cannabisnews.com: Is 'Pot' Medicine or Drug?










  Is 'Pot' Medicine or Drug?

Posted by CN Staff on November 23, 2006 at 05:59:13 PT
By Alex Doty, Capital News Service 
Source: South Bend Tribune 

Lansing, Michigan -- Despite a lame duck Legislature, the House Government Operations Committee will meet Tuesday to discuss the possibility of legalizing medicinal marijuana.State Rep. LaMar Lemmons III, D-Detroit, the sponsor, said with a lame duck session, there will be less opposition and it would be more likely to pass. If there is no movement on the bill, he said it would likely be reintroduced next year in a Democratic-controlled House.
The proposal would allow the drug to be used only for specified conditions such as cancer, glaucoma, and chronic and debilitating diseases that produce severe pain, nausea, seizures or muscle spasms.To get a prescription, a physician would have to certify that a patient's need for medical marijuana would outweigh any harmful effects of the drug. Lemmons said he doesn't think the government should impede a physician doing what is best for a patient.Tim Beck, executive director of the Eastpointe-based Michigan chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, said medical marijuana is less expensive and not as strong as prescription pain medication.NORML has nine chapters in the state, including ones in Berrien, Macomb, Oakland and Tuscola counties, as well as a Southwest Michigan chapter.Paul Armentano, a representative from NORML's national headquarters in Washington, D.C., said other legislatures across the country are dealing with the issue."They are beginning to catch up to the will of the people," he said. Alleged abuses in states that have legalized medicinal marijuana have been minimal, Armentano said."This is not something new where we have to guess what will happen," he said. "We have real-world experience."The Drug Enforcement Administration has a different view on the value of marijuana as medicine.The agency said the Food and Drug Administration hasn't approved smoking marijuana for any condition or disease.In addition, it said the American Medical Association hasn't supported legalization of medicinal marijuana. The association wants to keep the prohibition until more research is performed. But Armentano said, "The therapeutic value of marijuana has been greatly studied in the past 10 to 12 years, more than in any other time in history."Beck said critics don't know what it's like to suffer from a condition which marijuana could help relieve, and said they should walk a mile in the shoes of those with such ailments."We think people should have a choice and they should be able to get the medication that their bodies need," Beck said. Note: Berrien among Michigan counties with medical marijuana backers.Source: South Bend Tribune (IN)Author: Alex Doty, Capital News ServicePublished: November 23, 2006 Copyright: 2006 South Bend TribuneContact: vop sbtinfo.comWebsite: http://www.southbendtribune.com/Michigan NORMLhttp://www.minorml.org CannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml 

Home    Comment    Email    Register    Recent Comments    Help





Comment #19 posted by FoM on November 27, 2006 at 12:12:00 PT
Related Article from The Associated Press
Marijuana Petition Drive for 2008 Ballot is Under Way***November 27, 2006LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan residents could legally use marijuana on private property for under a measure proposed for the 2008 ballot.The Board of State Canvassers today approved the form of a legislative petition proposed by an Eaton Rapids-based group backing the proposal.The measure would make it legal for those 18 and older to use marijuana on private property. Those found using the drug in public would be guilty of a civil infraction punishable by a 50-dollar fine.The measure also would allow people to grow marijuana at their residences.Supporters of the measure must gather about 304-thousand valid petition signatures to get on the 2008 ballot.Previous signuture-gathering attempts failed in 2000, 2002 and this year.Copyright 2006 Associated Presshttp://www.wlns.com/Global/story.asp?S=5733668&nav=0RbQ
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #18 posted by FoM on November 27, 2006 at 09:24:08 PT
Press Release from MPP
Hearing on Medical Marijuana Bill to Feature Patient Testimony***Irvin Rosenfeld, Who Receives Medical Marijuana From the U.S. Government, Patients from Detroit and Kalamazoo Will SpeakLANSING, MICHIGAN — On Tuesday, Nov. 28, the House Committee on Government Operations will hold a hearing on HB 5470, the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act, introduced by Rep. Lamar Lemmons III (D-Wayne County). The measure, similar to laws now in effect in Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington, would protect seriously ill patients using medical marijuana with their physician's recommendation from arrest and jail.URL: http://www.mpp.org/site/apps/nl/content2.asp?c=glKZLeMQIsG&b=1157875&ct=3268519
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #17 posted by FoM on November 24, 2006 at 07:20:02 PT
New Neil Young Video: The Restless Consumer
RESTLESS CONSUMER TAKES OVER U.S.Shoppers begin holiday ritual as corporations wait for first weekend stats....by RB Warford, LWW Today 
WMP: http://www.neilyoung.com/lwwtoday/lwwvideos/therestlessconsumer_wm.htmlQuicktime: http://www.neilyoung.com/lwwtoday/lwwvideos/therestlessconsumer_qt.htmlhttp://www.neilyoung.com/lwwtoday/
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #16 posted by FoM on November 24, 2006 at 06:36:56 PT
Thanks Everyone
I hope everyone had a great day yesterday. We had a really good time.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #15 posted by afterburner on November 23, 2006 at 21:11:25 PT
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone
Here is Canada, we celebrated Thanksgiving back in October (like Oktoberfest with beer optional). So, today a coworker and I had turkey and ham subs for lunch. We might have sparked one up if we hadn't been at work.I hope to have more turkey this weekend when I celebrate my birthday with my visiting and resident families.BTW, what a dumb title: we buy medicine at a drug store or a healh food shop. The polarization of the word 'drug' from the word 'medicine' is political mumbo-jumbo. I heard part of Jeff Wood's interview today with Ray Manzerik of The Doors, previewing their new digitally remastered 6 album box set with DVDs and interviews. Ray said that he couldn't see why they haven't legalized 'marijuana' yet. He and Jeff did a Safer-like comparison of whiskey and cannabis, making many of our usual points. Ray said that heroin and cocaine are medicines and should be prohibited from general use (i.e., non-medical), that heroin is for dulling extreme pain from injuries, that cocaine could be used as a dental anesthetic. He also said that cannabis and psychedelics should be available for mind exploration. He also said that we want the same things we did 40 years ago: end to war, alternatives to fossil fuel, organic farming, clean water and air, respect for Mother Earth. He said that every couple of years a new generation discovers The Doors and digs their music, and that it's happening around the world. He hopes to mentor them to help bring about the changes we all want to see, so that we can be proud of America again!  
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #14 posted by Had Enough on November 23, 2006 at 19:52:26 PT
Burp…
Good Turkey…Happy Thanksgiving… to all ...Peace to all Mankind…Plant That Bell and Let It Ring…We can do this!!!
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #13 posted by ekim on November 23, 2006 at 17:55:51 PT
Alzheimers amyloid proteins study could be added
we just received our three Medical Health book deal from a TV ad that had Hugh Downs as the interviewer. in fact that is why i wanted the set -- i have believed in Mr. Downs ever since he gave that most compassionate farewell as he left TV after many decades of hard work, as he said that the drug war was a mistake. back to the books i have been reading them and just skimming really. the big brown one the biggest says its a Treasury of Health Secrets.so i wanted to know about ginseng and went to the front
dont know if it has anything about the root i stopped here for now.
 and under -- The Truth About Medicines ----listed 3rd down that's three on page 107 its a saying Marijuana Can Be Effective Medicine.so i turn to hundredandseven and bamb-- John P. Morgan, MD, Professor of pharmacology at the City University of New York Medical School in New York City. 
He is coauthor of Marijuana Myths, Marijuana Facts. Lindesmith Center.he states the 9 plus DC states that have passed med cannabis bills.he states four ailments for which cannabis is effective relieving.Nausea and vomiting.
Muscle spasms.
Glaucoma.
AIDS-related "wasting"he says until fed lawmakers change the laws
 the average doctor is unwilling to recommend it.this great MD - Professor or pharmacology ends by stating 
marijuana no more addictive than caffeine.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #12 posted by Celaya on November 23, 2006 at 16:44:53 PT
Happy Holidays!
Thanksgiving is not only a great family time and opportunity to meditate on the abundance of life, it also begins our culture's month-long shift to feelings of goodwill to our fellow man. If we could keep this spirit all year long, perhaps the country would realize how shameful it is to persecute people for a natural growing herb.Our recently passed comrade, Dr. Michael Alcalay said he viewed the 
medical marijuana movement as an unrecognized part of a global movement toward social and economic justice.It's nice to know we are a part of that movement!Justice and Peace to all my great family in the struggle - here, and wherever they carry the torch! 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #11 posted by museman on November 23, 2006 at 12:16:39 PT
Thanks
To all of you, and to FoM. My house is full today. Music fills the air, with the aroma of that turkey.Cnews is a wondrous and comfortable (not too comfortable..)island in a sea of raging chaos.Someday I hope we can gather, and meet. That would be real cool.Peace to all 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #10 posted by E_Johnson on November 23, 2006 at 11:13:39 PT
Hey Happy Thanksgiving everyone
Thanks in particular to FoM. You've really made a difference. You should be proud of what you've done here.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #9 posted by nuevo mexican on November 23, 2006 at 09:53:41 PT
Happy Thanksgiving FOM!
what a great family we have at C-News! Everyone that posts' here is wonderful, full of insight and conscious of the world that exists around them!I've heard of celebrations around the globe taking place after the elections in the U.S., I think it is time to put the world on notice that we are ready to bring back a sense in the world that we have something to live for, a better, brighter, more compassionate, thoughtful and caring place, where basic trust in humankind can exist, without the fear-based reality that has been so successfully imposed on our planetary matrix!And to BGreen, and his experience playing lead on a rockin' Beethoven piece, is just amazing, and is there any way you have a recording of that for us to enjoy?That would be a crown jewel in my musical experience, or any musician OR guitar player, and I am glad to know someone who can do that, let alone getting to discuss our favorite topics with you!Thanks for sharing that info, remember back when Deep Purple 
did the orchestral thing, waaay back, you just triggered that memory. I doubt if it compares to what you did, I, along with Steve Vai, and all of those amazing guitar dudes would too!
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #8 posted by FoM on November 23, 2006 at 08:02:58 PT
One More Thing
We are seriously considering going to see TSO this year. Here is their schedule. I couldn't get the videos or music to work on TSO's web site. I hope others can.http://www.trans-siberian.com/ontour/index.php
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #7 posted by FoM on November 23, 2006 at 07:49:58 PT
BGreen
That is amazing. Thank you for sharing it with us. If people don't have this Christmas DVD by TSO it is one that should be in everyones collection. Music to me is a way of reaching way beyond where we live. It touches our very soul. People who don't find music a necessary part of their lives are missing so very much in my opinion. 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #6 posted by BGreen on November 23, 2006 at 07:43:09 PT
I love the guitar in the TSO
I got to perform with a symphony about 15 years ago, and I got to play with this guest artist: http://www.crystalmusic.com/taussig/Taussig had arranged the music of Beethoven as if Beethoven was a contemporary composer, and I had to improvise a soaring, distorted guitar solo for an incredibly rocking version of Beethoven's 5th Symphony, all with a full, professional Symphony Orchestra. It reminds me of the TSO so much, but I did it first. LOLThe Reverend Bud Green
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #5 posted by FoM on November 23, 2006 at 07:39:37 PT
John Tyler
And thank you for all you are doing. Nothing can change without each and everyone of us. We are a very special group and I thank God for all of you. Have a Great Thanksgiving Day.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #4 posted by John Tyler on November 23, 2006 at 07:35:11 PT
Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving to all of the CNews readers and contributors and especially to FOM for the great work she is doing.
[ Post Comment ]

 


Comment #3 posted by FoM on November 23, 2006 at 07:14:10 PT

BGreen
And we love you too! Have a great day. We just put on our DVD from The Trans-Siberian Orchestra. It's called the Ghosts of Christmas Eve. What a wonderful Christmas DVD. Here is a link to some videos for those who aren't familiar with TSO.http://www.trans-siberian.com/multimedia/video.shtml
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #2 posted by BGreen on November 23, 2006 at 07:08:44 PT

I'd rather spend my day with my CNews family
I'm closer to all of you because we share mutual ideas, NOT just genetics.Have a great day of feasting and be safe. I'll see you all back here later tonight.The Reverend Bud Green
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #1 posted by FoM on November 23, 2006 at 06:34:46 PT

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone
I just want to say thank you to everyone that has been a part of CNews. You are the best group of people I've ever met. We are going to visit family today and I hope many of you are too. I feel that we have a lot to be thankful for. I am proud of our citizens voting for change this year. If this had not happened I think I would have lost all hope.PS: Good luck Michael (if you are reading this) from Michigan NORML. I know you have worked very hard. 
[ Post Comment ]





  Post Comment