cannabisnews.com: States Defend Medical Marijuana Policies States Defend Medical Marijuana Policies Posted by CN Staff on April 01, 2004 at 20:14:16 PT By Todd Zwillich, WebMD Medical News Source: WebMD Washington -- State officials defended their enforcement of medical marijuana on Capitol Hill Thursday as lawmakers attacked state medical boards for ignoring federal drug laws in favor of state statutes. Officials from the Oregon and California state medical boards say they will continue allowing doctors to assist patients in obtaining marijuana as long as it is done in accordance with state laws allowing the practice. That position has sparked the ire of some lawmakers who accuse state boards of shirking their responsibilities to uphold federal drug laws. Eight states have laws allowing doctors to authorize marijuana use for patients meeting certain medical criteria. The drug remains illegal under federal law, a fact that has prompted federal law enforcement raids in some states. Marijuana has a wide range of therapeutic applications, including: * relieving nausea and increasing appetite * reducing muscle spasms and spasticity * relieving chronic pain * reducing intraocular (within the eye) pressure Rep. Mark Souder (R-Ind.), chairman of the House Criminal Justice subcommittee, accused state medical boards of allowing doctors to promote marijuana despite a potential for abuse recognized under federal law. He also noted that while components of marijuana may have been approved by the FDA to treat nausea and other health problems, marijuana is toxic and dangerous when smoked. "We do not allow people to manufacture their own psychiatric drugs like Prozac or Xanax to treat headaches. Why, then, should we authorize people to grow their own marijuana, when the potential for abuse is high and there is little or no scientific evidence that it can actually treat all of these illnesses?" he says. Doctors Don't Prescribe It State officials defended their practices, noting that doctors don't actually prescribe the drug but only provide patients with the authorization needed to seek it legally under state law. A federal appeals court recently upheld a California doctor's ability to discuss marijuana as a treatment option under that state's 1996 medical marijuana law, despite federal prohibitions on the drug. "Ultimately, the Medical Board of California's position is that marijuana is an authorized treatment under California law," says Joan M. Jerzak, the board's chief of enforcement. Jerzak says the board has filed charges against only four doctors for inappropriate use of medical marijuana since 1996. James Scott, MD, a member of the Oregon Board of Medical Examiners, says that Oregon's doctors do not violate federal law because they do not prescribe marijuana. Oregon last month suspended the medical license of Phillip Leveque, DO, for negligently recommending marijuana use in thousands of patients. Leveque was scheduled to testify at Thursday's hearing but did not appear. A 1999 Institute of Medicine report concluded that marijuana's constituents may have medical benefits for patients with AIDS wasting syndrome, chronic pain, glaucoma, and other disorders. But the report also stated that smoking marijuana was dangerous and should not be considered as a favored route of delivering the drug. Still, new research shows that marijuana's main ingredient, tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, could have uses for several medical problems. The agency is funding 17 different clinical trials in patients with spasticity, AIDS, and other disorders. SOURCES: Rep. Mark Souder (R-Ind.), chairman, House Criminal Justice subcommittee. Joan M. Jerzak, Medical Board of California chief of enforcement. James Scott, Oregon Board of Medical Examiners. Nora D. Volkow director, National Institute on Drug Abuse. Note: Federal Lawmakers Say State Laws Violate Federal Anti-Drug Statutes.Reviewed By Brunilda Nazario, MD on Thursday, April 01, 2004 Source: WebMDAuthor: Todd Zwillich, WebMD Medical News Published: April 1, 2004Copyright: 2004 WebMD Inc.Contact: news webmd.net Website: http://www.webmd.com/Related Articles:The Trouble with Marijuana and Legislatorshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18573.shtmlSouder Critical of Medical Marijuana http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18548.shtmlState Suspends 'Marijuana Doctor' Levequehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18450.shtml END SNIP --> Snipped Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #31 posted by FoM on April 07, 2004 at 09:43:57 PT Souder Complaining About Ecstasy Rising Special http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread18469.shtml#6 [ Post Comment ] Comment #30 posted by afterburner on April 07, 2004 at 09:38:09 PT: D'oh, I Forgot the Link Ecstasy Rising link http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-2610.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #29 posted by afterburner on April 07, 2004 at 06:08:17 PT: Ecstasy Rising: re Comments #6-8 Now available on Pot-TV for those of you who missed it:Stoner Show: ABC Special, Ecstasy Rising Stoner Show with Pot-TV Running Time: 42 min Date Entered: 06 Apr 2004 "Big James sent in this copy of the recent ABC special, Ecstasy Rising." [ Post Comment ] Comment #28 posted by FoM on April 02, 2004 at 15:02:37 PT EJ About Easy Rider We looked at the insert of the Easy Rider CD and there is a picture of Jack Nicholson holding a joint. I thought you might appreciate knowing it too. [ Post Comment ] Comment #27 posted by Rev Jonathan Adler on April 02, 2004 at 14:31:23 PT: HCR152 and HR108 Currently Hawaii Legislature! Hawaii's latest news is not the injunction sought by Kimmel and Christie; it's HR152 and HR108 at Hawaii's legislature that authorizes a plan to be developed to distribute cannabis for medical patients. Three years ago, I suggested the injunctive relief from the same attorney, mine by the way, and he said then it wasn't possible. Although the church I represent in East Hawaii has already sought and received injunctive relief for the religious use of cannabis; I did 6 months after receiving written acknowledgment from a Judge regarding meeting all 3 of the required proofs by stipulated agreement of FACTS!? This was signed and stamped by Prosecutor and Judge. The question of compelling interest and least restrictive means was NOT addressed, other than to say the drug law was more important than my religious freedom. My appeal is still pending after 1 and a half years. Neither Kimmel or Christie has such documents or court decisions in their favor and neither chooses to associate with our ministry.Neither rendered any aid, letters of encouragement, helped my family or said a word to the media regarding my incarceration. Neither has introduced bills regarding medical and religious use over and over for many sessions. God Bless them also. Having been there since 1974, I know where from I speak. I took the heat and they stayed in the shade. Let the truth be known. Our Resolutions were heard in Health committee yesterday. I appeared at my own expense from Hilo by jet and laid down testimony in support of a document I generated that had been changed radically. But the reso has been deferred for decision until next Tuesday. I still was the ONLY one present at the hearing with legal standing to conduct the non-commercial distribution of cannabis to sacramedical patients. They (OUR LEGISLATURE) want to hear IMMEDIATELY from Dr. Ethan Russo regarding research possibilities and participation of University and sacramedical entities to provide material for research and medical treatment. PLEASE * Call Rep. Dennis Arakaki at 808-586-6050 to give testimony, opinion or input now! I gave an impassioned 20 minute appeal to be allowed to continue the work I started in 1974. I highlighted how the religious "umbrella" can fill the gaps in research and treatment supply. They are also VERY interested in my idea to treat methamphetamine addicts with cannabis. That is why they wish to speak to Ethan! Good Luck. You can imagine my flight over through security, fully documented and with my legal medicine. It was alot of respect and professionalism as most of the personnel knew me and and even their boss seemed somehow proud of what I had accomplished. Ex- Police Chief James Correa wished me well. I seemed to meet another law enforcement CHIEF constantly on my travels and Prosecutors, Judges, DLNR, Sherrif and Attorney General's Office. I must have seen 50 legislators in one day. All received me well and seemed ready to participate in a legally approved system. It's happening! God Bless every one, especially all those who are sincere, legitimate and mandated cannabis users. Gee Whiz, that could be all of us!? Our church is open all times and ministering to folks legally. See sacramedicine.com and medijuana.com It all boils down to.....I can't stop being legal! Amen. Hawaii Medical Marijuana Institute [ Post Comment ] Comment #26 posted by E_Johnson on April 02, 2004 at 14:03:02 PT I'll have to submerge my feelings into art I'm having too many feelings over this issue to express them through rational argument.It just makes my heart burst to think a rapist can apply for student aid without scrutiny and his victim who gave someone pot is considered a danger to other students and rejected out of hand.There are too many feelings there for me to just take them out by voting or by going to johnkerry.com and expressing my disbelief.That's a wrong society that makes those kinds of decisions. A whole wrong society can't correct itself by one measly election.Our whole society is wrong when we do something like that.You can't say pot is worse than rape. A society that makes that kind of judgment, an election seems beside the point. [ Post Comment ] Comment #25 posted by FoM on April 02, 2004 at 13:35:20 PT Oh a Hot Potato! Or is it potatoe! LOL! Seriously EJ I know what you mean. Kerry must be more vocal then he has been. I understand The Kerry Campaign not wanting to talk about cannabis issues this far from election but it should be a major issue close to election time. I sure hope it will be! [ Post Comment ] Comment #24 posted by E_Johnson on April 02, 2004 at 13:22:34 PT Bush has been a very good enemy He's so mean and extreme, he takes the gloss off of the Drug War and shows the brutality of it so that it's easy to see.It's been awful but it's been exciting too. Seeing him convert people to our cause just by being his rotten old self.We would lose that with Kerry and have to fight uphill again instead of downhill.I know that sounds backwards but that's how it feels in a way. [ Post Comment ] Comment #23 posted by FoM on April 02, 2004 at 13:16:43 PT I Have Something to Say Too That's right EJ. When we saw Greendale last year and this past March Neil Young ended both our shows and many other shows on the 2 tours with Roll Another Number For The Road. You could feel the electricity when he sang that song. What a wonderful song to say I smoke and leave me be! [ Post Comment ] Comment #22 posted by E_Johnson on April 02, 2004 at 13:10:16 PT Who wins the Grammies and the Oscars? Charlize Theron was photographed in the Enquirer smoking hash from an apple.Now she could make an Oscar Bong.Almost all the Grammy winners this year were mariuana users.Missy Elliott wrote Pass That Dutch.She was the big winner this year.Pass that Grammy. [ Post Comment ] Comment #21 posted by FoM on April 02, 2004 at 13:00:35 PT Our Battles Are Still Our Battles It doesn't matter who is the next president really as far as our issue is concerned. It could matter some but I'm not holding my breathe. It matters that we keep pushing and both parties will have to see that we are serious. EJ I just got the Deluxe Edition of Easy Rider. I'm listening to it and the first song is The Pusher and the one that is playing now is Born To Be Wild. It reminds me of how we've been denied when I listen to these great songs. [ Post Comment ] Comment #20 posted by E_Johnson on April 02, 2004 at 12:54:10 PT I just took action I can see that no matter who gets elected, our struggle will not change that much. [ Post Comment ] Comment #19 posted by FoM on April 02, 2004 at 12:31:16 PT Action Alert from The Drug Policy Alliance Stop the Ecstasy Awareness ActTake Action! Send a Message Congress is considering a sequel to the RAVE Act that is even more draconian than the first. If enacted, the Ecstasy Awareness Act would throw people in jail who organize raves or similar electronic dance events if some of their customers used drugs. Fax your Representative and tell him or her not to co-sponsor this dangerous bill. http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/action/index.asp?step=2&item=11060&ms=ectasyhp [ Post Comment ] Comment #18 posted by fearfull on April 02, 2004 at 12:26:48 PT Just want to stir things up a bit..... Religions have been persecuted for thousands of years. The Jews, Early Christians, Quakers and on and on. People are afraid of the unknown. Cannabists are, weather you realize it or not, another persecuted religious sect. We all know that cannabis is a relatively benign substance. People who use cannabis are generally good people, and are representative of the general population on the whole. For over 6 decades the United States Government has demonized, harassed, and persecuted cannabis users. Yet more people than ever have tried cannabis and continue to use it on a regular basis. Why? Because we see it for what it really is, just another substance that God has placed on this earth for our use. Used in moderation as all things should, cannabis offers us another way to commune with God. People have been doing it as long as there have been people. Catholics eat bread and drink wine, the Native American Church eats Peyote, all in order to commune with God... We are not so different from the early Christians. They jail us, they destroy our families, they take away our worldly possessions, they force us into indoctrination facilities... While they lock us up and kill us we (usually) respond with non violence. Just like those thrown to the lions we know that we are right and that we will be vindicated in the end. Weather that vindication comes during our lifetimes or through the eyes of history, it will come. It would be so sweet to taste that vindication during our lives, but we also are fighting not only for ourselves but for our children and grandchildren. Prohibition is tyranny pure and simple, we can sit by and watch our rights being stripped away one by one, or we can fight. Do you want your children to live under the Iron Boot? Think about all those brave men and women who fought and died at Normandy, Pearl Harbor, Sipan so that we could live in freedom. They must be rolling over in their graves to see our country now, where it is now a crime to speak out against the regime, even to think bad thoughts, or to read the wrong books. Doesn't Freedom of Religion mean that you can't tell me how to worship my god. Weather my god is your God is irrelevant. The same Freedom should apply to all personal activities. As long as you are not hurting any one in the process and the process is personal. "Let me be a free man...free to travel... free to stop...free to work...free to choose my own teachers...free to follow the religion of my Fathers...free to think and talk and act for myself- and I will obey every law or submit to the penalty.." Chief Joseph [ Post Comment ] Comment #17 posted by E_Johnson on April 02, 2004 at 09:44:14 PT Fire Alan Leshner If anyone should be having a tough time finding a job now, it's that man. [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by Max Flowers on April 02, 2004 at 09:43:54 PT Oops I meant fearfull, I agree with you. GCW, thanks for your original Hawaii news item post [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by Max Flowers on April 02, 2004 at 09:41:05 PT GCW I agree with you The religious persecution angle is a highly potent one because it is TRUE for one thing. I do use cannabis spiritually. My medicinal use and spiritual use are one in the same. What is good for my body and soul is good for my spirit. This is true for all of us.The fact that Hawaii is pushing harder and getting further on this aspect is fascinating. Maybe it is because the people as well as the government there know deep down that we're not even supposed to be there (America stole the Hawaiian islands at cannon-point using US Navy frigates, threatening the massacre of thousands of natives if the queen did not sign the "treaty" signing over control to the US), so to also crack down on the pakalolo is just way too much.That Hawaii is spearheading the religious rights arm of the cannabis liberation movement is somehow appropriate. Pakalolo spirituality belongs to the Hawaiian people, it is one of their many sacred plants and if the US government is going to pretend to be the moral authority there then they had better acknowledge the Constitution, which allows for Freedom Of Religion (WHATEVER FORM that religious practice takes) and the right to the Pursuit Of Happiness. [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by Max Flowers on April 02, 2004 at 09:27:42 PT One of my favorite parts ...was when they showed part of a "Donahue" show about ecstasy done in 1985 or so, and on the panel was then-head DEA stooge, can't think of his name right now but he is/was as big or a bigger asshole than Barry McCaffrey... Donahue let a woman in the audience speak, a regular straight laced lady---as "un-druggie-like" as you can imagine---who had a terminal illness and explained how she had used MDMA to get over the fear, and she was just glowing; and the DEA chief goon could be seen in the corner of the frame, gnawing on his hand and practically freaking out! [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by FoM on April 02, 2004 at 09:20:53 PT Snipped Source: Article About Ecstasy This might be of interest. I put it on my personal page.***Ecstasy AgonistesA retracted study on a controversial substance raises questions about the reliability of government-sponsored research on drugs.http://www.freedomtoexhale.com/agonistes.htm [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by fearfull on April 02, 2004 at 09:17:59 PT The GCW I really believe that the religious persecution route is the one that will gain us the greatest advantage. Can you imagine, if residents of Hawaii recieve the "Relegious" right to worship their god as they see fit, what then happens to the rest of the country? Why do they have relegious freedom and I don't? Huge can o worms there. [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by E_Johnson on April 02, 2004 at 09:12:14 PT The sickest thing about the whole fiasco Alan Leshner from NIDA is the head of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.The Drug War has prostituted this once reputable organization and their publication Science and now they are suffering a loss of reputation so severe this man should just be FIRED. [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by Dave in Florida on April 02, 2004 at 08:56:22 PT Cloud7 I too, thought they gave that same impression, bascily that the government has been lying to us for a long time. The talk about the researcher who was funded by the gov and made the "brain scans" and then found that they were using meth instead of E. The really milked it the way I read the show..and then with the last comment, "will they believe anything the government says". It was a good show. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by cloud7 on April 02, 2004 at 08:07:02 PT "What is wrong with having recreational drugs?&quo I thought it was interesting that they answered (in a sense) this question on the program. When they were talking about why it was made illegal, they mostly said because it discredited the ideas people have about who uses drugs and that they can be used safely. In other words, all these people were using *drugs* (fear emphasis) and were having a good time. Not exactly what you'd see in an ONDCP ad. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by FoM on April 02, 2004 at 08:02:25 PT Ecstasy Rising Thanks for telling us about the show last night. I was busy trying to fix CNews and missed it. I only heard a few comments in an email group I get and they didn't like it. Something about ABC selling out to the government or close to that. I'm really glad to read it was well done. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by Dave in Florida on April 02, 2004 at 07:53:08 PT Ecstasy I agree, The show last night was fantastic. Some of the media finally get it. The war on drugs is a total lie. All of us know it (c-news readers). Now they need to do another show on cannabis and show what a total farce cannabis prohibition is. I think the cat is out of the bag!The question I have for the fools in the government is this:What is wrong with having recreational drugs? [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by cloud7 on April 02, 2004 at 07:42:32 PT Ecstasy Rising Incredible, the show didnt hold back at all in letting the viewers know that: -it was made illegal for virtually no reason -it is not comparable to the hard drugs -death/brain damage is virtually nonexistant -the govt is a lying, manipulative scumbag -the war on this drug has failed completelyNot to mention the multiple glowing reports of how it has improved many people's lives. Once we have the media firmly on our side, the war will fall so rapidly. This show is just one indication of how very close we are. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by kaptinemo on April 02, 2004 at 05:26:06 PT: It's been said, long ago When the media finally begins to do it's own research (as exemplified by Mr. Jennings, last night) rather than depend upon lapping up the rote regurgitation of ignorant or mendacious 'authorities', the conclusions become obvious.And, in a sad twist, the sorry state of the economy and the nation are contributing to this 'sea change' we witnessed last night. Money is tight, millions are out of work and becoming rapidly destitute - and desperate. For them, to watch on TV as the DrugWar squanders money that is badly needed for social safety nets (ripped to pieces by these same 'law and order' fanatics who front the DrugWar by gutting them of funds and transferring the money to their pet DrugWar projects) is, in these tough times, just intolerable. Every bust, every raid, every 'get tough' piece of legislation that is fronted is actually a siphon in the wallets and pocketbooks of those who can afford that the least. Up to now, many simply haven't managed to put 'two and two' together.When times were good, and employment up, and the economy awash in (dirty, cocaine-stained laundered) money, nobody cared what happened to the 'damn druggies' or the effects of the DrugWar on the Nation's fiscal health. But now? NASCAR Dad and Soccer Mom are stretched to the breaking point, and they just can't take any more financial strains. To watch as their hard earned money gets p***ed away, and (here's the important point) TO HAVE A MEDIA WONK THAT'S WIDELY TRUSTED TELL THEM IT'S A BOONDOGGLE WILL MAKE THEM THINK. Give them time, and the result will be the same one so many of us in the reform community here and elsewhere have realized long ago.Namely, it's time for the DrugWar - and it's proponents - to be exposed for what it is and they are...and give them both old 'heave-ho!'.The seed has been planted; step back and watch it grow. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by The GCW on April 02, 2004 at 04:36:02 PT Four. http://www.westhawaiitoday.com/archive/2004/04/01/LocalNews/169480.htmlMedical marijuana advocates file suit against DEA, others Religious and medical marijuana advocates filed a complaint for injunctive relief in the U.S. District Court last week against U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft, Drug Enforcement Administration Administrator Karen Tandy and Hawaii's U.S. District Attorney Ed Kubo. The suit - headed by Maui-based Religion of Jesus Church founder James Kimmell and Big Island-based The Hawaii Cannabis Ministry founder Roger Christie - seeks to enjoin the federal government from arresting and prosecuting Hawaii residents "whose religions and religious beliefs require the consumption of cannabis," according to a prepared statement. The lawsuit also reportedly seeks protection from federal prosecution for Hawaii residents who cultivate, consume and distribute marijuana legally in Hawaii according to legislatively-enacted Department of Public Safety Narcotics Enforcement Division guidelines and valid patient-caregiver registration certificates.March 31, 2004(Golf is a great game but I always have trouble at the windmill.) [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Max Flowers on April 01, 2004 at 23:49:19 PT Ecstasy special on TV was amazing I had to keep reminding myself I was watching a major network news show. It was very pro-cognitive liberty and it made the war on drugs look like the ridiculous, futile thing it is.This was huge, a landmark of sorts in major media treatment of drug-related subject matter. I couldn't believe I was seeing it.There's hope yet, folks... [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by jose melendez on April 01, 2004 at 23:11:16 PT as simple as 1 - 2 - 3 ! "Why, then, should we authorize people to grow their own marijuana . . ."1. - Because cannabis suppression is a violation of the Sherman Act, increasing the price for inferior products that would normally have to compete in an open market with a far safer herb.2. - Because drug warriors are contributorily negligent to such price-fixing conspiracies, which inherently increase youth access, abuse and proliferation of contraband, as well as the per capita homicide rate.3. - Because the Constitution defines war waged on us or aid and comfort to enemies as TREASON.Need I type more? [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on April 01, 2004 at 21:58:32 PT Ecstasy on World News Tonight with Peter Jennings 'Ecstasy Rising' Ecstasy is not only popular among young people partying at raves but for adults trying to get in touch with their emotions. What do we know about the drug's risks? http://abcnews.go.com/sections/WNT/Primetime/ecstasy_040401-1.html***Ecstasy and TherapyClub Drug Tested as Treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress DisorderBy Bob WoodruffApril 1 — Americans take hundreds of millions of doses Ecstasy every year.http://abcnews.go.com/sections/WNT/Primetime/Ecstasy_therapy_040401-1.htmlhttp://abcnews.go.com/Sections/WNT/ [ Post Comment ] Post Comment