Millions of Americans take prescription drugs to treat a plethora of illnesses and symptoms, but not all drugs are created equal. The question of whether or not to consider marijuana a viable medical treatment remains a hot button issue. In states like California, medical marijuana clubs have flourished despite their federal illegality. Should the federal government allow states to make their own decisions, or is marijuana nothing more than a dangerous narcotic?
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Why doesn't the govenment tax it to pay for the national debt?
With so many Cannibus Clubs in California, has violence increase or decrease as its reciprocal?
There is no reason to have a war that promotes black markets and gangs to run the drug world. We should legalize and truely study its effect and non=effects.
- thewarnerla July 17, 2008 9:07PM
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Of course it should be rescheduled. In the worse case senario the Federal Government should allow states to decide for themselves as stated in the tenth amendment.
It is a shame that monies that could be spent on fighting the real drugs such as crack,cocaine,crystal meth,heroin,extacy etc.... are going to raid MMJ Dispensaries and doing much more harm then good to the America citizens.
Sure you can find some doctors that will say that cannabis is bad for you,however honest research and truthful Doctors all say different.
This should not be a political issue but instead a health issue but the Federal Government does not wish to lose $$$$$ from the very large Pharmeceutical lobby that is doing everything it can to keep cannabis in prohibition.
As a cancer patient that syffers from many other ailments in addition I will keep using what works for me and should be free to do so as other are free to choose oxycotin,demeral,and all the other pain medicines.
- Lenny from LA August 2, 2008 2:31PM
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Marijuana,(Cannabis), WILL CURE CANCER. I HAVE DONE IT. I have treated 3 basal cell carcinoma lesions,(skin cancer) with cannabis oil. ALL 3 are now cured. What more do I need to say? I HAVE CURED CANCER. Cannabis has tremendous medical value. The fed has patented compounds found in the cannabis plant. Schedule1, my ass.
- Ironman
September 3, 2008 3:10PM
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I guess I am feeling rather bitter right now! I suffer from the same disease as Irv Rosenfield, and indeed have a rather complicated case. However, the government is not sending me my own supply of weed. Indeed, I can't even afford my prescriptions or health care. I bet that I don't even make half his salary! Why then does this lawyer get special treatment from his good old drug daddy Uncle Sam?
I don't know how I feel about medical marijuana, but this just seems odd that this guy would need this strong of a drug for pain. I have associated nerve damage and take codiene (which I guess is just as bad as Marijuana anyway-- but worse because I have to actually buy it myself). So why doesn't the government send me my own supply of hash? It would certainly make my life easier and would make it easier for people to deal with me. I would love to spend the majority of my days high as a kite. Why not? What do I have to loose?
- cuckcoo July 30, 2008 12:34PM
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I keep seeing that there are no reputable studies for this or that, but seeing that the feds will not allow any research to be done unless you are seeking to find derogatory effect of Cannabis, of course you can use this argument.
The least these experts could do is DEMAND independent studies so that large studies can be done to find out one way or the other.
In conclusion, you can keep saying "There have been no studies to prove...." but it really shows a lack of know edge on the issue.
- Boss July 29, 2008 5:57AM
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I have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and the only thing that works when my prescribed medications fail is MARIJUANA. Why isn't marijuana being research to see how it can help treat certain mental disorders?
All people have to make it safer is to use a "vaporizer" DUH!!! It takes out the bad chemicals and leaves the THC. People do research and clinical trials to see how marijuana may treat PHYSICAL disorders so why not "MENTAL" disorders?
Why should I have to suffer from extreme mania and depression just because my present "sub par" medications DON'T WORK and people refuse to do the research? I thought medical doctors psychologist were smarter than that. I deserve the BEST treatment possible but obviously medical doctors, psychologist and especially our government don't give a damn about people like me!!
- Morpheus Blaze December 24, 2008 6:31PM
Should Medical Marijuana be Federally Legalized?
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Let's drop the word "Medical"
I agree with Professor Chris here. Sure this issue is a Trojan Horse and the real issue is "Why is marijuana illegal." Is it really any more harmful then alcohol or tobacco products? I don't think so, and many people agree. The real question might be "Is marijuana less harmful then alcolhol, and if so, why isn't it legal?"
- cantupoke July 14, 2008 8:49AM
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Threatens Pharmaceutical Companies
Big money pharmaceutical companies are threatened by this because it bypasses them. Who's going to give the doctor samples and kick backs?
- gridlock July 24, 2008 9:48AM
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Legalize it all
I also agree that the problem is in the question. Recreational marijuana use should not be illegal, as something like 30M of US population does it or have done it, if I have my figures right. Let's not worry about medical, and make it legal for all, without the need to bug real doctors.
- Kigster Delicatessen July 24, 2008 11:55AM
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Legalize marijuana, but not for this reason
I believe marijuana to be as safe as, or safer, than regular cigarettes. I agree that there is no basis for criminalizing it and that we should consider dropping it from the list of illicit drugs.
However, I agree with the position on the negative side that "smoking marijuana" as a form of medical treatment is kind of dumb. If it has benefits, figure out how it gives you those benefits and extract/synthesize it.
Legalize it, yes, but not for this reason.
- Fastolfe July 24, 2008 12:06PM
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so what if people want to use cannabis recreationally
big deal. It's less harmful than the currently available "choice", both from a societal and health standpoint.
Most of the harm is due to the laws against it. Concerned about harm from inhaled smoke? Vaporize. http://www.alexza.com /
- goblet
July 24, 2008 7:17PM
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Yes, but ...
I answer yes to this question, however, prescription status is yet another form of control of the herb. My full feeling on the subject is that our culture must release individuals from the interference in their right to consume whatever substances they personally choose to consume - marijuana included. It is certainly right that we prevent individuals from forcibly compelling others to consume what they do not wish to consume, however, to be consistent in that logic, we must also allow individuals the freedom to consume what they voluntarily wish. We believe in individual freedom or we do not. We value consistent logic, or we do not. We wish to move forward in our enlightenment, or we do not.
How do you choose?
- Naumadd
July 24, 2008 8:07PM
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Even the US Govt has a patent on medical cannabis
For those of you who have to listen to people who claim that medical marijuana is a myth just point out that the US Govt itself holds a patent on the use of cannabinoids for the prevention and treatment of a wide variety of diseases including stroke, trauma, HIV dementia, Alzheimer's, auto-immune disorders, and Parkinson's. It's patent #6,630,507 and it was awarded back in 2003 based on research done at the National Institute of Health.
Who can argue with that? Let's all send copies of this patent to our elected representatives. Legal documents in the public domain carry a lot of weight with lawmakers. Hoist them by their own petards, I say! And get the laws changed.
- Brinna July 24, 2008 11:39PM
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Stop Wasting Our Tax Dollars: Legalize
How many billions are spent each year on this so-called "War" on drugs? How much good is it actually doing? With minimal effort, you can find and purchase a bag of weed in a matter of hours– without even knowing a "drug dealer."
The fact that it is far less harmful than alcohol is widely known. The only thing that makes marijuana a "gateway" drug is the fact that it is illegal.
Here's an idea: How about we just legalize marijuana for good? Then people can use it for whatever they want, and it won't be our tax dollars going up in smoke.
- Avg Bear July 25, 2008 11:51AM
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Facts vs Fiction
In the marijuana debate, both recreational and medical, I hear countless studies and facts from the legalization side and nothing but fear mongering and misdirection from the prohibition side. If there are any real facts against legalization I have yet to hear them.
It is true that using marijuana has side effects but so do the legal treatments. The prohibition folks will say "smoking pot is bad for you" yet they'll let doctors prescribe morphine which, by any measurement, is extremely bad for you. Almost no medicine can treat you with no side effects. The job of scientists and doctors should be to find a good treatment and minimize the side effects to the extent they can. Marijuana is a good answer.
- State of Reason
July 25, 2008 3:08PM
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Think of the tax revenue
With a projected $482 Billion budget deficit next year, the government should really look at all opportunities to collect revenue. Rather than spend billions on jailing and prosecuting marijuana users, they should collect billions in taxes off of them. It opens the doorway for safety regulations as well.
- slacker
July 29, 2008 11:59AM
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I still don't understand
People with AIDs or cancer should be able to get anything that they need. As for Rosenfeld, there are plenty of people are too poor to buy life sustaining perscriptions and the government is not stepping in to help them out. Why does this guy (who clearly has an income)get free government Marijuana? He should buy his own stash! Also, I do not think that Rosenfeld is completely honest in characterizing the disease. While he undoubtedly suffers, he also exaggerates symptoms, e.g. the chances of getting cancer are actually rather low and the tumors do not as he says "rupture blood vessels". He further obscures the nature and prevalence of his condition by using convoluted nomenclature. Multiple Hereditary Cartilaginous Exostosis is more commonly called Multiple Hereditary Exostosis or Multiple Osteochondromatosis. While the disease is rare, Rosenfeld is not all that unique. Indeed, it strikes me as being duplicitous that he would resort to this obscurity.
- cuckcoo July 31, 2008 2:21PM
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I still don't understand.
I do have to clarify my post by saying that I think that people should be able to get the medical care that they need without having to worry about the cost. Okay, it does make me sick that a stock broker (who thus can afford healthcare) is getting marijuana from our government, while others are going without life sustaining medications. I am also a bit frustrated on a personal level that I can afford my own prescriptions when I suffer from a varient of this same disease as described by Rosenfeld. Furthermore, because I know a lot about this condition, it kills me to listen to such a mischaracterization. Admittedly, I would love it if the government would send me a bottle of Motrin now and then.
- cuckcoo July 31, 2008 2:33PM
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No side experts!
I just think it should be pointed out that the no side experts have not bothered to object any of the yes sides points. I do not want to assume anything but i think there is some non-verbal communication in that.
- BLMQ August 2, 2008 11:42AM
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Most logical.
Cannabis has medicinal property, that is very clear. Alas, cannabis's chemicals aren't completely understood, however it has been shown that pure THC pills do not produce the same effects as smoking. Logically, this means that the entire array of chemicals cannabis holds produces the desired high.
Alas, smoking cannabis seems to hold more positive significance to the users in pain, rather than the negative effects of damaging their lungs. And with that understood, embracing the method of vaporizing cannabis reflects a perfectly rational, reasonable method to dose on cannabis without having any negative effects to the user.
The only fallacy to the perspective of treating cannabis as a medicine is that it is not entirely understood. This in turn could generate problems. But having cannabis federally prohibited only generates more problems.
- Dave Yas August 2, 2008 12:07PM
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NO DEATHS = NO DANGER
If MMJ was killing anyone I could possibly see the government and LEO's putting so much money and time into stopping it's use.
The US Government has been deliberately blocking all research which would prove it's value, even their own research - because any true danger of using MMJ is negligible.
- Rev Annie August 2, 2008 1:36PM
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Wake up
Marijuana is far less detrimental then the addictions of alcohol/tobacco use. You can attribute millions of deaths to that of the two.If you tried to make the same case against marijuana,you would come up quite short.Countless lives have been ruined by insane outdated drug laws.The term "gateway" drug is a farce,the only gateway it provides would be that of the black market trade.If you have to go underground to retrieve something,of course you will come out dirty.The values of this herb are overseen.Not just as a medicine,but as a fuel, nutritional food source,paper product,textiles and building material.Those that speak the contrary are entitled to their opinions,just as responsible adults should be entitled to enjoy recreational usage.I will never understand how you can use substances legally,that ensure you'll contract a myriad of diseases,but you cannot use something legally that will help you live more comfortably,if you cantract such ailments.FYI, I do not smoke marijuana.
- frotobagginz August 3, 2008 12:28PM
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area universities are teaching it
university of iowa, and iowa state university are both teaching it to their students. the science of it, when to prescribe it, dosage, etc. im sure other universities across the nation are doing the same thing, i just haven't looked deep into that.
why not use it as medicine? it has an endless amount of uses. think of all the drug interactions that other medicines have... it is a very safe way to treat things. you cannot overdose from marijuana, making it less dangerous than simple things such as ibuprofen and caffein, which can both kill you. this makes it very easy to use.
i take FIVE pills every day for mental disorders and one every day for high blood pressure. marijuana sure would make things easier. not only would i be down to taking just 1 or 2 total medicines, but it would also make things much easier when i need a prescription for an illness or osmething. it isn't easy for doctors to prescribe me medicine that doesn't interract with my other meds.
- YellowKeyboard August 3, 2008 4:29PM
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Personal clinical trial
I have basal cell carcinoma. The lesions are on my head, neck, and face. I used cannabis oil to treat two of the lesions. I manufactured the oil at home. I applied the oil directly to, and around these two lesions, covered them with a bandaid, and left it there for 4 days. I continued this procedure for 20 days. The lesions are now nonexistant, cured. OH, these lesions had been biopsied by the Veterans Administration Medical Center Dermatology Clinic in Dallas. It's a shame that I could be arrested, and put in jail for curing cancer.
- Ironman
August 4, 2008 8:02PM
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Cureall-X / CRX for short
Have insomnia, depression, chronic pain, and many other illnesses, want relief? Did I mention there are no side effects? I can say from forty years of personal research Curall-X has no repeat no adverse effects that I can see. Now they are saying people that smoke or ingest CRX on a regular basis may fend off cancer more effectively, YES! Why then do our Federal lawmakers keep it illegal? Follow the money do a little research on your representative check the PACs they receive money from. Big liquor, major drug companies, GEO corp all lose money if CRX were legalized! CRX was made illegal for pure racist reasons. Now the 100 billion we spend every year putting someone in jail every 38 seconds for minor drug charges; feeds the machine! Stop this War on the American People just for being Americans, restore our rights! Stop our leaders from sacrificing our lives for personal gain. Read! the truth it is out there our leaders lie. They are putting one in three blacks in drug prison!
- Cherokee Fred hussein
August 4, 2008 8:21PM
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I WIN
I have used MJ since my Viet Nam days like many in the military I tried it and liked it! I have used it for thirty-five years during a very successful career raising three kids and now more than ever I enjoy its recreational use in my retirement. I am a very young looking 60 and very healthy and have not been to a doctor since I was released for the Air Force in 1972. It sure helped me through some hard times in my life. My mother had problems with severe depression my father and grandfather died from drinking legal booze. I have had neither problem the smoke helps with depression and I do not drink legal booze it will kill you! Now if we could just get our Nazi money hungry crooked FEDS off our ass we could live in peace. The only thing I do not like about MJ is the law made by racist seventy years ago and now our leaders hooked on the 100 billion of our tax money they blow ever year fighting a miracle drug and its users. I feel using the mild drug has helped me!!
- Cherokee Fred hussein
August 9, 2008 7:43AM
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not perscribed , but legalized
The government needs to stop regulating herbs. I have a few poisonous plants growing in my yard , why are they legal? I think poison oak should be illegal , it puts many people in the hospital every year. Take the money spent on marijuana eradication and use it for poison oak eradication!
- Timber
August 17, 2008 8:42AM
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A loaded question...
I agree with most of the points made here. First, it is notable that the side arguing for continued criminalization hasn't objected to the arguments in favor of legalization. I wonder why that is? Second, the question is a bit loaded. I think it should simply be legalized, no prescription required. I know the pharmaceutical companies vehemently disagree with this approach. Again, I ask: I wonder why that is? America is OUR country, its time we take it back!!!
- PSYOP
August 28, 2008 3:13PM
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