cannabisnews.com: Will Third Time Be The Charm for MMJ Effort?





Will Third Time Be The Charm for MMJ Effort?
Posted by CN Staff on May 10, 2007 at 05:51:20 PT
By Haley Murray
Source: Collinsville Herald
Illinois -- Once again, the question of legalizing marijuana for medical use has found itself on the floor of the Illinois Senate.Senate Bill 650 is the third such effort by Sen. John J. Cullerton (D-Chicago) to permit people diagnosed with debilitating medical diseases, like terminal cancer, and their physicians to legally possess marijuana.
Just last year, Cullerton sponsored a similar bill that did not come up for discussion before the session ended Jan. 9. He was also the force behind a 2005 bill that sought to create a commission to study the medical marijuana issue. The initiative stalled in the Senate Rules Committee, and never came up for discussion in the full Senate.The proposed bill amends the state Cannabis Control Act, and would require patients and physicians to obtain a registry identification card issued by the Illinois Department of Public Health. All plants must be grown in an indoor, locked facility.Marijuana use by people with weakening diseases, like HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis and cancer has been proven to improve their quality of life, said Bruce Mirken, a representative for the Marijuana Policy Project, which strives for the national legalization of medical marijuana.  It can stimulate the appetite, relieve nausea and alleviate critical pain, he said."A lot of the strongest support has come from AIDS groups," Mirken said. "People with HIV suffer from a particular kind of pain caused by the virus itself."This intense kind of pain, called peripheral neuropathy, is caused by damage to the peripheral nervous system. People who suffer from peripheral neuropathy often do not respond to conventional pain pills, Mirken said. Other sufferers include people with kidney failure, diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.It is for this reason that Jamie Clayton, a Madison County native who grew up in Bethalto and now lives in Grafton, supports the measure."One of my biggest problems is peripheral neuropathy. That's my biggest downfall at this point in time," he said.Clayton is well versed in the medical marijuana trials that took place at the University of California at San Francisco, and has sent literature and a documentary about the project to local legislators, including Sen. William Haine (D-Alton) and Sen. James Clayborne (D-Belleville). Haine and Clayborne's offices did not return phone calls seeking comment.The trials, which focused on the plant's effect on people with peripheral neuropathy, found that more than half of the study's subjects realized a 30 percent decrease in pain, as well as an increase in appetite and the ability to keep food down."I really do hope that 650 makes it this time. We were close last year, but we've gotten more attention this year," he said.The Illinois Nurses Association, the AIDS Foundation of Chicago and the Test Positive Aware Network have endorsed the bill. It has also received support from a surprising audience -clergymen."A number of religious denominations support this," said Mirken. "They way the look at it is, it's a natural extension of basic religious values of charity and mercy."The bill has passed the Public Health Committee 6-4 and is slated for a vote before the end of the month.If passed, Illinois would become the 13th state to legalize marijuana for medical use. Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington have all legalized medical marijuana in the past decade."It's not a recreational drug, it's a therapeutic element," Clayton said. "It has remarkable anesthetic abilities to reduce pain. It's as equally important as any other aspect of medicine, and that's the message we want to get across."Note: Latest bill would allow those with AIDS, cancer to use the drug to ease pain.Source: Collinsville Herald (IL)Author: Haley MurrayPublished: Wednesday, May 9, 2007Copyright: 2007 Collinsville HeraldContact: hmurray yourjournal.com Website: http://collinsvilleherald.stltoday.com/Related Articles:Will Our Leaders Be Dopes?http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22943.shtmlBackers Stress Compassion of Medical Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22919.shtmlClergy Join Push To OK Medical Pothttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22910.shtml
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Comment #27 posted by FoM on May 11, 2007 at 07:58:49 PT
mayan
I don't think it's hard to do. I respect how you feel. I don't believe like you do but it doesn't matter because it shouldn't matter. You beliefs are yours.
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Comment #26 posted by mayan on May 11, 2007 at 07:49:27 PT
Simple?
Easier said than done.
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Comment #25 posted by FoM on May 11, 2007 at 07:47:33 PT
mayan
I believe it is very simple to be united. We should respect each other and allow each person to stand by who they believe in. That is the only way to unite us all. 
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Comment #24 posted by mayan on May 11, 2007 at 07:20:09 PT
We Must Unite
I would rather see Obama win than Hillary,Giuliani or McCain. If any of those win, our country will still be polarized.Imho, Ron Paul is the only candidate than can transcend the political spectrum and unite our country once again. The powers that be have largely succeeded in polarizing us but their greatest fear is seeing the people unite. That is one reason why they absolutely fear Ron Paul.
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Comment #23 posted by FoM on May 11, 2007 at 06:51:03 PT
mayan
I don't hate people's choices for President but you seem to. I can say I like Ron Paul and mean it. I like a number of people running for President this time. Hilary will probably get the nomination so Obama won't be a concern for people who don't want him to make it.
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Comment #22 posted by mayan on May 11, 2007 at 06:47:50 PT
Pon Paul
Who's that guy?
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Comment #21 posted by mayan on May 11, 2007 at 06:42:50 PT
FoM
You said..."As far as Obama goes he's a politician and he is no different then anyone that gets involved in politics. It's not a nice profession." Oh, so that excuses all of the crooks. Please don't lump Pon Paul in with the rest of the prostiticians. His voting record is impeccable when it comes to upholding Our Constitution. He raised under $640,000 in the first fundraising quarter of the year and almost all of it was from small,individual donations. That is pocket change compared to the establishment candidates. How much has Obama raised? Just who has he taken money from?Ron Paul's Online Rise:
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/blogs/news_blog/070509/ron_pauls_online_rise.htm
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Comment #20 posted by FoM on May 10, 2007 at 21:41:19 PT
Illinois Senate Votes Down Medical Marijuana Bill
May 11, 2007SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Hopes of legalizing medical marijuana in Illinois have gone up in smoke — for now. The Illinois Senate, by a narrow 22-29 vote, turned down a bill that would have allowed doctors to prescribe the drug to patients suffering from painful, debilitating conditions such as cancer, multiple sclerosis or epilepsy."This is disappointing," said Sen. John Cullerton, D-Chicago, the sponsor of the bill. "I don't think people realize how popular this is in their districts. This is overwhelmingly supported."Only one Republican, Sen. Dave Syverson, R-Rockford, voted for the bill, while 21 of the 37 Democrats voted for it. Snipped:Complete Article: http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/illinoisnews/story/2813DA28786190E9862572D8000D251B?OpenDocument
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Comment #19 posted by FoM on May 10, 2007 at 18:33:45 PT
mayan
We have so many people that don't have health insurance and are working in small factories that don't offer any option. That is a big issue with my friends.As far as Obama goes he's a politician and he is no different then anyone that gets involved in politics. It's not a nice profession.. 
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Comment #18 posted by mayan on May 10, 2007 at 18:29:00 PT
FoM
What issue would that be?Whig, yes he is. He is bought and sold just like the republicans.
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Comment #17 posted by FoM on May 10, 2007 at 18:24:38 PT
whig
I really would appreciate it if you took a few days off from posting on CNews. Thanks.
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Comment #16 posted by FoM on May 10, 2007 at 18:09:32 PT
whig
What are you trying to say about Senator Obama?
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Comment #15 posted by FoM on May 10, 2007 at 18:08:57 PT
mayan
I don't think Democrats are anything like the current Republicans in power. Cannabis is one issue that neither side is gung ho on but the Democrats are in tune with important issue that seriously concern me and my friends. 
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Comment #14 posted by whig on May 10, 2007 at 18:05:02 PT
mayan
Isn't Barack Obama an Illinois Democrat?
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Comment #13 posted by mayan on May 10, 2007 at 17:53:27 PT
Illinois Democrats
They are no better than the republicans. I hope folks are finally waking up to the fact that the two parties are one.
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Comment #12 posted by FoM on May 10, 2007 at 14:45:53 PT
Press Release from MPP
Medical Marijuana Bill Defeated in Senate; Supporters Vow to Try Again***Patients and Health Care Providers Say Senators Ignored DataMay 10, 2007SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS — Health care providers and medical marijuana patients and supporters reacted to today's Senate defeat of medical marijuana legislation by vowing to renew the fight. SB 650, sponsored by Sen. John Cullerton (D-Chicago), failed by a vote of 22-29, with four voting "present."The bill failed despite active support from more than 900 Illinois doctors, 300 nurses and 50 clergy members, as well as the Illinois Nurses Association and the Chicago AIDS Foundation."I am saddened to hear that the bill did not make it out of the Senate," said Gretchen Steele of Coulterville. "As a registered nurse, I know that research and science support this legislation. As a multiple sclerosis patient, I feel slighted and have to wonder where our legislators' hearts are on this day.""There is no logical reason to not have an implementable medical marijuana law in this state," said Dr. David Ostrow, Chicago physician, HIV/AIDS researcher and founder/director of the Medical Marijuana Advocacy Project. "The medical community strongly supported this bill, but our lawmakers unfortunately did not listen to the scientific evidence for medical marijuana's safety and efficacy this time around. I hope that someday soon, medicine, not politics, will prevail in Illinois and at the national level as well.""We are not going to abandon the patients, doctors and nurses who have worked so hard to protect the sick and suffering," said Ray Warren, director of state policies for the Marijuana Policy Project in Washington, D.C. "Science, compassion and simple common sense say this is the right thing to do. We'll be back."Medical marijuana laws are on the books in Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington. Recent studies have demonstrated that marijuana relieves a type of debilitating nerve pain that commonly afflicts AIDS patients, and that medical marijuana use is associated with improved treatment adherence and increased cure rates for hepatitis C.With more than 21,000 members and 100,000 e-mail subscribers nationwide, the Marijuana Policy Project is the largest marijuana policy reform organization in the United States. MPP believes that the best way to minimize the harm associated with marijuana is to regulate marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol. For more information, please visit: http://www.MarijuanaPolicy.orghttp://www.mpp.org/site/apps/nl/content2.asp?c=glKZLeMQIsG&b=1157875&ct=3850613
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Comment #11 posted by Max Flowers on May 10, 2007 at 14:12:07 PT
Moronic brownie-OD'ing cop
That is GREAT, talk about instant karma. He deserved every moment of terror thinking he was going to die, for the obvious reasons but also because he was too dumb to learn about the substance he was enforcing laws against. If he had known his "enemy" better before eating his enemy, he would have known that he was not about to die. Ha! I love this story. I will love it even more if he get punished in some appropriate way for the crime of stealing (and getting high off of) drug evidence.Stupid cop. Now you're going to see how it feels to be persecuted for eating some plant matter!
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Comment #10 posted by FoM on May 10, 2007 at 12:50:50 PT
Press Release from MPP
Angel Raich to End Medical Marijuana Legal Appeals***Patient and Her Supporters Vow to Take the Fight to CongressMay 10, 2007SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA — In consultation with her legal team, medical marijuana patient Angel Raich has decided not to pursue further appeals in her litigation seeking the right to protect her life and health through the use of medical marijuana. Lawyers will file a notice of dismissal today in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, but Raich and her supporters emphasized that her struggle will continue."I'm not a quitter, so this was a hard decision," Raich said. "But I've lost all faith in the judicial system. Right now I need to concentrate on my health. Because my brain tumor is beginning to cause damage to the nerves, I will need to undergo radiation treatment and focus on my recovery, but as soon as I've recovered I am going to get back to work on taking the fight to Congress.""Upon analysis, the avenues left to us did not look fruitful," said Robert Raich, attorney for the plaintiffs. "It's a sorry commentary that right now we simply cannot depend on the courts to uphold fundamental rights, even the right to life."On March 14, a panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected Angel Raich's appeal for protection against federal arrest, based on her doctors' testimony that medical marijuana is essential for her survival. The court left open the possibility that she could successfully raise a medical necessity defense were she to be arrested."The battle to protect medical marijuana patients like Angel isn’t ending. It's simply moving to another playing field -- Congress," said Rob Kampia, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project in Washington, D.C., which has supported and helped to fund Raich's litigation.Two years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court acknowledged that Angel Raich had made “strong arguments ... that marijuana does have valid therapeutic purposes” and expressed hope that those arguments “may one day be heard in the halls of Congress.” MPP estimates that Congress will be taking up legislation this summer -- the fifth summer in a row -- to prohibit the U.S. Justice Department from spending taxpayer money to arrest medical marijuana patients and providers in the 12 states where medical marijuana is legal.With more than 21,000 members and 100,000 e-mail subscribers nationwide, the Marijuana Policy Project is the largest marijuana policy reform organization in the United States. MPP believes that the best way to minimize the harm associated with marijuana is to regulate marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol. For more information, please visit http://www.MarijuanaPolicy.orghttp://www.mpp.org/site/apps/nl/content2.asp?c=glKZLeMQIsG&b=1157875&ct=3849205 
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Comment #9 posted by FoM on May 10, 2007 at 12:05:48 PT
Press Release From The Drug Policy Alliance
DPA Appointed to San Francisco Committee on Marijuana Offenses***May 10, 2007Following a vote last fall to make adult marijuana offenses the lowest local law enforcement priority, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors has created a community oversight committee to ensure implementation of the new ordinance. Camilla Norman Field, the deputy director of DPA's San Francisco office, who was deeply involved in the effort to pass the law, was appointed to the committee as the drug policy reform organization representative.
 The committee will act as a liaison between law enforcement officials and individuals who believe they were wrongly arrested, prosecuted, or incarcerated, and will make recommendations to law enforcement regarding implementation of the ordinance.
 "Like many other deprioritization ordinances adopted across California last fall, the language is subjective enough that the committee must provide the ‘teeth’ of implementation," said Field. "I look forward to engaging law enforcement on how we can support our community’s desire to reallocate limited resources to more serious and violent crime."
 Along with Field, other members of the committee include Patt Denning (harm reduction practitioner), Richard Rendon (juvenile justice advocate), Mira Ingram (medical cannabis patient), Catherine Smith (medical cannabis dispensary owner), and a representative from the public defender’s office. Law enforcement and the department of public health have also been encouraged to send representatives. 
The committee will spend the next two years monitoring the implementation of the lowest law enforcement priority ordinance. 
http://www.drugpolicy.org/news/051007sf.cfm
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Comment #8 posted by Hope on May 10, 2007 at 09:54:27 PT
I so agree, Dongenero.
"God help us."
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Comment #7 posted by Hope on May 10, 2007 at 09:52:02 PT
If anyone ever deserved it...they did.
But, my oh my, what a fine mess they got themselves into.(The fool thinks stolen food tastes sweeter.)
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Comment #6 posted by Hope on May 10, 2007 at 09:49:02 PT
Comment 5
Oh, my Lord!
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Comment #5 posted by FoM on May 10, 2007 at 08:59:11 PT
Off Topic
Officer Allowed To Quit Quietly After Marijuana Brownie Case***By Jennifer Dixon May 10, 2007Dearborn police declined to pursue criminal charges against one of its officers last year, even after the cop admitted to taking marijuana from criminal suspects and, with his wife, cooking it up in brownies.Then-Cpl. Edward Sanchez was allowed to resign from the department, but he was not charged with a crime. He declined to comment Wednesday.His wife, Stacy Sanchez, admitted to police investigators that on another occasion she removed cocaine from her husband's police cruiser -- drugs purportedly earmarked to train police dogs -- and used it during a three-week binge. She, too, has not been charged criminally. Dearborn Police Cmdr. Jeff Geisinger left a phone message with Free Press reporting partner Local 4-WDIV saying Sanchez resigned during an internal investigation. Geisinger did not return subsequent calls asking why Sanchez was not prosecuted.The decision not to charge Sanchez upset Dearborn Councilman Doug Thomas, who said the department's inaction sends the wrong message to the public."If you're a cop and you're arresting people and you're confiscating the marijuana and keeping it yourself, that's bad. That's real bad. That's like apprehending a bank robber and keeping some of the money for yourself."He promised to investigate."It doesn't add up here," Thomas said. "If he was allowed to resign with no action, he can apply for another police position. There's all kinds of ramifications."The department's investigation began with a bizarre 911 call from Sanchez's home in Dearborn Heights. On the night of April 21, 2006, a panicky Sanchez told an emergency dispatcher he thought he and his wife were overdosing on marijuana."I think we're dying," he said in the 5-minute tape, obtained under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act."We made brownies and I think we're dead, I really do," Sanchez continued.
 Complete Article: http://www.dailypressandargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070510/NEWS01/70510005
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Comment #4 posted by OverwhelmSam on May 10, 2007 at 07:45:58 PT
Great Article!
Should be sent to every legislator in the country.Sen. Rhoda Perry, who has sponsored medical marijuana legislation in one form or another for nearly a decade, thanked fellow senators for supporting the law and lifting the sunset clause. "It really has taken almost eight years for it to be at the point we are at right now," Perry told her colleagues. "I believe my actions and your actions have allowed seriously ill people to alleviate their pain and suffering and pain without fear of arrest or prosecution on a state level. "Over 250 of our constituents," Perry said, "people who are suffering from AIDS, cancer, multiple sclerosis, other debilitating, chronic pain conditions are now a part of this groundbreaking program."The science supporting medical marijuana is now beyond doubt, and Rhode Island's experience with this law has been completely positive," said Ray Warren, director of state policies for the Marijuana Policy Project in Washington, D.C. Source: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n578/a05.html?999
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Comment #3 posted by dongenero on May 10, 2007 at 07:45:17 PT
Faux Noise
I hate that show H and C, Faux and Fiends, et al, that entire news network is complete Bull S**t.What is scary, is that they have the viewership to remain in business. Not to appear in too much despair, nor overly religious but, God help us.
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Comment #2 posted by mayan on May 10, 2007 at 07:22:44 PT
Last Night's H&C
Despite the fact that Tarpley got jumped by both jackasses, he still managed to get in a couple good jabs...Video: Tarpley on Hannity and Colmes;
http://911blogger.com/node/8471
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Comment #1 posted by mayan on May 10, 2007 at 07:12:35 PT
Democrats
They have absolute power in Illinois. We'll soon find out where they stand.Here's some good news...Ron Paul WILL BE participating in May and June debates:
http://infowars.net/articles/may2007/100507participating.htm
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