cannabisnews.com: Competition for Marijuana





Competition for Marijuana
Posted by CN Staff on October 21, 2002 at 15:03:23 PT
By Jacob Sullum
Source: Reason Magazine
Patients whose suffering has been relieved by marijuana have a suggestion for what government officials can do with their propaganda denying that the drug has any medical use. Perhaps inspired by that reaction, a pharmaceutical researcher is testing a suppository containing marijuana's main active ingredient. Mahmoud ElSohly, the scientist who oversees the federal government's pot farm at the University of Mississippi, uses tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) extracted from the plants for his suppository. 
The Small Business Administration, which has supported his work with $1.3 million in loans, recently gave ElSohly Laboratories an award in recognition of its innovative extraction process. ElSohly predicts the suppository, which has been tested for safety in humans but has not undergone clinical trials, will be available within three years. As a nausea medication and appetite booster, it will compete with Marinol, a capsule containing synthetic THC. Marinol is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treating AIDS wasting syndrome and the side effects of cancer chemotherapy. Like smoked marijuana, the suppository has the advantage that patients do not need to swallow it and keep it down, a challenge for people suffering from severe nausea. It also should be quicker-acting than Marinol. For speed, though, it's hard to beat smoked marijuana, which works immediately and allows patients to take exactly as much as they need to control their symptoms. (In addition to nausea, marijuana is used to control pain and muscle spasms.) The main drawback of smoked marijuana is the combustion products that accompany the THC. To avoid that hazard, the National Academy of Sciences has recommended development of an inhaler that would deliver THC (and possibly other useful cannabinoids) without smoke. Such a product would be further proof that the federal government is lying when it calls medical marijuana "a cruel hoax" with no scientific basis--an argument it uses to justify its crackdown on organizations that dispense the drug to sick people. Yet an inhaler also would make the medical marijuana debate moot by offering an alternative that is superior to smoked cannabis. The question is how much suffering the government is prepared to inflict in the meantime. Jacob Sullum, a senior editor at Reason, is the author a book on the morality of drug use, forthcoming in May from Tarcher/Putnam. Editors' LinksSource: Reason Magazine (US)Author: Jacob SullumPublished: October 21, 2002Copyright: 2002 The Reason FoundationContact: letters reason.comWebsite: http://www.reason.com/ Related Articles & Web Site:Medical Marijuana Information Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/medical.htmNew Drug Takes You on a Bum Trip http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13935.shtmlThe Real Dope - Washington Posthttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13042.shtmlThe Myth of 'Harmless' Marijuana http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread12683.shtml
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Comment #12 posted by BGreen on October 23, 2002 at 04:19:01 PT
I'm honored to have friends like those here
There's so much caring and personal suffering taken on sympathetically for those we see suffering. I believe what I believe, but I don't mean to offend anybody. God, good vibes, good karma or whatever you call it, love and caring are wonderful and powerful things.Up until I started posting here I was pretty much alone in my fight. I was a member of NORML and wrote LTE's. I had about four people besides my wife that I could trust, due to the way the gov't has turned friends into snitches. Now I'm part of a bigger crowd and it encourages me when I'm down. I'm glad I can offer a little encouragement to others in return.
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Comment #11 posted by herbdoc215 on October 22, 2002 at 21:51:05 PT
Bgreen in all honesty your words where last thing 
I thought of walking into courthouse, thanks bro as that was just what and the way I needed to hear it also. God does truly move in mysterious ways and has chosen a very imperfect tool in me as I am way over my head and totally awed by the responsibilty of the duty before me if this really is the way this is supposed to be done. The hardest part has always been to know the will of god to ensure I was doing what I was supposed to be. I just worry because so many are suffering so desperately and because of media I hear from them everyday, it tears my heart out to hear the desperation in so many peoples voices as they plead for help from us. What am I to tell them but of course I will do my best to help you in any way I can? There is too much to be done for a thousands of people to accomplish, let alone the few we have today willing to roll up their sleeves and 'get their hands dirty' because due to legal corner the ordinary AmeriKan has allowed the law to back us into we have to break a few eggs for ethical healers to treat their patients and that applies to physicians and local witch doctors like me. I just wish some more folks would get out of the armchair and roll their sleeves up so I can retire to Bahama's someday and catch up on my fishing. Peace, Steven Tuck    reporting from last free place in N AmeriKa,I am here now like a tick on a dog and it seems Canada actually is trying to live up to it's Ideals/covanent with the people. I hereby eat with relish every bullshit word my stupid ass ever disparaged upon the honor of Canada as now even win or lose it will be upon MY merits of my case as all have been seperated and Washington was told to butt outsky until this is over. I beg all democracy loving people to deluge Canadian officials with praise for standing their ground!
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Comment #10 posted by Had Enough on October 22, 2002 at 20:27:31 PT
Bgreen
Bgreen: That was good, you said it all in a few words many cannot understand. You are an inspiration to mankind. Peace brother. Goodwill towards your fellow man fills your heart. This is what it’s all about.  Hold your head up high too.
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Comment #9 posted by BGreen on October 22, 2002 at 19:33:08 PT
Steven Tuck
"I'm praying for you, Steven""Go into court with a good attitude and showing respect even though these people don't deserve it. Walk with your head held high because you have truth on your side.""Tell your story, make your points, tell the judge your fears and how helpless you feel for not being allowed an attorney.""Don't give up! It's NOT over 'til it's over. Miracles DO happen, even to cannabis users."Posted by Bud Green on October 20, 2002I'm as thrilled as I could possibly be for you, Steven. I didn't post those words to you without believing them with all my heart, and I give glory to God for what took place in court.
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Comment #8 posted by lookinside on October 22, 2002 at 19:08:39 PT
Steve...
This is the best news posted on this site in quite awhile.Maybe justice isn't dead after all in the Western hemisphere...
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Comment #7 posted by Shishaldin on October 22, 2002 at 15:51:42 PT
Right ON, Steve Tuck!
Your good news just stoked my whole week! Congratulations! May the facist DEAth squads never put a hand on you again!Continued Good Luck and Jah Speed...Shishaldin
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on October 22, 2002 at 12:25:44 PT
herbdoc215 
I'm happy for you that it went ok. Prayer really does work. 
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Comment #5 posted by herbdoc215 on October 22, 2002 at 12:19:18 PT
This man's a pro whore- plus my repreive,
Everybody here knows how I feel about this man. Someday I will prove he is a big player in the 'war ' on cannabis as he is sitting on alot of research that was done at Umiss that would prove our point. But NOW he's showing what the price it took to ensure his complicity and silence, an SBA loan/gift, eh. Plus first divs on everybodies research that was confiscated. He came to Eureka to pick my research up. Am I the only one who has a problem with his being able to file commercial patents when he's ONLY person in US with access to legal cannabis for last 15 years? As long as we let the professional whores escape ridicule this shit will continue. Peace, Steven Tuck
ps. Yesterday was the most bizarre day of my life. I saw the hand of God change an entire situation, thanks to everybody for prayers and hopes as my greatest hope came true and I get to try my case on merits the judge said no political bs allowed, State Dept. has to leave me alone here. I got a month to get a lawyer then we set a hearing for next year and I get to put on my whole Appologia. I am calling ministers, doctors, and maybe even a few indian chiefs? We'll see what happens but I have done defied the odds twice now and I am open to a little hope now. I was terrified but David Malmo-Levine and some friends went with me for support and I felt alot of others holding me up inside ( he's got balls as big as church bells, they wouldn't let him in and I hear this holloring from next room, it's David and co. raising hell for their rights as Canadians to witness my treatment, I had to sing a paper for every visitor, but we had fun playing with pensils and filling out the papers...these guys really messed up cops plans until we could get to judge to get a stay for them to leave me be, I am really blessed to have friends as I have. They were gonna try some funny stuff as they had cops there for me and the whole circus as we scare the hell out of them for some reason. I want to thank everyone again for their help as I am continually blown away at how we are always compassionate and emphetic with each other and the other side could give a shit less about anybody but themselves and it shows everyday. Funniest part is all the crown is trying to fight is our medical conditions, I laughed all the way home at look on QC's face when he tried to get court to compel me to a medical exam and i said no prob if he's board certified, haha as I got a stack of med records thousands deep and did he want them in triplicate like all else, Could have knocked homeboy over with Walters heart. If thats all they got they is screwed and might as well give up now as I have let beaucoup MD's guinnea pig me to test why I must have cannabis and a couple are famous docs so bring'em on. If anybody tells you they don't believe in miracles tell them bullshit and send them to me. thanks, steve tuck      soon to be canab(d)ian,eh
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Comment #4 posted by malleus on October 22, 2002 at 12:02:34 PT
Proof positive of the anal retentiveness of antis.
I always wondered why they showed such interest in people's backsides, They either want to kiss it, kick it, or stuff things up it.These people are just plain SICK!!!!!!
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Comment #3 posted by karkulus on October 21, 2002 at 17:45:50 PT
That's Gotta be Some..
Gnarly Smokin'(especially if they're "used")!
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Comment #2 posted by canaman on October 21, 2002 at 16:49:15 PT
Up yours Doc!
This guy sure plays all sides of the fence. He's in charge of growing cannabis for NIDA. He gets million dollar grants from the U.S. Small Business Administration to develop his patented butt plugs. Then they give him an award. I imagine he makes a pretty good living off an illegal plant and probally stands to become quite rich if his patent goes thru. I wonder how he feels about sick people being locked up for growing the same plant he makes his living on?Pic of the doc showing off his butt plugs. (And article)http://www.gomemphis.com/mca/business/article/0,1426,MCA_440_1481798,00.htm
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Comment #1 posted by Shishaldin on October 21, 2002 at 15:12:20 PT
One word....
VAPORIZERS!!!!!!I wonder if I can get a $1.3 mil loan from the SBA for development of an anally-inserted device to remove prohibitionist tendencies }:{)>Peace and Strength,Shishaldin
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