Should Medical Marijuana be Federally Legalized?

Should Medical Marijuana be Federally Legalized?

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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Regarding Question
Should Medical Marijuana be Federally Legalized?

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  • cantupoke
    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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  • gridlock
    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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  • Kigster Delicatessen
    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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  • Fastolfe
    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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    • SamFox
      Synthetic. Define the word.

      To me synthetic means fake. To synthesize something coal tar is one ingredient labs start with.

      For example, synthetic vitamins are near useless for nutrition though some have medical benefits. As I understand labs can't syn the whole thing. In vitamins they cannot duplicate associated food factors. Living vitamin E for example has some kind of twist/movement (I don't remember it's name) that syn vitamin E does not. Researchers will mislead by saying "the molecular structure is the same", but don't tell you of the biological difference between natural & synthetic.

      I do not think cannabis will be well served by synthetic substitutes.

      SamFox

      - SamFoxUS March 30, 2009 4:29PM

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  • goblet
    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 /

    - gobletUS July 24, 2008 7:17PM

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  • Naumadd
    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?

    - NaumaddUS July 24, 2008 8:07PM

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  • Brinna
    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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    • SamFox
      Brinna hits a good point.

      That the gov has patents leads to a conclusion: MJ is not so bad after all.

      Also leads to one of the reasons MJ is illegal--it can't be patented. But the synthetic products & derivatives can be.They are not interested in our health . They are mostly interested in making $$. Look for products taken from cannabis to be ballyhooed as great breakthroughs in medical science . They will probably not say where the idea came from, the MJ plant.

      SamFox

      - SamFoxUS March 30, 2009 4:40PM

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  • Avg Bear
    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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  • State of Reason
    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 ReasonUS July 25, 2008 3:08PM

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  • slacker
    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.

    - slackerUS July 29, 2008 11:59AM

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  • cuckcoo
    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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  • cuckcoo
    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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  • BLMQ
    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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  • Dave Yas
    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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  • Rev Annie
    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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  • frotobagginz
    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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  • YellowKeyboard
    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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  • Ironman
    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.

    - IronmanUS August 4, 2008 8:02PM

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  • Cherokee Fred hussein
    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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  • Cherokee Fred hussein
    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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  • Timber
    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!

    - TimberUS August 17, 2008 8:42AM

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  • PSYOP
    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!!!

    - PSYOPUS August 28, 2008 3:13PM

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  • JEdwards
    Medical Marijuana? NO; Recreational Marijuana? YES

    I'm honestly surprised that the U.S. federal government hasn't jumped right on the medical marijuana bandwagon. Doing so would preempt any attempt at legalized recreational use, as I personally can't think of a single prescription drug that is also legal for recreational consumption. And spare me the alcohol argument... I also don't know of any doctors who are prescribing Jack Black or a six-pack of Bud as a medicine.

    I disagree with the concept of "medical" marijuana for precisely this reason, not because I don't have compassion for those who benefit from its therapeutic effects. If marijuana is legalized for private recreational use, then those who benefit from it medicinally will be able to do so without the encumbrance of our wonderful health care system or the federal government. And those of us who are healthy and enjoy its recreational properties will be able to do so without having to contribute to the newly created underground "medical" marijuana black market.

    - JEdwardsUS January 30, 2009 1:03PM

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    • SamFox
      HMMMM!!

      Very good point. After all it's ok to use alcohol to relax. If Phelps had been holding a beer rather than a bong, would MSM made all the fuss?

      SamFox

      - SamFoxUS March 30, 2009 5:02PM

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  • Cherokee Fred hussein
    What would Jesus do?

    Do you think Jesus would put one fellow man every 36 seconds in jail for smoking a herb? Only the greedy corporations that would lose money advocate putting more Americans in jail for pure profit protection!!
    The major drug pushers (so called legal) support jailing Americans. It is estimated of the 680 billion dollar profits would be cut by 80% if cannabis were legal. That is a loss of 544 billion to this one industry now you know why they support jailing us. They pay, bribe what ever you call contributing to our lawmakers through lobbiest to the tune of millions ever year. Our lawmakers rather that helping Americans and representing us pass laws and put us in jail. All for pure greed one thing we need to do is have term limits on all elected officials especially our lawmakers.
    You say but the Drug Free American Foundations says, wait a second the main supporter to this organization is the so called legal drug pushers, there again they are protecting their profits....

    Cherokee Fred Hussein Jesus

    - Cherokee Fred hussein February 18, 2009 1:41PM

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    • SamFox
      For one thing, Jesus would

      say to use moderately & responsibly. He does say in the NT that being drunk is a no no but He does not say do not drink any where in the Bible. He made wine from water & I am sure He partook of a moderate amount of wine, but since the Bible says He was without sin He could never have been drunk.

      He also is co-Creator of all herbs.

      I disagree with term limits. The few good people we have in DC like Ron Paul, Tom Tancredo, Duncan Hunter & a few others would have been gone by now. We need pro-Constitution people there now more than ever. We can do the term limit thing at the ballot box.

      Pretty good post over all.

      SamFox

      - SamFoxUS March 30, 2009 5:17PM

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  • gholmes91
    Medical Marijuana

    My Doctor Has Suggested Marijuana For Anxity And Severe Panic Attacks!

    But The Law Is Too Harsh, So I Continue To Suffer Daily,Aprox. 7 Years.

    - gholmes91US March 10, 2009 12:30PM

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  • cc76
    duh

    Seems like a wasted effort much like prohibition was. If the people want it they will grow it.

    - cc76US March 22, 2009 9:41PM

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  • phillydrifter
    It's not a 'narcotic'

    noun:
    1. any of a class of substances that blunt the senses, as opium, morphine, belladonna, and alcohol , that in large quantities produce euphoria, stupor, or coma, that when used constantly can cause habituation or addiction , and that are used in medicine to relieve pain, cause sedation, and induce sleep.
    2. anything that exercises a soothing or numbing effect or influence

    adjective:
    3. of or having the power to produce narcosis, as a drug .
    4. pertaining to or of the nature of narcosis.
    5. of or pertaining to narcotics or their use.
    6. used by, or in the treatment of, narcotic addicts.

    Read tinyurl.com/1mn
    "By the way, I tried this with the FBI for twenty years and they wouldn't listen, and you won't listen either but, I am going to try. If you are going to go out and talk about drugs and whatever you are going to do with drugs, will you please discard the entirely antiquated and erroneous word "narcotics." Narcotics are drugs that put people to sleep."

    - phillydrifterUS March 26, 2009 4:32PM

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    • SamFox
      Your are right. MJ is NOT a narcotic in the

      original definition. The prohibs changed the definition of narcotic to include MJ, but MJ was not listed when the term was first defined.

      narcotic (när-ktk)
      Any of a group of highly addictive analgesic drugs derived from opium or opium like compounds. Narcotics can cause drowsiness and significant alterations of mood and behavior.

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narcotics

      This re-definition is part of bigot piggy bro's continuation of Reefer Madness efforts to scare people away from cannabis.

      SamFox

      - SamFoxUS March 30, 2009 4:58PM

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  • jway
    End the Prohibition

    Marijuana should be legalized period!

    8,000 people have been murdered by the cartels since Jan '08 for the sole reason of protecting their cash flows from selling marijuana into the U.S.

    WHEN we legalize marijuana these cash flows will dry up to nothing. That'll eliminate 60 - 70% of the cartels' incomes and end their incentive to commit these murders.

    That should be all the reason we need to LEGALIZE the production and sale of marijuana to adults!!

    - jwayUS March 27, 2009 2:40PM

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  • BostonGuy55
    Feds should, but won't until a lame duck Prez takes action

    I think pot as a Class D drug is insane. It is not heroin, it is not cocaine . It's pot! I would love to see fed laws change and allow personal use ALONG with medical use, but think the political expediency is such that only a lame duck president would consider changing the law like that.

    FURTHER, I would like to see pot decrimmed like the Dutch model, but license production (they don't in Holland - but it's legal to sell), license smoke shops, and tax the hell out of it. I'd gladly pay more for legal pot than not. I think there are millions in the US like me. With tax revenue, we could fund treatment programs for those that need/want treatment.

    - BostonGuy55US June 10, 2009 5:29PM

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  • staggerlee97
    We allarn't stupid

    We can read thank God for that and we can remember things, history repeats itsself and this shows you right now its time for reform!
    HEMP for food FUEL AND FIBER... Research it. the truth is out there~ X Files.

    - staggerlee97US July 18, 2009 4:19AM

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  • HerbalRemedy
    Yes

    Medical marijuana laws must be addressed at the federal level. Regardless of state laws, the use of medicinal marijuana is still a federal crime . This is very wrong, and must be corrected.

    Marijuana prohibition is wrong, but the medicinal and health benefits of cannabis need to be addressed too. Time for truth.

    - HerbalRemedyUS August 23, 2009 6:49PM

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  • chefra
    Well look at this

    This is why we have so many bogus patients. Medicann Inc has over 170,000 patients more than half of the medical marijuana users in the state. Here is the ABC channel 7 news story.

    http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news /iteam&id=6802270

    - chefraUS October 24, 2009 2:52PM

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Regarding Argument
Study After Study Has Reaffirmed the Benefits of Medical Cannabis
- From NORML
Yes Side
By National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws - Working to Reform Marijuana Laws

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Regarding Argument
Voters and Health Organizations Overwhelmingly Support Legal Access
- From NORML
Yes Side
By National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws - Working to Reform Marijuana Laws

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Regarding Argument
Even Our Government is Waking Up To the Facts
- From NORML
Yes Side
By National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws - Working to Reform Marijuana Laws

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Regarding Argument
Medical Marijuana is Already Protected in 12 States
- From NORML
Yes Side
By National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws - Working to Reform Marijuana Laws

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Regarding Argument
Marijuana is a Safe, Effective Medicine
- From Marijuana Policy Project
Yes Side
By Marijuana Policy Project - Reforming U.S. Marijuana Laws

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  • thewarnerla
    The Real Mary Jane Debate

    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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  • Lenny from LA
    Waste of Taxpayers dollars

    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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Regarding Argument
Marijuana's Classification as a "Schedule 1" Drug has No Basis in Fact
- From Marijuana Policy Project
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By Marijuana Policy Project - Reforming U.S. Marijuana Laws

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  • Ironman
    Cancer Cure

    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.

    - IronmanUS September 3, 2008 3:10PM

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Regarding Argument
The Federal Government is Providing Medical Marijuana to Four Patients
- From Marijuana Policy Project
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By Marijuana Policy Project - Reforming U.S. Marijuana Laws

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  • cuckcoo
    I don't understand!!

    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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Regarding Argument
Feds have Deliberately Avoided Learning Marijuana's Medical Benefits
- From Marijuana Policy Project
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By Marijuana Policy Project - Reforming U.S. Marijuana Laws

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Regarding Argument
Cannabis (Marijuana) is a Safe and Effective Medicine
- From ASA
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By Americans for Safe Access - Medical Marijuana Therapeutics/Research

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Regarding Argument
The Public and Medical Community Supports Medical Cannabis
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Regarding Argument
12 States Have Adopted Medical Cannabis Laws
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Regarding Argument
The Federal Government is Obstructing Medical Marijuana Research
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Regarding Argument
Marijuana Medicines are Legal in Other Countries: US Trials Ongoing
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Americans Who are Ill Deserve the Most Health Options Possible
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Regarding Argument
FDA & Scientific Research Determines a Medicine, Not Polling Results
- From Drug Free America
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By Drug Free America Foundation

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  • liberated paradox
    This "Modern" Life

    You repeatedly use the phrase "modern medicine" in many of your articles against medical marijuana. But just how "modern" are the medicines to which you are referring? 25% of all "modern medicines" are made from plants used traditionally, not to mention that in Europe and North America, "over 50% of the population have used complimentary medicine... at least once" [ http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs134/en /]

    - liberated paradox July 27, 2008 7:56PM

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  • Boss
    We have all seen who the FDA works for

    If there is no dollar sign attached, the FDA has no interest. If there is, they seem to approve anything that goes before them, and look at the results over the last 10 years.

    We cannot even track a food-born illness outbreak, let alone protect patients from being maimed and killed by drugs that are approved by the FDA.

    - BossUS July 29, 2008 6:10AM

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  • lostlo
    It's right there in your argument

    "Modern medicine relies on proven scientific research, not polling results."

    Then why is scientific research into the dangers (or lack thereof) and the medicinal value (or lack thereof) of marijuana virtually prohibited? You just proved your own arguments are completely invalid. According to your definition of modern medicine, the correct answer to the question "Is Marijuana a Good Medicine?" is "We have no idea, because the government stifles any independent scientific research into the matter." How can you possibly argue against it in the absence of valid scientific research, by just saying "well, this person and this person and this person say it's bad." By your own definition those arguments are useless! What people think (polling results) doesn't matter, science does - you said it perfectly!

    - lostloUS January 30, 2009 5:11PM

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  • Starlon
    Wrong

    Scientific research alone determines medicine. FDA is just bureaucracy -- something medicine doesn't require to be substantial. The FDA has proven time and time again to be incompetent and unable to handle responsibilities, and if the public has anything to say about things (and guess what, they do!) the FDA is an endangered species of bureaucracy. I can guarantee you medical marijuana will be around long after the FDA ceases to exist, much like any natural medicine. You and others like you claim no medicinal value, without offering scientific proof, while at the same time claiming there is no scientific proof of marijuana's medicinal value, which is what professors like to call a lie. I won't pull out the H word here, but think about it.

    - StarlonUS February 19, 2009 2:55AM

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  • nIkbot
    ? holes in your argument.

    Just to make this easy, the DFAF Says here that it does not rely on polling to get results, when now they are plastering all over the media that "Marijuana is linked to Testicle Cancer" when this study was conducted by survey over the phone to get an answer... that seems like polling to me?

    - nIkbotUS February 28, 2009 4:08PM

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  • Clay
    Yes,they decide what is medicine

    What tests do you refer too? It has been nearly impossible for anyone to get permission or funding
    to test marijuana except in Israel. And they disagree with your stance. And it is possible that you don't know everything. I am sure that you fell strongly on your convictions but strong feelings don't make you right. The FDA has passed too many drugs as safe,only to recall them when people to start dropping dead taking them. Using them as a hammer for your protest might not be a good choice.

    - ClayUS March 23, 2009 5:35PM

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  • Harry J Anslinger
    Who supports you and how misleading is your name?

    Drug Free America is supported by the alcohol industry. That should give pause to all of us.

    Plus, their name: "Drug Free America". Really? Just take all of the legal mood altering drugs . By how much do they outnumber the small illegal set?

    - Harry J AnslingerES March 26, 2009 4:02AM

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  • bsd13
    In a country like America the people can override the FDA

    The American public determines the laws by which we are governed. At this point it is a foregone conclusion that marijuana will be once again legalized in the United States. Study after study after study has concluded that marijuana has innumerable medical benefits. Just go ask a few people who use it. Ask their doctors if they are in a place where prescriptions are available.

    - bsd13US March 28, 2009 9:07AM

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Regarding Objection
Science, Not Polling Results, Confirm Marijuana's Medical Efficacy
- From ASA
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By Americans for Safe Access - Medical Marijuana Therapeutics/Research

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  • Dinoglide
    Ignorance is bliss

    Why does ignorance to truth breed contempt with closed eyes?
    My words are my opinion drawn from research. Please read about "Medical Cannabis" using Wikipedia. Hopefully someone who fears the truth has not blocked that site yet.If you then have open eyes, please re-group and apologize for your failure to think (read) before you speak.

    - DinoglideUS April 8, 2009 12:46PM

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Regarding Objection
Mountains of Research Prove Marijuana is a Medicine
- From Marijuana Policy Project
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By Marijuana Policy Project - Reforming U.S. Marijuana Laws

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Regarding Argument
Marijuana is a Poor Excuse for a Medicine
- From Dr Voth
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By Dr. Eric Voth - M.D., FACP

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  • Boss
    No Clinical findings

    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.

    - BossUS July 29, 2008 5:57AM

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  • Morpheus Blaze
    Marijuana treats my bipolar disorder

    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 BlazeUS December 24, 2008 6:31PM

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  • csmith
    Glad you're not my Doctor

    Is this how you do research for your patients? The research you cite is absolute fluff - nothing of consequence at all.

    #1. Are Cannabinoids an Effective and Safe Treatment Option?
    A systematic review of the available literature? What kind of study is that?

    #2. Treatment of End-Stage Open-Angle Glaucoma
    Used oral or inhaled marijuana. Only 9 patients. 4 patients got better(did they use the oral or inhaled?? doesn't say)

    #3. Combination Therapy for Cancer-Associated Anorexia
    Used Dronabinol (THC). This is not marijuana. It's only one component of marijuana. They didn't study the use of the whole plant.

    #4. Safety, Tolerability, and Efficacy of Orally Administered Cannabinoids
    Used plant extract or marinol. Once again, not the whole plant.

    #5. Cannabinoids for Control of Chemotherapy Induced Nausea
    Evaluated the state of the research on cannabinoids ? What the heck does that mean???

    #6. Effects of Smoked Cannabis on Capsaicin-Induced Pain and Hyperalgesia
    45 minutes-decrease in pain at medium dose. It worked. And guess what, people will figure out what dose works and what dose doesn't work.

    #7. Cultivating Science, Weeding Out the Fiction
    only 43% of the patients with epilepsy were using the marijuana, 2/3 MS claimed relief? Does this mean that an extra 23% felt some relief along with 100% of the actual users? Sounds like a flaw in the study.

    These are all very silly studies to cite when the question relates to Marijuana - the whole plant.

    - csmithUS January 29, 2009 9:52PM

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  • hellarasta
    Its more organic

    If you would like good vitamins for your body what would you eat? A serving of Fruits and Vegetables, or a serving of vitamin pills?

    So what if it doesn't cure cancer or aids. So what if it does. It can be a medicine, it cant be a medicine, but it is just a plant in the end. Just because it cant do what people say it does, does not mean it should be illegal.

    - hellarastaUS March 10, 2009 1:01PM

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  • Clay
    Doctors everywhere

    If a patient thinks he is being helped by any natural medicine without the use of prescription drugs ,
    then who are you to say he is not. What tests will you improvise to prove he is lying. If Marijuana
    helps a patient escape his pain or mental imprisonment from his diseases,what right do you have
    to deny him that. And using medical studies for an argument still doesn't prove that he/she is not
    being helped.

    - ClayUS March 23, 2009 6:46PM

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  • pajonny
    Pain

    For the past 10 years of my life, my knees have ached and throbbed every time it's rainy or cold. No doctor has done anything productive for me since I've seen one and not one has offered me any advice that is even remotely reasonable for me. Last year I started smoking cannabis every time my knee started to hurt; the pain just melts away. With out it, I would have gone to the doctor, said my knee hurts too much and that I would like pain medication . Pain medication only covers the symptom but doesn't cure the ailment. Guess what would have happened? I would have become addicted to medications that not only are very expensive, but also destroy the liver and are prone to overdose.

    I, as a personal opinion, think pills are repulsive. Not having to take opiate based pain medication is a relief..

    And as a final note. Pain medication is so popular among party goers and clubbers. I wonder where they are getting them?

    - pajonnyUS March 26, 2009 3:45PM

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  • now420
    Poor Excuse!

    Poor Excuse for a Doctor! He needs to learn compassion and how to listen to the sick and dying. Compassion!

    - now420US April 9, 2009 10:08AM

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  • daniellaborn
    The Tide Is Turning

    We the people can do research on the internet , thus these lies no longer work. When will the government realize, concerning actual facts, you can no longer flat out lie. Any person with a basic knowledge of how to use a web browser ie., google.com, can search these terms and see that in fact, just the opposite of what these people against legalization are saying. Our government needs to heed it's people and take the money that is now enriching the mexican cartels and use it to help people. And it needs to stop jailing millions of non-violent americans. Is this how it should be? Marijuana is the cheapest medicine to produce, also is the only medicine that helps such a wide range of illnesses. Not to mention is impossible to overdose. Unlike the everyday cup of coffee or asprin. And unlike alcohol , or tabacco(both of witch kill thousands every year) It has never once been the cause of any deaths. Doctor Voth, are you so afraid of Marijuana's awesome powers that you must deny any and all benefits? I feel sorry for people like you who cannot and will not accept anything as truth unless it is fed to you from the tit of the government, I weep for you. May you one day see the light, my narrow minded friend.

    - daniellabornUS April 16, 2009 10:43PM

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  • sesquiculus
    Redistribution kinetics

    Marijuana has "redistribution kinetics". This means the smoked form of the drug can be closely titrated to balance off symptomatic relief with side-effects. The same is not true of the oral form, where it is easy to overshoot and produce (e.g.) undue sedation. The studies raising question about the efficacy of cannabis as medicine always seem to use the oral form.

    BTW, we physicians often take advantage of redistribution kinetics, particularly with certain surgical anesthetics. If the patient goes too deep, just stop the infusion and the patient pops right back out.

    - sesquiculusUS November 4, 2009 1:27PM

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Regarding Objection
Phony Straw-Man Arguments
- From Marijuana Policy Project
Yes Side
By Marijuana Policy Project - Reforming U.S. Marijuana Laws

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  • sesquiculus
    Physicians often don't know much about drugs

    While physicians like Dr Voth often pose as experts on the efect of drugs , they are generally rather poorly educated about them. I ought to kow, I'm an MD myself.

    If I know something about drugs, it is because I am also a PhD, Pharmacologist/toxicologist with a master's degree in psychopharmacology.

    - sesquiculusUS November 4, 2009 1:35PM

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Medical Marijuana Bypasses the FDA and Jeopardizes Consumer Protection
- From Dr Voth
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By Dr. Eric Voth - M.D., FACP

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  • RadicalRuss
    Yes, FDA Consumer Protections...

    ...worked so well for the 27,000 killed by Vioxx, the soldiers committing suicide over Chantix, the people injured by Phen-Fen...

    In over 5,000 years, not one person has died over their medicinal use of marijuana, unless they were shot by law enforcement or criminals in a deal gone bad.

    Plus, the FDA won't study medical marijuana. The gov't says "the science isn't there", but then NIDA refuses to let scientists study it!

    - RadicalRuss July 24, 2008 1:26PM

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  • pajonny
    How?

    How is marijuana smoking dangerous?

    Yes, it may hurt the lungs but that's only thinking along the lines of smoking, which you don't necessarily have to do.

    - pajonnyUS March 26, 2009 3:53PM

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Regarding Objection
Half-Truths and Red Herrings
- From Marijuana Policy Project
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By Marijuana Policy Project - Reforming U.S. Marijuana Laws

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Regarding Argument
Cannabinoids May have Medicinal Use, but They Should Not be Smoked
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  • rsteeb
    It's vaporizing

    Vaporizing is a safe and effective route of administration of the cannabinoids in the herb. This can be accomplished in a hot air stream from a heat gun, Volcano(tm), or a lit joint's combustion.

    Unless you can justify arresting Marlboro users, the means of vaporization is the choice of the user.

    OF COURSE it should be legal-- so that any adult eligible to purchase whiskey and cigars has the non-toxic alternative available at the same store-- it just might save their life.

    The stigma of criminality is anti-therapeutic; legalize Cannabis, for the global therapeutic effect.

    - rsteebUS August 23, 2008 8:55AM

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  • Ironman
    Smoked cannabis

    Don't smoke it, vaporize it, rapid onset delivery. Make the government allow research into the curitive properties of cannabis. Get your heads out of your collective butts. I have CURED basal cell carcinoma with cannabis oil. I have CURED 3 lesions. I have quite a few more to go. I have no doubt I will succeede. I have done this with absolutely NO side effects, unlike Saladar.

    - IronmanUS September 3, 2008 3:20PM

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  • pajonny
    Who said you have to smoke it?

    Brownies anyone?

    You don't have to smoke weed to get it's benefits. You can vaporize and put it in foods. It should be by choice anyway. If you don't to smoke it, then don't. But if you want the benefits of cannabis, with out smoking, know that you have options.

    Hasn't there been a THC pill made anyway?

    - pajonnyUS March 26, 2009 3:35PM

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  • sesquiculus
    "Redistribution kinetics"

    Smoking is exactly the way cannabis should be consumed. The smoked drug exibits "redistribution kinetics".

    That is, when smoked THC is absorbed much more quickly into the bloodstream than it is 'redistributed" to the tissues. This means you can easily titrate blood levels from moment to moment just by taking a toke, or not.

    Apparently, this momentary high level of THC switches off nausea, ameliorates pain, etc. without the chronic high and sedating blood levels that are necessary when you take the drug orally. This lowering of side-effects is why people much prefer the smoked drug to its oral form.

    BTW, physicians often take advantage o redistribution kinetics in IV anesthesia. Stop the infusion, the patient pops right back out.

    What astounds me is that Dr. Voth does not know about this (or maybe he does). Remember, most MD's don't really know much about pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, etc.. I do because I'm also a PhD pharmacologist.

    - sesquiculusUS November 4, 2009 2:44PM

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Regarding Objection
Smoking is Not the Issue
- From Marijuana Policy Project
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By Marijuana Policy Project - Reforming U.S. Marijuana Laws

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Regarding Objection
Dangers of Smoked Cannabis Inconclusive at Best
- From ASA
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Regarding Argument
Medical Excuse Marijuana is a Trojan Horse
- From Dr Voth
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By Dr. Eric Voth - M.D., FACP

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  • Professor Chris
    Trojan Horse--or Red Herring

    It seems obvious to me that the entire 'medical' marijuana framework is a Trojan Horse to usher in the accepted use of recreational marijuana. That almost seems like a moot point, although insofar as it seems to be slowly but surely serving its end, one must congratulate the medical marijuana lobbyists. The entire polarization of the medical marijuana debate seems to be steering clear of the real issues at hand: is marijuana dangerous or particularly harmful for recreational use, and to what extent should the law reflect the practice of the people generally. On this I have but two comments: marijuana seems to be no more or less dangerous than alcohol and tobacco, and regarding the practice of the people, the situation and present is quite reminiscent of the era of Prohibition...

    - Professor Chris July 11, 2008 5:13PM

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  • Serothis
    other drugs

    It would seem that this argument suggests that any potential recreational use of a drug should merit it's illegality. So following that logic it would be reasonable to outlaw all drugs that are used in a recreational manner despite their medical value. So does that mean we should start outlawing vicodin, morphine, vallium and most pain killers? the answer is no. the debate as to the usefulness as a medicine should be independent of the fact that some people might use it as a recreational drug.

    - SerothisUS March 25, 2009 10:50AM

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  • Lynn9
    marijuana as medicine/as recreational drug

    The use of marijuana as a medicine and as a recreational drug should be separated. Medicines are for sick people. Healthy people who use medicines to get high are abusing them. Medicines are addictive or have damaging side effects are should be controlled and supervised by doctors . The weakening of medical marijuana laws, laws which violate the FDA approval process in the first place, facilitates abuse. A side effect of the medical marijuana movement is to give people, especially kids , the idea that marijuana is good for health rather than that it may relieve symptoms of some diseases, for which there are other approved medications. Smoking is never healthy, so the whole medical marijuana issue is an oxymoron. I feel we are back to the snake oil salesmen of the past century.

    - Lynn9US June 9, 2009 3:46AM

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    • Katatawnic
      You're kidding, right?

      You were correct about prescription meds' side effects and healthy people abusing them. However, to say in the same breath that medical marijuana use is any more risky of side effects (long or short term) or abuse makes no sense whatsoever. Are you aware that marijuana use in teenagers is down the last few years, whereas prescription drug abuse is up? Getting high is getting high, and people will do it with whatever they choose/can. It doesn't matter if the high is coming in the form of a pill or an herb or a needle or snorting, etc. Those who want it will get it.

      How does using marijuana to relieve symptoms of diseases teaching kids that it's good for their health any more than prescription drugs do? My kids grew up knowing that I use marijuana to help treat severe chronic pain (pain that pills don't touch AND that make me MORE sick). They also grew up educated about marijuana being used medically, and responsibly. They also grew to be young adults who abuse PILLS to get high, such as Ecstasy, Vicoden, and even cough syrup/pills. (Not for want of my objections, discipline , punishment, etc.!) Interesting that they respect the drug they grew up watching Mom use for chronic illness, and don't respect prescription drugs, wouldn't you agree? I am not a drinker in the least, yet my kids also grew up into young adults abusing alcohol . Although children do learn much of what they live (such as mine growing up knowing that marijuana isn't "just for potheads"), they also learn what they do NOT live (i.e., choosing to abuse drugs when they were never raised in a home with drug abusers). All we can do is guide our children, and then hope they will make choices that will be good for the welfare of themselves and others. We can't rely on society to teach our kids right from wrong; we must teach them ourselves.

      The public is told that pills are good, and holistic treatments (be they in the form of herbs or other "alternative" medical treatment) are bad. I can't begin count how many people I've known who ABUSE over-the-counter drugs, because if they don't require prescriptions then they must be safe. And the countless more who are instructed on their prescription bottles to take one pill, so they take two or three to "boost" the results.

      My mother is in the hospital in extremely critical condition right now, has been for weeks. Her liver has failed, she's not a candidate for a transplant because she has autoimmune diseases and her body would just reject it, and she will die very soon if they can't get her liver to regenerate itself. The cause of the liver failure? The pain pills and anti-inflamatories, etc., that she's had to take the last couple of decades. She's only 57, and is dying soley due to prescription drugs; drugs that she takes less than recommended by doctors , no less! Brain, heart, lungs, kidneys, and circulatory systems are just a few of the other major organs/systems severely affected by long-term use of the drugs prescribed to millions of people daily.

      Correct, smoking isn't healthy. I'm taking it you're under the impression that smoking is the only way to consume marijuana. I only smoke it when there is severe acute pain that absolutely can't wait for any other delivery method, such as an upper GI attack. (Which isn't more than once every month or two, fortunately.) Otherwise I eat it (easily cooked into just about any food one would eat daily; fattening brownies not required), or use a tincture under my tongue to be delivered quickly into my system sublingually. One can also use a vaporizor to inhale only the cannaboids, with no smoke produced/inhaled as the herbs don't combust using a vaporizer. (That is the closest one can get to "healthy" if inhaling something that otherwise would be smoked.) There are other ways some people consume marijuana, as well; those are only off the top of my head as they are the methods of delivery I use. When I digest it, I don't get "high" in the least. The only "side effect" I get from digestion is pain relief.

      Marijuana wouldn't be comparable to the "snake oil salesmen of the past century" is the FDA would regulate it, pharmaceutical companies would produce it, and it would then be dispensed via REAL prescriptions written out on pads of paper by any medical doctor. Then again, if these were done, people wouldn't think of the "snake oil salesmen" at all; they'd just accept that it is indeed a medicine . After all, if something is available via prescription and pharmacy, then it *must* be medicine.

      - KatatawnicUS June 21, 2009 4:24PM

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Regarding Objection
A Morally and Factually Bankrupt Argument
- From Marijuana Policy Project
Yes Side
By Marijuana Policy Project - Reforming U.S. Marijuana Laws

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  • staggerlee97
    Hemp for food fuel and fiber

    Do the research and findout for yourself. The Truth is out there~ X Files Im ADD my mind thinks to fast and the doctors give me zombie pills to make me a zombie!!! I dont like being a zombie. I like being alive and calm and happy and loving life and enjoying my family working and having ceremonious to celebrate life every Sunday and swimming. Thank God!
    And what other jobs are the goverment creating. Goverment Moters???? Marijuana should be legal let us run our own country!
    http://www.nccs.net/ftyl.html
    http://the5000yearleap.us /

    - staggerlee97US July 18, 2009 4:30AM

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