cannabisnews.com: Iowa Should Legalize and Lead with Med Marijuana
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Iowa Should Legalize and Lead with Med Marijuana
Posted by CN Staff on February 19, 2010 at 14:28:08 PT
By DI Editorial Board
Source: Daily Iowan
Iowa -- The Iowa Board of Pharmacy’s recommendation on Wednesday to simultaneously reclassify marijuana and create a body to oversee the possible legalization of the plant for medical use is commendable and realistic. Iowa legislators — and other states — should take note.The board voted unanimously to recommend shifting marijuana from a Schedule I controlled substance to Schedule II — a switch that would recognize the potential medical benefits and open the door for possible legalization. While the legislation needed to change the plant’s categorization likely won’t come until next year at the earliest, the decision is still a major victory for Iowans who tout the medical benefits of the drug.
Iowa’s board is the first body of its type to take active steps toward medical marijuana legalization. Of the 14 states that allow medicinal use of the drug, the measure has arisen from other means, such as the public referendum in California. While these methods of legalization are perfectly valid, having a state body such as the Board of Pharmacy initiate proceedings breeds an unprecedented level of control for any change in regulation.“Because medical marijuana is illegal, people doing research on its effects can’t do the research,” said Margaret Whitworth, one of two public members of the board. She explained that many of the studies that provide evidence for the drug’s benefits lose much of their credibility, mainly because the size and scope of such research is limited by the criminality of the drug.That’s not to say that there isn’t evidence that points to marijuana’s health benefits. Marijuana has been shown to ease many conditions, including vomiting, chronic pain, and nausea. And it’s safer than scores of drugs on the market; it’s nearly impossible to overdose on pot.“There is increasing information that [marijuana] does provide medical benefits,” Whitworth said in an interview Thursday.The board’s actions represent a new wave in responsible and intelligent debate on the big-picture effects of legalizing medical marijuana. There are still questions concerning the extent of the benefits and how best to control the dissemination of the drug. This is why the board has also proposed the creation of a large body of stakeholders who can oversee the possible transition.If legislators decide to legalize the substance for medicinal uses, Iowa should avoid a relatively laissez-faire approach, as California has done. The creation of this body is a positive step toward the measured, transitional legalization that is needed.Whitworth said California’s approach left things wide open.“It’s basically not medical marijuana, just plain marijuana,” she said.Amid the mounting evidence in favor of marijuana’s medicinal value for ailments ranging from HIV to glaucoma, these pre-emptive actions to further research and better control the substance put Iowa at the forefront of medical marijuana reform.We applaud the board for its actions and look to our legislators to back its recommendations. Iowa should serve as a leader in providing information on marijuana and its medicinal benefits.Source: Daily Iowan, The (IA Edu)Published: February 19, 2010Copyright: 2010 The Daily IowanContact: daily-iowan uiowa.eduWebsite: http://www.dailyiowan.com/URL: http://drugsense.org/url/TaMjivZLCannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml
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Comment #10 posted by rchandar on February 21, 2010 at 13:53:09 PT:
Iowa
Yeah, I think it is important to venture into this territory. Iowa isn't as conservative as some people think, though there was apparently a Reaganite backlash to hippies throughout the Midwest.These are the kinds of places that very few of us muse, and then think--weed! Yes, weed! It's not a "podunk" state by any means--four major cities, and several big universities with plenty of burners. A key test of this "policy shift" remains showing that it's not just the big liberal states that can adopt sensible medical policies that don't basically condemn people. Iowa is a player in our market.--rchandar
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Comment #9 posted by Hope on February 20, 2010 at 11:38:56 PT
Tattoo Zoo
Oooh. I missed it again.I want to hear you read from that book.Are your readings not archived somewhere, Runruff?Is your book, Tattoo Zoo online somewhere?But I would really like to hear you reading it, too.
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Comment #8 posted by runruff on February 20, 2010 at 05:42:48 PT
FM internet radio is the bomb!
Hearing from folk around the country and around the world!What an awesome time we live in!Words I hear, intriging, riviting, fascinating, and one e-mail from Europe, "I am suprized to hear that America is so?"
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Comment #7 posted by runruff on February 20, 2010 at 05:02:53 PT
Please allow my correction.
I don't know why I attempt to make sense so early without a shot of coffee first to clear the cobwebs?I meant to say; History is never made by the masses, history is made by individuals who wake and rally the masses.Technically you cannot change history except by telling the truth!
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Comment #6 posted by runruff on February 20, 2010 at 04:23:42 PT
Tattoo Zoo response 
has been stunning! Calls and E-mails overwhelm us.Thank you for listening and responding they way you have."History is never changed by the masses, history is changed by individuals who wake and rally the masses!"-Runruff
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Comment #5 posted by The GCW on February 19, 2010 at 22:30:54 PT
As cancer rates increase:
US WA: PUB LTE: Pot: Don't Deprive Sick Of Needed Reliefhttp://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v10/n120/a11.html?1057-0-That letter to the editor is an example of why cannabis use for sick citizens is gaining acceptance.-0-The prevalence of cancer is growing. Right now I believe it’s up to one out of 3 Americans will get cancer (that's every American family) and the rate is growing. There may be a point where it becomes 1 out of 2 and then grow to 9 out of 10 citizens will get cancer. -So there will be more, not less interest in cannabis.How many people who get cancer appreciate government spending money to exterminate cannabis rather than exterminate cancer?People are ANGRY that there's problems for sick to receive the healing plant. The anger grows.
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Comment #4 posted by runruff on February 19, 2010 at 18:17:18 PT
Tattoo Zoo tonight!
I will read about 20 min. starting at about nine Pacific, 12 Eastern. Spaceman will reair it on Monday and he is achiving all Tattoo Zoo readings.http://www.takilmafm.com/Be there or be square!
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Comment #3 posted by FoM on February 19, 2010 at 16:18:08 PT
The GCW
That's funny. When I read his name I couldn't help but laugh a little. Poor guy. LOL!
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Comment #2 posted by The GCW on February 19, 2010 at 15:59:50 PT
FoM,
I think I know You don't like to make fun of people's names, however, I'd like to share this one.It is the name of the person who had an opionion printed in the Paradise Post (CA) titled, US CA: OPED: Marijuana Should Remain Illegal, so I already don't care for His politics... http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v10/n121/a01.html?397Author,Dick Little-0-You know how (in school) they sometimes call people out by their last names first??? How sad. Who would do that to their child?
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Comment #1 posted by The GCW on February 19, 2010 at 14:34:36 PT
Time to pee.
Lindsey Vonn finally had her gold medal. She wanted to celebrate. Instead, she got stuck talking to reporters for three straight hours after getting asked to pee in a cup.
http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20100219/OLYMPICSSD/100219741/1078&ParentProfile=1055
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