cannabisnews.com: Medical Marijuana Users Can Breathe Easy
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Medical Marijuana Users Can Breathe Easy
Posted by CN Staff on November 06, 2009 at 11:51:46 PT
By Meaghan Daniels, Vanguard Staff
Source: Daily Vanguard
Oregon -- Welcome back to the good days, where state laws mean something and people who abide by them don’t get hassled by the federal government. The Justice Department announced that in states allowing medical marijuana, users and suppliers will not fall victim to federal prosecutors, so long as they’re in line with state rules.This new policy does not mean a free-for-all, because prosecutors will continue to target those who are actually breaking the state law, which is why they are there…right?
We have come a long way since the Bush administration—thankfully—which was persistent about seeking out those who use or supply medical marijuana, regardless of whether or not they complied with state law. At least that is over and we are moving in a step towards the right direction.Currently, the government counts 14 states that allow some sort of medical marijuana use. These states are: Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.In Maryland, however, the law only allows reduced penalties for medical marijuana users. California allows dispensaries for medical marijuana. In 1998, Oregon passed the Oregon Medical Marijuana Act, which allows the cultivation, possession and use of medical marijuana for people with prescriptions. This law passed two years after the Californian medical marijuana law.According to The Oregonian, as of Oct. 1, 23,873 Oregonians have medical marijuana cards. These cards allow them to have six mature cannabis plants, 18 seedlings and 24 ounces of marijuana.Approximately 7,000 of the people who hold medical marijuana cards reported suffering from muscular conditions such as multiple sclerosis, 4,000 reported nausea and 1,000 have cancer.If medical marijuana works for people with serious illnesses, why take that away from them? It has been proven to help those with serious ailments, including cancer. More importantly, why harass a law-abiding citizen? If someone is so sick that they need marijuana for medicinal purposes and are granted that through state law, why hassle them?It is something that helps a large number of people and they are following state laws. Patients will be able to breathe easier without having to choose whether or not to feel worse due to illness or to get in trouble with the feds when they are in compliance with state law.After all, the federal government does have bigger fish to fry and a limited amount of resources to fry them. Going after law-abiding citizens was a big waste of time, money, power and resources. Thankfully, those days are over.The people opposing medical marijuana have the argument that it is still an illegal substance. Exactly: That is why patients get a prescription in order to legally use marijuana.What it comes down to is that it helps people, whether those effects are due to the medical marijuana itself or people simply believing that it is helping them. Either way, it is helping people. So why take that away? Are you really going to tell a dying cancer patient that they cannot use their medical marijuana because it is a drug? No!This is not the war on drugs we should be fighting. What about all of the other, more dangerous illegal drugs out there? What about with the extremely violent Mexican drug cartels that are selling illegal drugs to United States citizens to support other criminal activities?These are the wars the federal government should be dealing with and I believe that if medical marijuana works, and you have a prescription for it, you should be able to use it. Leave medical marijuana to the states and leave the real drug wars to the federal government.All in all, this is a step away from the Bush administration—and a step in the right direction. Source: Daily Vanguard (Portland State, OR Edu)Author: Meaghan Daniels, Vanguard StaffPublished: Friday, November 6, 2009Copyright: 2009 Daily VanguardContact: opinion dailyvanguard.comWebsite: http://www.dailyvanguard.com/URL: http://drugsense.org/url/71kfZpD8CannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml
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Comment #25 posted by Sinsemilla Jones on November 09, 2009 at 00:19:07 PT
Pot good! Grassley baaaad!
Thanks runruff! I literally laughed out loud at that one!
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #24 posted by FoM on November 08, 2009 at 06:27:39 PT
runruff
It's easy when you think the earth is run by Satan and God will take you off this earth to save you from this terrible place to abuse the earth. They never see the beauty in this magnificent place. Today it is beautiful. The birds are chirping and the sun is shining but they don't even really notice.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #23 posted by runruff on November 08, 2009 at 06:12:03 PT
FoM
I notice when I was active in church here in the NW how Xtians thanked god for their selective destruction of our environment and the annihilation of "God's" enemies?Most of the "believers' were loggers. They had the ol' entitlement thing going. The trees are a gift from the creator to provide shelter and jobs to his flock. God will make more trees! This was 1986, today all that is left of the some 10,000 timber mills are not more than a half dozen full time mills operating in Oregon. Apparently god isn't up to speed on mans greed!Also, it is as you say; "I'm going up with the Rapture!" This is Satan's playground and he can have it! I an going home to heaven where the streets are lined with gold!That's what Pope John Paul found out when he tried to Bribe St. Peter to get into heaven. He gave a big bag of pure gold he'd "borrowed" from the Vatican Treasury, to St. Peter. When Peter looked inside he said, "how cute, more pavement!"
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #22 posted by FoM on November 08, 2009 at 05:53:36 PT
runruff
There is a real problem with the religious RP. They hate people who don't follow them. They want war because they believe they will be raptured out of this mess. Religion and politics are dangerous partners and I know you agree.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #21 posted by runruff on November 08, 2009 at 05:40:14 PT
I no longer respect religions!
I believe we are a spirit, we commune with the most powerful spirit everyday. My spirit tells me to live as you were intended to do, not by doctrine, not by dogma but by the spirit.Grassley is a declared Christian. If I could talk to him I would tell him that his "political entanglements" are showing and wearing a longer coat won't help! He and many other Senators seem to think that they are employees at the Mustang Ranch!Is Grassley sold out to special interest? Does the Pope Poop in the woods? Does a bear....never mind that!I called my favorite consultant on political matters: Dr. Frankenstein's monster.Me- What do you think about Senator Grassley's position on MMJ Mr. Monster?Mr. Monster- Pot good! Grassley baaaad!So there you have it folks, strait from my political guru's sutured lips!
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #20 posted by FoM on November 08, 2009 at 05:19:01 PT
Vincent
I never was political. I spent my life trying to be a spiritual person and when that happened way back then I knew how bad it would be. The RP let in a big voting block without realizing they were pawns in a power struggle. Conservative means get in line or we'll put you in jail. When people think that conservative means money I don't get it. They fight about health care but have no problem going to war and spending lots of money for weapons etc. It's all wrong.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #19 posted by FoM on November 08, 2009 at 05:12:06 PT
EAH
I really hope that we will get this put in the proper perspective soon. There are no us and them just us. I want to see all the suit and tie people get off their high horse because they are nothing more then smart at chasing money. I will always be for ordinary everyday people.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #18 posted by Vincent on November 07, 2009 at 22:37:14 PT:
FoM, I couldn't have said it better
You really hit that one on the head; you are 100% correct. In 1980, when the Conservatives came to power, I saw those extremists hovering over Reagan. I had some words with a few "Christians" in the past, so I knew what to expect from these robots. And, as you said, every nightmare we had about them, came true.If they call themselves "Christians", then why do they act so evil? The reason for this is that there are two types of "Social Conservatives"...the leaders and the followers. The followers are weak minded and easily lead but, they do some heavy damage. The leaders act evil because they ARE evil. The true motivation behind these people has nothing to do with God.
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Comment #17 posted by EAH on November 07, 2009 at 21:02:25 PT:
Thank You FoM
I very much appreciate your kind sentiment. Mine is only one of many terrible
mockeries of justice, in what is supposed to be the leading nation of Freedom.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #16 posted by FoM on November 07, 2009 at 13:36:38 PT
EAH
Your story is one that really frustrates me. I try to stay calm but when I see something that is totally out of balance it upsets me.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #15 posted by EAH on November 07, 2009 at 13:33:22 PT:
State
My case was in CA state Superior court. Furthers absurdities: Because I was "convicted" of a "drug" crime, I was ordered by the judge to register as a drug offender at the local PD. For the same "drug" I'm able to possess and use. even on probation. The system is insane. Also all the medicine I delivered to the club was eventually distributed by the club, (sold, that is). So I'm a felon, but the club remains to this day.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #14 posted by FoM on November 07, 2009 at 08:25:57 PT
Vincent
I agree about how Conservatives see State's Rights. When the Republican Party embraced The Christian Coalition I knew what would happen. I quit going to church then. I was offended since I believe in the separation of church and state. Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar etc. I remember Pat Robertson saying that by joining the RP they could make laws against what they feel is immoral and further the teachings of the church or something close to that. What I thought back then is what has happened unfortunately. It is not a defendable party anymore in my book. I don't want to live in a Theocracy.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #13 posted by Vincent on November 07, 2009 at 07:21:27 PT:
States Rights
From the opinions and judgements that I have seen from most of you on this board, I could see that the Cannibis News is lead by an intelligent, liberated and humane group of people. So, you will perceive that when Conservative people say that they don't want interference from the Federal government, that they believe in States Rights, they have a very narrow, exclusive agenda. They want "States" rights to be able to practice prejudice and bigotry against people they don't like. To be a union-busting shill for big business.But, when it comes to Medical Marijuana, suddenly all these Conservatives become Federalists, interfering at will. This type of hypocrisy has such a stench about it, don't you think?
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #12 posted by FoM on November 07, 2009 at 05:29:33 PT
RevRayGreen
Thank you for sharing the pictures.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #11 posted by RevRayGreen on November 07, 2009 at 04:48:21 PT
After 4 hearings over 4 months...... in 4 Cities
time 4 some fun.below pic is my good frind Mike who is officially off paper and is a true-soldier in this fight http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e25/RevGreen/cheechchongmike3.jpghttp://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e25/RevGreen/revgreencheechchong11509-2.jpg me before the showhttp://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e25/RevGreen/tommychong11509.jpghttp://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e25/RevGreen/cheechchongmieupismoke.jpg picture Mike took from his seats, we were in the 4th row center.....http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e25/RevGreen/cheechchongletmakedopedeal.jpghttp://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e25/RevGreen/tommycheechupinsmokeopener2.jpg
Cheech & Chong 11/5/09 Ames IA
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #10 posted by FoM on November 07, 2009 at 04:43:59 PT
EAH
I am really sorry. I don't understand why those in the reform movement aren't looking out for those who supply dispensaries. It just is wrong.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #9 posted by FoM on November 07, 2009 at 04:18:39 PT
Frank Was There When Partner Arrested
November 7, 2009URL: http://www.boston.com/news/local/rhode_island/articles/2009/11/07/frank_was_there_when_partner_arrested/
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #8 posted by runruff on November 06, 2009 at 23:49:07 PT
So EAH,
Are you state or federal?
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #7 posted by EAH on November 06, 2009 at 23:34:24 PT:
Our wacky country
Two years ago I was compelled by the circumstances of the case and the fact that there is no affirmative medical defense against a sales charge in CA to plead no contest to 8 felonies for my medical cannabis activities. People keep thinking "hey it's pretty much legal". NO IT'S NOT. Not even in Santa Cruz CA. My lawyer told me just the other day about more cannabis cases he is defending right now.I'm two years in to my 5 year probation. BUT as a medical recommendation card holder I'm allowed to possess and use medical cannabis! They don't test me cause I can't fail a pee test for pot. So I was convicted of felonies of selling but I can still have it and use it. I know people who have never been arrested in their lives who could get arrested for possession but I can't. That's how screwy it has become in America.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #6 posted by runruff on November 06, 2009 at 22:11:30 PT
Oooops!
"cannabis ratification!"I didn't mean that, I meant the oposite!
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #5 posted by runruff on November 06, 2009 at 22:07:25 PT
Anywhooooo!
I sent my PO a URL e-mail of this article and his supervisor sent me a form letter instructing me to go on a random pee test program where he gave me a color and a phone number. My color is green. I call everyday to see if my color comes up. If my color comes up I drive to a pee collection center [160 miles round trip] and leave my famous USA [Urine Sample Analysis}.They plan for me to do this for the next two years to make sure I am not treating my glaucoma condition with illegal plant material!Medford Oregon Courthouse is full of medieval people who all but worship Judge Ann Aiken the torch barer of cannabis ratification!
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #4 posted by Mark702 on November 06, 2009 at 18:44:58 PT
A Growing Industry
An incremental acceptance of medical marijuana has spurred a cottage industry of business ventures — from iPhone applications to lobbyists — whose expansion shows no sign of slowing despite the recession. Instead, pot is the new growth industry. "It is a social movement with cash flow," said James Anthony, an activist and attorney.
Marijuana laws spur small businesses
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #3 posted by FoM on November 06, 2009 at 17:54:28 PT
Mark702
Posting a link in a current article helps me to get more news available for people to read. That's the best way to do it.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #2 posted by Mark702 on November 06, 2009 at 17:35:24 PT
Marijuana Could Treat PTSD
http://salem-news.com/articles/november032009/ptsd_pl.phpSubmitted here as I can't find a submission link anywhere...
Dude, Where's My Trauma?
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #1 posted by FoM on November 06, 2009 at 14:08:31 PT
'Truth In Trials Act' Reintroduced In Congress
Washington, DC -- (ENEWSPF) -- November 6, 2009 California Democrat Sam Farr, along with a bipartisan coalition of 27 co-sponsors, has reintroduced legislation to protect state-authorized medical cannabis patients and their providers from federal prosecution. House Bill 3939: the Truth in Trials Act of 2009 would provide an affirmative defense in federal court for defendants whose actions were in compliance with the medical marijuana laws of their state.URL: http://drugsense.org/url/eduCAR6Z
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