cannabisnews.com: Turn Back Effort To Disguise Drug as Medicine Turn Back Effort To Disguise Drug as Medicine Posted by CN Staff on May 12, 2008 at 09:51:53 PT By Bob Bushman Source: Post-Bulletin Minnesota -- The organizations that represent Minnesota's police chiefs, sheriffs, county attorneys, police officers and narcotics investigators are united in opposition to legislation that would authorize the use of marijuana for medical purposes.The adoption of this legislation will pose numerous problems for Minnesota's law enforcement officials and will endanger the public's safety. If this proposal passes, federal law will still prohibit the possession, use and sale of marijuana. That will put Minnesota's law and law enforcement officers in direct conflict with our federal counterparts. One need only look at the situation in California, where marijuana has been legalized for medical use for some time, to see the extensive problems associated with the distribution of marijuana through hundreds of so-called "medical marijuana dispensaries," many of whom are purchasing marijuana-related drugs from organized criminals and the numerous so-called "patients" who are seeking marijuana for personal use without suffering from serious illness or disease.In its raw form, marijuana is a dangerous drug and is not a medicine. While the pro-marijuana lobby will vigorously refute this fact, citing selective bits of information from inconclusive research, they fail to mention that many professional medical organizations, including those representing the patients proponents say need it the most (the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and the American Cancer Society) do not support the medical use of marijuana.Currently, medical researchers and scientists are conducting studies to determine if certain properties of marijuana may be suitable for medical treatment of illnesses or ailments, which can be refined for safe pharmaceutical distribution. One such drug, Marinol, is currently available in pill form.Marijuana has not been approved by the FDA as a medicine. Unlike every other legitimate medicine, there are no provisions in this legislation to control the production, quality, or the potency of the marijuana, nor are there any regulations to ensure its safe handling or packaging. People who will grow and sell marijuana for medical use will do so with little oversight. Why shouldn't marijuana be subject to the same rules, standards and FDA testing to ensure its safety, that every other medicine is?Many of these same concerns have been expressed by members of the medical community, including the Minnesota Department of Human Services and the Minnesota Society of Addiction Medicine. A 1999 landmark study of the Institute of Medicine found there is only anecdotal information on the medical benefits of smoked marijuana for some ailments, such as muscle spasticity.For other ailments, such as epilepsy and glaucoma, the study found no evidence of medical value and did not endorse further research. This study concluded that there is little future in smoked marijuana as a medically approved medication because of the dangers of smoking a substance that contains many harmful substances.Marijuana is also an addictive drug. According to the Minnesota Department of Human Services, 7,784 people who reported marijuana as their primary substance of abuse received addiction treatment in 2007. That was 16 percent of all treatment admissions in our state last year.We are also concerned about the diversion of "medical marijuana" supplies into the community. As law enforcement officers, we know that we already have a big problem with the diversion of FDA approved drugs and medicines for illegal uses. It isn't a great leap in logic to expect that large quantities of marijuana, grown and dispensed with little regulation, inspection or control will easily find their way out onto our streets and into the illegal drug markets of our communities.This legislation is about disguising a dangerous drug as medicine, not about treating illness. Well-financed drug legalization activists from out of state are hiding behind the suffering of some of our most ill and emotionally fragile citizens to further their own agenda of drug legalization. If they are successful here, they will just pick up and go on to the next target, leaving us to deal with the problems.We are not the bad guys. Our goal is to protect, not exploit our citizens. We are united in our belief that passage of this legislation will have negative consequences on our communities, our youth and all our citizens. We are out in front telling you that this legislation is bad public policy. If you don't believe us, then just ask our colleagues in California or Oregon about the problems "medical marijuana" has caused for them. They will be glad to tell you.Complete Title: Turn Back Effort To Disguise an Illegal Drug as MedicineBushman is president of the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association. Source: Post-Bulletin (Rochester, MN)Author: Bob Bushman Published: May 12, 2008Copyright: 2008 Post-Bulletin Company, LLCContact: letters postbulletin.comWebsite: http://www.postbulletin.com/Related Articles & Web Site:Minnesota Careshttp://www.minnesotacares.org/Narrowly Tailored Bill Would Provide Helphttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread23875.shtmlMake Room in Minnesota for Medical Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread23835.shtmlMedical Marijuana Merits State Supporthttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread23831.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #11 posted by ekim on May 12, 2008 at 20:11:13 PT LEAP on the Hill Stories from the week of May 9, 2008 Too hot to talk about it: As I stop by the 540 offices for a 2-4 minute follow-up visit this year, I always ask the aide if they had a chance to ask the boss for an opinion of the LEAP position. This week an aide to a Republican (naturally) said he did so at a staff meeting, giving the one minute summary of my 20 minute visit. = (Prohibition is chaos. Crime would decrease by half, no drug dealers, stop funding al-Qaeda, reduce gangs, stop wasting 70 billion and allow LE to focus on child predators, DUI & terrorists.) He said the whole group erupted for 10 minutes in a heated discussion. No one argued with the LEAP premise.* Finally, the Congressman said that no matter what, the issue was too hot & drop it. No progress? Hmmmm. But like my friend Peter Christ said, once you have heard the LEAP message, one can never read or hear about the topic, except thru the prism* of the LEAP point of view. Five Star Service: I attended a seminar/briefing hosted by the American Constitution Society on Friday. In speaking with one of their staff I was invited to write an oped for their blog read by 50,000. As the staffer & I chatted on the way to his meeting in a Senate room, it occurred to me to stop by Senator Webb’s office & say hi. Webb’s principal judiciary aide was not there but I met his new assistant. I learned that there will be another hearing on the 2.3 million in prison next month. I asked him to consider LEAP speakers for the topic: How the WOD affects the number of people in prison. He said sure. As I boarded the train, it occurred to me (like a thud = duh) of the KISS* principle that I had not employed since my arrival in 2005. It is not enough to inform MOCs of LEAP. I need to give them concrete names & bios of potential witnesses. Better late than never, LEAP is making up a list by subject area of who would be best to testify before a federal committee. When completed, I will hand deliver a copy of it to all members of the House and Senate judiciary committees. Make a drug warrior squirm* for only 15 dollars: On my birthday I attended the monthly breakfast at the conservative Leadership Institute. Congressman Joe Pitts (R-PA) spoke & then had to rush off, as he had breakfast date with President Bush. The moderator allowed for one question. My hand shot up (and as you know I arrive early to grab the closest seat to the speaker) & I was called upon. ‘Congressman, we now have 2.3 million citizens behind bars, more than any country in the world. Is this a tribute to the efficiency of law enforcement and something to be proud of? Or does this situation trouble you? ‘ ‘Well, it is not something we should necessarily be proud of.’ he replied. He then began to babble* about needing more faith-based prison programs to reduce recidivism.* Being only 12 feet away (4 meters), I could see in his face that he felt anguish* and was conflicted. That is a start. Small steps. I know that few of you reading this ever have the chance to confront a drug warrior politician & make them uncomfortable. That night I raised my glass of Crown, thought of you & hoped that the vicarious* experience thru me was satisfying. BTW, *You may be asking, why not ask the Congressman a bold, direct question of why he supports the war on drugs in the face of all the negative consequences. This would really make him squirm…. The answer is I am following my instincts. The moderator calls upon me almost every breakfast. If I make his guest too uncomfortable, I am sure he will never let me ask a question again. *prism - Prisma*premise – Voraussetzung oder Standpunkt*KISS – keep it simple sweetheart (or stupid)*squirm – hin und her rutschen und nicht bequem sein*babble – plappern (in Amerika benutzt man dieses Wort oft wenn man Kannabis geraucht hat und dann versucht zu reden. Oft hört man nur etwas unlogisch.)*recidivsm - Rückfälligkeit*anguish – Qualen leiden*BTW – by the way = übrigens*vicarious – Ersatzweise Erfahrung http://leap.cc [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by MikeC on May 12, 2008 at 19:36:09 PT LOL... Every person who commented on that article was in complete opposition to the author.The world is waking up! It's a damn shame that a small handful of people decide what's best for the masses who know better. Democracy my ass. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by paul armentano on May 12, 2008 at 15:07:46 PT Is The Drug Czar Is Lying? His Lips Are Moving Deconstructing the Drug Czar's latest pot and mental illness claims here: http://blog.norml.org/2008/05/12/how-to-tell-if-the-drug-czar-is-lying-his-lips- [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by potpal on May 12, 2008 at 13:07:17 PT Police state of mind police chiefs, sheriffs, county attorneys, police officers and narcotics investigators What's wrong with this picture? I wonder how many of them tried pot and have to live the lie.Power to the people. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by FoM on May 12, 2008 at 12:57:14 PT Why Would We Want People To Suffer Needlessly? By Anthony Clark May 12, 2008http://www.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp?a=342128&z=12 [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by ezrydn on May 12, 2008 at 12:29:45 PT The End Didn't Materialize! I said this on another board and I'll say it here: California has had "MMJ" now for 12 years and it hasn't fallen into the ocean, either by violence nor by the "moral" hand of God.The US government regularly supplies, now, 4 US citizens with a monthly allotment of 300 prepared and rolled, albiet substandard, marijuana. Unkle Sugar has decided that asking them how it's going is not important, even though the government is their "corner dealer." No tests nor evals have been made. In fact, not ONE question has been recieved by any of them from their "providers."Me thinks the "GrandDaddy pusher/dealer" wears "two faces." And not a stitch of clothing! [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by dongenero on May 12, 2008 at 11:30:49 PT law enforcement opinion Why, they may as well ask law enforcement if they would be in support of fewer law enforcement jobs and reduced law enforcement funding, while also taking away their asset forfeiture, cannabis cash cow.What a blatant conflict of interest! Who gives a rip what they think? Guess what they will think!As for this being a medical marijuana issue...I cannot see where law enforcement even registers on such an issue. Pipe down and go find something worthwhile to do with your tax payer funded time. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by runruff on May 12, 2008 at 10:52:18 PT: Remember this guy? I looks as though the greatest endangerment to LEOs are LEOs.Are thses the guys I want to advise me on public safty and proper medication?-LMAOhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhIJOVD8hwY [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by observer on May 12, 2008 at 10:07:00 PT analysis [6] In its raw form, marijuana is a dangerous drug and is not a medicine . (Sentence 6) re: "dangerous drug", "dangerous" - Drugs, the prohibitionist explains, are a wicked bane on modern man. Why if not for the noble drug war (i.e. jailing drug users), exclaims the propagandist, then people will run amok, and violence, death, psychosis, and plague shall cover the land. (Madness,Crime,Violence,Illness (propaganda theme 2) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme2.htm#2 ) [14] Many of these same concerns have been expressed by members of the medical community, including the Minnesota Department of Human Services and the Minnesota Society of Addiction Medicine . (Sentence 14) re: "Addiction" - It is prohibition, claim prohibitionists, that saves people from drug crazed, whacked out, high flying drug users. (Madness,Crime,Violence,Illness (propaganda theme 2) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme2.htm#2 ) re: "Society", "community" - The survival of society is assured, -- says the propaganda of prohibition -- as long as drug users are punished (jailed). (Survival of Society (propaganda theme 3) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme3.htm#3 ) [17] This study concluded that there is little future in smoked marijuana as a medically approved medication because of the dangers of smoking a substance that contains many harmful substances . (Sentence 17) re: "harmful", "dangers" - Drugs, claim the prohibitionist, cause insanity, violence, and terrible sickness. (Madness,Crime,Violence,Illness (propaganda theme 2) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme2.htm#2 ) [18] Marijuana is also an addictive drug . (Sentence 18) re: "addictive" - Prohibitionist propaganda claims that horrible dangers are caused by "drugs." (Madness,Crime,Violence,Illness (propaganda theme 2) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme2.htm#2 ) [19] According to the Minnesota Department of Human Services, 7,784 people who reported marijuana as their primary substance of abuse received addiction treatment in 2007 . (Sentence 19) re: "addiction" - Drugs, scream prohibitionists, cause all bad things in life: crime, violence, insanity, etc. If not for prohibition (i.e., jailing drug users), then criminality, violence and psychotic behavior would explode upon the land, the prohibitionist assures us. (Madness,Crime,Violence,Illness (propaganda theme 2) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme2.htm#2 ) [21] We are also concerned about the diversion of "medical marijuana" supplies into the community . (Sentence 21) re: "community" - Prohibitionists assert that the survival of the community, society, the nation, the world, etc. are at stake. Only continued and increased punishments for drug users can be contemplated, because, say prohibitionists, society will otherwise fall apart. (Survival of Society (propaganda theme 3) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme3.htm#3 ) [22] As law enforcement officers, we know that we already have a big problem with the diversion of FDA approved drugs and medicines for illegal uses . (Sentence 22) re: "illegal uses" - Prohibition propaganda claims that all use of any "drug" is abuse. (Use is Abuse (propaganda theme 4) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme4.htm#alluseisabuse ) [23] It isn't a great leap in logic to expect that large quantities of marijuana, grown and dispensed with little regulation, inspection or control will easily find their way out onto our streets and into the illegal drug markets of our communities . (Sentence 23) re: "communities" - Because of prohibition (prohibitionists assure us), society is protected: the community is safe, and the nation is saved. (Survival of Society (propaganda theme 3) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme3.htm#3 ) [24] This legislation is about disguising a dangerous drug as medicine, not about treating illness . (Sentence 24) re: "dangerous drug", "dangerous" - Prohibition propaganda rarely misses an opportunity to link crime, violence, and insanity with "drugs". The propagandist insinuates that prohibited drugs cause evil, and if it weren't for "drugs" bad things would not exist. (Madness,Crime,Violence,Illness (propaganda theme 2) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme2.htm#2 ) [25] Well-financed drug legalization activists from out of state are hiding behind the suffering of some of our most ill and emotionally fragile citizens to further their own agenda of drug legalization . (Sentence 25) re: "legalization" - Drug policy options are presented as either total prohibition, or as total "legalization." No middle ground is contemplated in the "zero-tolerance" world of prohibition. Absolute prohibition executed with religious fervor and purpose! (Total Prohibition or Access (propaganda theme 7) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme7.htm#7 ) [29] We are united in our belief that passage of this legislation will have negative consequences on our communities, our youth and all our citizens . (Sentence 29) re: "communities" - The health of the "community" (read: government) is assured, prohibitionists explain, because drug users are punished. Jailing drug users is thus painted as upholding society. (Survival of Society (propaganda theme 3) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme3.htm#3 ) re: "youth" - "The inflaming of this fear about the fate of our own children [makes] it difficult if not impossible for most Americans to take a careful and reasoned look at our drug policies."[W.White,1979] (Children Corrupted (propaganda theme 5) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme5.htm#5 ) drug war propaganda = 100% [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Sam Adams on May 12, 2008 at 10:06:41 PT My Dream I have a dream that one day, when politicians campaign, instead of saying "I'm going to hire 1000 new police officers" they instead try to out-do each other with claims of "I'm going to lay off 10,000 lazy cops!" "No, I'm going to lay off 15,000 doughnut-munchers to CUT YOUR TAXES!"But then you realize that most people in the USA are glued to their crime shows on TVs all night, every night. Sexy blondes with a cruel look in their eye prosecute the brown people. All brought to you in living color by Big Pharma.The next presidency is going to be key. We all knew what the last 8 years were going to be like as soon as Bush/Cheney got in. I think the fiscal problems are mounting and it's coming to the point where the choices made in the 5-10 years are going to sink this country or start pulling it out of its fundamentalist, Big Government, Neo-con hole. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by sam adams on May 12, 2008 at 10:00:56 PT 'We are not the bad guys' "We are not the bad guys. Our goal is to protect, not exploit our citizens. We are united in our belief that passage of this legislation will have negative consequences on our communities, our youth and all our citizens." Who said you were bad guys? Why should we think you're bad? I thought cops and prosecutors were "heroes". The only reason to deny that you're bad is when you're doing something bad. Such as depriving sick people of medicine and throwing them in jail. As our economy deteriorates, we're going to have to make some hard decision about which govt. employees get laid off. We're entering a 10 year period where city, state, and the federal govts are going to go bankrupt. It will be interesting to see how many of these parasitic, expensive employees like police get laid off, if any. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment