cannabisnews.com: Marijuana Legalization Debate Heats Up





Marijuana Legalization Debate Heats Up
Posted by CN Staff on April 21, 2003 at 20:02:52 PT
By Mike Crispino
Source: Capital News 
Vietnam veteran Walter Wouk has spent years advocating for the legalization of marijuana. He said, "In order for marijuana to be legalized, the government is going to have to go back and say, 'well for the past 60, 70 years we've been lying to you.'"Wouk would be the first to admit it's unlikely that will ever happen. 
In recent years, there has been a heavy push on the part of pro-marijuana advocates like Wouk to legalize the drug for medicinal use. In New York State, the Assembly is considering a marijuana medical bill. Backed by 27 members, it's currently in committee.On the national front, Congress is considering a bill called the "Truth in Trials Act" that would allow for patients using the drug to provide their medical situation as defense. That legislation is also in committee.Some see the medical marijuana debate as a smoke screen for another agenda, legalizing the drug with no restrictions. For authorities the drug is more than a problematic weed. It's illegal, gaining in popularity, and it's not going away. The Drug Enforcement Agency has pages of points challenging the legalization debate. The DEA cites over 10,000 studies that label marijuana as an addictive, harmful drug. The agency also points out that Americans take medicine in pill form, solutions, shots or creams, but never by smoking.Studies show 85 percent of teens who light up are twice as likely to try more hard core drugs, like cocaine. Wouk said, "The big problem with the marijuana issue is that it has never been genuinely discussed."With dozens of bills and even more agendas on the table, genuine or not, the discussion will continue.The American Medical Association does not support legalizing the drug for medical use. They have, however, released a recommendation for continued research in the matter.Source: Capital News 9 (NY)Author: Mike CrispinoPublished: April 20, 2003Copyright: 2003 TWEAN News Channel of AlbanyWebsite: http://www.capitalnews9.com/Feedback: http://www.capitalnews9.com/content/contact_us/Related Articles:NY Panel OKs Medical Marijuana Billhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15911.shtmlNew York Fires Up The Decaf Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11934.shtmlState Passed the Law, but Never Used It http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9419.shtml 
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