cannabisnews.com: Patients Rally for Medicinal Marijuana Use 





Patients Rally for Medicinal Marijuana Use 
Posted by CN Staff on February 08, 2006 at 09:40:59 PT
By Andrew Silva, Staff Writer 
Source: San Bernardino Sun 
San Bernardino, CA -- Former trauma nurse Alcima Talbott was hit so hard by a patient that her jaw was dislocated, her teeth broken, her neck seriously injured and her brain apparently damaged. Now unable to work because of chronic pain and spasms, she was back in front of her old boss and San Bernardino County supervisors on Tuesday pleading with them to drop their plans to file a lawsuit challenging California's medical-marijuana law.
"My (other) choice is to take vicodin, go to bed, get up, take vicodin, go to bed," she told the Board of Supervisors.About a dozen supporters of Proposition 215, California's medical-marijuana law approved in 1996, asked the board not to join San Diego County's suit against it.After the meeting, they demonstrated in front of the County Government Center in downtown San Bernardino with signs and banners reading "Cannabis is medicine" and "Stop arresting medical marijuana patients."Talbott worked at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, the county hospital in Colton that was run for several years by Mark Uffer, who is now the county administrative officer, the top appointed official in county government.With heavy doses of vicodin, a popular and powerful narcotic painkiller, she was unable to function, she said. Marijuana is the only medication that works for her."The medication is so effective. I use it for severe pain" and to reduce neck spasms, she said. "I really didn't want it to work."Also testifying were two of her children, who credited marijuana with giving them their mother back."Since she started medical marijuana, she has been able to get out of bed and spend time with her family," her 12-year-old daughter, Alexandra Talbott, told the board.Sara Henuber, a registered physician's assistant from Los Angeles who worked for a time in San Bernardino County, told the board cannabis is a "safe and benign" medicine that does have benefits.She said she's known of patients who have been harassed by deputies and had their doctor's letter and marijuana seized without any citations or charges."I believe San Bernardino County is going against the will of county voters," she said.The county's lawsuit, scheduled to be filed today in San Diego, will argue that federal law pre-empts state law, said Deputy County Counsel Alan Green."It's creating a lot of confusion for sheriff's deputies," he said.Sheriff Gary Penrod asked the board to file the suit to clarify what rules his deputies must enforce.Lawsuits have been brought against the county to return marijuana confiscated from patients, he said."Under federal law, if we give it back, we're aiding and abetting marijuana use," Green said.A U.S. Supreme Court decision last year said patients who use or cultivate marijuana are not immune to prosecution under federal law banning controlled substances.Tuesday's demonstration and testimony was organized by Americans for Safe Access, a group that works on behalf of medical-marijuana patients.Robert Brunelle, 24, told the board his wife uses marijuana and that he's known many people with cancer or HIV who have used it effectively."I can't help but think that what you're doing is wrong," he said.After the meeting, his wife, Cindy Brunelle, 22, said she has chronic shoulder pain and depression."I've tried every depression medication in the world," she said, adding, "Marijuana is the only thing I still function on." Source: San Bernardino Sun (CA)Author: Andrew Silva, Staff Writer Published: February 8, 2006Copyright: 2006 Los Angeles Newspaper GroupWebsite: http://www.sbsun.com/Feedback: http://www.sbsun.com/writealetterRelated Articles & Web Site:Americans For Safe Accesshttp://www.safeaccessnow.org/Protesters Picket County Over Marijuana Suithttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21578.shtmlCritics Decry Stone's Call for Medical Pot Suithttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21559.shtml 
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Comment #29 posted by seedless on February 12, 2006 at 08:03:52 PT
What pappens after Vicodan doesn't work ?
I have walked in your shoes still do.
I know you may not really be aware of it even people in Hospitals aren't aware of it.
But as quickly as Vicodan works at a point it will just stop
working now don't tell me I'll just take more.
 Not if you want your liver to survive it is loaded with the active ingredient in tylenol, look up the generic name and how many people that have had severe harm done to then by the ingredient in tylenol, as turns your liver to (****) better get as pro active as you can. Check the spelling i think it's spelling is (acetametaphen.
A conservative that reads and has had the(****) kicked out of him by the system.Chronic pain is hell.
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Comment #28 posted by whig on February 09, 2006 at 10:41:47 PT
SirEbram
Be careful. Younger people have not had the experiences that older folks have, and may underestimate both the importance of the issue and the dangerousness of the situation.Young people often think they are indestructible.In a spiritual sense, this is actually true, but in a mortal sense it is not.Medical marijuana is not an issue for most young people. Most are more interested in getting stoned for other reasons.There's nothing wrong with that, but address the right message to the audience you are speaking to. We should all be honest in what we say, not pretend to be for A when we are really for B. The anti-'s accuse us of being for medical marijuana when we are really for legalization. As a group, we are for BOTH. As individuals, we should speak from our own hearts.Your dad has undoubtedly taught you a lot and what I'm saying is probably nothing new.Ask yourself this: Why do YOU want prohibition of cannabis to be ended? Speak from YOUR heart on this issue.
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Comment #27 posted by FoM on February 09, 2006 at 10:39:24 PT
SirEbram
If you could develop a forum and get the younger generation active that would be a great project.
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Comment #26 posted by SirEbram on February 09, 2006 at 10:29:39 PT
Thanx Hope
I appreciate that very much.I don't know if it's wise, but I've been sending medical marijuana advocacy messages to all my chat friends on yahoo (over my friends list & not in chat rooms).I feel that the only way to stop the fascist Bush administration (and the corruption of the C.I.A. and F.B.I. in general) is to talk about it with the younger generations.I just have to be extremely careful how I come across to them... then it should be relatively benificial.Baby steps ;)
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Comment #25 posted by FoM on February 09, 2006 at 10:29:10 PT
George Soros
Hope I agree he is a good man. He doesn't want to see any culture or group of people isolated from society because that is very dangerous.
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Comment #24 posted by Hope on February 09, 2006 at 10:26:09 PT
George Soros
I love him. As far as men go...men meaning humans...he's a good one. He wants to help people. He wants people to be free from overpowering, cruel, and bad government. He saw the horrendous side of it even as a child in Europe during the thirties and forties and he is obviously dedicated to resisting it's wicked power to harm and dehumanize. He tries to help the powerless. I love him for that.
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Comment #23 posted by Hope on February 09, 2006 at 10:21:17 PT
SirEbram
Glad to see you. And it's good to see that some young people see the situation as clearly as you do. It's encouraging.
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Comment #22 posted by SirEbram on February 09, 2006 at 10:16:44 PT
Patients Rally for Medicinal Marijuana Use
Reading this article and seeing the mistreatment that the federal government deems (pretty much) as "just another duty under the law" makes me wonder just how different they are from the fascist nazi followers of hitler.If our own presidential administration is condoning, and even perpatrating these (inhumane & unconstitutional)actions then (in my opinion) THEY ARE HITLER!And further more, I think they should all be tried (in the supreme court) for high treason against our country, and war crimes against the american people (every single federal agent, and so called "public servant" behind these "drug-war" actions)!
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Comment #21 posted by mayan on February 09, 2006 at 02:44:28 PT
Dog Eat Dog
From Mark Souder's statement in FoM's comment #10:George Soros, the radical liberal financier who dedicated himself to defeating President George W. Bush in the last election, has taken a lesson from Jack Abramoff.If there is a current scandal surrounding Soros I'm sure it will come to light. Given the desperate attempt by Souder to distance himself from Jack Abramoff, don't be surprised if Souder himself ends up caught in that scandalous web also, although it is more likely that he simply is trying to advance up the ladder of congressional leadership after those higher than he fall. Dog eat dog. The dogs are getting desperate and dangerous.
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Comment #20 posted by Hope on February 08, 2006 at 22:50:43 PT
"Give Me Forty Acres..."
Glad you liked it. I'd have "tears streaming down my cheeks" if I were in those situations, I'm sure. Being a big rig driver is a nice accomplishment to have in your lifetime experiences. I admire your accomplishment, myself.
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Comment #19 posted by FoM on February 08, 2006 at 21:57:20 PT
Another Off Topic
Paul McCartney did a great job tonight at the Grammys. He looked happy and played Helter Skelter. It was great to hear and see. Neil didn't win but that's ok. He was up against tough competition. U2 won. He is one of my favorite musicians too.
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Comment #18 posted by FoM on February 08, 2006 at 21:47:59 PT
Hope 
Give me forty acres and I'll turn this rig around. I downloaded the song. I haven't heard that song since we were both on the road. I am really glad I had the opportunity to drive a little even though I had to sit on a pillow and had to have a pillow behind my back so I could reach the pedals. Oh such crazy days. Thanks.
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Comment #17 posted by Hope on February 08, 2006 at 21:37:29 PT
Completely off topic.
FoM, this afternoon my husband and I were out driving and he recalled this old song for some reason. I thought you'd really get a kick out of these lyrics because of your experiences, maybe. http://www.geocities.com/kfcjan3/Give Me Forty Acres
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Comment #16 posted by OverwhelmSam on February 08, 2006 at 20:01:25 PT
Pot calling the Kettle Black
I'm still celebrating marijuana's prohibition with a puff, puff, pass.SOUDER is one of the most extreme marijuana prohibition fanatics around. And he dares call someone else, a fanatic? We've got to burn this guy. Priority one!If we don't, others will back his hateful agenda. Souder, your values suck!
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Comment #15 posted by Hope on February 08, 2006 at 19:35:36 PT
Whoo!
 "...namely the promotion of gambling." Guess Souder will have to just march right up to and slap Virtuous Bill on both cheeks with his gloves next time they meet in the halls of Congress.Abramoff. When they get someone down they jump on him like a pack of dogs, don't they?I have a feeling this may mean Souder is next. When people act like that...they often are.Mark Souder and Cliff Kincaid! Can you imagine? Allow me a bit of deduction...I detect a couple of serious "backbiters". How'd you like to have lunch with those guys? Talk about "toxic" people.Oh my.
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Comment #14 posted by Hope on February 08, 2006 at 19:26:23 PT
Boy....
Prohibitionists so hate having the deck stacked against THEM!It might be time to "reap what you sowed"...and you career prohibitionsts dang sure sure "sowed" with a totally stacked deck.
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Comment #13 posted by Hope on February 08, 2006 at 19:23:05 PT
And
a little teeny tiny bit of empowerment, by communication and connection within a constantly changing framework of society as a whole, is available to the common man, woman, or child if they so choose to use it.I like it. It's been useful. 
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Comment #12 posted by Hope on February 08, 2006 at 19:17:48 PT
Information Entertainment
Communication Commerce ...Amazing thing, this Internet.
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Comment #11 posted by Hope on February 08, 2006 at 19:15:33 PT
Cool, Whig
It got me at "And the plot thickens....."
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Comment #10 posted by FoM on February 08, 2006 at 19:05:10 PT
DPFCA: Rep Souder on Soros, CPAC and MPP 
GEORGE SOROS' INFILTRATION OF CPACStatement for the Congressional Record Congressman Mark E. Souder (IN-03) February 8, 2006Mr. Speaker,George Soros, the radical liberal financier who dedicated himself to defeating President George W. Bush in the last election, has taken a lesson from Jack Abramoff.As much of Abramoff's pernicious lobbying technique has come to light, we've seen how he was adept at manipulating certain conservative organizations to pursue a decidedly anti-conservative agenda, namely the promotion of gambling. By working hand in hand with the Traditional Values Coalition (TVC), for example, he was able in 2000 to undermine conservatives' best effort to outlaw on-line gambling. Proxy organizations played a fundamental role in Abramoff's strategy.Since 1974, the American Conservative Union has held the Conservative Political Action Conference, or CPAC, which is billed as a three-day meeting for thousands of conservative activists and leaders to discuss current issues and policies and set the agenda for the future. I myself have addressed the conference in the past.One can imagine a conservative's surprise to read on the CPAC 2006 agenda that a representative of the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) is slated to moderate-yes, moderate-a panel Friday discussing drug policy. For those who are unacquainted with it, the pro-marijuana MPP has been funded by Soros in the past. Also represented on the panel is the Drug Policy Alliance, which is Soros' principal pro-drug arm. Incidentally, the moderator himself is a convicted drug dealer.What on earth were the CPAC organizers thinking? Why would the American Conservative Union allow extremist liberals like George Soros and Peter Lewis (who is responsible for most of MPP's funding) to access a meeting of conservatives? And, in exactly whose estimation would there be balance in a debate moderated by the MPP?Thanks to Accuracy in Media Report editor Cliff Kincaid, these are just a few of the questions that the CPAC organizers now face. I'd like to submit into the record his article of February 7, 2006, entitled "Soros Infiltrates Conservative Movement." In exchange for a donation, is this 32-year old conservative conference turning itself into a Soros proxy organization just like Abramoff's TVC?Over the last number of months, we've been surprised to learn how one such as Abramoff was able to exploit conservatives for his own purposes. Surely in this environment we can't miss seeing it when it's happening once again.California NORML (415) 563-5858 // canorml igc.org 2215-R Market St. #278, San Francisco CA 94114
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Comment #9 posted by whig on February 08, 2006 at 18:29:52 PT
FoM
It's International Cannagraphic, they've been discussing the disappearance of OG and such, because that's where the refugees have pretty much landed.
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Comment #8 posted by whig on February 08, 2006 at 18:29:00 PT
GCW
Best comment so far:http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=21027&page=2&pp=15Wow this is like Pothead CSI or something!
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Comment #7 posted by FoM on February 08, 2006 at 18:25:00 PT
whig
I checked out the link but what does it mean? It doesn't make any sense to me. I remember a long time ago a web site called Laughing Moon. It just basically seemed to go away if I remember right and then OG started. Maybe that's what it is all about. I really don't know.
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Comment #6 posted by whig on February 08, 2006 at 18:18:30 PT
GCW
http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=20498&page=78&pp=15
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Comment #5 posted by The GCW on February 08, 2006 at 18:05:34 PT
FoM & CNewsers,
Still no news about overgrow?
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Comment #4 posted by mayan on February 08, 2006 at 17:09:26 PT
Olympics
From potpal's article...Opposition leaders said it would be one of the first laws they abolish if they win power in April.Keep in mind that the Olympics start friday in Turin. The ruling elite in Italy have much more to worry about than cannabis. With the Islamic world erupting over the Prophet Muhammad cartoons, things are very tense in Europe. Of course, those cartoons were intended to inflame hatred in muslims and the desired result was achieved. If the globalists can't provoke terrorism they will likely conduct it themselves. The neo-cons in the U.S. and the gobalists of Europe are desperate to get the European people on board to support the inevitable invasion of Iran.NATO even has AWACS planes circling northern Italy just like they were in the U.S. after 9/11. If there is a terrorist act during the Olympics it will likely be blamed on muslims regardless of if they did it or not. Of course, the Italian elite are downplaying the threat of Islamic terror as not to scare away tourists from the Olympics...Italian interior minister: Domestic extremism biggest threat facing Olympics, not Islamic terror:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=oly&id=2322222
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Comment #3 posted by potpal on February 08, 2006 at 16:05:52 PT
Win some, lose some
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4695368.stm This sucks. 
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Comment #2 posted by Hope on February 08, 2006 at 12:32:47 PT
This law , dictate, or whatever it is,
could create a "lot of confusion" for sheriff's deputies as well.http://www.local6.com/news/6833079/detail.html
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Comment #1 posted by boballen1313 on February 08, 2006 at 12:04:42 PT:
THIS MAKES ONE WONDER 
"It's creating a lot of confusion for sheriff's deputies," he said.This makes one wonder what they are teaching at police academies... If this law confuses them, what turmoil the rest of the laws must wreak in their closed minds? 
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