cannabisnews.com: Panel Approves Expansion of MMJ Program Panel Approves Expansion of MMJ Program Posted by CN Staff on January 20, 2007 at 06:33:40 PT By Nancy Remsen, Free Press Staff Writer Source: Burlington Free Press Montpelier, VT -- More Vermonters would have the option of using marijuana to treat severe, persistent and debilitating symptoms that have failed to respond to other medical treatments under a bill approved Friday by the Senate Judiciary Committee. The bill, recommended on a 4-1 vote, would expand eligibility beyond the limits set now in Vermont's two-year-old law, which restricts participation to people with cancer, multiple sclerosis or AIDS. Under the Judiciary proposal, individuals with any chronic, progressive and debilitating condition that produces severe and persistent wasting syndrome, pain, nausea or seizures could seek protection from state prosecution for using marijuana to feel better. The proposal requires prospective participants to have tried traditional medical treatment first to relieve symptoms before turning to marijuana. "We aren't legalizing marijuana," said Sen. John Campbell, D-Windsor, one of the bill's sponsors. "You have to look at this from a compassionate perspective," he explained. "Someone suffering from such devastating illnesses as we address in this, they should be able to use a substance that will alleviate their symptoms." The bill also would allow people registered with the Medical Marijuana Program in the Vermont Department of Public Safety to grow more marijuana plants than the current law allows. The bill would permit four mature plants and 10 immature plants, up from one mature and two immature plants. Participants would pay less to register, too. The current fee is $100 a year, but would drop to $50 if the bill became law.Finally, the committee agreed that doctors outside Vermont could certify that individuals applying to the medical marijuana registry have the specified illnesses or intractable symptoms. The existing restriction -- Vermont doctors only -- created problems for Vermonters who see physicians in other states, which is common in some border communities. Sen. Alice Nitka, D-Windsor, was the lone opponent of the changes. "It's the expansion of the diseases," she explained. "It seems too unstructured to me." Nitka also worried about allowing participants to grow more plants, noting the committee heard conflicting testimony. "There seemed to be discrepancies in the amount of marijuana produced from a plant grown indoors." The bill moves next to the Senate Health and Welfare Committee where advocates will push to further expand eligibility to include individuals with glaucoma.Source: Burlington Free Press (VT)Author: Nancy Remsen, Free Press Staff WriterPublished: Saturday, January 20, 2007Copyright: 2007 Burlington Free PressContact: letters bfp.burlingtonfreepress.comWebsite: http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/Related Articles & Web Site:Marijuana Policy Projecthttp://www.mpp.org/Senate Looks To Expand Rx Marijuana Billhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22544.shtmlPatients Argue for Expansion of MMJ Lawhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22510.shtmlSears: Allow Sick To Grow More Pothttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22509.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #29 posted by FoM on January 20, 2007 at 19:17:30 PT Max Flowers One more thing. My Dad had trouble eating and choked often no matter how well he chewed his food. Then he got sick to his stomach. That's what I remember. [ Post Comment ] Comment #28 posted by FoM on January 20, 2007 at 19:14:17 PT Max Flower I had unbelievable pressure in my stomach and up high too. You'll be proud of me. I haven't had a diet coke for a couple of days and I lived on them. I didn't drink water but I am now. I got sick drinking the Coke so I'm done with it. That's one way to quit.The test nowadays has a more flexible tube then they did in 69. They were more rigid then and that's why it happened. Thank you. [ Post Comment ] Comment #27 posted by Max Flowers on January 20, 2007 at 19:02:28 PT #25 Oh jeez I'm sorry to hear that. And that is a textbook case of why I would be SO scared to get any kind of "-oscopy". [ Post Comment ] Comment #26 posted by Max Flowers on January 20, 2007 at 18:59:35 PT FoM Wow. Was it like a pressure feeling, like something trying to inflate at the top of your stomach, feeling more like in your chest than your stomach? That's what I had. I suggest you read the wikipedia entry for hiatal hernia and see if it seems right. For mine I strongly suspect it is, but luckily mine only hits every couple months or so for a few minutes. That's my excuse for never seeing a doctor about it.Were your dad's symptoms the same?Another thing you may be experiencing (that I'm well acquainted with) is the old enzyme deficiency, very common in people over 30. If you're not taking digestive enzymes, you should. I wouldn't exaggerate to you---they make a big difference. Enzymes, and probiotics. Cheap and available at health food stores, non-pharmaceutical, natural and they actually do something. I strongly recommend them.And I sure wish you would swear off the diet coke, I thought you would have heeded the warnings by now... aspartame (Nutra-sweet) is toxic stuff---very, very bad for you. It breaks down into methanol in your liver. Google "aspartame + toxicity". Could even be responsible for whatever is wrong with you now. Are you so attached to the stuff (diet coke) that you refuse to read about aspartame? If so, you'd have to admit that would be a remarkable hold that a simple soft drink has on you, wouldn't it? Makes you wonder eh? [ Post Comment ] Comment #25 posted by FoM on January 20, 2007 at 18:38:44 PT Max Flowers My father's symptoms were like mine. I was so sick it took me a while to figure out the similarities. His got so bad after years that he hemmoraged and was hospitalized. He didn't die from the hiatial hernia but the endoscopy procedure. They punctured his windpipe by accident.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endoscopy [ Post Comment ] Comment #24 posted by FoM on January 20, 2007 at 18:34:01 PT Max Flowers Sure I'll tell you. I was busy last Sunday and I didn't eat all day and then I made dinner. I had gotten about half way thru the meal when I got pain in my stomach that was almost pain that I thought I was having a heart attack. It lasted a longtime. Then the last few days I have had nausea and repulsion for food and coffee and diet coke. Today it has eased up but it was a very scary and disabling experience. [ Post Comment ] Comment #23 posted by Max Flowers on January 20, 2007 at 18:13:14 PT FoM You mentioned your father's hiatal hernia... could you (if you don't mind doing it) tell me what his symptoms were? The reason I ask is that I have an intermittent digestive symptom myself that is painful and kinda scary, and I read about hiatal hernia the other day and it sounded suspiciously close to what I was experiencing, but hearing how it manifested in someone else would be a big help so as to compare notes. Thanks. [ Post Comment ] Comment #22 posted by FoM on January 20, 2007 at 13:38:54 PT charmed quark Thank you. If all of these symptoms I have been having don't stop for good soon I will go to a doctor. I believe in doing all you can do without going to a doctor but if I have to go to one I reluctantly will. It has been a very hard week but today I feel so much better. [ Post Comment ] Comment #21 posted by charmed quark on January 20, 2007 at 13:32:01 PT FoM - backache Maybe you should get checked out - getting a backache while you have a cold or flu-like symptoms could be a sign of a number of more gneralized infections. [ Post Comment ] Comment #20 posted by Had Enough on January 20, 2007 at 12:20:22 PT Laduncon "The sneaky lil digestive helper....peppermint!”Yes it is…Notice there are no commercials on the idiot box, (boob tube, TV Ad Machine) for peppermint oil, instead of all those Big Pharm ads. [ Post Comment ] Comment #19 posted by FoM on January 20, 2007 at 12:12:28 PT Had Enough I really do feel better and I had peppermint essential oil before but I used it for it's aroma. We buy certains oils about once a month so we'll pick it up then. Thank you.Glad you liked the song. [ Post Comment ] Comment #18 posted by Had Enough on January 20, 2007 at 11:49:40 PT Cool Tune FoM I love that tune.Now I know for sure you are feeling better.I wanted to post that one-day for the museman. I’m sure he knows it, but I wanted to do it just for a reminder. A reminder that “we the people have found out” and have been singing about it for a while, like he has too. You have been blessed museman, at times it feels like a curse, but we can’t help what we know, and what we’ve seen. Need more listeners that can actually ‘hear’ though. Parallel thinking is what I’m thinkin. [ Post Comment ] Comment #17 posted by FoM on January 20, 2007 at 11:31:52 PT You Made Me Thing Of a Song! LOL! Strawberry Alarm Clockhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1V-Uk1W4Zg [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by laduncon on January 20, 2007 at 11:22:57 PT good ol Peppermint I think those digestive benefits are why they hand out peppermints in restaurants all over the place. The sneaky lil digestive helper....peppermint! [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by Had Enough on January 20, 2007 at 11:13:30 PT Peppermint Oil Suffering from indigestion? Peppermint oil is an excellent digestive aid. A few drops in a glass of water makes a refreshing after-meal beverage that not only tastes great, it improves digestion! Peppermint Oil eliminates gas, bloating and abdominal cramps. It improves circulation and the production of digestive fluids. All-natural Peppermint Oil relieves headaches, nausea and soothes spastic colon. Peppermint Oil is also a great expectorant. Use externally to treat colds, flus and fevers, it cools down the body, and relieve a variety of respiratory conditions. (Always dilute Peppermint Oil when applying externally.)http://www.1001herbs.com/peppermint-oil/PEPPERMINT OIL - ORAL side effects, medical uses, and drug ... Consumer information about the medication PEPPERMINT OIL - ORAL , includes side effects, drug interactions, recommended dosages, and storage information.www.medicinenet.com/peppermint_oil-oral/article.htm http://www.medicinenet.com/peppermint_oil-oral/article.htm [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by FoM on January 20, 2007 at 10:45:34 PT Had Enough I'll keep peppermint oil in mind when I buy more oils. Ginger is good for upset stomachs too. [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by Had Enough on January 20, 2007 at 10:40:09 PT FoM Glad to hear that you are feeling better. I don’t like going to doctors anymore than a dog going to the Vet. But sometimes we have to.It’s good that there is a place close enough that you can get to if needed.A long time ago, we used to get this peppermint oil from the drug store. Its taste is real strong, but it is supposed to be good for stomach ailments. I haven’t seen any in a while, but I’m sure it must still be available. And I’m no doctor trying to give medical advice. It’s just something I found out. [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by FoM on January 20, 2007 at 10:27:23 PT Had Enough We have a group of doctors about 10 miles from here. I did go to the one Doctor back in the 80s so they do have a record on me and that is where I would go. Thanks for asking. I am feeling a lot better today. [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by Had Enough on January 20, 2007 at 10:24:20 PT FoM Is there a town nearby you can get to, that has a clinic? [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by FoM on January 20, 2007 at 09:42:22 PT mayan I haven't had any alcohol since 94. I'm one of those people if I drank even one I would keep drinking so I avoid it altogether. It's amazing since I never liked drinking either. Some people are predisposed to alcohol dependency. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by mayan on January 20, 2007 at 09:35:36 PT FoM Have you tried drinking a beer or a glass of wine? One a day is actually good for you. A pint and a pinch keep the doctor away! [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by FoM on January 20, 2007 at 08:35:45 PT goneposthole I will give it a try. Thank you. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by FoM on January 20, 2007 at 08:34:42 PT Hope Thank you. I woke up with a terrible backache but it went away after I was up for a while. I did have a cup of coffee and it didn't bother me today. Now I have to be careful and try to eat often and a little at a time instead of a big dinner and I might be ok. My father had a hiatial hernia and it made him very sick. I think that could be my problem. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by Hope on January 20, 2007 at 08:28:51 PT Whew! I exhaled a great breath of relief when I saw your post! Thank you. And I'm so thankful and glad that you are feeling better! [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by FoM on January 20, 2007 at 08:24:44 PT Hope I'm so sorry. I am feeling fine today. This is the first day that I have felt ok since last Sunday. Our nephew stop by and I have been away from the computer. Thank you for caring. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by Hope on January 20, 2007 at 08:20:47 PT FoM...now I'm worried about you. If you can, I wish you'd comment so we'd know you were ok. I'm not feeling very patient this morning. I'm anxious to see a post from you. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by mayan on January 20, 2007 at 07:25:24 PT Another Invasion Bush Orders More CIA Activity in Venezuela: http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/news.php?newsno=2196Why? Is Venezueala going to attack us? HA! I believe that if or when we invade Iran we will also invade Venezuela. The ironic thing is that Hugo Chavez was actually elected by his people. A great majority at that! The neo-con fascists are preparing for more preemptive wars as Americans sit on their asses and watch American Idol. Sadly, ignorant and apathetic Americans will get what they deserve but the true patriots will suffer also. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by goneposthole on January 20, 2007 at 07:14:08 PT FoM I hope you're feeling better. Try grape juice. It does wonders for your system.A Bronx cheer for the DEA and the hopelessly corrupt US gov. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by mayan on January 20, 2007 at 06:54:40 PT Kucinich Open Letter: Kucinich Office says, "9/11 is over...it's passed" -- Review of 9/11 Report not a priority: http://www.911citizenswatch.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=991Dennis Kucinich just lost my support. It won't matter what he does with the ONDCP if we enter WWIII. Who cares if cannabis is legal if we don't have food or jobs? The Democrats are enabling the neo-cons to start a global war. That's the only reason they were allowed to win back congress. Fooled again.Ron Paul is the only real deal left standing within the major parties...Ron Paul 2008 Presidential Exploratory Committee: http://www.ronpaulexplore.com/ [ Post Comment ] Post Comment