cannabisnews.com: Pot Plan a Smoke Screen, Foes Say





Pot Plan a Smoke Screen, Foes Say
Posted by CN Staff on October 15, 2002 at 21:37:23 PT
By Joseph Barrios, Arizona Daily Star 
Source: Arizona Daily Star 
Supporters of a new ballot measure hope voters will once again back the concept of marijuana for medical uses. But opponents say the measure is legally contradictory and that those same supporters are misleading voters about marijuana's health risks. Approval from voters for Proposition 203, which includes about nine pages worth of proposed changes to Arizona law, would:
* Decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana. * Allow the medicinal use of marijuana with an ID card and a doctor's recommendation. * Require the Arizona Department of Public Safety to distribute up to 2 free ounces of marijuana for medical use to people with registration cards from the state Department of Health Services. * Increase maximum sentencing for people convicted committing a violent crime while under the influence of a controlled substance, while ending the minimum mandatory sentence or fine for any conviction of certain drug offenses. The measure, which is opposed by an alliance of Arizona's county attorneys, sheriffs and pharmacists, also came under fire from the nation's "drug czar," John Walters, who visited Pima and Maricopa counties to espouse the dangers of marijuana. He said teens seek drug treatment for marijuana abuse more than for any other drug. Dr. Jeffrey Singer, a Phoenix physician, is joined by at least six other Phoenix doctors as well as a former Maricopa County Superior Court judge in supporting the measure. State voters already have twice supported medical marijuana. Supporters say Proposition 203 is an extension of a medical marijuana measure approved by 65 percent of Arizona voters in 1996. It allowed doctors to prescribe otherwise illegal drugs and let patients possess them without fear of being arrested for violating state law. In 1998, about 57 percent of voters opted to keep the 1996 measure in place. Supporters of Proposition 203 say doctors in Arizona have not been prescribing marijuana because of a warning by then-U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno shortly after the election. Reno said the Drug Enforcement Administration would review the records of doctors who prescribed illegal drugs to determine whether their prescription-writing privileges should be revoked. Marijuana was used as a treatment for migraine headaches in the 1920s. Canada's highest court has approved of making marijuana available to patients, while Britain decriminalized marijuana in May. "We're talking about joining the rest of the world," Singer said. Singer said it's clear that marijuana is not addictive and that it has a host of medicinal uses. Patients who suffer from cancer and AIDS, for example, can waste away from a loss of appetite and nausea. Medical marijuana helps them to eat and keep down food, he said. The Arizona Pharmacy Association and the Arizona Society of Health System Pharmacists, on the other hand, say there is "no proven medical benefits or advantage from the smoking of marijuana," according to a written statement. Medical marijuana advocates say the drug can be consumed in other ways, such as being mixed with food. Still, pharmacists say that Marinol, a synthetic form of a naturally occurring component of marijuana, is available to patients and provides the same benefits in fighting nausea and promoting weight gain. But even if the measure passes, talking about a distribution system is a moot point. According to federal law, it's illegal for anyone to distribute a controlled substance, including marijuana, without a doctor's prescription. DPS would actually be breaking federal law by following state laws, opponents say. "You cannot enforce a law under state statutes because then you'd be breaking federal law," said Pati Urias, a spokeswoman for the Arizona Attorney General's Office. "If you were to pass a state law, obviously that's illegal. You couldn't enforce something like that." Authors of the measure argue that because the marijuana would be grown or produced, seized and redistributed all within state boundaries, it would not be subject to federal laws. And while 2 ounces might not seem like much, it can produce up to 200 cigarettes, said Pima County Attorney Barbara LaWall, a Democrat. "If we decriminalize that much marijuana, we're telling our young people that it's all right to use drugs," LaWall said. Furthermore, the proposition would allow for parents to give teen-agers legal permission to use marijuana. There's no law that allows parents to do that with tobacco. "It's a terrible proposition," LaWall said. But even if DPS were willing to consider distribution, it might first have to spend millions of dollars in testing the drugs that it does seize, said Sgt. Mike Bonin, a DPS spokesman. "It would have to be screened, because if that marijuana is tainted with something, it puts us in a liability stance. That would cost quite a good dollar," he said. Former Arizona Attorney General Grant Woods, a Republican, said he supports Proposition 203 because he feels the war on drugs is a failed effort. "We've spent billions of dollars in this country over the decades and locked up hundreds of thousands of primarily poor people whose main problem is they're addicted to drugs. The problem is as bad as ever. I don't think there's been a awful lot of progress that we can point to," Woods said. "I just think it's time to stop wasting everybody's time and money." The proposition has also fueled a longtime debate over whether marijuana provides any medical benefits at all. DPS wouldn't be able to get a single plant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, said Steve Gust, a spokesman. The institute maintains a marijuana farm for medical research purposes only. Marijuana distributed to Arizona residents would not be for research, Gust said. "It would be medical treatment. It would fall outside the legal uses for which this farm has been established." Mike Murphy, an Arizona Department of Health Services spokesman, said the department has taken no stance on the proposition. "I assume we would carry out whatever the law is," Murphy said. "I think the short answer is that we will jump off that bridge when we get to it. We intend to follow whatever the law dictates." An analysis by the Joint Legislative Budget Committee projects that state prison costs will drop. It estimates the cost of a patient registry will cost $165,000, while revenues collected from fees to offset those costs will be $55,000. Supporters say lowered prison costs will save the state millions of dollars. But opponents say the costs of setting up a statewide registry and distribution system will cost millions. Neither side can put a firm price on setup of a distribution system. Prop. 203: Medical Marijuana • PRO:  Alleviates suffering from severe medical conditions by making marijuana available to patients within Arizona, saves the state millions in prison and court costs by decriminalizing some drug offenses, and encourages drug-abuse treatment in place of "ineffective" drug laws.• CON: Requires the Arizona Department of Public Safety to distribute marijuana and may cost millions to test and distribute, allows first-time drug offenders to avoid time behind bars and prohibits the state from seizing drug-related assets unless the owner is convicted of the drug crimes that generated those assets.Related Article: Here's What Prop. 203 Would Do * Decriminalize the possession of two ounces or less of marijuana, marijuana drug paraphernalia or up to two marijuana plants if the possession is for personal use. Possessors would face civil fines of $250 for a first or second offense and $750 for each offense thereafter over the next two years. A judge could waive the civil fine if the person completed a court-approved drug education program. * The Arizona Department of Health Services would be in charge of issuing registry identification cards to any Arizona resident over age 18 with a written recommendation, not necessarily a prescription, from a medical doctor that calls for use of marijuana to treat any debilitating medical condition. Those conditions include cancer, glaucoma, positive status for human immunodeficiency virus or acquired immune deficiency syndrome, or treatment of any condition that causes severe pain, severe nausea, seizures such as those caused by epilepsy and persistent muscle spasms such as those caused by multiple sclerosis. In some cases, cards could be issued to youths under age 18 with permission from parents or legal guardians. Those without registry cards could also use medical necessity as a defense against state criminal charges. * Require the Arizona Department of Public Safety to distribute up to two free ounces of marijuana for medical use to people with registration cards from the state. Marijuana "grown, cultivated or produced" in Arizona and seized by law enforcement agencies would be sent to DPS for distribution. DPS could also seek further supplies from the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the University of Mississippi's marijuana farm. Those who use forged registration cards of false identities to obtain marijuana could face criminal and civil penalties. * Increase by 50 percent the maximum sentence for any person convicted of intentionally and knowingly committing a violent crime while under the influence of a controlled substance, while ending the minimum mandatory sentence or fine for any conviction of certain drug offenses. First- and second-time offenders convicted of personal possession or use of paraphernalia could not be placed in jail or prison. Note: But backers say medical use can ease suffering. Source: Arizona Daily Star (AZ)Author: Joseph Barrios, Arizona Daily Star Published: Tuesday, October 15, 2002Copyright: 2002 Pulitzer Publishing Co.Contact: letters azstarnet.comWebsite: http://www.azstarnet.com/star/today/Related Articles:Drug Czar Urges 'No' Vote On Pot Proposition http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14424.shtmlProp. 302, Not 203, is Best Drug-Law Fixhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14423.shtmlDrug Czar Calls Ariz Marijuana Initiative Stupidhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14415.shtmlMarijuana Lacks Medicinal Value, Drug Czar Sayshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14414.shtml
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Comment #12 posted by FoM on October 16, 2002 at 15:40:39 PT
Thank You Dr. Russo
I appreciate all you are doing. Why Cannabis for medicine is still illegal after all your work is beyond me.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #11 posted by Ethan Russo MD on October 16, 2002 at 14:21:38 PT:
Read the Article, See the Pictures
http://www.cannabis-med.org/jcant/russo_chronic_use.pdf
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #10 posted by FoM on October 16, 2002 at 14:11:49 PT
Picture
I know I posted the debris picture that Dr. Russo sent me. I have searched for a web site many times for the Medical Marijuana Farm in Mississippi but have never found a web site. I would like to see a picture of the tin too.http://www.freedomtoexhale.com/debris.jpg
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Comment #9 posted by aocp on October 16, 2002 at 13:51:33 PT
Does anyone know
the names of the remaining patients under federal care? Perhaps we could persuade one of them to offer a digital image of their prescriptions online. Or even better, perhaps there already is such a thing out there already? Any ideas where to search?
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Comment #8 posted by FoM on October 16, 2002 at 12:24:38 PT
malleus
Do they really have Prescription on the tin? If so that makes this even more interesting. There's an expression that goes something like this. "Oh, what a wicked web we weave, when first we practice to deceive..."If you are right it is making it even clearer. Thanks.
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Comment #7 posted by Ethan Russo MD on October 16, 2002 at 12:23:39 PT:
Welcome to My 6 Year Nightmare
Malleus points out the kind of contradiction that the gevernment never acknowledges. Now you know why my FDA-approved research project was never accomplished. NIDA stood in the way.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #6 posted by malleus on October 16, 2002 at 12:20:48 PT
One more thing
Wasn't it this Gust fellow who said that the weed those people receive was first rate, and free of seeds and twigs? When it so obviously isn't?Sounds like another Mr. Booker from Nevada.
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Comment #5 posted by malleus on October 16, 2002 at 12:18:27 PT
Oh, now this WAS stupid
*DPS wouldn't be able to get a single plant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, said Steve Gust, a spokesman. The institute maintains a marijuana farm for medical research purposes only. Marijuana distributed to Arizona residents would not be for research, Gust said. "It would be medical treatment. It would fall outside the legal uses for which this farm has been established."*If I remember correctly, the remaining Compassionate Use Program patients get their government issued ganja in little round tins that have PRESCRIPTIONS on them. Prescriptions like a doctor writes for you. Which means that the NIDA farm is acting in direct opposite of what this man is saying. 
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Comment #4 posted by goneposthole on October 16, 2002 at 07:41:51 PT
terminally ill
For instance, you may have a malignant glioma. Is it an humanitarian gesture to make sure you have a few medical grade buds of cannabis around so you may be able to relieve some of your suffering?Believe me, if you have a malignant glioma, you will suffer.
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Comment #3 posted by DdC on October 16, 2002 at 01:50:53 PT
Psychology of Drug War Ads?
From: "Charles P. Conrad" cpconrad cnmnetwork.com
Subject: Psychology of Drug War Ads?
http://pub3.ezboard.com/fendingcannabisprohibitionwhyitstimetolegalize.showMessage?topicID=343.topicWould it be too much of a stretch to assume that the Feds use the same thinking that the tobacco industry uses to make sure that the WoD will last forever?The old dog has got a new trick. It's called: Criminalize the symptoms, While you spread the disease. –Ani DiFranco ('Tis of Thee)Organic Cannabis/Tobacco vs Chemical Cigarettes
http://pub3.ezboard.com/fendingcannabisprohibitionwhyitstimetolegalize.showMessage?topicID=310.topicThe Chemical Manipulation of Human Consciousness
http://schools.limestone.on.ca/sydhs/ChemicalManipulation.htmlThe Toxic Alternative to Natural Fiber
http://fornits.com/curiosity/hemp/fibre.htmA Few Buzzwords
http://pub3.ezboard.com/fendingcannabisprohibitionstuff.showMessage?topicID=131.topicBiodiesel Information Centre
http://www.greenfuels.org/bioindex.htmlCosta Rican Studies tobacco v cannabis
http://www.cannabinoid.com/wwwboard/politics/binaries/27/27189.gifDrug Deaths per year
http://www.cannabinoid.com/boards/politics/media/34/34138.gif
Chernobyl vs Cannabis
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Comment #2 posted by DANA on October 16, 2002 at 01:31:42 PT
..I like the 'CON'...
"• CON: Requires the Arizona Department of Public Safety to distribute marijuana and may cost millions to test and
      distribute, allows first-time drug offenders to avoid time behind bars and prohibits the state from seizing
      drug-related assets unless the owner is convicted of the drug crimes that generated those assets.
"....yup,,,,ya dont want to let those first time offenders avoid time behind bars!..nope,,that would not be good!.....and,,how dare they try to prohibit the state from seizing the assets of of the entire family unless the owner is convicted!....The feds are gonna freak when 9 passes in Nevada,and 203 passes in Arizona.....There's going to be some showdowns between the states,and the federal drug war cartel empire....Walters,,Hutch,and the rest of the deluded parasitic gremlins who administer the drug war,are going to pull out all the stops to crush the will of the people........it aint gonna be pretty...
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Comment #1 posted by DdC on October 15, 2002 at 22:05:15 PT
Arizona Cannabis Stamp
http://www.cannabinoid.com/boards/politics/media/35/35212.jpg
Get Over It!
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