cannabisnews.com: Look at Problems with Medical Pot in California
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Look at Problems with Medical Pot in California
Posted by CN Staff on November 03, 2009 at 11:01:13 PT
By Charlotte Eby, Globe Des Moines Bureau
Source: Globe-Gazette
Des Moines -- The White House’s drug czar said Monday that Iowa officials should look at the problems California has seen after allowing the use of marijuana for medical purposes as they consider the idea here.Gil Kerlikowske, director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, specifically cited problems regulating the clinics in the Los Angeles area that dispense medical marijuana.
Kerlikowske recounted going to Venice Beach and seeing people holding signs advertising marijuana and ads in newspapers.He also pointed to reports of robberies and assaults that have occurred in and around medical marijuana dispensaries in the Los Angeles area.“I would say that the recommendation for any state that’s considering moving to medical marijuana is to look very closely at what’s been occurring in California,” Kerlikowske said.Kerlikowske, the former police chief in Seattle, reported better results for the medical marijuana law in Washington State.“It was not as significant a problem for law enforcement as it was in, as it is in, Los Angeles,” Kerlikowske said.Iowa’s pharmacy board is holding hearings around the state to collect input on the medical use of marijuana and could decide to make a recommendation to state lawmakers.Kerlikowske said his office in the past has given its opinions to states opposing medical marijuana but he stopped short of making such a recommendation Monday.Kerlikowske was in Iowa for a roundtable and series of events with Iowa treatment providers and law enforcement officials as he seeks input for a national drug control strategy due out next year.One of the participants, Cerro Gordo County Sheriff Kevin Pals, said he doesn’t think people should be allowed to smoke marijuana for medical conditions.“How are you going to enforce that? You know, you’re going to see people out in public smoking a joint. I’m not sure we’re ready for that or that it’s needed,” Pals said.Kerlikowske also listened to Iowa’s experience in battling drug abuse, especially problems with methamphetamine. A report issued Monday found that methamphetamine activity in Iowa, after declining for five years, is now on the rise.The Governor’s Office of Drug Control Policy said there have been small increases in the number of meth-related treatment admissions, meth labs and manufacturing meth in the presence of a minor cases. Although the numbers are up, they are still well below their levels five years ago.Kerlikowske detailed some of the strategies that have helped reduce the illegal manufacturing of meth in other parts of the country.One state that has had success is Oregon, where pseudoephedrine is available only by prescription. The drug, found in cold and allergy medications, is a key ingredient in making meth.“Not only are their laboratories significantly reduced, but also the number of people coming into the jail system with a problem for methamphetamine is significantly down compared to other places,” Kerlikowske said of Oregon’s regulation.Gary Kendell, director of Iowa’s Office of Drug Control Policy, said the state has seen a resurgence of methamphetamine labs although not to the extent that other states have.Kendell said an electronic tracking system for pseudoephedrine that should be up and running next year should be given a chance to work.“We think that that’s going to provide us with a good tool to reduce access of these cooks to the pseudoephedrine products,” Kendell said.Source: Globe-Gazette (IA)Author: Charlotte Eby, Globe Des Moines BureauPublished: November 2, 2009Copyright: 2009 Globe-GazetteContact: news globegazette.comWebsite: http://www.globegazette.com/URL: http://drugsense.org/url/Zy2L40ZtCannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml
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Comment #11 posted by runruff on November 04, 2009 at 07:38:53 PT
"Here is the Grassley Amendment:"
Written by big pharma!He is such a whore he should wear lipstick and skirt!
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Comment #10 posted by ekim on November 04, 2009 at 06:10:42 PT
speaking of Iowa--or not allowed to speak
http://www.drugwarrant.com/Grassley Censorship Amendment - Take Action Now!
Senator Charles Grassley of Iowa is trying to insert a censorship provision into Jim Webb’s National Criminal Justice Commission Act of 2009.This is an important commission with a goal to look at every aspect of our criminal justice system with an eye to reform.Here is the Grassley Amendment:RESTRICTIONS ON AUTHORITY.
The Commission shall have no authority to make findings related to current Federal, State, and local criminal justice policies and practices or reform recommendations that involve, support, or otherwise discuss the decriminalization of any offense under the Controlled Substances Act or the legalization of any controlled substance listed under the Controlled Substances Act.
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Comment #9 posted by Brandon Perera on November 03, 2009 at 20:19:17 PT:
But its not just Iowa who needs it too??
Why is it difficult to legalize marijuana? the real question is why is it difficult to legalize marijuana MEDICALLY? That is the start if all states have it legalized medically, then maybe it will become like a pack a cancer sticks? I think i may have 1 answer too the question would be this country already runs on drugs and doesnt want another one out there. FDA
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Comment #8 posted by FiddleMan on November 03, 2009 at 15:23:11 PT
Eliminate Problems with Medical Pot in California
This article is very similar to "Drug Czar: Marijuana Clinics Difficult To Regulate", so I am using the same response as I did for that blog...Eliminate Problems with Medical Cannabis EVRYWHERE!It is really VERY, VERY simple to do!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 #7 posted by FoM on November 03, 2009 at 13:01:06 PT
Poll: Calif. Support Keeping Marijuana Illegal
Poll: Californians Support Keeping Marijuana IllegalBy Capitol Weekly Staff November 3, 2009 CA -- Despite a push by groups to legalize marijuana, about half of Californians want the drug to remain illegal, a new Capitol Weekly/Probolsky Research poll finds. The survey found 52 percent of respondents wanted to keep marijuana illegal, whily 38 percent of those surveyed support legalization.
 
 URL: http://drugsense.org/url/NcPgspHb
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Comment #6 posted by HempWorld on November 03, 2009 at 12:51:23 PT
OT Lots of dead women found in Cleveland home ..
Yeah, that's what you get if you prohibit prostitution! Do we need any more proof? (dead women?)PROHIBITION DOES NOT WORK, ANY QUESTIONS?
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Comment #5 posted by dongenero on November 03, 2009 at 12:42:13 PT
comment 3 article
This is enough to make one fighting mad....2 weeks after Holder's announcement-  “They came in with their guns drawn and pointed them right in our faces like we are criminals,” said Rose, a quiet Filipino woman with rheumatoid arthritis who manages the spotless clinic. “They twisted one of our patient’s arms and put a gun to his head. He was crying. It was so scary.”  The agents confiscated plants and medical cannabis, which were never returned. Nobody was arrested and no charges were ever filed.  The clinic, which has 4,500 registered patients, is a nonprofit medical marijuana dispensary that is licensed by the city, Rose said.  It only sells marijuana grown specifically for its patients, all of whom must have a medical marijuana card issued by the state of California and a valid state ID.
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Comment #4 posted by Zandor on November 03, 2009 at 12:31:36 PT
Gil Kerlikowske
Gil Kerlikowske is just the same tired old Conservative Christian on the right who think GOD has appointed them and only them to save the world from the evils of Marijuana.You can PRAY for relief from pain & suffering, deduct the cost from your taxes and even have your insurance company pay people to pray for you...But you can't use Marijuana. THAT is in the new health care bill!! According to the LA Times today.Gil is another conservative so called "Good Christian" who use LIES to further their life style upon everybody else.The "Good Christians" on the right LIE for God and think "It's OK to LIE when it benefits God and you are doing Gods work" " Pat Roberts said that many times.When anyone asks Gil for what report he read or where is the PROOF. He changes the subject and does not remember the exact report...but he sure remembers the FAKE NUMBERS he talks about.This IDIOT is just another LIER. We MUST CALL A LIAR A LIAR EVERY TIME THEY OPEN THEIR MOUTH!!!!
http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-na-health-religion3-2009nov03,0,223990
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Comment #3 posted by FoM on November 03, 2009 at 12:26:04 PT
News Article From RawStory.com
Federal Prosecutor: Medical Marijuana Raids Won’t StopNovember 3, 2009URL: http://rawstory.com/2009/11/marijuana-raids-wont-stop/
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Comment #2 posted by duzt on November 03, 2009 at 11:28:44 PT
NPR
After half of the conversation with Gil this morning on NPR, he is absolutely more of the same. He never answers the questions asked and is basically saying the same thing as the past czars. I have little hope for him, fortunately the states are doing their own thing and his opinion won't mean much. He still doesn't get it, especially to say that cannabis isn't medicine. At least the guests are all making sense, he just rambles and changes the subject.
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Comment #1 posted by HempWorld on November 03, 2009 at 11:16:06 PT
Cerro Gordo County Sheriff Kevin Pals ...
leave it to Gordo! (Fatso)“How are you going to enforce that? You know, you’re going to see people out in public smoking a joint. I’m not sure we’re ready for that or that it’s needed,” Pals said.Bottom line: You can't have it, cause we won't let you! Damn the science we are cops with a high school diploma and we know better!
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