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Iowans Give Thumbs Up To Medicinal Marijuana
Posted by CN Staff on February 16, 2010 at 07:35:28 PT
By Tony Leys
Source: Des Moines Register
Des Moines -- Nearly two-thirds of Iowans think patients should be allowed to use marijuana as medicine if their doctors approve, a new Iowa Poll shows. However, fewer than a third of Iowans want to make the drug legal for people who just want to get high, the poll shows.Fourteen states have decided to allow medical uses of marijuana. The Iowa Board of Pharmacy plans to decide on Wednesday whether to recommend that the Iowa Legislature follow suit.
Supporters of the idea say marijuana can relieve pain and nausea for many patients suffering from debilitating diseases, including cancer, AIDS and multiple sclerosis.But skeptics say prescription drugs already are available for those purposes, and legalizing marijuana for medical purposes could make it easier to obtain the drug for recreational use, they say.Sixty-four percent of Iowans support allowing medical uses of marijuana, the Iowa Poll found. Thirty-three percent oppose the idea. Three percent are not sure.Only 28 percent of Iowans favor legalizing marijuana for recreational use, and 70 percent oppose the idea.Poll participant Kevin Sikkink, 44, of Decorah agrees with the majorities on both questions.Sikkink, who teaches part time at a community college and works in electronics, said he believes some ill people could see legitimate benefits from marijuana."If it's under a doctor's prescription, what's the difference between that and penicillin?" he asked.Sikkink noted that pharmacies already sell addictive drugs, such as OxyContin, which he believes are at least as dangerous as marijuana.Sikkink thinks legislators have more important things to worry about, including the budget, but he would support an eventual move to legalize medical uses of marijuana in Iowa. He said he would not support legalizing recreational uses of marijuana, partly because he believes that could legitimize cocaine and other highly addictive drugs."I think it provides a nice gateway to the harder stuff," he said.Todd Berner, 42, an engineer from Independence, opposes legalizing marijuana for any uses. He sees the medical-marijuana campaign as a cover for people who want to get high."You can see what's happened in California. It's become a pothead's dreamland," he said, referring to the hundreds of marijuana shops that have opened since that state decided to allow medical marijuana use.Berner said that doctors already can prescribe legal prescription drugs to fight pain or nausea, and they don't need to add marijuana to the list. He doesn't see why, after taking aggressive action to stem cigarette use, the government would loosen regulations on marijuana.Ann O'Brien, 75, of Dubuque said she definitely supports letting patients use marijuana to treat medical problems. She said she also has no major problem with letting Americans use it for recreational reasons."You know, I don't smoke marijuana — never have," she said. "But I don't think people should go to jail for smoking it. I don't think it's worse than booze."O'Brien is a nurse who works for a Catholic church. She said she believes some patients could be helped by smoking marijuana, especially for pain associated with diseases such as cancer."I just don't know where the harm is in it, especially for someone who is terminal," she said.O'Brien's views, especially on the recreational-use question, are unusual among poll participants her age. Only 11 percent of Iowans age 65 and older think marijuana should be legalized for recreation. Support is stronger among younger poll participants. Forty percent of adults younger than 35 say they support general legalization of the drug.There is less of a generational split on the medical-marijuana question, the poll shows. Among seniors, 52 percent favor legalizing the drug for such purposes. Support is 67 percent among adults younger than 35.Iowans' politics appear to strongly influence their views on the questions.Support for medical marijuana is 76 percent among Democrats, 47 percent among Republicans, and 66 percent among political independents, the poll shows. Support for general legalization of marijuana is 36 percent among Democrats, 14 percent among Republicans and 31 percent among independents.The debate is both philosophical and scientific. Both sides cite reams of reports on marijuana's effectiveness and dangers, or lack thereof. Proponents say the drug is safer and more affordable than many prescription medications. Opponents say that it is unnecessary, and that legalizing it for medical uses would open the door for more illicit uses.Support for loosening marijuana laws is stronger nationally than in Iowa, another recent poll found. The ABC News/Washington Post poll, released last month, found that 81 percent of Americans support allowing marijuana use for medical reasons, and 46 percent favor legalizing small amounts of marijuana for personal use in general.New Jersey last month became the 14th state to allow medical uses of marijuana. The others are Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington state. The states vary in how much marijuana users may possess, how they must document their medical need, and where they may obtain the drug.Marijuana remains illegal under federal law, but President Barack Obama's administration has said it would not prosecute patients for using it if they follow rules states set for medical purposes. Federal law forbids physicians from formally prescribing the drug, but they may write notes saying they approve of a patient's use of it.Source: Des Moines Register (IA)Author: Tony LeysPublished: February 16, 2010Copyright: 2010 The Des Moines RegisterContact: cdavis dmreg.comWebsite: http://desmoinesregister.comURL: http://drugsense.org/url/RbgWNtsACannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml
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Comment #18 posted by FoM on February 17, 2010 at 12:38:29 PT
Shaun White
 Project X Overview - shaunwhite.com/projectxVideo: http://shaunwhite.com/projectx/?fbid=JJYUeOIiKhb
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #17 posted by FoM on February 17, 2010 at 12:33:51 PT
Yes That's George and He Looks Good
They should be very happy. Tonight a sport in the Olympics that was shunned will be one of the most popular events viewed. The counter culture, pot smoking, free spirits have arrived to dazzle us once more. What would our country be like without the rebels among us? Not very much.I think Shaun White with his long red hair and big smile is adorable. LOL! http://www.shaunwhite.com/
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Comment #16 posted by Hope on February 17, 2010 at 12:19:27 PT
Comment 15
There's a picture of George McMahon with that article.It's so great to see him looking so well!
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Comment #15 posted by FoM on February 17, 2010 at 11:28:52 PT
Iowa Board Recommends State OK Medical Marijuana
Associated Press - February 17, 2010 DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - The Iowa Board of Pharmacy is unanimously recommending that the Legislature legalize marijuana for medical uses.In a 6-0 vote Wednesday, the board also called for lawmakers to change the classification of marijuana, to a Schedule II drug. Such drugs have the potential for abuse but also have accepted medical uses.The board's action makes it the first in the nation to take such a stance on marijuana. There are now 14 states in which medical marijuana is legal.Copyright: 2010 The Associated Press URL: http://www.wxow.com/Global/story.asp?S=11999472
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Comment #14 posted by runruff on February 17, 2010 at 11:25:10 PT
An earlier radio show.
Archive Page [near bottom]Spaceman & Dr. Pondwater, 42min and 40 sec into the show I come on as Dr Pondwater. It is a great show. Listen to the music after the show and spaceman is the greatest DJ in the world!-Enjoyhttp://www.takilmafm.com/Downloads.php
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #13 posted by runruff on February 17, 2010 at 11:15:32 PT
Coking up? 
Naa, I meant, choking, but you all knew........
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Comment #12 posted by runruff on February 17, 2010 at 11:13:02 PT
"....we would have mayhem,” she said."
She could be guilty of murder, making statements like that!I nearly fell over dead from laughter!Coking up and gasping for air...slingin' snot and tearing up......oh my god...mayhem she said!!!Mayhem is what you get when you cadge normal , good people in with psychopaths, try that on for some mayhem! 
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Comment #11 posted by FoM on February 17, 2010 at 10:51:43 PT
Pharmacy Board Appears Split on Medical Pot Issue
February 17, 2010The Iowa Board of Pharmacy appears split on whether to recommend opening the door to medical uses of marijuana.The board spent this morning discussing the drug’s potential value vs. its potential for abuse.Board vice-chairwoman Susan Frey, a Villisca pharmacist, said marijuana clearly has benefits for some patients. But she said current pharmaceutical medications based on marijuana offer the same benefits. She raised the specter of problems in California and other states that have let people smoke marijuana for medicinal purposes. “I think without adequate controls, we would have mayhem,” she said.Board Chairman Vernon Benjamin, a Fort Madison pharmacist, said he doesn’t believe marijuana is more likely to cause addiction than alcohol or prescription narcotics can. He also said the attraction of marijuana to young people probably is enhanced by the fact that it’s illegal. He indicated he’s leaning toward recommending that the state reclassify marijuana in a way that would make it easier to study as a possible treatment for pain and other symptoms.The board expects to vote on the matter this afternoon.A Des Moines Register Iowa Poll released this week found that 64 percent of Iowans support allowing patients to use marijuana if their doctors approve.The Pharmacy Board previously expressed reservations about medical marijuana. But proponents sued, and a judge ruled last year that the board had to consider the matter.The board last fall held a series of hearings around the state, at which most speakers spoke in favor of medical marijuana.Board staff members noted a decades-old section of Iowa law giving the board authority to set up rules allowing medical uses of marijuana. But several board members said they thought the Legislature or a broad advisory panel should decide the matter.Medical marijuana bills in the Legislature are considered dead for the year, but proponents hoped a recommendation from the pharmacy board would give the issue momentum next year. If the proponents don’t get what they want from the board today, they intend to ask the Iowa Supreme Court to intervene.Sign up for breaking news text alerts: Text DMRNEWS to 44636.Copyright: 2010 The Des Moines RegisterURL: http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20100217/NEWS10/100217012/1001/
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Comment #10 posted by Hope on February 17, 2010 at 09:45:11 PT
Comment 9
Cool!I'll check it out.
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Comment #9 posted by FoM on February 17, 2010 at 09:02:48 PT
Live Coverage: Medical Marijuana Hearing
Hope, I found this.URL: http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/84595217.html
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Comment #8 posted by Hope on February 17, 2010 at 08:53:37 PT
Pharmacy Board 
I wonder how it's going?Ray, let us know as soon as you know something.
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Comment #7 posted by Brandon Perera on February 17, 2010 at 02:45:28 PT:
popularity contest is there, but not equality?
Society teaches people bad things and good things. Racism is created from society. See someone else doing hard drugs and it will put pure pressure. Something is corrupt and they say injecting all them billions and trillions of dollars into the economy could gurantee a depression. (Ron Paul) 
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Comment #6 posted by EAH on February 16, 2010 at 23:24:26 PT:
Astonishing
I'm amazed by how many people firmly believe myths. Also by how many Americans see nothing wrong with having opinions on things they NOTHING about. And by how many are fine with denying freedom to others. Or still retain such backward ideas and carry such fear and loathing of things that they don't understand but are no threat to them.It's really hard to educate people who know nothing but think they know everything.
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Comment #5 posted by FoM on February 16, 2010 at 19:59:14 PT
Iowa Pharmacy Board To Discuss Medical Marijuana
February 16, 2010URL: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-ia-medicalmarijuana-,0,3416111.story
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #4 posted by FoM on February 16, 2010 at 17:44:07 PT
RevRayGreen 
Good Luck to you!
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #3 posted by RevRayGreen on February 16, 2010 at 16:29:11 PT
fingers crossed 
look for me with a fresh haircut.....I'll be there.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #2 posted by FoM on February 16, 2010 at 08:54:56 PT
Marijuana in PA - Legalize To Lessen The Pain?
Marijuana in PA - Legalize to Lessen the Pain?' on the Next State of Pennsylvania on WVIAPITTSTON, PA (wvia) - Should marijuana be available to Pennsylvanians who suffer from cancer, AIDS and other life-threatening illnesses? We will discuss this issue on the next State of Pennsylvania Thursday, Feb. 18 at 7 p.m. on WVIA-TV.Recent testimony before the Pennsylvania House of Representatives supports the practice of using marijuana as a safe and effective means to manage the pain of grave disease as well as subsequent treatments. Our lawmakers are considering House Bill 1393, the Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act, but not all in Harrisburg support the promoted therapeutic use of this illegal drug.Joining Suzanne Kapral-Kelly will be Representative Mark Cohen from Philadelphia who sponsored HB 1393, Dr. Denis Petro from Allentown, a national expert on medical marijuana, and Bradley Walter, a local resident who has AIDS and uses medical marijuana.Representative Cohen introduced House Bill 1393 on April 30, 2009, which provides for the medical use of marijuana to treat symptoms or pain associated with serious medical conditions. According to a press release issued by Representative Cohen, a survey on his web site determined that 80 percent supported the legalization of marijuana for medical purposes. Internet polls in Wilkes-Barre for television station WYOU and in Philadelphia for the Philadelphia Metro found 79 percent and 96 percent support, respectively. In a statewide poll on the issue, a sampling in the 2006 Casey-Santorum U.S. Senate race taken by Franklin and Marshall College Center for Politics and Public Affairs found 76 percent of the sample, disproportionately weighted with Republicans, in favor of medical marijuana with 20 percent against.Dr. Petro is recognized world-wide as the first clinical researcher to conduct a double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trial of THC (a substance derived from marijuana) demonstrating the efficacy of marijuana in treating painful muscle spasms in patients with multiple sclerosis. According to testimony presented by Dr. Petro before the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, "Marijuana is recognized by the medical community as safe and effective in the treatment of the pain and muscle spasms associated with multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury, and CNS (Central Nervous System) injury." Dr. Petro does not limit the use of medical marijuana to injuries of the central nervous system. "When compared with potent opioid analgestic agents such as Vicodin, marijuana is a safe and effective therapeutic modality in treatment of patients with severe and disabling chronic pain and in relieving cancer pain." Moreover, "Additional research done by the US National Institutes of Health in Bethesda demonstrated the antioxidant and neuroprotective properties of cannabinoids leading to the award of Patient ( #6,630,507) on cannabis as useful in the prevention and treatment of age-related inflammatory and autoimmune diseases and nervous system disorders such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and HIV dementia."Mr. Walter resides in Northeastern Pennsylvania and has been HIV-Positive for five years. He risks arrest each time he purchases marijuana. Still, Walter states that the drugs that help keep him alive have severe side effects. Walter's daily use of marijuana helps manage the side effects as well as his pain.To be part of WVIA's live studio audience in the region's only High Definition Theater Studio, call (570) 602-1150 or visit www.wvia.org. Viewers may call in questions during the show at 1-800-326-9842 or go to www.wvia.org to submit questions online.Copyright: 2010, wviaURL: http://drugsense.org/url/t2bldGF4
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Comment #1 posted by Brandon Perera on February 16, 2010 at 07:51:45 PT:
They have done there voting?
The Iowanas have done there voting but are still discussing? The people have the right to get what they voted for? Prescription pills are there to take the spot of marijuana? Pharmaceutical companies will enjoy that. Medicaid Heath Insurance, RIDDELIN marijuana calms me down and were giving our children amphetamines? Dislike how people follow and cant be themselves
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