cannabisnews.com: A Local View: Pot Use is Prescription for Disaster
A Local View: Pot Use is Prescription for Disaster
Posted by FoM on November 15, 2001 at 22:39:23 PT
By Sandra S. Bennett
Source: Colombian
The Nov. 11 Clark County section carried a trio of articles inextricably tied together. First we have Gregg Herrington's Political Notebook, "Clark County Republican activists get 'guns and Bibles' label." It was about how upset the Democrats in Washington state are that the state's Republicans had bused volunteers in from other communities to try to influence votes in Snohomish County.
This was particularly interesting because a couple of years ago the Democrats were almost unanimous in supporting an initiative to medicalize marijuana, an initiative that was cooked up by California legalizers, toted around the state by California signature gatherers and paid for by billionaire George Soros and his cohorts, none of whom were citizens of Washington state. That's a far more egregious foul than citizens of one state county politicking in another. Then there is the farewell piece, "Merriest prankster dies," about Ken Kesey who "went 28 years before publishing his third major novel." It appears that during those wasted years, Kesey was so zonked out on LSD, marijuana and whatever else he was using that his ability to write was severely impaired. Marijuana is especially hard on the immune system, so perhaps Kesey's risky behavior played a role in his illness; it certainly couldn't have helped, unless masking symptoms counts. And, of course, society is supposed to believe that masking symptoms by smoking dope is good medicine simply because the media keeps parroting drug culture propaganda that says it is. Last in this trio, there was David Broder's column, "DEA's effort against medical pot is misplaced." The only thing misplaced is Broder's sense of true compassion for sick individuals who have been duped into believing that it is good medicine for doctors to suggest that they smoke pot. Even in liberal Canada, the physicians are balking at such a lame-brained idea. The truth is the feds should have made this move to stop the pot clinics in 1996 when California passed its "medical pot" initiative, legislation that continues to be in violation of federal anti-drug laws and international treaties and flouts Federal Drug Administration regulations. Soros and his friends used their wealth to pay for a media blitz that relied on innuendo and misinformation to seduce Californians into passing this illegal action. Then, their seasoned petition signature gatherers marched into Oregon and Washington. Laxity Toward Enforcement Cheered on by the media, and with the Drug Enforcement Administration fettered by the Clinton administration's laxity toward drug law enforcement, legalizers moved like locusts into other vulnerable states, with predictable results: Marijuana use has proliferated; growing operations operate in the open; pot doctors indiscriminately hand out marijuana recommendations, even to children; and pot advocates are even more audacious. Never mind that marijuana use is a major cause of drug-related emergency room episodes. Never mind that marijuana users are 80 times more likely to use heroin and cocaine, the drugs that support international terrorist activities. The goal of the medical pot advocates is not compassion; it is expanding the opportunity to use psychoactive and addictive drugs without fear of legal or social consequences. Enforcing federal anti-drug laws must be seen as part of our ongoing effort to keep drugs out of the hands of children and as part of America's war against terrorism. Now is none too soon to get serious. Bravo to Asa Hutchinson, head of the DEA, for finally taking the bull by the horns and putting a stop to illegal trafficking in marijuana, regardless of how that trafficking has been disguised. By Sandra S. Bennett, director of Northwest Center for Health and Safety in Portland, a board member of Educating Voices Inc. and an advisory board member for Security On Campus Inc. She lives in La Center. Newshawk: puff_tuffSource: Columbian, The (WA) Author: Sandra S. BennettPublished: Thursday, November 15, 2001Copyright: 2001 by The Columbian Publishing Co. Contact: editor columbian.comWebsite: http://www.columbian.com/Related Articles & Web Sites:The Soros Foundation Networkhttp://www.soros.orgDEA Marijuana Madness - David Broderhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11319.shtml Exit The Magic Busman - Ken Keseyhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11323.shtmlWar On Illegal Drugs Should Be Escalated http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread8488.shtml
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Comment #20 posted by Ethan Russo MD on November 17, 2001 at 04:32:18 PT:
E_Johnson
You are a gem with the language. I may have a task for you. If you would, please contact me: erusso blackfoot.net
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Comment #19 posted by E_Johnson on November 17, 2001 at 01:40:07 PT
Treatment for Sandra S. Bennett exposure
I think I've been exposed to a toxin by reading her. I'm treating myself with some Louis Armstrong and his friend Mary Warner.What a wonderful world...What a wonderful man...
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Comment #18 posted by QcStrt on November 16, 2001 at 21:45:30 PT
Sandra S. Bennett , Read the Old Testament
"If you know the truth, the truth will make you free."
(John 8:32) Jesus used Marijuana As doubtful as the following hypothesis might first seem
to the reader, I might as well boldly state my case right
the start: either Jesus used marijuana or he was not
the Christ. The very word "Christ", by the implication of
its linguistic origins and true meaning, gives us the most
profound evidence that Jesus did in fact use the same
herb as his ancient semitic ancestors, and which is still
used by people around the world for its enlightening and
healing properties. The Greek title "Christ" is the translation of the Hebrew
word Messiah, which in English becomes "The Anointed"
The Messiah was recognized as such by his being
anointed with the holy anointing oil, the use of which was
restricted to the instillation of Hebrew priests and kings.
If Jesus was not initiated in this fashion then
he was not the Christ, and had no official claim to the
title.
__________________________________________________________The ancient recipe for this anointing oil, recorded in the Old Testament book of Exodus (30: 22-23) included over nine pounds of flowering cannabis tops, Hebrew "kaneh-bosm", extracted into a hind (about 6.5 litres) of olive oil, along with a variety of other herbs and spices. The ancient chosen ones were literally drenched in this potent cannabis holy oil.
__________________________________________________________From the time of Moses until that of the later prophet
Samuel, the holy anointing oil was used by the shamanic Levite priesthood to receive the "revelations of the Lord". At the dawn of the age of Kings, Samuel extended the use of the anointing oil to the Hebraic monarchs by anointing Saul (and later David) as "Messiah-king". These kings lead their people with the benefit of insights achieved through using the holy anointing oil to become "possessed with the spirit of the Lord." "Anointing was common among kings of Israel. It was the sign and symbol of royalty. The word 'Messiah' signifies the 'Anointed One', and none of the kings of Israel were styled the Messiah unless anointed."1 The title was clearly only given to those "having the crown of God's unction upon them" (Leviticus 21:12). "kaneh-bosm",
The "m" is a pronounced
plural, and the singular
kaneh-bos sounds remarkably
similar to the modern
cannabis. Although often
mistranslated as "calamus",
the word has been translated
as "fragrant-cane" in most
modern bibles, and
specifically designates the
fragrant flowering tops of cannabis.
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Comment #17 posted by mayan on November 16, 2001 at 17:10:56 PT
It Would Suck To Be Sandra Bennett!
I won't even respond to her attack on marijuana as a legitimate medicine since any thinking person can see through her blatant lies. However, for her to attack the character of Ken Kesey so soon after his death is probably very indicative of what kind of person Sandra Bennett is. Even if "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" had been the only book Kesey ever had published, he would still be regarded as one of the most talented literary figures of our time.
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Comment #16 posted by E_Johnson on November 16, 2001 at 16:01:27 PT
So where in the news was this murder covered?
So how do we even know that he ever did cocaine?Maybe he was gay and was gay-bashed.There are a lot of things she could be in denial about. Now this is interesting. How did her son actually die, compared with how she claims he died?
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Comment #15 posted by schmeff on November 16, 2001 at 15:38:44 PT
Garrett Bennett was MURDERED
A misplaced html marker made my previous posting overly bold.The point I wished to emphasize is that Sandra Bennett's son didn't die from the effects of cocaine, he was murdered. She deliberately misrepresents his death from "drugs" to legitimize her continued feeding on the Drug War gravy train.Mr. Rogers: "Can you say 'denial'? I think you can."
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Comment #14 posted by xxdr_zombiexx on November 16, 2001 at 15:28:58 PT
REPUBLICANS and RASCISM
just read this link...on FOXNEWS, no less...This is what I mean....http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,38957,00.html
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Comment #13 posted by schmeff on November 16, 2001 at 15:24:46 PT
More on Sandra Bennett...
Those of us who have listened to the rants of Sandra Bennett have reason to be disgusted by the smokescreen of misinformation and deceit she regularly dishes out.Supposedly, her vehemence towards "drugs" is justified by the death of her son by cocaine at the University of Oregon. If you follow Lehder's link at post #8 below, you will see the information that: Ms. Bennett’s son Garrett was a model student and athlete who died at the University of Oregon following the use of cocaine She has made this claim to fame elsewhere, as well.If you put "Garrett Bennett"+"cocaine" in the search line of Google, you will be directed to a site concerning citizen input at the hearings for HR ^http://campussafety.org/congress/h105113.htmlDo a search of the page for Sandra Bennett, and you will find: Sandra Bennett, the mother of Garrett Bennett, who was murdered at the University of Oregon. (emphasis mine.)The word "cocaine", mentioned in the document twice, does not refer specifically to Garrett Bennett.So you look back at the biographical info. that appears below Sandra's byline and notice, oh yeah, Sandra Bennett's son 'died' following the 'use' of cocaine. He didn't die from cocaine, he used cocaine and then someone killed him. If cocaine had anything to do with his death, it is likely the result of cocaine prohibition.Honesty is the best policy, Sandra.
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Comment #12 posted by E_Johnson on November 16, 2001 at 11:53:39 PT
But we don't arrest horses for pissing, Sandra!
The claim that marijuana has medical properties is irrelevant. The urine of pregnant horses has medical properties -- it's what the estrogen replacement therapy, Premarin, is made from -- but nobody uses the urine straight from the horse.Americans don't arrest 700,000 horses a year for producing urine. But hey -- the CSA and the Supreme Court could change that! HEY ASA!!!! Horses are producing medical hormones in their urine! Get the DEA!!! And some buckets...This woman is such a moron. People like this make the struggle so incredibly worthwhile. The world must be protected from stupidity. Deliberate self-maintained and carefully nurtured stupidity especially.Sandra Bennett should never get her head so close to that end of a horse ever again, because the temptation for comparison is just too compelling and necessary to be resisted.
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Comment #11 posted by Robbie on November 16, 2001 at 07:02:30 PT
tripe
Hey folks! Hope everyone is well.Don't, don't believe the tripe! Ms. Bennett is a hack, at best. She deftly touched on all the so-called research that supports her position, which is, in fact, morally based. As we saw with the Souder article, there is no practicality in the Drug War. It's all about selective morality and industry enhancement.We need more.
O'Brien - Democrat for California Secretary of State
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Comment #10 posted by JSM on November 16, 2001 at 06:43:10 PT
Bennett
Actually this is positive as it means that prohibitionists are now having to defend the indefensible and are answering with lies and manipulative half-truths what the majority knows to be true: Marijuana is a miracle medicine that can and will bring low cost relief to millions suffering from aliments of all types. In regards to Ms. Bennett's criticism of Ken Kesey, I wonder, how many books has she published? How many of those were made into movies that are recognized as a classic (even if Mr. Kesey disliked that production). Has she ever done anything original or creative? Of course not as all good republicans dare not stray from the chains of conformity, sameness, and dullness. And never, never, never rock the boat!
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Comment #9 posted by goneposthole on November 16, 2001 at 05:16:59 PT
lame brained
is right. Fortunately, it applys to hers.There is an excuse for ignorance, but not for stupidity.
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Comment #8 posted by Lehder on November 16, 2001 at 05:08:53 PT
Sandra's Wisdom
"...from my earliest memories I can recall my parents telling me to NEVER take candy from a stranger because it could contain dope, and dope could addle your brain and make you the slave of the person who gave it to you.--Sandra S. Bennetthttp://www.drugwatch.org/Rio%20speech%20Sandra%20Bennett.htmThe claim that marijuana has medical properties is irrelevant. The urine of pregnant horses has medical properties -- it's what the estrogen replacement therapy, Premarin, is made from -- but nobody uses the urine straight from the horse. http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n1502/a07.html?163The scourge of drugs should be likened to the Bubonic Plague and treated accordingly. This plague was not eradicated by tending to the sick and dying. It was eradicated by killing the rats that carried the deadly fleas.
http://www.rism.org/isg/dlp/ganja/resources/bennett.htmlMs. Bennett’s son Garrett was a model student and athlete who died at the University of Oregon following the use of cocaine.http://www.pride.org/collegewhatparentsshouldask.htmlFirst and foremost, however, I’m a mother who, because of illicit drugs, has been subjected to every parent’s worst nightmare and ultimate horror, the death of their child. And it’s from that perspective that I’m going to address you today.http://www.house.gov/reform/cj/hearings/99.7.13/Bennett.htmThus, not only is marijuana not a good medical treatment, but it also causes schizophrenia, cancer, leukemia, and childhood abnormalities.http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/debate/myths/myths8.htmmore:
http://google.yahoo.com/bin/query?p=%22Sandra+S.+Bennett%22&hc=0&hs=0She is not married to your favorite drug czar, but ought to be.
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Comment #7 posted by xxdr_zombiexx on November 16, 2001 at 04:22:17 PT
ignorance, hatred, prejudice? Republicans!!
This is a hate-filled article. Ms. Bennett's incohernet little rant betrays her total absence of actual knowledge or understanding about what she is trying to say about cannabis and those of us who would legalize it.She makes a keen distinction that it was Clinton and democrats who "fettered" the DEA with his "drug laxity". Ms. Bennett is clearly uninformed here. Under that lax, but moral and church-going Bill Clinton, 5 million people were arressted for touching or passing cannabis plant material(s) to others (so that they can touch them too).That's not MY definiton of lax. That's mt definiton of a holy war. Agitate and ruin the people without EVER accomplishing anything..and then blaming cannabis for the failures of their stupid prohibitionist ideology.
She misuses the emergency room "mentions" data - that a number of people showing up in ER's "mention" marijuana...largley becuase digging for that information has become routine under managed care. The data is largely worthless becuase the vast majority of people treatred in ER are not treated for any sort of "marijuana side-effects".I know a small handful of people - lightweights, the super-anxious - will have panic attacks when smoking pot. They need to not smoke it. They are stupid for smoking, getting dangerously panicy...then smoking again. But there's no reason I and a lot of other people should be deprived of something we either enjoy responsibly, or use as mediction.Finally, it must be the name "Bennett". She talks just like a hard-core Bennettista: hates democrats, hate the word "liberal", feels "liberals" should be jailed, no matter how it's disguised. Hateful, mean, stupid, lame, ignorant, anti-intellectual,...Republican!FREEDOM ENDURES
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Comment #6 posted by lookinside on November 16, 2001 at 04:14:20 PT:
sandra s. bennett..
defeats her own purpose by being an unwitting dupe of the drug warriors...she makes claims with no research to back it up...is she related to bill bennett?
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Comment #5 posted by E_Johnson on November 16, 2001 at 02:56:02 PT
It's that bladder nerve
One of the reasons why I have to have pot is chronic bladder inflammation. The bladder nerve is the most evil hellish nerve in the entire body. You cannot think or live if that nerve feels angry or worried all the time. It's a traumatic experience. Cannabinoids quiet and soothe that nerve very effectively. A cookie and a cup of tea and -- peace. Marinol is only half as effective as butter made from whole marijuana. (Probably because it doesn't have the CBD component.)So I am ready to beat down (verbally) anyone who comes near to making that damned nerve wake up again and run my life again.Mess with my bladder nerve and you've got WAR dammit.My ancient Amazon mammas are calling the Horse Goddess into battle.And here is the science:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11374613&dopt=Abstract
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Comment #4 posted by freedom fighter on November 16, 2001 at 02:19:07 PT
For pete's sake
The man died not too long ago and Sandra had the nerve to demonized Ken..That's pretty sick..ff
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Comment #3 posted by Dan B on November 16, 2001 at 01:07:47 PT:
Way to Smack Her Down, E.Johnson!
What a fabulously on-target letter. I like that you chose the most significant issue in the article (out of dozens) and trounced it, rather than trying to confront every single misinformed (or just deliberately misinforming) statement.Sandra S. Bennett has long been an advocate for ignorance when it comes to telling the truth about drugs and drug use. As someone pointed out in an earlier comment (it may well have been you), America's prescription drug abuse has skyrocketed since 9/11, yet Bennett doesn't seem concerned about that. Meanwhile, the helpful marijuana plant and its many medical users are being trampled upon in the name of "morality."Anyway, bravo for a great letter. I always appreciate your insight an intelligent commentary, and I am quite pleased that someone with your knowledge and skill took the time to write such an effective letter. I hope it gets published.Dan B
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Comment #2 posted by E_Johnson on November 15, 2001 at 23:24:00 PT
A science smackdown
Dear editors,Sandra S. Bennett shows herself to be woefully uninformed about science when she writes that "society is supposed to believe that masking symptoms by smoking dope is good medicine simply because the media keeps parroting drug culture propaganda that says it is."The belief in the medical powers of marijuana comes from over 2500 years of clinical medical practice by some of the most famous founders of the medical profession in world history, combined the latest scientific research being performed in places like the National Cancer Institutes in Bethesda, and published in peer-reviewed scientific journals such as Nature Medicine and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.Current scientific research keeps pointing to the fact that the cannabinoids in marijuana have potent powers for relieving pain, inflammation, nausea, insomnia, and anorexia, and they do this by mechanisms within the brain and immune system that are central to the natural healing processes of the body, not by masking symptoms with a dopey drug culture feeling.An article recently published in the prestigious scientific journal, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, shows that one of the active ingredients in marijuana, cannabidiol, is a potent anti-arthritic medicine with the power to halt the progression of arthritis and heal severe joint damage in mice.Here is a link to this article in the PubMed archive of the National Institutes of Health:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10920191&dopt=AbstractI urge Ms. Bennett to search the PubMed scientific archive using the keyword cannabinoid to find out just how very seriously off the mark she is when she attributes the belief in the medicinal powers of marijuana to drug culture propaganda.They do not publish drug culture propaganda in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.This is medical marijuana scientific revolution going on, and the science is being done a long way from Ken Kesey both in culture and geography. Cannabinoids are medically active substances. The scientific case for the medical use of marijuana is building every day. I hope that serious educated science reporters, and not half-baked shoot from the hip uninformed social commentators, will be assigned to report on this issue
for your publication in the future.
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Comment #1 posted by E_Johnson on November 15, 2001 at 22:49:07 PT
Ignorance is curable by knowledge
And, of course, society is supposed to believe that masking symptoms by smoking dope is good medicine simply because the media keeps parroting drug culture propaganda that says it is.No, we're actually supposed to believe it because over 2500 years of clinical medical practice and the lastest scientific research keep pointing to the fact that the cannabinoids in marijuana have potent powers for relieving pain, inflammation, nausea, depression, insomnia, and anorexia, and they do this by mechanisms within the brain and immune system that are central to the natural disease-fighting processes of the body, not by masking symptoms with a dopey feeling.
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