cannabisnews.com: Tweaking Pot Laws
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Tweaking Pot Laws
Posted by CN Staff on February 28, 2010 at 04:20:59 PT
Editorial
Source: Muskegon Chronicle
MI -- Michigan lawmakers should tread very carefully as they move to amend the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act.The voters have made it clear in 2008 they want medical marijuana as a treatment option in this state. The ballot initiative didn’t just squeak by, it was resoundingly approved — especially in Muskegon County where 67 percent of the voters supported the proposal.
Every county in the state had at least 50 percent of the voters supporting the measure. Washtenaw County, which is home to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, approved the proposal by 71 percent, the highest in the state, followed by Wayne County at 69 percent. Huron County at the tip of the thumb had the lowest approval rate at 50 percent.So, any changes to the law that would make it more difficult to use marijuana as a medicine would be a slap in the face of voters.Michigan probably should take a good look at what California, the first to approve medical marijuana in 1996, and other states are doing to clear up the gray areas this state is facing. Their experience could help Michigan find a middle ground.Marijuana use has gone through a lot of stages in this country. It was legal before 1937 for all uses. Then it was placed on the controlled substance list along with other previously legal drugs like cocaine and heroin. Now marijuana is seeing a revival as a medicine — a use that has been recorded in history for up to 10,000 years in Asian countries.Although 14 states have legalized marijuana use as a medicine, the federal government hasn’t, which adds another layer of issues. A 2009 directive from the U.S. Deputy Attorney General provided guidelines to U.S. Attorneys in the states that had legalized medical marijuana and recommended against prosecuting patients using medical marijuana products according to state laws.It’s all very confusing.And that means there is some room for fine-tuning Michigan’s law.In a Feb. 7-8 review of how Michigan’s Medical Marihuana Act is working, The Muskegon Chronicle found many patients unwilling to have their names published for fear of ridicule or arrest. Most area doctors and medical facilities contacted also declined to comment.It’s clear there’s still a stigma attached to marijuana, even though it has been found effective in reducing nausea, easing glaucoma and improving appetite and sleep in AIDS patients.There’s also a concern medical marijuana will be used for other than the intended purpose. That’s a fair concern. It happens with many other prescription drugs now. In 2007, prescription drug abuse accounted for 10 percent of all drug cases prosecuted in Muskegon County.Sen. Gerald Van Woerkom, R-Norton Shores, and Sen. Wayne Kuipers, R-Holland, have introduced a bill that would tighten user access to marijuana. Authorized patients would not be allowed to grow their own supply as they can choose to do now, although several patients The Chronicle interviewed did not. Instead, the state would license marijuana-growing facilities. The drug would then be distributed through regulated dispensaries or approved pharmacists with a prescription.There are plenty of details that need to be worked out, including cooperation between law enforcement and the medical community to reduce the “hassle” factor that patients — and doctors and pharmacists — fear. Citizens should not be afraid to do something that is legal.The Van Woerkom/Kuipers proposal is not off the mark. California, Colorado, New Mexico, Maine, Rhode Island and Montana utilize dispensaries to sell medical marijuana. California’s medical marijuana market is estimated at about $14 billion a year and dispensaries generated $18 million in state sales taxes during 2008. A California official believes with better controls, “cannabusiness” could contribute $1.3 billion in taxes to the struggling state.That’s something to think about. Source: Muskegon Chronicle, The (MI)Published: February 28, 2010Copyright: 2010 The Muskegon ChronicleURL: http://drugsense.org/url/Fy6IiCvFWebsite: http://www.mlive.com/muskegon/Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/DoTOSFLbCannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml
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Comment #33 posted by afterburner on August 10, 2010 at 07:31:29 PT
FoM #29
"Oh Canada Glorious and Free!
I doubt I will ever forget these Olympics. The Spirit of Canada radiated throughout all the different competitions. Canada has shared with us the best musicians, comedians and actors. For a country that only has about 30 some million people they stand tall, humble and yet proud."Check out this hip-hop version of Canada's national anthem. It starts with a very traditional band and then launches into modern Canadian crowd scenes backing the hip-hop artist's styling.
Classified - "Oh... Canada" [Official Video]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjiwBwBL4Qo
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Comment #32 posted by FoM on March 02, 2010 at 06:57:00 PT
Better Video Of Long May You Run
http://vimeo.com/9835551
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Comment #31 posted by FoM on March 01, 2010 at 09:39:50 PT
Paint with light
It's amazing how they seem to replay this story over and over again. Mentally ill people smoke Cannabis as well as mentally stable people do. The same goes for drinking alcohol or taking any substance that can cause a person's perception to change temporarily.
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Comment #30 posted by FoM on March 01, 2010 at 08:42:47 PT
The Video of Neil From Last Night
http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/assetid=29ba804f-1a8c-4c0e-9920-9ef6b541dd39.html
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Comment #29 posted by FoM on March 01, 2010 at 05:07:16 PT
Oh Canada Glorious and Free!
I doubt I will ever forget these Olympics. The Spirit of Canada radiated throughout all the different competitions. Canada has shared with us the best musicians, comedians and actors. For a country that only has about 30 some million people they stand tall, humble and yet proud.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #28 posted by Paint with light on February 28, 2010 at 23:18:26 PT
Scare Headline/ambiguous conclusion
The story in the following link started off as your typical prohib rag piece but sort of fell apart in its conclusions.I get the sense the general media is doing that more and more.This is similar to what Hope said in comment #4.They will use the old attention getting headline but will end up without completely condemning usage.http://news.yahoo.com/s/hsn/20100228/hl_hsn/marijuanausecanuppsychosisrisk Legal like alcohol.
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Comment #27 posted by John Tyler on February 28, 2010 at 21:38:06 PT
Oh Canada
The Canadians won the Olympics with a total of 14 gold medals. No too shabby for a whole country of nice people, eh?
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Comment #26 posted by The GCW on February 28, 2010 at 20:29:54 PT
Canada
It couldn't have been 2 better teams. The Canadians are good people. It will not be the same next time. Being in Canada was special. If the U.S.A couldn't... It is cool that the Canadians won it though. And the women too.
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Comment #25 posted by FoM on February 28, 2010 at 20:13:20 PT
The GCW
I don't watch hockey except tonight so either team winning would have made me feel good. I just like Canadians. They are good people and the whole Olympics radiated it. I don't think the one coming up in Russia would interest me but Canada did.They know how to reach beyond themselves and be tolerant and polite. That's so special.
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Comment #24 posted by The GCW on February 28, 2010 at 20:05:25 PT
It's all good.
About the only Oly TV thing I watched was the men's hockey game; Canada vs U.S. Good game. Believe Me, I was not rooting for Canada.The whole Oly thing this year, being in Vancouver, is good for the cannabis movement, the periphery...BC Bud, Neil Young, progressive west coast... the world had a chance to notice some pro-cannabis vibes even if under the radar.And don't forget this:Marc Emery's Vancouver Canucks 420 hockey jersey. http://www.cannabisculture.com/articles/2644.html
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Comment #23 posted by FoM on February 28, 2010 at 19:52:34 PT
Here's Neil's Song From Tonight
Here is the first recording that is posted of Neil's performance tonight.
Long May You Run - 2010 Vancouver B.C.
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Comment #22 posted by FoM on February 28, 2010 at 19:42:35 PT
Hope
Bless his heart he isn't the skinny kid of his early years but he sure looks full of life. He'll probably go think up a new album. LOL!
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Comment #21 posted by FoM on February 28, 2010 at 19:40:10 PT
Hope
They broke away to put a new show on and it's coming back on at 11:30 ET. That's weird. Neil did look good and happy. The Opening Ceremonies were much better if that is all there is but the Olympics were great.
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Comment #20 posted by Hope on February 28, 2010 at 19:32:09 PT
His performance was flawless.
He's apparently taken very good care of his voice. He's still rocking. He looked great.That was an amazing show.
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Comment #19 posted by FoM on February 28, 2010 at 19:20:34 PT
Hope
Neil looked good and happy. I love Long May You Run. It was a good pick of a song. I wish he could have done a few more songs but there's no time in a big program like this. Canada is such a cool country.
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Comment #18 posted by Hope on February 28, 2010 at 18:40:25 PT
That was so cool!
Those people in light suits inside big clear soft balls they're rolling around and running inside. That's wild!
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Comment #17 posted by Hope on February 28, 2010 at 18:04:30 PT
I'm watching it...
NBC?
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Comment #16 posted by FoM on February 28, 2010 at 17:42:23 PT
Hope
It's just starting. We had company so I was away from the computer for a while. I am so excited to see Neil perform in front of maybe a 100 million people world wide.
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Comment #15 posted by Hope on February 28, 2010 at 17:02:39 PT
I think, perhaps
the closing ceremony hasn't happened yet.I'm watching.
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Comment #14 posted by Hope on February 28, 2010 at 15:50:05 PT
Closing Ceremonies and Mr. Young.
Well?Did he do wonderful well? What did you think?
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Comment #13 posted by Hope on February 28, 2010 at 15:48:02 PT
Closing Ceremonies and Mr. Young.
It's the news but I might see a rerun.Dang.Again.
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Comment #12 posted by Hope on February 28, 2010 at 15:45:16 PT
15:04:49 PT
I hope that wasn't a long time ago from right now.
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Comment #11 posted by ekim on February 28, 2010 at 15:34:18 PT
from drugwarrant.com
Can you use an extra 48 billion dollars? Jeffrey Mirron has the latest estimates on savings due to legalization. Taxes would be extra.http://jeffreymiron.blogspot.com/2010/02/budgetary-impact-of-drug-legalization.htmlThe report estimates that legalizing drugs would save roughly $48.7 billion per year in government expenditure on enforcement of prohibition.
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Comment #10 posted by FoM on February 28, 2010 at 15:04:49 PT
OT: Congratulations Canada!
I am not a hockey fan but I did watch this game. It was amazing. I was hoping Canada would win. Canada has won more Gold Medals in this Olympics then any other country. Great job and now soon the Closing Ceremonies.
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Comment #9 posted by mydnytmover on February 28, 2010 at 12:33:03 PT
Pot Shrinks Tumors; Government Knew in '74
In 1974 researchers learned that THC, the active chemical in marijuana, shrank or destroyed brain tumors in test mice. But the DEA quickly shut down the study and destroyed its results, which were never replicated -- until now.
http://www.alternet.org/story/9257/
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Comment #8 posted by FoM on February 28, 2010 at 10:36:34 PT
Dankhank
We got to see most of it. He's a smart man. I'm glad he still likes Obama. He said something about getting tough. I think he will after how the other side acted at the health care thing they did.PS: Neil Young will be in the closing ceremonies tonight. I am so excited to see it all.
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Comment #7 posted by Dankhank on February 28, 2010 at 10:13:52 PT
on Fareed Z ...
so it will be replayed, later, I think ... he's on for one more segment ... good stuff ...
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Comment #6 posted by Dankhank on February 28, 2010 at 10:01:45 PT
OT ,,,,,,
George Soros on CNN, now!!!
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Comment #5 posted by HempWorld on February 28, 2010 at 08:41:46 PT
You Got It Hope! Bullseye!
"government is being controlled by a fascist (big industry) dictatorial element that seeks to control the government and the citizen's personal and private lives for their own personal gain."Bravo! Hope!
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Comment #4 posted by Hope on February 28, 2010 at 08:31:27 PT
A lot in media are finally realizing
that they were being spoon fed lies by government run by big industry and lock step prohibitionists. Finally! Some have decided, obviously, to do a little journalistic research themselves and be "Watchdogs" and not "Lapdogs", swallowing whole and regurgitating what the prohibitionists feed them. I'm sure it's easier being a fawned over, patted and hand fed lap dog than it is being a vigilant watchdog. Much easier. The media, like that little lapdog, have gotten fat and lazy and forgotten what they can really be... a benefit to the people, the public, and not just an awry government's mouthpiece. As long as big industry, (the huge and powerful pharmaceutical industry, the massive prison industry, the drug treatment and testing industry, the insurance industry, the law enforcement "tools" industry) and prohibitionist puppets run our governments without any question from free thinking citizens or the media, our entire nation and form of government is being controlled by a fascist (big industry) dictatorial element that seeks to control the government and the citizen's personal and private lives for their own personal gain. Government in this country has become all too much about, and has been for a long time now, keeping the industrialists' slaves owned and subservient enough to suit them and their envisioned bottom lines. Choosing to do work for pay for any business or industry shouldn't be the same as being owned to the bone.
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Comment #2 posted by The GCW on February 28, 2010 at 07:36:09 PT
Media good.
Not only are laws changing but newspaper editorial boards are in support and printing it, these days. The media is helping and one way is by helping expose what's right and wrong.The media even delivers a warning.
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Comment #1 posted by mydnytmover on February 28, 2010 at 06:35:55 PT
tweaking
Pot is safer then booze alcohol is a factor in the following* 73% of all felonies* 73% of child beating cases* 41% of rape cases* 81% of wife battering cases* 72% of stabbings* 83% of homicides
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