Francisco, phoning the Senate and saying such quotes as this, "If I smoke marijuana, I may not be led to rob a store.
But I can lose my job and then be motivated to steal." And coming from Dean Guaneli, "The bill hearings are a platform to get testimony on the record, so that if the bill passes, the findings can be used in court." But why would those hearings have to come from health care "experts?" Why not somebody who is street smart, representing their own town?Being born and raised in Juneau, I see alcohol as one of the biggest problems in this state, let alone the capital. It is obvious that this problem is not being targeted to be resolved. I have personally seen people lose their jobs due to alcohol use, steal, beg, not to mention the amount of violent crimes and deaths that involve alcohol. I also know that most of the disgusting events that happen due to alcohol use don't even get reported. That to me seems like a bigger problem. I am against drinking and driving and alcoholism, but does a bill ever get sent to the Senate about it? No.If marijuana was legalized and controlled, like alcohol, the amount of alcohol related crimes, especially violent crimes would go down immensely in Juneau within two years. I don't believe or respect the idea that marijuana promotes violence or failure. I think marijuana is irrelevant to the classified narcotics that are flourishing here. For example, does anybody question the dangerous, extremely addictive narcotics that are clouding this town like OxyContin or methamphetamines? That would seem like a more obvious target than marijuana. The "gateway drug" scenario is completely bypassed at this realm. I recently spoke to someone under the age of 21 that said they spend about $1,300 a month on OxyContin. So, where is the problem here? Is it in marijuana, or is it uselessly targeted to be a problem?Having seen addictions happen and all the bad things related to these narcotics and alcohol use, I have not seen anything bad happen from marijuana use. And what about the amount of marijuana-related violent crimes or car accidents? Is there a statistic for that? For years on end marijuana has been targeted as a "downfall to society" but why not look beyond the ignorance? Does anybody remember how many doctors in this town signed a petition last year promoting the legal use of marijuana? Around 14 respected doctors. Would they link their names to any of the other drugs I have mentioned in this article? Most of people addicted to these narcotics are under the age of 21. To be a full-on addict at that age seems like a huge problem to me. You don't see marijuana smokers going through violent withdrawals that include uncontrollable shaking and vomiting. And to top it off, we don't even have the facilities to rehabilitate these addicts. There is no methadone clinic. There is no methamphetamine specific treatment center. There isn't even court-ordered, in-patient alcohol treatment for extended periods. But what do I know? I'm just a 23-year-old citizen that doesn't get asked.• Juneau resident Rachel White works at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Source: Juneau Empire (AK)Author: Rachel WhitePublished: December 12, 2005 Copyright: 2005 Southeastern Newspaper CorpWebsite: http://www.juneauempire.com/Contact: letterstotheeditor juneauempire.comRelated Articles:Governor Set To Push Anti-Marijuana Legislation http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21369.shtmlPot Measure Would Test Court Rulingshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20198.shtmlGovernor Moves To Change Pot Lawhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20151.shtml
Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help
Comment #10 posted by Shishaldin on December 12, 2005 at 15:23:54 PT
Things just heated up in San Diego
*This is an emergency alert from Americans for Safe Access. *Today, Monday December 12th, federal agents raided at least seven medical cannabis dispensaries in San Diego with the help of the local police and sheriff. If you live in the San Diego area:We are asking all local medical cannabis supporters to rally in opposition to these raids at noon tomorrow, Tuesday, December 13th in front of the San Diego federal building, 880 Front Street, San Diego.ASA activists are also holding an emergency meeting tonight at 9:00p.m. at Twiggs Coffee House, 4590 Park Blvd., San Diego.If you live outside of the San Diego area:We are asking all medical cannabis supporters to rally in opposition to these raids at noon on Wednesday, December 14th in front of your local federal building. Please contact Rebecca immediately at rebecca safeaccessnow.org if you plan to organize one of these rallies so we can post the information on our website.***********These demonstrations are a vital part of our grassroots opposition to the federal crackdown. Please make plans to attend and encourage others to do so. Please check our web site or call the ASA office if you need additional information. Our web site is www.safeaccessnow.org You can reach the ASA office directly at (510) 251-1856. Thank you for your active support and participation.
--
Rebecca Saltzman
Field Coordinator
Americans for Safe Access
p (510) 251-1856
f (510) 251-2036
www.safeaccessnow.org
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #9 posted by Toker00 on December 12, 2005 at 14:55:34 PT
We are allowing our government to kill us.
Everything we need to exist in peace, good health, and with unlimited sustainability, grows right up here on top of the ground, or no more than a few inches under it. Plants and all living things are our kin. Nature gives to us, but we try to destroy her and deny humanity her fruits. The heaven we seek will only be obtained when there is a balance between Man and Nature. Until then, Nature will continue to kill Man, and Man will continue to kill Nature. This planet was formed with every cure, remedy and treatment for every disease or discomfort we have, but we can't just take and not respect or give back or share. These terrible diseases we suffer from today are due to ignorance and greed of the very people who could have taken this tool we call science, or knowledge, and used it for everyone's benefit. Instead, greed created monopoly. Keeping us from natural medicine is killing us. Keeping us "drug free" is sending us back in time to when man knew nothing about natural medicine. These Pills the Pill Masters force on us by law, could be changing our genetic make-up. And with these same laws, these Pill Masters are depriving us of the very Earth Born medicines we have always needed and had, for eons before these "Laws" were made.Take back the Earth!Wage peace on war. END CANNABIS PROHIBITION NOW!
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #8 posted by dongenero on December 12, 2005 at 14:13:40 PT
pharmaceuticalized cannabis
In a recent breakthrough; scientists, by pharmaceuticalizing cannabis have achieved the first ever cannabis death.Bravo gentlemen. This might be a good time for that old saying, 'keep it simple stupid".Hey it comes right off the plant ready to use! What are you making it so difficult and dangerous for?Oh yeah, profit and prohibition.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #7 posted by siege on December 12, 2005 at 13:46:39 PT
Kidney Disease: Cannabis Cream Effective Treatment
Welcome to BBSNews
Monday, December 12 2005 04:46 PM EST
Science: Cream with endocannabinoids effective in the treatment of pruritus due to kidney disease
Sunday, December 11 2005 09:22 PM ESTViews: 118Kidney Disease: Cannabis Cream Effective Treatment for PruritusIACM via BBSNews 2005-12-11 -- Researchers of the University of Wroclaw, Poland, investigated the effects of an ointment with structured physiological lipids and endocannabinoids in 21 patients with pruritus due to end- stage failure of kidney function.`` Medicinal Cannabis Symbol. Image credit BBSNews. it is very probable that the observed decrease of pruritus with the test product therapy was not only the result of dry skin improvement but that the addition of endocannabinoids may have also played a role. ´´Source: Szepietowski JC, Szepietowski T, Reich A. Efficacy and tolerance of the cream containing structured physiological lipids with endocannabinoids in the treatment of uremic pruritus: a preliminary study. Acta Dermatovenerol Croat 2005;13(2):97- 103.
So-called uremic pruritus is still a common symptom in patients with end-stage renal failure. However, there is no effective treatment for this condition. All patients applied the tested cream twice daily for a period of three weeks. Global pruritus and dry skin were examined before the trial, on study visits at weekly intervals, and two weeks after completion of the study.After 3-week therapy pruritus was completely eliminated in 8 patients. Dry skin was significantly improved. Researchers noted that "it is very probable that the observed decrease of pruritus with the test product therapy was not only the result of dry skin improvement but that the addition of endocannabinoids may have also played a role."http://bbsnews.net/article.php/20051211212223236
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #6 posted by siege on December 12, 2005 at 13:42:18 PT
Patient died after cannabis trial, inquest hears
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1922427,00.htmlA 69-year-old woman developed severe mental health problems after taking part in trials of a cannabis-based treatment and died five months later, an inquest heard today.Rene Anderson, a diabetic, began to become "confused and intoxicated" just three days after starting to take the drug Sativex, which is derived from cannabis.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #5 posted by dongenero on December 12, 2005 at 13:28:02 PT
great letter Rachel White !
It sure is nice to see such a thoughtful, well written letter from this young Alaskan.This kind of engagement is exactly what is needed.Well done Rachel.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #4 posted by siege on December 12, 2005 at 13:02:52 PT
should cannabis be legalised?
http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30100-13477560,00.html?f=rssyes 61.59 ( 7,610) votesno 38.40 ( 4,745) ''
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #3 posted by PainWithNoInsurance on December 12, 2005 at 10:55:14 PT
I Can Answer This One
Quote from article:
"The bill hearings are a platform to get testimony on the record, so that if the bill passes, the findings can be used in court." But why would those hearings have to come from health care "experts?
Why? Because the Health Care Experts can figure out how to run people's lives but they can't figure out how to provide health care to any of them.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #2 posted by mayan on December 12, 2005 at 10:53:01 PT
It's About Privacy
The author does an excellent job of pointing out the hypocrisy of the war on cannabis but fails to mention that Murkowski's bill is simply a ploy to allow law enforcement officers enter anyone's home at any time. They will only have to think they smell cannabis inside or have their dog bark at the right time.Governor Murkowski is also an oil industry puppet and we all know the many reasons why the petrol-people don't like cannabis.URGENT!!! PATRIOT Act Update: Calls needed now!
PLEASE DISTRIBUTE WIDELY:
http://www.bordc.org/newsletter/bordc-act-alert49.php
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #1 posted by FoM on December 12, 2005 at 10:28:27 PT
Just a Comment
The news is slow but I expect it will be because of it being Christmas time. I've been working on making a VCD with pretty pictures of Christmas and I am using John Lennon's Christmas song as the background music. I love the Internet and how we can learn to do so many wonderful things. Have a great day everyone!
Happy Holidays from Us To You
[ Post Comment ]
Post Comment