cannabisnews.com: States’ Right to Prescribe Weed in Dispute States’ Right to Prescribe Weed in Dispute Posted by CN Staff on July 28, 2002 at 19:42:56 PT By The NewsMax Staff Source: NewsMax.com Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Calif., and Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, all believe in the medicinal benefits of marijuana and stand behind new controversial legislation that would make it legal to prescribe to patients in pain. But Drug Enforcement Agency Director Asa Hutchinson disputes the usefulness of medical marijuana and reaffirmed it as an important target of the war on drugs. The States’ Rights to Medical Marijuana Act would allow states that pass medical marijuana laws to be free from threat of federal prosecution, moves marijuana from a Class I to a Class II substance, and makes it available by prescription according to state law.California, a key battleground in the weed war, is one of nine states that have passed laws allowing doctors to prescribe pot to alleviate pain. Proponents say the controlled substance has an ameliorative effect on intractable pain caused by such illnesses as cancer, AIDS and glaucoma.But the feds have not bought it and have cranked up raids on California facilities that provide marijuana to the terminally ill. According to a recent Fox News report, medical marijuana backer Lyn Nofziger, public affairs deputy for former President Reagan, said that his own daughter tried a series of remedies to offset the side effects of chemotherapy required to treat her cancer. Smoking marijuana helped her to regain her appetite, allowing her to gain much-needed weight, he explained. Though she died, she lived her last days in less pain, said Nofziger. "Based on this, I've become an advocate of medical marijuana. It is truly compassionate. I sincerely hope the administration can get behind this bill."But even Frank admits at this point there is not exactly a groundswell of support. "Many elected officials are hesitant to support any proposals that might be viewed as weakening our drug laws, but I believe this is a commonsense idea that will give some people who are suffering a measure of relief."But optimistic for the long run, Frank said that although the bill presently has only Democratic co-sponsors, he thinks members from the other party will come around on the principle of the proposal.Going beyond the bill's commonsense humanitarian virtues, Frank said, "This bill does offer a challenge to conservatives, who often profess their support for states' rights." But it may just be a tough row to hoe. "What has Frank been smoking?" asked Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah, when questioned about the bill.Source: NewsMax.comAuthor: NewsMax StaffPublished: Monday, July 29, 2002 Copyright: 2002 NewsMax.comWebsite: http://www.newsmax.com/Contact: http://www.newsmax.com/contact.shtmlRelated Articles & Web Sites:NORML Press Conference Photoshttp://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=5359CNN Crossfire: The Medical Marijuana Debatehttp://www.pot-tv.net/ram/pottvshowse1436.ramRepresentatives Hold News Conference on Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13560.shtmlCrossfire Transcripts: Keith Stroup & Hutchinsonhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13530.shtml CNN Transcripts: Kevin Zeese & Connor http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13541.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #7 posted by Zero_G on July 29, 2002 at 14:47:17 PT If I had my way... If by ignorance or malice in your position as Congressmen aren't you directly responsible for the deaths of many cancer and AIDS patients and doesn't that make you a murderer,smartass? p4meAnd as well the death of over half a milion Iraqies and ignorance is no excuse.If I had my wayIf I had my wayIf I had my wayI'd tear this building down. Rev. Gary DavisGood God Almighty! [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by firedog on July 29, 2002 at 14:24:50 PT Moron vs Mormon Sorry, Dr. Russo... but I think Nick is right on this one. ;) [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by Nicholas Thimmesch on July 29, 2002 at 11:24:57 PT: Lyn Nofziger on MSNBC's Donahue..... ....tonight! NORML is delighted he has agreed to "go on the stump" and do suggested media bookings....Lyn's a real trooper at 78 years of age to be doing this stuff. BTW: People should chech out Lyn's web page: http://www.lynnofziger.com/musings.htm [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by Ethan Russo MD on July 29, 2002 at 11:17:39 PT: Nick You listed Chris Cannon's religion as "Moron." I suspect that should be "Mormon," unless he's admitting something to us. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by FoM on July 29, 2002 at 09:25:22 PT Hi Nicholas Do you know who will be on Donahue tonight? They haven't posted it on the web site so far. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Nicholas Thimmesch on July 29, 2002 at 09:20:51 PT: "She" is a.... he: Rep. Chris Cannon (R) Utah: Third District Last Updated June 25, 2001 Elected 1996 Born: Oct. 20, 1950, Salt Lake City Home: Mapleton Education: Brigham Young U., B.S. 1974, J.D. 1980 Religion: Moron Marital Status: married (Claudia) Career: Professional: Practicing atty., 1980-83; Dpty. Assoc. Solicitor, Dept. of Interior, 1983-84, Assoc. Solicitor, 1984-86; Co-owner, Geneva Steel, 1987-90; Founder, Cannon Industries Inc., 1990-96. DC Office: 118 CHOB 20515, 202-225-7751; Fax: 202-225-5629; Web site: www.house.gov/cannonState Offices: Provo, 801-379-2500.Committees: Government Reform (20th of 24 R): Census (Vice Chmn.); Energy Policy, Natural Resources and Regulatory Affairs. Judiciary (12th of 21 R): Courts, the Internet & Intellectual Property; Immigration & Claims. Resources (16th of 28 R): Energy & Mineral Resources; National Parks, Recreation & Public Lands. Science (14th of 25 R): Environment, Technology and Standards; Space & Aeronautics. Group Ratings ADA ACLU AFS LCV CON ITIC NTU COC ACU NTLC CHC 2000 0 29 0 0 92 94 71 95 100 100 100 1999 10 -- 0 6 6 -- 59 92 92 -- -- National Journal Ratings 1999 LIB -- 1999 CONS 2000 LIB -- 2000 CONS Economic 30% -- 64% 6% -- 85% Social 25% -- 72% 0% -- 79% Foreign 0% -- 97% 0% -- 88% Key Votes of the 106th Congress 1. Patient Bill of Rights Y 2. Accelerate Min. Wage N 3. Strike Ban on Ergo. Stnd. N 4. Ovrd. Estate Tax Veto Y 5. Bar RU-486 $ for FDA Y 6. Display 10 Commandments Y 7. Gun Show Bkgrnd. Checks N 8. Ban Part.-Birth Abortion Y 9. NATO War in Serbia N 10. Perm. Trade with China Y 11. Debt Relief for 3rd World N 12. Drop Cuba Econ. Embargo * Election Results 2000 general Chris Cannon (R) 138,943 (59%) Donald Dunn (D) 88,547 (37%) Other 9,858 (4%) 2000 primary Chris Cannon (R) unopposed 1998 general Chris Cannon (R) 100,830 (77%) Will Christensen (AI) 20,720 (16%) Kitty K. Burton (Lib) 9,553 (7%) Campaign Finance 2000 Receipts Receipts from PACs Expenditures Chris Cannon (R) $317,855 $216,288 $340,723 Donald Dunn (D) $379,269 $87,189 $378,565 [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by p4me on July 28, 2002 at 22:02:52 PT No one likes a smart ass "What has Frank been smoking?" asked Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah, when questioned about the bill.That is really bad that this woman chose to be a smartass when commenting on the subject. She should have kept her mouth shut if she is that ignorant on the subject.And since she got to ask her question, let me have my question. If by ignorance or malice in your position as Congressmen aren't you directly responsible for the deaths of many cancer and AIDS patients and doesn't that make you a murderer,smartass?1,2 [ Post Comment ] Post Comment