cannabisnews.com: Lawmakers To Rethink Medical Marijuana Issue Lawmakers To Rethink Medical Marijuana Issue Posted by FoM on January 06, 2002 at 18:14:55 PT By Michael O'D. Moore, of the News Staff Source: Bangor Daily News Some lawmakers left little doubt Friday that they wouldn’t buck the U.S. Supreme Court by recommending a bill to create a statewide distribution system for marijuana used for medical purposes.Last year the Supreme Court struck down distribution efforts in California, even as Maine lawmakers were considering a similar system for Maine. In 1999, Mainers overwhelmingly approved a referendum legalizing the use of small amounts of marijuana for medical purposes. On Friday, members of the Health and Human Services and Judiciary committees pointed out that huge expenditures of time have been devoted to finding a mechanism to help sick people get marijuana without having to resort to the black market. Now, with the Supreme Court’s 2000 decision, they said the biggest issue — creating a large-scale distribution system — was moot.Rep. Thomas Shields, R-Auburn, moved that the bill before the committee, sponsored by Sen. Anne Rand, D-Portland, be killed. Only a change in federal law or new medical proof that marijuana is an effective drug against some side effects of medical treatments would make a difference in the legality of such a distribution system, Shields said.But several committee members said that while they now would vote against the distribution portion of the bill, they wanted to attempt to find lesser steps to smooth the process approved by so many Mainers at the ballot box.“I would prefer to see us work on this a little bit,” said Rep. Joseph Brooks, D-Winterport. The session may be busy, but there should be time to work out a compromise, he said.Members of both committees overwhelmingly agreed, tabling the bill until 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22, when a subcommittee will meet.Charlie Soltan, a lawyer representing Mainers for Medical Rights, predicted before the work session that the bill already was dead. After the discussion and vote, he said: “I’m pleasantly surprised.”At the next meeting, committee members will consider whether to take some of the steps in Rand’s bill, such as establishing a registration system for those using medical marijuana or changes related to how many marijuana plants an individual legally may cultivate for medical use. The core problem is that while the state has legalized marijuana for use by the sick, federal law continues to view marijuana as illegal.Rand’s original bill would have set up nonprofit distribution centers managed and overseen by diverse boards of community members. The centers would have charged patients to cover costs and would have created a mandatory registry system.Although the majority opinion of the Supreme Court was that marijuana has no accepted medical use, proponents say it is helpful to people suffering from cancer, AIDS, multiple sclerosis and other diseases. For instance, it helps curb the side effects of chemotherapy, they say. In addition to Maine and California, six other states have legalized marijuana use for medical purposes. Source: Bangor Daily News (ME)Author: Michael O'D. Moore, of the News Staff Published: Saturday, January 5, 2002 Copyright: 2002 Bangor Daily News Inc.Contact: bdnmail bangornews.infi.netWebsite: http://www.bangornews.com/Related Articles & Web Site:Mainers For Medical Rightshttp://www.mainers.org/Officials Drop Charge in First Marijuana Casehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9789.shtmlMaine Awaits Drug Ruling http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9002.shtmlMedical Marijuana Law Leaves Patients Vulnerable http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread8640.shtml END SNIP --> Snipped Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #13 posted by FoM on January 07, 2002 at 21:42:53 PT Robbie It's way too much money. My goodness it must be a fantastic drug to cost that amount. You better have a happy pain free time for that price. Seriously though the cost is an insult to all of us. I feel very sorry for anyone that needs to pay that amount for Marinol. It's highway robbery to me. The good effects of Cannabis live in the plant not in a pill. [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by Robbie on January 07, 2002 at 18:58:32 PT O M G !!! FoM! That's over $1400 per GRAM of the stuff!. I'll be less upset about my $17/g street prices. It's more effective anyway...But NO WONDER the government and pharm. companies want Marinol to be the drug of choice. More moulah for the fat-cats! [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by FoM on January 07, 2002 at 15:36:09 PT It Really is Crazy! Hi Dr. Russo, It's a snowy, slow news day so I decided to check a few things out while I had some time and found the price of Marinol and I couldn't believe it. I guess because I don't need to take any prescription drugs that I am out of step with what they can cost but this blew me away. What would make it so expensive to make it that high in price? It wouldn't cost barely anything if people could grow their own. I'm flabbergasted. I'm mad about it too. [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by Ethan Russo MD on January 07, 2002 at 14:44:02 PT: Ain't It Crazy? Yes, FoM, Marinol is fabulously expensive. It is clearly far inferior in treating a large variety of conditions than is clinical cannabis. The latter does a better job with fewer side effects, and an an ultimately lower cost. Cannabis is greater than the sum of its parts. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by FoM on January 07, 2002 at 14:39:23 PT Off Topic but This Price on Marinol Shocked Me Marinol (other types of Marinol) Marinol Capsules 10MG 30 capsules - $425.68 60 capsules - $797.58 http://www.drugstore.com/pharmacy/prices/drugprice.asp?ndc=00054260311&trx=1Z5006 [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by DdC on January 07, 2002 at 13:01:09 PT Remove the Profits of WoD Last time I heard, someone had said, 6000 test have been conducted on cannabis. All designed to find a problem with the heathern devil weed. Last time I heard, someone had said, 6000 companies are in competition, with the heathern devil weed. Last time I heard, someone had said, 700,000 people have been arrested, last year alone for simple possession of the heathern devil weed. Last time I heard, someone had said starting in the late 1800's. The Indian Hemp Commission did some test and found no adverse effects, morally or otherwise using cannabis. Then after the need to closet the fiber in competition with I.G.Farben, the reefer madhatters along with some politicians, outlawed the weed now called marijuana with Hearst yellow rag of superstitions. Then once again, someone had said, another test to determine its benefits. La Guardia claimed it has no bad effects, doesn't make people rob and steal or go crazy or lead to hardrugs. Its just a plant even safer than booze, then once again another 40 years later of prohibition, when protest became the days order, and millions started rolling it up and the politico's worried about their Pharmaceutical stock. Then again lets test it to see, so the Shaffer Commission attempted the task and the results you know without even asking. Safe to use, no addiction or stepping onto other drugs. With a loud rejoice the people thought it was finally over, this witchunt on pot! But when everyone was turned, rolling their joints, ole Tricky Dicky saw his profits leaving, and if they got around this red herring someone might start exploring and discover its been hemp thats really the worry. Not the dangers of smoking that concerns these men, its the alternative food, fuel and fibers the problem. No need to fight crude oil wars or build new prisons to house the victims of WoD. Costa Rica, Czechs, Hungery or Jamaica test all waiting for inspection. 500 Pharmaceutical lobbiest are who they works for, and the booze and tobacco and the chemical additives not added to organic ganja. So once again, the test came out good and for that it was sent to the file#13 drawer for another 25 years till its newly re-discovered to be great for appitite stimulation, though the Food and Drug Incorporated recommends thalidomide, whats a few flipper babies when the risk of legalizing is so real. So another test just like the rest, this time the Institute of Medicine. Same results as Whooton La Guardia and the Hemp Commission. Still sitting on Tommy Thompsons desk waiting for release? Don't hold your breath. Bush was CEO for Ely Lilly Pharmaceuticals conducting test thrown out of court for bogus use of rope in medicinal testing. Dupont tried lies and got just as busted then Rayguns decided to kill old Bonzo exphixiating monkeys, calling it OD, laught out of science but that didn't stop the drug czar Bennett from continuing his lies. So Clinton not a help to the sick and dying people, maintained what Nixon started as well as Bush or Gerald Ford hiding tumor research from the world. Now we have the Supreme Court not able to find one report? So back to the lab for more bogus test in hopes that some day no one will check the results and conclusive evidence will emerge once and for all! Now NIDA and DEAth can shout out their "facts"! Cannabis grows breast on boys and makes girls nymphomanics! Last time I heard. Peace, Love and Liberty DdCThe Whooton report stating cannabis is safe http://pub3.ezboard.com/fendingcannabisprohibitionwhyitstimetolegalize.showMessage?topicID=26.topicBush Quayle Lilly Pharmaceutical Sell Out http://www.electricemperor.com/eecdrom/HTML/EMP/05/ECH05_06.HTMThe Hype Brain Damage in Dead Monkeys (Rayguns suffocates Bonzo) http://pub3.ezboard.com/fendingcannabisprohibitionwhyitstimetolegalize.showMessage?topicID=50.topicCriminal Misconduct http://www.electricemperor.com/eecdrom/HTML/EMP/05/ECH05_04.HTM Before Anslinger started the pacifist zombie-marijuana scare in 1948, he publicly used jazz music, violence, and the “gore files” for five to seven more years (1943-50) in the press, at conventions, lectures, and Congressional hearings.Cannabis is Safe http://www.cannabinoid.com/wwwboard/politics/binaries/27/27623.gifCannabis v Tobacco http://www.cannabinoid.com/wwwboard/politics/binaries/27/27189.gif [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by QcStrt on January 07, 2002 at 11:17:37 PT Lawmakers The Lawmakers on the Hill make the Laws, Not the U.S. Supreme Court. So why do these donkeys let the courts make the Laws. It sounds like they have lost there Brains to there Drugs of choice Alcohol or tobacco or some thing else like stupidity. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by Sam Adams on January 07, 2002 at 07:18:02 PT "I am a whore for the lumber companies and LEO&quo Sound strange? Translated into politician-language, it means this:"Rep. Thomas Shields, R-Auburn, moved that the bill before the committee, sponsored by Sen. Anne Rand, D-Portland, be killed. Only a change in federal law or new medical proof that marijuana is an effective drug against some side effects of medical treatments would make a difference in the legality of such a distribution system, Shields said."Only "NEW" evidence! Like all the existing evidence is simply to be dismissed.Don't get sick, Mr. Shields. Don't get cancer, or Huntington's, or MS, or bad arthritis. The prison worker's union and the DA's aren't going to help you when the toxic meds from your Doctor and Big Pharm are burning a whole in the lining of your stomach and eating away at your liver & renal system..........and I hope no one with access to cannabis helps you either........ [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by Ethan Russo MD on January 07, 2002 at 06:44:38 PT: Let's Get It Right "the majority opinion of the Supreme Court was that marijuana has no accepted medical use"No it wasn't! The Court parrotted Congress' claim of such, with no properly considered evidence. This is a historical aberration that needs to rectified. The backlash is coming and we need to advance the debate. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Robbie on January 06, 2002 at 19:28:44 PT Sunday Boondocks Very funny bit. Aaron MacGruder takes no prisoners.http://www.ucomics.com/boondocks/viewbo.cfm?uc_full_date=20020106&uc_comic=bo&uc_daction=X [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by p4me on January 06, 2002 at 18:36:33 PT living the lie in 2002 Only a change in federal law or new medical proof that marijuana is an effective drug against some side effects of medical treatments would make a difference in the legality of such a distribution system, Shields said.Here it is 2002 and the federal government is still hiding behind the lie that MJ has no medicinal value. Yes,that is why eight states passed medicinal MJ use laws because of the powerful placebo effect that MJ has on people with MS, brain trauma, Aids Wasting Syndrome, and the rest. The Controlled Substance Act ruled that science has no place in medicine and everyone has had thirty years to prove the DEA wrong or call them liars and no one in Congress can summon medical professionals to say different than what the DEA has said for 30 years. If it is not medicinal in nature it must be a powerful placebo effect that needs to be studied.We should pass easier property forfeiture laws so the government has enough money to conduct this vital research into the powerful placebo effect that MJ has on people with a variety of illnesses.It seems logical to me that if someone has a serious illness or is dying they should be allowed to take anything they want. Of course I am not eat up with greed or concerned with a hidden agenda that the press does not discuss.Until MJ is legalized I hope that all of you join me in creating a new generation of elected officials by voting against every incumbent all the way down to dog catcher. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by E_Johnson on January 06, 2002 at 18:20:22 PT Breakdowns in democracy must be fixed Mainers live in the middle of enough of our nations' most important history to understand that. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment