cannabisnews.com: Make Peace With Pot





Make Peace With Pot
Posted by CN Staff on April 25, 2004 at 19:46:48 PT
By Eric Schlosser
Source: New York Times 
Starting in the fall, pharmacies in British Columbia will sell marijuana for medicinal purposes, without a prescription, under a pilot project devised by Canada's national health service. The plan follows a 2002 report by a Canadian Senate committee that found there were "clear, though not definitive" benefits for using marijuana in the treatment of chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and other ailments. Both Prime Minister Paul Martin and Stephen Harper, leader of the opposition conservatives, support the decriminalization of marijuana. 
Oddly, the strongest criticism of the Canadian proposal has come from patients already using medical marijuana who think the government, which charges about $110 an ounce, supplies lousy pot. "It is of incredibly poor quality," said one patient. Another said, "It tastes like lumber." A spokesman for Health Canada promised the agency would try to offer a better grade of product.Needless to say, this is a far cry from the situation in the United States, where marijuana remains a Schedule I controlled substance, a drug that the government says has a high potential for abuse, no accepted medical uses and no safe level of use. Under federal law it is illegal to possess any amount of marijuana anywhere in the United States. Penalties for a first marijuana offense range from probation to life without parole. Although 11 states have decriminalized marijuana, most still have tough laws against the drug. In Louisiana, selling one ounce can lead to a 20-year prison sentence. In Washington State, supplying any amount of marijuana brings a recommended prison sentence of five years.About 700,000 people were arrested in the United States for violating marijuana laws in 2002 (the most recent year for which statistics are available) — more than were arrested for heroin or cocaine. Almost 90 percent of these marijuana arrests were for simple possession, a crime that in most cases is a misdemeanor. But even a misdemeanor conviction can easily lead to time in jail, the suspension of a driver's license, the loss of a job. And in many states possession of an ounce is a felony. Those convicted of a marijuana felony, even if they are disabled, can be prohibited from receiving federal welfare payments or food stamps. Convicted murderers and rapists, however, are still eligible for those benefits. The Bush administration has escalated the war on marijuana, raiding clinics that offer medical marijuana and staging a nationwide roundup of manufacturers of drug paraphernalia. In November 2002 the Office of National Drug Control Policy circulated an "open letter to America's prosecutors" spelling out the administration's views. "Marijuana is addictive," the letter asserted. "Marijuana and violence are linked . . . no drug matches the threat posed by marijuana." This tough new stand has generated little protest in Congress. Even though the war on marijuana was begun by President Ronald Reagan in 1982, it has always received strong bipartisan support. Some of the toughest drug war legislation has been backed by liberals, and the number of annual marijuana arrests more than doubled during the Clinton years. In fact, some of the strongest opposition to the arrest and imprisonment of marijuana users has come from conservatives like William F. Buckley, the economist Milton Friedman and Gary Johnson, the former Republican governor of New Mexico.This year the White House's national antidrug media campaign will spend $170 million, working closely with the nonprofit Partnership for a Drug-Free America. The idea of a "drug-free America" may seem appealing. But it's hard to believe that anyone seriously hopes to achieve that goal in a nation where millions of children are routinely given Ritalin, antidepressants are prescribed to cure shyness, and the pharmaceutical industry aggressively promotes pills to help middle-aged men have sex.Clearly, some recreational drugs are thought to be O.K. Thus it isn't surprising that the Partnership for a Drug-Free America originally received much of its financing from cigarette, alcohol and pharmaceutical companies like Hoffmann-La Roche, Philip Morris, R. J. Reynolds and Anheuser-Busch.More than 16,000 Americans die every year after taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen. No one in Congress, however, has called for an all-out war on Advil. Perhaps the most dangerous drug widely consumed in the United States is the one that I use three or four times a week: alcohol. It is literally poisonous; you can die after drinking too much. It is directly linked to about one-quarter of the suicides in the United States, almost half the violent crime and two-thirds of domestic abuse. And the level of alcohol use among the young far exceeds the use of marijuana. According to the Justice Department, American children aged 11 to 13 are four times more likely to drink alcohol than to smoke pot. None of this should play down the seriousness of marijuana use. It is a powerful, mind-altering drug. It should not be smoked by young people, schizophrenics, pregnant women and people with heart conditions. But it is remarkably nontoxic. In more than 5,000 years of recorded use, there is no verified case of anybody dying of an overdose. Indeed, no fatal dose has ever been established. Over the past two decades billions of dollars have been spent fighting the war on marijuana, millions of Americans have been arrested and tens of thousands have been imprisoned. Has it been worth it? According to the government's National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, in 1982 about 54 percent of Americans between the ages of 18 and 25 had smoked marijuana. In 2002 the proportion was . . . about 54 percent. We seem to pay no attention to what other governments are doing. Spain, Italy, Portugal, the Netherlands and Belgium have decriminalized marijuana. This year Britain reduced the penalty for having small amounts. Legislation is pending in Canada to decriminalize possession of about half an ounce (the Bush administration is applying strong pressure on the Canadian government to block that bill). In Ohio, possession of up to three ounces has been decriminalized for years — and yet liberal marijuana laws have not transformed Ohio into a hippy-dippy paradise; conservative Republican governors have been running the state since 1991.Here's an idea: people who smoke too much marijuana should be treated the same way as people who drink too much alcohol. They need help, not the threat of arrest, imprisonment and unemployment. More important, denying a relatively safe, potentially useful medicine to patients is irrational and cruel. In 1972 a commission appointed by President Richard Nixon concluded that marijuana should be decriminalized in the United States. The commission's aim was not to encourage the use of marijuana, but to "demythologize it." Although Nixon rejected the commission's findings, they remain no less valid today: "For the vast majority of recreational users," the 2002 Canadian Senate committee found, "cannabis use presents no harmful consequences for physical, psychological or social well-being in either the short or long term."The current war on marijuana is a monumental waste of money and a source of pointless misery. America's drug warriors, much like its marijuana smokers, seem under the spell of a powerful intoxicant. They are not thinking clearly. Eric Schlosser is the author of "Fast Food Nation" and "Reefer Madness."Source: New York Times (NY)Author: Eric SchlosserPublished: April 26, 2004Copyright: 2004 The New York TimesContact: letters nytimes.com Website: http://www.nytimes.com/Related Articles:The Last Word: Eric Schlosser http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16485.shtmlThe U.S. Bucks a Trend on Marijuana Lawshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16476.shtml 
Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help




Comment #17 posted by FoM on May 02, 2004 at 21:19:08 PT
Correction: New York Times
Published: May 3, 2004 
An Op-Ed article on April 26 about marijuana laws mischaracterized the sentencing rules for supplying the drug in Washington State. Defendants are sentenced based on a variety of factors; five years in prison is not the recommended sentence. 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #16 posted by FoM on April 26, 2004 at 18:00:51 PT
agog 
I really like George Carlin. He always has made sense to me and made me laugh at the same time. 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #15 posted by breeze on April 26, 2004 at 16:30:47 PT
we aren't the only ones who notice the commercials
Here is part of a report on CNN that shares our view that television is mostly a giant pharmaceutical ad...http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/anderson.cooper.360/Ironcially, the media seems to pick up on these issues, after we have voiced our opinions. It makes me wonder how many times do the major news organizations look to the web for their next BIG report.Its often so creepy, at times, I am almost willing to go to lengths in believing such conspiracy articles as this one...
http://educate-yourself.org/mc/mctotalcontrol12jul02.shtml
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #14 posted by ekim on April 26, 2004 at 12:59:27 PT
jose i bet Rush would do it, and Penn and Teller
Author Eric Schlosser, who wrote last year's best-selling book "Reefer Madness," yesterday told a luncheon audience that while President Clinton's secretary of health and human services, Donna Shalala, once said that marijuana was a "one-way ticket to dead-end hopes and dreams," his view was that "conservatives have been more willing to speak out against the government's war on marijuana." http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread18727.shtml
http://www.mmdetroit.org
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #13 posted by agog on April 26, 2004 at 12:57:27 PT:
TV Commercials
FOM, Max Flowers...George Carlin recently encapsulated some observations about ads and television... basically TV is nothing but an advertising media for the various companies trying to sell things, the programming is only designed to hold our attention between their commercials.  This was said in response to the FCC crackdown supposedly all in reaction to the Janet "malfunction" during the superbowl and throwing the conservatives that run some of those companies "red meat" in an election year.  He cut to the chase beautifully.Agog
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #12 posted by FoM on April 26, 2004 at 08:46:35 PT
Max Flowers
I agree with you. I know how much I mind commercials on tv. At least online we can close pop ups real fast and don't have to pay attention if we don't want too. On tv we must sit thru the whole commercial and it's really annoying since most of them don't mean anything.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #11 posted by Max Flowers on April 26, 2004 at 08:40:52 PT
FoM (regarding kids and TV)
If I had a little kid I would teach him/her that *everything* on TV is suspect, and to check with me about what it means or whether they're even serious, until he/she is old enough to figure that out for him/herself. That's the best I can come up with.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #10 posted by dapoopa on April 26, 2004 at 06:01:55 PT:
Encouraging, but surprising from NYT
It is definitely encouraging to see this op-ed piece in the NYT, particularly since this paper has been running repulsive anti-pot adds for a couple years now pandering to parent's fears of their children's marijuana use (see "The Anti-Drug" school campaign http://www.theantidrug.com). They seem to be playing both sides of the fence -- taking ad dollars from TAD and then running stories on Ed Rosenthal, WAMM and now Eric Schlosser's op-ed. But then again, this is merely par for the course for the major U.S. media.Still, great to see this well-written piece printed. The mere fact that it passed their editorial board suggests that this may indeed become a campaign issue, albeit a minor one. One can only hope. Now we need to see more such high-profile pieces in papers like The Washington Post and, more importantly, on the major TV networks.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #9 posted by Sam Adams on April 26, 2004 at 05:46:32 PT
How about turning off the TV?
We're slaves that hold our own chains in our hands - the remote control. The mind-eraser. The brain-killer. I'm pretty psyched to see this article in the NY Times - regular readers here for the past few years have seen a big change in what they are willing to print on cannabis. First pro-medical MJ editorials, now this op-ed verging into full legalization.Go Eric Schlosser!
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #8 posted by FoM on April 25, 2004 at 22:32:01 PT
If I Had a Young Child I Would Not Know What To Do
All we see is complaining about how we must protect the children and need to censor this or that. They are so worried about maybe seeing a little smoking of Cannabis on TV but don't complain when they see a commercial that says: If you take this pill and you have an erection that lasts over 4 hours consult a physician! Oh how do parents explain what a 4 hour erection is to their kids? How do they explain good versus bad drugs? Good drugs are legal so they are ok. Bad drugs are often a little more fun but illegal therefore bad bad bad! If I was a young person my head would be spinning!
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #7 posted by breeze on April 25, 2004 at 22:14:22 PT
BGReen is correct
A few days ago, I saw an add for a pharmaceutical that basically "shocked" my social conscience. It was representing some chemical that would either make a mans hammer gain in strength, width, size, length, and power! Make your partner(S) happy , order this new pill- it will make everyone smile. It will even get you millions of deals wherever you go. You too can be the man about town.
You can sport your bigger, stronger, intelligent, beautiful penis at social events without fear and ridicule.I got a wiggle in my pants just from watching that damn thing.MY GOD! Another new pharmaceutical ad is even on the market that sounds like something a meth dealer would promote.
{Voice over}This new pill on the market that gives you energy, it is not a vitamin. We know its sounds like a speedfreaks dream, but if you have been feeling tired lately- try it.
And if you don't have side effects - such as raised blood pressure, painful urination, blood clotting,irretable bowel movements,bone density loss,breathing problems or kidney failure , it will make you feel and look like you are 23 again- this is where the ad promptly displays an old man chasing his elderly wife around in the yard, they collapse in a hammock smiling rather goofily at one another.And then the announcer dude sounds as sympathetic as a man with money on his mind can sound- BUT this medication is not for everyone- just ask your doctor.One can either choose to walk around with a small flacid penis, or can go talk to a doctor about the little problem and have a pill prescribed. No problem with being informed on the issue, its advertised during prime time and family hour. I can't imagine what freaky things are being created in laboratories right now or what may be next to help my life become more acceptable according to pharmaceutical compaines or society.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #6 posted by BGreen on April 25, 2004 at 21:22:58 PT
Sorry, I kind of rushed my editing
This is a better final paragraph to my last post.Either the kids are as stupid as hell and will be confused about everything, forcing us to eliminate ANY possibly confusing ad or product, including every single commercial for prescription drugs, or else we stop using the kids as an excuse altogether and just use common sense.The Reverend Bud Green
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #5 posted by BGreen on April 25, 2004 at 21:06:01 PT
What will the kids think?
Sick people can't have their medicine 'cause the little kiddies will be confused.I'm so sick of that illogical reasoning.How about this display I saw in the local walmart megalo-mart, in between the toddler dept. and the soda pop (coke) dept?The display had Red Bull and the liqueur Jagermeister, and had a sign stating: "Jagermeister + Red Bull = A Jagermeister Flu Shot."Mommy, can I have my Jagermeister Flu Shot? Does it hurt?Either the kids are as stupid as hell and will be confused about everything, or else we need to eliminate ANY possibly confusing ad or product, including every single commercial for prescription drugs.The Reverend Bud Green
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #4 posted by jose melendez on April 25, 2004 at 20:37:07 PT
Pot-tv could host a concert. 
Sell books, CD's t-shirts, register people to vote, get a few big name stoner bands, comedians and speakers, booths etc.Just as if a library had burned down, the community will contribute, especially if given the opportunity to socialize, dance, shop see something different for a day or so. Then it could be an annual event, eventually drawing hundreds of thousands of people. Sigh.Are the studios gone, too?By the way, I'm thrilled this is in the New York Times. Can't wait to hear the responses from anti drug 'professionals.' Usually, people try to tell me such arguments are unreasonable, because, well, it's entirely legal to consume distribute and tax products that actually kill one million Americans every year, and anyway, what message would alternatives to that scenario send to the kids? . . . or something. 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #3 posted by FoM on April 25, 2004 at 20:32:51 PT
bongathon
This is all I've seen on the fire. I read that the damages might be around $20,000 but they should be back up and running soon. If I find a detailed article I will post it right away.http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread18728.shtml#6
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #2 posted by bongathon on April 25, 2004 at 20:21:56 PT
bc hemp store
any news on what happened to hastings street in vancouver? i read that there was a fire that burned a whole block, including bc hemp book store and blunt brothers. i hope it isn't true. those were my favorite places to visit when travelling to vancouver.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #1 posted by FoM on April 25, 2004 at 19:58:34 PT
Make Peace With Pot
Great title and a good article!
[ Post Comment ]


Post Comment