cannabisnews.com: Drug Czar: Marijuana Clinics Difficult To Regulate
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Drug Czar: Marijuana Clinics Difficult To Regulate
Posted by CN Staff on November 03, 2009 at 05:21:46 PT
By Tony Leys
Source: Des Moines Register
Des Moines -- Iowans should consider what's going on in California before deciding whether to allow marijuana use for medical purposes, the nation's drug czar said in Des Moines Monday."A number of communities, particularly in the Los Angeles area, are having a great deal of difficulty regulating the clinics," said R. Gil Kerlikowske, director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy.
Hundreds of medical marijuana shops have popped up in the Los Angeles area, and law-enforcement officers there have complained that most of them are obvious fronts for sales to people who just want to get high, media accounts show.Iowa's Board of Pharmacy has been holding hearings on whether the state should legalize the use of marijuana for medical purposes. Most speakers at the hearings have been in favor of the change. The board plans to make a recommendation to the Legislature this winter.Kerlikowske is the former police chief of Seattle, and he noted that Washington state is one of the 13 states that allow some use of marijuana for medical purposes. He declined to say whether he's opposed to any medical use of the drug."It's very clear that the raw marijuana plant is not medicine. We don't vote on medicines. Whether a medicine is effective or not should be answered by medical science and not a vote. And so I leave it at that," he told reporters after meeting with Iowa law-enforcement and addiction treatment officials at the Statehouse Monday morning.Iowa Drug Policy Coordinator Gary Kendell, who sat at Kerlikowske's elbow during a press conference, opposes legalizing the use of smoked marijuana.President Barack Obama's appointment of Kerlikowske was widely seen as a step toward moderation in the nation's war on drugs. Although Kerlikowske voiced support Monday for enforcement of drug laws, he said many law officers have been quicker than politicians to tout the value of improved addiction treatment."Law enforcement is not a one-trick pony," he said. "It isn't just about ...talking about the number of seizures."Newshawk: RevRayGreen Source: Des Moines Register (IA)Author: Tony LeysPublished: November 3, 2009 Copyright: 2009 The Des Moines RegisterContact: cdavis dmreg.comWebsite: http://desmoinesregister.comURL : http://drugsense.org/url/jknGgvEfCannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml
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Comment #15 posted by FiddleMan on November 03, 2009 at 11:57:09 PT
Cannabis Regulation NO DIFFERENT than Alcohol!
If one doesn’t understand how to regulate Cannabis, then one does not understand how to regulate Alcohol! - Simple Logic.Yes, Cannabis IS medicine, but Cannabis is also a recreation substance loved by millions!The US already knows how to regulate Alcohol; THEREFORE it knows how to regulate Cannabis as well! There is no difference between the regulation of two (of course, Alcohol IS extremely DEADLY, ADDICTIVE and FUELS VIOLENCE) – but as far as regulation, there IS NO DIFFERENCE. Any half-wit can understand this!!! Simple Logic, my friends! We need to not let prohibitionists confuse the public with BS. Alcohol regulation and Cannabis regulation can and should be exactly the same!Many people DO need Cannabis as a medicine (and simply cannot tolerate harmful pharmaceuticals) – but – many people also enjoy the recreation of Cannabis as well (and absolutely can NOT tolerate Alcohol because of its addictive and deadly properties).So, regulate Cannabis just like Alcohol so that even Gil Kerlikowske can understand it!
Then we can stop these silly arguments about how hard it is to regulate “Medical” Cannabis. Cannabis’ medicinal properties need not be argued (science has proven this fact beyond all doubt anyway!) – argue about our rights as citizens to use a Safer substance than Alcohol. We the People have a right to use a recreational substance that will not kill us like Alcohol does! And the fact that Cannabis is also medicinal and promotes well being is wonderful to!Legalize Cannabis Now!
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Comment #14 posted by Hope on November 03, 2009 at 11:39:53 PT
Raphael Mechoulam views
makes for a great Google.
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Comment #13 posted by Hope on November 03, 2009 at 11:11:23 PT
Raphael_Mechoulam
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raphael_Mechoulam(I heard Dr. Russo referred to in that first video I linked to.)
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Comment #12 posted by Hope on November 03, 2009 at 11:05:24 PT
Part 1 of 5
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wmqh1Q2cnD0&feature=related
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Comment #11 posted by FoM on November 03, 2009 at 11:03:51 PT
Hope
It did the same for me! I couldn't believe. Just the fact that he is still alive and cares blew me away.
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Comment #10 posted by Hope on November 03, 2009 at 10:56:51 PT
I have not seen this before.
Cannabinoid System in Neuroprotection - Raphael Mechoulam (part 4 of 5)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3i0OLb5ZIU
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Comment #9 posted by Hope on November 03, 2009 at 10:50:13 PT
Comment 5
That literally took my breath away for a moment.
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Comment #8 posted by observer on November 03, 2009 at 10:24:27 PT
Impaired Memory
Drug Czar: "It's very clear that the raw marijuana plant is not medicine.""In it's natural form, marijuana is the safest therapeutically active substance known to man."
(DEA Administrative Law Judge Francis Young 1989)Drug Czar: "We don't vote on medicines."We shouldn't have to. But politicians refuse to tell the truth about the safest therapeutically active substance known to man (cannabis), and further, insist we must be jailed for cannabis. So sometimes voters must use their vote to undo the bad things done by politicians. (Things politicians have done to garner votes, ironically.) And of course we're not voting whether or not cannabis is or is not a medicine; rather, we're voting not to be JAILED for taking it. And really - why would the good McCzar there want to confuse the issue like that, and frame it as if we are somehow voting on medicines? We're voting down the use of jail for marijuana smokers. That's not voting on medicines. But why does the Czar frame it like that, do you think? Czar: Whether a medicine is effective or not should be answered by medical science and not a vote. And so I leave it at that,"Whether a medicine is effective or not should be answered by medical science, not the career fantasies of prosecutors and police.Whether a medicine is effective or not should be answered by medical science, not the scapegoating needs of politicians. Notice the goodly drug czar forgot to mention that teensy detail about "jail" or "prison". Another accidental oversight, you reckon? Slipped his mind? Marijuana does that to the memory I am told - under the influence of marijuana fantasies, and drunk with power, politicians forget about the arrests, jailings, and imprisonments they cause.
http://drugnewsbot.org
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Comment #7 posted by RevRayGreen on November 03, 2009 at 08:58:45 PT
THC discoverer to testify for medical marijuana
Raphael Mechoulam, the Israeli scientist who in 1964 discovered THC, the main psychoactive component in marijuana, will testify by telephone in support of medical use of marijuana at Wednesday’s Iowa Board of Pharmacy hearing. Mechoulam, considered the world’s leading expert on marijuana and cannabinoids, will join other medical experts and patients in the last of four hearings to examine the medical value of marijuana and whether its classification under state law should be changed. Chemistry and Natural Products at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, will testify by phone from Israel. Mechoulam’s team of scientists first discovered THC, marijuana’s psychoactive component, in 1964, and later identified the first marijuana-like chemical made by the human brain.
THC discoverer to testify for medical marijuana at final Iowa
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Comment #6 posted by HempWorld on November 03, 2009 at 08:25:05 PT
"The U.S. Drug Czar is staying out of the medical
marijuana debate in Iowa. Gil Kerlikowske says it shouldn’t be up to him or even voters to determine the effectiveness of prescription pot. ”Whether a medicine is effective or not should be answered by medical scientists and not a vote…I think I’d leave it at that,”"Trivia questions: Is Mr. Gil Kerlikowske a scientist or a cop?Why is Mr. Gil Kerlikowske a cop, telling you that 'it's up to the 'scientists' and NOT the people?I believe the scientists have spoken loudly in the IOM, Institute of Medicine report in 1999 but that was probably before Mr. Kerlikowske was able to read.Mean while we have the police play doctor, cop, judge and executioner. Just whatever it takes to delay the medicinal marijuana issue, is your motto Mr. Kerlikowske!Then why is cannabis still schedule 1 in the CSA? And why do you not allow it to be studied? You are so smart you have created a catch-22. You got us all fooled, you smart cop!
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Comment #5 posted by FoM on November 03, 2009 at 08:07:22 PT
Press Release From MPP
Medical Marijuana: THC discoverer to testify for medical marijuana at final Iowa Pharmacy Board hearing WednesdayNovember 3, 2009 COUNCIL BLUFFS, IOWA — Raphael Mechoulam, the Israeli scientist who in 1964 discovered THC, the main psychoactive component in marijuana, will testify by telephone in support of medical use of marijuana at Wednesday’s Iowa Board of Pharmacy hearing. Mechoulam, considered the world’s leading expert on marijuana and cannabinoids, will join other medical experts and patients in the last of four hearings to examine the medical value of marijuana and whether its classification under state law should be changed. After this final hearing, the Board of Pharmacy will make a recommendation to the state legislature regarding the scheduling of marijuana and what further steps are necessary. WHAT: Iowa Board of Pharmacy hearing on medical marijuana. WHO: Witnesses providing testimony will include: Raphael Mechoulam, professor of Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Products at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, will testify by phone from Israel. Mechoulam’s team of scientists first discovered THC, marijuana’s psychoactive component, in 1964, and later identified the first marijuana-like chemical made by the human brain, known as anandamide. WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 4, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. WHERE: Harrah’s Casino and Hotel (Ballroom 1), One Harrah’s Boulevard, Council Bluffs, Iowa. Prof. Mechoulam has a limited availability to speak with reporters. To arrange interviews with Prof. Mechoulam or with Marijuana Policy Project staffers who can place Wednesday’s hearing in a national context, contact MPP assistant director of communications Mike Meno at 202-905-2030 or mmeno mpp.org For more information, please visit: http://MarijuanaPolicy.org
http://www.iowapolitics.com/index.Iml?Article=175574
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on November 03, 2009 at 07:51:49 PT
U.S. Drug Czar Stays Out Of Iowa Marijuana Debate
November 3, 2009URL: http://www.radioiowa.com/2009/11/03/u-s-drug-czar-stays-out-of-iowa-marijuana-debate/
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Comment #3 posted by ezrydn on November 03, 2009 at 06:50:43 PT
California Hearings
The California Legalization Hearings, http://cannabisliberty.com/?p=3074 , provided a couple of smiles when the Chairman had to tell two LEO types to stop testifying about medical qualities and conditions and remain on the topic of law enforcement changes. The chairman said he wanted to hold such comments for the Medical Hearing that would include doctors and scientists.Damned cops still think they can give medical testimony. Those days are over, Mr. Serve and Protect!
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on November 03, 2009 at 06:18:56 PT
RevRayGreen
You're welcome. I really hope that what has happened since Prop 215 passed doesn't hurt your efforts or any other state's efforts to get medical marijuana passed. I have been keeping my fingers crossed for years now.
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Comment #1 posted by RevRayGreen on November 03, 2009 at 05:43:38 PT
"don't be like California"-thx FoM
Drug Czar "State of Washington Medical Marijuana Program is working, don't be like California"
I have no problem with the State of Washington's medical marijuana program Gil. "Kerlikowske, the former police chief in Seattle, reported better results for the medical marijuana law in Washington State."Washington-Senate Bill 6032, mandated the Department of Health to "adopt rules defining the quantity of marijuana that could reasonably be presumed to be a sixty-day supply for qualifying patients." In October 2008, the department finalized guidelines allowing patients to cultivate up to 15 cannabis plants and/or possess up to 24 ounces of usable marijuana. The new limits took effect on November 2, 2008.Patients who possess larger quantities of cannabis than those approved by the Department will continue to receive legal protection under the law if they present evidence indicating that they require such amounts to adequately treat their qualifying medical condition. "Well Gil, if medical marijuana laws should be made by lawmakers not votes, what makes the police experts in medicine ?
DSM Resgister blog
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