cannabisnews.com: Pot Project Pulled Pot Project Pulled Posted by CN Staff on January 28, 2003 at 09:31:28 PT By Renee Koury, Mercury News Source: San Jose Mercury Controversy over medicinal marijuana has reached the eighth grade in Belmont, where a middle school principal has refused to let a student display her project on the possible medical benefits of pot.Ralston Intermediate School Principal Deborah Ferguson told 13-year-old Veronica Mouser last week she was barring her project -- called ``Mary Jane for Pain'' -- from the school science fair opening today. Projects are supposed to be hands-on, the school says, and marijuana is still considered an illegal drug by the federal government.Veronica burst into sobs and called her stepfather from the nearest phone. Now the emboldened teen, who loves debating and wants to be a lawyer, is ready to put up a battle.``It's just not fair,'' Veronica said. ``I put in months of work. This is a controversial subject and it should be discussed.''The American Civil Liberties Union has already called, and the county's science fair coordinator says he plans to rewrite the rules to make it clear projects involving drugs are out.Veronica's stepfather, Dave Phillips, a systems administrator at Oracle, filed a complaint with the school district to compel the school to display her work. A decision by district officials is expected today.Veronica didn't smoke marijuana herself or give it to her research subjects. Instead, she studied the effects the weed had on three medicinal marijuana patients, visited an Oakland cannabis club, toured a private pot-growing room in Redwood Shores and interviewed doctors. She didn't attach any samples on her cardboard display, and her parents supervised her at every step.She concluded that medicinal marijuana helped relieve pain and nausea in chronically ill patients.Ferguson was not available for comment Monday. But Marcia Harter, assistant superintendent of the Belmont-Redwood Shores School District, said science fair projects are supposed to include hands-on experiments, and it could be inappropriate to let a student conduct research of marijuana; it is still considered an illegal drug by the federal government even though Californians have sanctioned it for medical use.``Science fairs do not allow the use of controlled substances, and also they have been careful not to let students experiment with substances that are illegal or controlled,'' Harter said.Veronica did get the approval of her science teacher Mark Jorgensen in December to do the project, Harter said. Jorgensen did not return calls seeking comment.The dispute illustrates the wider conflict over use of medicinal marijuana since state voters approved its use while federal law bans it.Cannabis buyer clubs have sprung up to fill prescriptions even as the federal government has swept in to shut them down. And in San Mateo County, work is under way on a federally sanctioned study of the possible benefits and detriments of using medicinal pot.Veronica also conducted a survey of about 100 students and relatives on whether it's easier for teens to buy marijuana or alcohol. Seventy-two percent said pot is more accessible.Veronica and her stepfather decided the project also should include a form from the principal approving the work to make it clear that Veronica was supervised and authorized.That was how Ferguson learned of the project. The principal consulted the county's science fair coordinator, Gary Nakagiri, about whether the exhibit would meet guidelines set by the county, regional and state science fairs.While the rules wouldn't ban her project, Nakagiri said the work would be viewed unfavorably because it amounts to a research paper not a scientific process. A hands-on experiment could bend a rule against using ``dangerous'' substances, though that rule was originally aimed at explosives and harmful chemicals.``Marijuana is still borderline,'' Nakagiri said. ``It's still an emotional issue for many folks. Nowadays, with education being on the firing line already, when something like this comes up, our inclination is to be careful.''But Veronica said pursuit of scientific inquiry shouldn't be restrained because of controversy. ``I think they just didn't like what I had to say, or talking about it, so they block it out, and that's not science,'' she said.She also contends her project did have scientific merit; three patients logged what happened after using marijuana for one week and stopping use the next week. Veronica said she abhors recreational use of drugs, and warns in her project about the dangers of the smoke.Either way, she's making change. Nakagiri said the county science fair will sharpen its guidelines to block handling of illegal substances.``I guess I've learned not only about medical pot, but how people will try to control what you say,'' Veronica said. ``Now I'm even more determined to say what I have to say.''Note: 13-Year-Old to Fight for her Science Fair Study.Source: San Jose Mercury News (CA)Author: Renee Koury, Mercury News Published: Tuesday, January 28, 2003Copyright: 2003 San Jose Mercury NewsContact: letters sjmercury.comWebsite: http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/ACLUhttp://www.aclu.org/Medicinal Cannabis Research Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/research.htmCannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #14 posted by Ethan Russo MD on January 29, 2003 at 08:13:02 PT: Had to Share One of my colleagues just came in to discuss this case. He was aghast at how this girl was treated, especially in view of the fact that his 14 year old boy was allowed to present his scientific research on flatulence, at a conservative private Christian school no less, and took third place!The principal told his mom that his project deserved first place, but they didn't have the courage to send him on to the state competition! [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by afterburner on January 28, 2003 at 16:25:10 PT: The Genie Is Out of the Bottle... and all the king's horses and all the king's men cannot put it back in again. Medical cannabis (marijuana) is becoming known far and wide, young and old. The Schedule One Lie is going to fall. Hold on, Ed Rosenthal, you will be exonerated, if not in Judge Charles Breyer's trial, then on appeal. These unjust laws cannot stand. WE THE PEOPLE have spoken: "4 out 5 Americans are for medical cannabis." ego destruction or ego transcendence, that is the question. [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by Sam Adams on January 28, 2003 at 14:52:49 PT what? ``Marijuana is still borderline,'' Nakagiri said. ``It's still an emotional issue for many folks."Only for the political class!! Medical MJ is one of the most widely-supported issues available to public dialogue! [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by i420 on January 28, 2003 at 14:27:36 PT Sic em ACLU.... Sic em ACLU This is what I send you money for fight for what is right. A science fair is a more than fitting place for this type of controversial subject. Isn't that what science is all about LEARNING?? Those adults in that school could learn a lot from this 13 year old child. [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by The GCW on January 28, 2003 at 14:12:01 PT This little girl will also show the rest of the class how it is done. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by druid on January 28, 2003 at 13:52:02 PT New Mexico MMJ Bill Dear NORML Supporter:As we start the new year we are also heading into a new legislative session. This means that many state legislatures will start considering bills to reform our misguided marijuana laws.We have received information that a medical marijuana bill will be formally introduced in New Mexico sometime in the next few weeks. In order for this bill to have any chance of success, we are going to need the help of all of our supporters in the state.NORML has an active program on our website which allows visitors to send pre-written letters to their state legislators in support of specific bills. As soon as favorable legislation is introduced in your state, we will be sending out an alert asking you to use this program and contact your representatives.This is your chance to help make a serious change in the marijuana laws in your state. When this pending bill is introduced, please take five minutes to let your elected officials know that you support it.Thank you for your help. We will be keep you posted on any progress made in New Mexico towards reforming the state’s marijuana laws.Regards,Keith Stroup, Esq. Executive Director [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by druid on January 28, 2003 at 12:53:10 PT Wyoming MMJ Bill I am excited about this because I live very close to Wyoming and it feels like things are getting closer to home. :)--------------------------------------------------------------Dear NORML Supporter:NORML is pleased to announce that SB0044, a bill to legally protect medical marijuana patients, has been introduced in the Wyoming Legislature. Now is the time to contact your state legislators and urge them to support this important piece of legislation.The question of the medical use of marijuana is a public health issue; it should not be part of the war on drugs. Modern research suggests that cannabis is a valuable aid in the treatment of a wide range of clinical applications. These include pain relief particularly of neuropathic pain (pain from nerve damage) nausea, spasticity, glaucoma, and movement disorders. Marijuana is also a powerful appetite stimulant, specifically for patients suffering from HIV, the AIDS wasting syndrome, or dementia. Emerging research suggests that marijuana's medicinal properties may protect the body against some types of malignant tumors and are neuroprotective. According to a 2001 national survey of U.S. physicians conducted for the American Society of Addiction Medicine, nearly half of all doctors with opinions support legalizing marijuana as a medicine.To deny an effective medication to the sick and dying, in order to "send a strong message to kids" against drug abuse, is cruel and unconscionable, and improperly interferes with the relationship between a patient and his/her physician. We already allow the medical use of many drugs, such as cocaine and morphine, which can be abused in a non-medical setting. Basic compassion and common sense demand that we allow the seriously ill to use whatever safe medication is most effective.This bill will help to ensure that medical marijuana patients in Wyoming will no longer have to fear arrest or prosecution from state law enforcement. However, it will only receive serious consideration if the elected officials in - Wyoming hear an unmistakable message of support from their constituents. Please take two minutes of your time to write your state legislators and tell them how important it is that they support medical marijuana. NORML has created pre-written letters that you can send to your legislators by visiting: http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/alert/?alertid=1304991&type=STThank you for your help.Sincerely,Keith Stroup, Esq. Executive Director NORML [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by FoM on January 28, 2003 at 12:34:58 PT Dr. Russo I know I don't say much but I do have strong feelings about Internet activism. Hopefully it will all work out. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by Ethan Russo MD on January 28, 2003 at 12:20:50 PT: FoM I am really glad that we'll be able to hear from you. That's great news. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by cannabis jarhead on January 28, 2003 at 11:53:52 PT usmjparty I think this site has the right idea, Start a US Marijuana Party. http://www.usmjparty.com [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by FoM on January 28, 2003 at 10:44:53 PT Dr. Russo I want you to know and anyone that is interested that we are trying to set up video conferencing for me for the conference. Isn't that great? The other people on the panel are Richard Cowan, Mark Greer, Jeanette Irwin, David Borden and little ole me, maybe. Cool. I'm very nervous! LOL! [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Ethan Russo MD on January 28, 2003 at 10:35:10 PT: Political Correctness Victorious This young lady was following the rules, and attempting to do research. What does she get for her trouble? Ostracism and an education on how a gutless education system prostrates itself to government propaganda.You go, girl! I hope she is invited to speak at the NORML Conference in San Francisco. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by pokesmotter on January 28, 2003 at 10:01:23 PT: they are staring so young... "I guess I've learned not only about medical pot, but how people will try to control what you say," Veronica said. "Now I'm even more determined to say what I have to say."If all eighth graders thought like this we would have a very scared federal government. This little girl gives me hope for the future. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by druid on January 28, 2003 at 09:59:42 PT hip hip hooray! GO FUTURE ACTIVISTS!!!! What a brave little girl to stand up to the Man! [ Post Comment ] Post Comment