cannabisnews.com: Follow The Doctor's Orders

function share_this(num) {
 tit=encodeURIComponent('Follow The Doctor's Orders');
 url=encodeURIComponent('http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/25/thread25921.shtml');
 site = new Array(5);
 site[0]='http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u='+url+'&title='+tit;
 site[1]='http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit.php?url='+url+'&title='+tit;
 site[2]='http://digg.com/submit?topic=political_opinion&media=video&url='+url+'&title='+tit;
 site[3]='http://reddit.com/submit?url='+url+'&title='+tit;
 site[4]='http://del.icio.us/post?v=4&noui&jump=close&url='+url+'&title='+tit;
 window.open(site[num],'sharer','toolbar=0,status=0,width=620,height=500');
 return false;
}












  Follow The Doctor's Orders

Posted by CN Staff on September 02, 2010 at 06:54:40 PT
By Gabrielle Friedman, Columnist 
Source: GW Hatchet 

Washington, D.C. -- With the passing of Initiative 59 this spring, medical marijuana became legal in the District. Finally, the D.C. Council realized the lunacy of keeping the substance illegal for medical purposes. But GW administrators clearly still fear the reefer, because they have banned the use or possession of medical marijuana on campus.While I can sympathize with the University in its mission to keep illicit substances off campus, I can't agree with denying a student with a valid prescription the right to do something that would be perfectly legal anywhere else in the city.
Taking this action is simply vilifying marijuana. If a student has a condition marijuana has been proven to treat, and therefore obtains a prescription, what makes marijuana any different from Adderall or Xanax? Both of these substances are prescription medications that are ubiquitous on college campuses. Yes, they too can be thought of as "illegal substances" in the eyes of Student Judicial Services and the University when found in the hands of those who don't have a legitimate prescription. But why is it any different when it comes to marijuana? If a student has a prescription for it and therefore keeps it in his or her dorm room for personal use, it is their medication and the University has no business to hinder that. Now if that marijuana finds its way to the room of a student without a prescription - then that student should be punished by SJS just as he or she would before D.C. legalized medical marijuana. If the student was caught using or possessing Adderall or Xanax without a prescription, he or she would face the same repercussions.In addition to the hypocrisy of the campus-wide ban on medical marijuana, GW's policy sends out the wrong message to the physicians who support the use of medical marijuana and the users who swear by the drug's effectiveness. Essentially by not letting the law take its course, GW says that it does not trust the system to ensure that only students who sincerely need medical marijuana receive it for just medical purposes.But who is it that the University does not trust? Is the administration afraid the medical marijuana laws are not stringent enough to prevent students with "fake" illnesses from getting cards? Or perhaps GW does not trust the doctors writing the prescriptions? Either way, we need to accept that trained medical professionals know better than to write prescriptions to 20-year-olds without first ensuring it is absolutely necessary. The fact of that matter is that it is not easy to obtain this prescription. Only those suffering from serious illnesses such as cancer, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS or other chronic conditions are eligible for a prescription.GW has simply taken the easiest and most restrictive approach when dealing with the legalization of medical marijuana in D.C. with the campus-wide ban. Instead of coming up with a feasible solution that takes into account the reservations surrounding marijuana usage and the fact that it is considered to be a medication, the administration has taken a step that prevents some students from getting the medication they need. Other universities, such as the University of Southern California, treat marijuana usage like cigarette usage. This policy allows students to posses medical marijuana and use it, just not inside smoke-free buildings.I urge the University to revisit this policy and cast away preconceived notions surrounding medical marijuana. While I understand that the notion of marijuana being allowed on a college campus may unnerve University officials, ultimately the University has no right to deny ill students a substance that has the potential to help them be healthier and more successful for the rest of their years at GW.The writer, a sophomore majoring in international affairs, is a Hatchet columnist.Source: GW Hatchet (George Washington U, DC Edu)Author: Gabrielle Friedman, ColumnistPublished: September 2, 2010Copyright: 2010 The GW HatchetContact: letters gwhatchet.comWebsite: http://www.gwhatchet.com/URL: http://drugsense.org/url/XA8qu8wCCannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml 

Home    Comment    Email    Register    Recent Comments    Help    
     
     
     
     






 


Comment #23 posted by John Tyler on September 05, 2010 at 08:49:14 PT

heck to pay
One thing I think that a lot of people don’t understand (except for us, and people like us) is that there is a unity or a connectedness of all things. You can see it intellectually, like on those science shows where they talk about how the universe and life began, but it doesn’t have any real impact until you feel it yourself and understand it emotionally. We need to be more kind to each other and to Mother Nature. If we don’t there will be heck to pay.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #22 posted by FoM on September 03, 2010 at 04:49:27 PT

OT But Interesting
Mass Extinction Threat: Earth on Verge of Huge Reset Button?URL: http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20100902/sc_livescience/massextinctionthreatearthonvergeofhugeresetbutton
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #21 posted by FoM on September 03, 2010 at 04:42:24 PT

The GCW
Thank you. I think I saw a documentary about that in Wyoming. One man was able to turn on his kitchen water and light it with his lighter. They drilled up in northern Ohio and a home exploded. We are sitting on a lot of oil and they hounded us about drilling on our land but we said no. We could use the money but somethings you don't put a price on like good and safe water.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #20 posted by runruff on September 03, 2010 at 03:07:01 PT

"maybe they'll give it a rest."
To quote Major Fletcher in the movie "The Outlaw Josey Whales, "Doin' right ain't got no end!" 
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #19 posted by Hope on September 02, 2010 at 23:29:41 PT

Oh my gosh, GCW!
That's awful!It reminded me of that place in Pennsylvania, isn't it... where the coal mines caught fire years ago, maybe the sixties... and couldn't be put out and people had to leave the area and their homes and lives there and there is still constant fire under ground. Maybe they have it out now...but it went on a very long time.Wyoming? It's hard to imagine this happening in some place like Wyoming. I didn't know there was oil being pumped there. I tend to think of Wyoming as a very clean, purer place.I was just reading the other day a very disturbing story about a male breast cancer pod being found in Virginia Beach at the military base. Camp Le June, isn't it? They've had bad water. Really bad water, in the past.There has been a huge amount of cancer in people living on the base over the years and drinking the water... but they've recently discoverd sixty five known case of male breast cancer in men who lived on that base at one time or another, either as adults or children. It's horrible. It's the largest male breast cancer pod ever discovered so far.My young next door neighbor died of breast cancer several years ago. Other neighbors seem to have not developed it though.There was an eighteen year old girl receiving chemo for breast cancer in the same room with me today. A nineteen year old boy, too. The little children are in another area.The little eighteen year old girl looked about fourteen... but I've only seen any little children, that were obviously the patient, outside, coming out of the cancer treatment buildings. I don't know where they are treating them. I can see the devastating grief the families... and the babies, are suffering. I remember, too, what you, The GCW, had to go through. I remember what Konagold went through... and many others. It's hard. So hard.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #18 posted by Hope on September 02, 2010 at 23:03:24 PT

You're a sweetheart, Paint with light...
and I just have to say it.I do remember saying something that I said to a Memphis police officer once... on the Arkansas outskirts of the city that I may have heard said somewhere again... or very nearly. Of course, I could have heard it from someone else, too.We share... in this movement. Our words are our "Weapons" and the "Ammunition" we fight with... and we share. "Hey... that's sharp, straight, strong, and well said! Can I use it, too?"That blistering hot day in Memphis, the police had stopped us for going about three miles per hour over the speed limit... it had just changed from interstate highway speed. It was a debacle... and the officer nearly made me cry, once... tears welled... thankfully, they didn't escape, but I said some things to that man I wanted to say. I pointed out how he was dressed all in black, and all militaried up, and had black jackboots on. What's that about? He did not like me.I know. I know. You're not supposed to say anything. But I did.Quite a few things. But one thing I said, I've heard something very like it again. "These laws will change. They will change once person at a time, in conversations at kitchen tables and living rooms all over this country." Of course people serendipitously, fantastically, whatever it is... say and think and do the same stuff, the same words, the same ideas, simultaneously all over the world, at the same time all the time. It's the way it is. The times inspire them.They had us stopped on the side of the road, waiting for the drug dogs to come smell us. Oh my gosh. There was "Backup"... at least three cars. There were cars in front of us and cars behind us. They "Separated" my husband and I... and put my husband in a police car while they waited for the dogs... and one "Interviewed" me and another "Interviewed" my husband. They actually had the lying gall to say our "Stories differed". (My husband admitted he would rather have just let them search... but he knew I would think he was a wuss. We had had some of those conversations at the kitchen table and in the living room over the years, too.)There were no "Stories". They were lying. Our "Stories" may have had different words, from different points of views... but we were going to visit my son in Missouri. My husband may have mentioned we were going to make a detour to that big pocket knife and cutlery store, I forget the name of it, somewhere on the way... and I probably didn't, but there were no fabricated "Stories". Probably he brought up the store when they took his forty expensive pocketknife, that he probably got as a gift from one of our children... and conveniently, for them, forgot to give it back.Aaargh.A lot of people learned a lot from each other, and honed their 'splaining' skills here at C-News. And we learned... and we knew... we knew... because we kept up with news with dear FoM's fantastic help... and it's done some good. It's done a lot of good... there is no doubt. And now we are many. And we matter quite a bit more than we used to. It's about time.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #17 posted by The GCW on September 02, 2010 at 22:05:35 PT

FoM and crew,
Re: comment #1, Here's one."Worst-case scenario unfolds in Wyoming drilling patch""EPA tells Pavilion residents that their water could explode because of high methane levels"The worst-case scenario is unfolding for a Wyoming town where much of the water table appears to be contaminated by dangerous substances associated with oil and gas drilling.EPA officials this week said residents of Pavilion shouldn’t drink or cook with their tap water. Tests in the area are showing traces of metals, naphthalene, phenols and methane in wells and in groundwater. In some cases, there may be so much methane in the water that residents are being warned to avoid lighting matches or lighters in closed rooms were water is running because of the potential for explosionsCont.http://summitcountyvoice.com/2010/09/02/worst-case-scenario-unfolds-in-wyoming-drilling-patch/
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #16 posted by Paint with light on September 02, 2010 at 21:48:24 PT

Hope
It does feel good to see the public opinion finally swinging in our direction.There will always be a few die hard brain dead prohibs and the ones on our side that believe that any compromise is a failure, but we will watch as things are improved for everybody through the same systems that some would be so quick to dissolve........into chaos.I have loved seeing the standard prohib sound bites turned against them so effectively.Now if we could just get some of those that claim to be on our side to really get on our side it would go even quicker.Lead, follow, or get out of the way....progress is coming through.We now have our own sound bites backed up by real science, and not junk science, and a few million testimonials of truth.Your voice has been a positive influence on our cause. I am sure some of the words you have written have found their way into conversations all over. Your reason, compassion, and the correctness of your indignation over the injustices that have been done to the people is inspiring.Thanks for helping make it better.Legal like it ought to be.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #15 posted by Hope on September 02, 2010 at 21:02:09 PT

It's getting better...
Remember what Nevada used to be like? Remember what Oklahoma did to so many people? Remember what California did to Peter McWilliams and so many others. Texas, she has been so cruel, and deadly, sometimes, to the person, especially men, but women, too, that appreciate, or once appreciated the herb, cannabis... before they were killed by prohibition, and prohibitionists, and their henchmen. It's getting better. It's not right yet. People are still made to suffer because of prohibitionists. But it's getting better. I'm dismayed, and all too fully aware that there's still plenty of scary, mean, dangerous, lying, spying, hate filled, lunatic prohibitionists out there... but they are gradually having the reins pulled in on their insanity. Pretty soon, the most incorrigible of them will be forced to wear some sort of heavy duty straight jackets, in the form of new, and saner laws, finally, strapped on so they can not harm others so badly as they have done and in some cases, are still doing. And maybe when they're calmed down, restrained, and inhibited from rash and deadly outbursts... they'll think about what they're doing to other people in the name of their prohibition fetish... and for Heaven's sake... maybe they'll give it a rest.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #14 posted by Paint with light on September 02, 2010 at 20:31:05 PT

I wish my state was as forward thinking
In Tennessee,Possession, less than 1/2 oz, misdemeanor, 250.00 fine and one year in jail.Cultivation, less than 10 plants, felony, 1-6 years, 5000.00 fine.Cultivation 10-19 plants, felony, 2-12 years, 50,000.00 fineSale 1/2 oz to 10 lbs, felony, 1-6 years and 5000.00 fine.Paraphernalia possession, misdemeanor, 1 year, 2,500.00 fine.Paraphernalia sale, felony, 1-6 years and 3000.00 fine.Legal like alcohol. 
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #13 posted by FoM on September 02, 2010 at 20:04:56 PT

One More Thing
Our state's maximum fine for what I just posted is $100. I wish all states were like my state when it comes to how to look at marijuana possession.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #12 posted by FoM on September 02, 2010 at 20:02:50 PT

Just a Comment
That's like my state. It isn't a crime but more like a parking ticket for any amount under 100 grams.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #11 posted by Paint with light on September 02, 2010 at 19:43:07 PT

Storm Crow comment 8
We can always count on you to bring us some good news.Thank goodness for some democrats.I think this may improve prop 19's chances.That is the Regulate, Control, and Tax Cannabis Act.Complaining and pointing blame doesn't accomplish a thing except for generating negativity.Real activism and working to change the laws is the only way things will ever get better.Legal like alcohol.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #10 posted by Hope on September 02, 2010 at 18:40:02 PT

Storm Crow Comment 8
Wow! Now what will the Governor do?
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #9 posted by FoM on September 02, 2010 at 16:04:59 PT

Storm Crow
That sounds like good news. Thank you. I wonder if an article will appear soon. I'll keep my eyes open.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #8 posted by Storm Crow on September 02, 2010 at 15:32:19 PT

California Marijuana Decriminalization Passes!
http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/2010/sep/01/california_legislature_passes_maCalifornia Legislature Passes Marijuana Decriminalization Billby Phillip Smith, September 01, 2010, 11:58am, (Issue #647)Just hours before the state's legislative session ended Tuesday, the California Assembly voted to approve SB 1449, Sen. Mark Leno's bill to fully decriminalize simple marijuana possession. The bill passed the Senate in June and now goes to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's desk.The vote was 43-33 and largely along party lines. Democrats supported the bill 40-8, while Republicans opposed it 23-2.
(snipped)
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #7 posted by FoM on September 02, 2010 at 11:05:26 PT

Cheebs1 
I agree. Very nice.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #6 posted by FoM on September 02, 2010 at 11:03:15 PT

museman
What seems so very simple to me they make complex. 
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #5 posted by runruff on September 02, 2010 at 10:37:57 PT

"The list goes on, and it ain't pretty."
Is a great post Museman but why did you have to bring all my old Ex's into it?
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #4 posted by Cheebs1 on September 02, 2010 at 10:21:09 PT:

Nice
Wow. A mainstream media site with some truth on it.http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-20015429-10391704.html
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #3 posted by museman on September 02, 2010 at 10:08:44 PT

RE:
"When will we get over oil and get on with alternative energy?"When we get over the idea that we can do better than God. When we accept what has been given us and stop destroying it for the sake of the comfort, power, and control of the few -who happen to have succeeded in making the world believe in money-which they invented and control. When we put faith in Reality, instead of the fake social/economic/political farces currently in place and power.When we learn to value Love and sharing over selfishness and greed.When we stop giving our power and sovereignty to so-called 'experts' and 'professionals.'When we can look at a tree and see it's beauty and connect with it's conduits to the Great Akashic Library, instead of calculating it's board feet and potential profit for the current forest rapers called the 'lumber industry.'When we have the collective guts to be the 'Americans' the glorified BS history is always going on about, and stand up to these fascists once and for all.When enough realize that their 'jobs' are just fodder for the continuing destruction of our planet, and stop giving into bullshit fear trips handed out daily in various clever and tricky ways in the media.When we start walking instead of driving, using alternatives, instead of just talking about them.The list goes on, and it ain't pretty.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #2 posted by FoM on September 02, 2010 at 09:59:13 PT

First Medical Marijuana Commercial Airs In CA
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZJyWOjzbvsURL: http://newsfeed.time.com/2010/09/02/first-medical-marijuana-commercial-airs-in-california/
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #1 posted by FoM on September 02, 2010 at 09:05:16 PT

Off Topic: Another Oil Well Explosion
When will we get over needing oil and get on with alternative energy?
[ Post Comment ]





  Post Comment