cannabisnews.com: State on Right Path on Marijuana Law





State on Right Path on Marijuana Law
Posted by CN Staff on June 13, 2008 at 06:43:22 PT
Editorial
Source: Olympian
WA -- What constitutes a 60-day supply of medical marijuana? That's the question officials at the state Department of Health are wrestling with as they comply with a state law requiring them to set the limit. It's a tough decision, but one that rightfully belongs in the hands of health professionals. The road that led to this juncture began in November 1998 when 58.9 percent of Washington voters approved Initiative 692. The ballot proposition permits the medical use of marijuana by patients with terminal or debilitating conditions.
Nonmedical use of marijuana is still prohibited, but under I-692, physicians are authorized to advise patients about the risks and benefits of the medical use of marijuana. Qualifying patients and their primary caregivers are protected from prosecution if they possess marijuana solely for medical use by the patient. But how much marijuana can a physician legally prescribe to a patient? The initiative does not answer that question. Last year, state lawmakers changed the law to give qualifying patients a defense if their marijuana use is challenged in court. The legislation also required the state Health Department to define what constitutes a 60-day supply. Health officials conducted a series of public hearings across the state to seek comments and guidance. They recommended 35 ounces as a sufficient supply. They also said a marijuana growing patch should not exceed 100 square feet. Gov. Chris Gregoire ordered officials to take a second look. The governor said law enforcement officials, prosecutors and other key players were under-represented during the public hearing process. So health officials last week convened a panel that included law enforcement professionals, prosecutors, the American Civil Liberties Union, a physician, a patient using medical marijuana and Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, D-Seattle, the sponsor of the legislation calling for the limit. Other individuals listened to the conversation, which proved to be very interesting. Panel members said finding the right number is tricky business because the potency of the drug can vary on many factors, including the weight and height of the patient, his or her tolerance to the drug and whether the cannabis is smoked or ingested. "We don't know until we use it how much we're going to need," said Joanne McKee, co-founder of Green Cross, an organization that provides medical marijuana for those in need. Don Pierce, executive director of the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, said the amount is a medical decision that should be determined by physicians. "We think that if the amount is set and it's medically defensible by the mainstream medical community, we're OK with it," he said. Dr. Bob Wood, director of HIV/AIDS Control for Public Health -- Seattle & King County, advocated that a 60-day supply be defined at a higher amount so fewer people are taken to court. "It just creates anxiety and discourages people from trying it," he said, referring to the need to bring clarity to the issue. The state has come a long way. The discussion has evolved far beyond whether marijuana has medicinal benefits and should be legally prescribed to patients. The question is how much marijuana constitutes a legitimate supply for two months. We're confident that the professionals at the Department of Health will arrive at a reasonable answer by July 1 that is legally defensible and medically appropriate. Source: Olympian, The (WA)Published: June 13, 2008 Copyright: 2008 The OlympianContact: http://tinyurl.com/4ubm6bWebsite: http://www.theolympian.com/Related Articles:Informal Conversation on Medical Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread23979.shtml Medical Marijuana: How Much is Enough?http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread23944.shtml
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Comment #25 posted by FoM on June 15, 2008 at 17:25:41 PT
afterburner
Here is the Crosby Stills Nash & Young: Déjà Vu Trailer.It's not in english but it is totally understandable. I can't wait for this to be released.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nkATNhzTxE
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Comment #24 posted by FoM on June 14, 2008 at 05:38:11 PT
afterburner 
Thank you. The news has been non stop in memory of Tim Russert. I never doubted what he said was the truth. The twinkle in his eyes told me he really liked Senator Obama but I never heard him say it. I can't think of one news person that had the integrity that Tim had. My favorite news channel is MSNBC and he was a big part of why I felt that way. He loved Bruce Springsteen and they are playing his music on MSNBC. I love this song.Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Philadelphiahttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9L9_8vwx2w8
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Comment #23 posted by afterburner on June 14, 2008 at 04:32:59 PT
FoM #13 
"Tim Russert: 
He was the first one who called the nomination for Senator Obama."Journey - Don't Stop believing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ip1zsUIosoA btw, if Canada's new digital copyright bill is passed in its current form, it may be more and more difficult to get content to and from YouTube and other music/video sharing sites.
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Comment #22 posted by afterburner on June 14, 2008 at 04:26:51 PT
My Sympathy to Tim Russert's Family 
When my grandfather died at an even earlier age, it left a big mark on me. I began a lifelong quest to understand healing. First, to discover why my family had so many health problems and how to prevent and/or treat them. Later, after my health knowledge grew, I became a devotee to health news and practice.
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Comment #21 posted by FoM on June 13, 2008 at 16:02:11 PT
mykeyb420 
Thank you for the links. Jack Herer is so special.
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Comment #20 posted by mykeyb420 on June 13, 2008 at 15:07:11 PT
Jack Herer TV
Also here is a link for his new show. 
Jack Herer TV
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Comment #19 posted by mykeyb420 on June 13, 2008 at 15:05:43 PT
Jack Herer
I just had a meeting with Jack Herer,,he wanted me to spread the word about a friend of his named Rick Simpson.
 It is great info about a cancer treatment, made from cannabis. Check it out
Phoenix Tears
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Comment #18 posted by FoM on June 13, 2008 at 13:25:48 PT
BGreen
We never know if today could be our last day no matter how young or old we are. In the morning when we wake up we should think to ourselves what can I do to make someone elses life a little better and then do something for someone. In the end that is all that will live on after us are our good deeds.
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Comment #17 posted by BGreen on June 13, 2008 at 13:17:40 PT
We all need to take the best care of ourselves
We also need to live our lives to the utmost of fulfillment so there are no regrets when we finally part ways with life.That is one of the reasons why we all are here at CNews.com.My biological father died when he was 50. His father died at 93. My biological father smoked cigarettes and drank a lot of coffee, both of which contribute to the pancreatic cancer he had. My mom says my grandfather smoked back in the '50s, but I don't remember him ever smoking so he must have quit.All I can do is eat as healthy as possible and don't wait to do anything I really want to do.I'm shooting for 93!The Reverend Bud Green
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Comment #16 posted by FoM on June 13, 2008 at 12:59:25 PT
BGreen
Stick will be 58 soon. That is scary. I really liked Tim Russert. He was the most honest straight forward news person I have ever seen. What a terrible loss.
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Comment #15 posted by BGreen on June 13, 2008 at 12:54:00 PT
58 is way too young to die
RIP Tim Russert.The Reverend Bud Green
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Comment #14 posted by BGreen on June 13, 2008 at 12:52:05 PT
Dankhank could very well be right
There are a lot of people who were duped into being accessories to murder and torture, supposedly all in the name of the Holy God.I don't know any better example of taking the name of the Lord God in vain.32 people or 27% of all tornado deaths this year are in my area. This is a place where you still see "W" stickers in car windows. Any connection?I was talking to an 84-year-old woman from Tulsa, OK who said she had never seen weather this bad. Coincidentally, she's never seen a president this bad, either.I think God may be sending us a message that He is "badder" than George W. Bush and the phony lord who speaks to the shrub.How about if we stop mass murdering innocent men, women and children on a daily basis in our attempt to spread "democracy" and see if God eases up on us a little.How about a poll of the Bush voters in Iowa who supported his regime, just like my idiotic state. Is there any possibility that supporting the mass murder of over 100,000 Iraqi men, women and children, all based on calculated lies created by a crazy man who says God told him to do it, led to the wrath of an angry God who is tired of His children being slaughtered?Only God knows the answer but I have a guess.The Reverend Bud Green
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Comment #13 posted by FoM on June 13, 2008 at 12:46:37 PT
Tim Russert 
He was the first one who called the nomination for Senator Obama. I really had learned to like watching Meet The Press.
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Comment #12 posted by FoM on June 13, 2008 at 12:43:03 PT
NBC's Tim Russert Dead at 58
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25145431/
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Comment #11 posted by FoM on June 13, 2008 at 12:40:57 PT
Tim Russert Died!
I feel so bad. I really liked him. May he rest in peace. He was only 58.
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Comment #10 posted by The GCW on June 13, 2008 at 12:16:58 PT
Let them burn corn
What happens when corn is allowed for fuel usage and not hemp...http://www.boulderweekly.com/20080612/newsbriefs.html“Dead zone” blamed on fertilizerGULF OF MEXICO — Scientists predicting the biggest-ever “dead zone” in the Gulf of Mexico are blaming Midwestern corn grown for ethanol for higher levels of pollution escaping down the Mississippi River.“In the past several years, there’s been an expansion of corn, which has the highest fertilizer per acre... and that’s for biofuels,” said R. Eugene Turner, a Louisiana State University professor who directed the study into the gulf’s water quality.Turner’s research team reported this week that an area of oxygen-deprived water in the Gulf of Mexico is expected to grow to more than 10,000 square miles this year. The largest the area has ever been measured was in 2002, when it was about 8,500 square miles.Scientists from the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium said that this year’s “dead zone” could be the largest since measurements began in the 1980s. The scientists used computer modeling for their prediction and will take shipboard measurements in July throughout the gulf.The dead zone is caused by an abundance of nutrients from sources that include fertilizers needed for corn.“The nutrients act as a fertilizer just like they would in a corn field,” causing excessive growth of algae on the ocean floor, Turner said. The algae consumes oxygen, forcing aquatic creatures like fish and shrimp to flee or die.He said the increase in corn production as well as heavy rain in the Midwest this spring had caused a higher concentration of fertilizer in the Mississippi River.Proposals to reduce nutrient pollution largely by providing cash incentives for farmers have not been funded by the Bush administration and Congress. A new so-called “action plan” is scheduled to be signed soon in New Orleans, but Turner said he doubted it would have much impact.
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Comment #9 posted by Dankhank on June 13, 2008 at 12:10:38 PT
OT Iowa
no intention to make light of the flooding and misery to come ...Got to thinking of McCain's buddy, Hagee, saying the flooding in New Orleans was due to the upcoming sinful gay parade and sin in New Orleans in general.Hey, Rev? What did the Iowans do to get their flood?I know ... probably voted for George Bush ...that's my take ...
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Comment #8 posted by The GCW on June 13, 2008 at 12:10:22 PT
Some want changes in laws regarding medical mariju
"Some want changes in laws regarding medical marijuana, ..."-0-All eyes on Denverhttp://www.boulderweekly.com/?site_id=619&page_id=23356&id_sub=23356* The ACLU sues Denver to learn what police have in store for protesters 
by Dana Logan* Activists prepare to air issues at the DNC, plan to use varying tactics
by Dana Logan
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Comment #7 posted by FoM on June 13, 2008 at 10:51:31 PT
Sam
When we get our check I am putting it on my credit card. I like to keep my credit card really low. So much for buying stuff. LOL!
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Comment #6 posted by Sam Adams on June 13, 2008 at 10:28:38 PT
Stimulus
Aren't some people getting $600? That would be enough for a new Volcano. enjoy the hash, I have seen any in this state in many years.
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Comment #5 posted by mykeyb420 on June 13, 2008 at 10:21:51 PT
What constitutes a 60-day supply of pot?
just ask the federal government how much do they give their med pot patients. A tin can of pre rolled joints contains 300 " camel " sized cigarettes. This is good enough for a month   10 joints a day. The only problem with it is the quality of the cannabis. If the potency is anywhere NEAR what the recent spin by the ONDCP,, then mabey five cigarettes would be apripoe. ps. I did the right thing with my stimulus check and I spent it on HIGH GRADE Californian Hashish.. I kept it in my states economy.
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Comment #4 posted by The GCW on June 13, 2008 at 10:08:52 PT
Earned respect.
The following statement garners respect for the police community."""Don Pierce, executive director of the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, said the amount is a medical decision that should be determined by physicians. "We think that if the amount is set and it's medically defensible by the mainstream medical community, we're OK with it," he said.""" I know I respcect police types more when they take a step in the right direction and know what is and what isn't their job.(I don't care for police influencing My health / doctor decissions or My musical interest for that matter... or influencing how I wear My hair or trim My toe nails....)Thank You,,,
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Comment #3 posted by Sam Adams on June 13, 2008 at 08:50:05 PT
scapegoating
I'm fascinated by this process. The truth is that people like Ms. Strag and me have the same goal - we see children getting more and more un-healthy every days. We want them to be healthier people. We don't want minors abusing alcohol and drugs. We don't want crime. But the government has butted in, and now we're turned against each other, instead of working together. And people working together get more done, which means less need for government.
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Comment #2 posted by Sam Adams on June 13, 2008 at 08:22:59 PT
Ms. Strag
I just my own email to Judi, telling her about the time that i came within a whisker of being killed by prescription drugs. Asking her why I have to be punished because other families have failed at teaching self-control and discipline to their children.I suggest every legitimate medical MJ patient that is reading this send her a polite and informative email.I also pointed out the fact that Holland has half the rate of MJ use among minors that we have.Her email to Ray is insulting. I love they way she says "every one of our 60 members is a parent". And....?? does that mean that non-parents are second-class citizenship, to be thrown in jail whenever it's necessary to make the failed parents feel better about themselves?That's call scapegoating. It's a shallow and hateful reaction to one's one problems. Here, I'm failing at my duty, it must be because the guy around the corner is using medicine to treat his painful disease.
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Comment #1 posted by ripit on June 13, 2008 at 08:03:37 PT:
i don't see..
how or why law enforcement and prosecutors have any say in the matter what so ever!it would be my doctors job to tell them not the other way around! and now if i had to grow my own medicine and i am only allowed to store enuff away to last 60 days how would i resupply after those 60 days if i can only grow during the summer? how would i get my meds in the winter and spring? if they need to set a limit then it should be by needed per the growing season not just some unreasonabale arbitrary number set to control others
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