cannabisnews.com: TV Talker Says Pot is Healing 





TV Talker Says Pot is Healing 
Posted by CN Staff on May 03, 2004 at 07:06:15 PT
By Elizabeth Benjamin and Erin Duggan
Source: Times Union 
After he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1999, TV talk show host Montel Williams tried a battery of prescription drugs to combat the extreme pain in his legs and feet.OxyContin. Vicodin. A morphine drip that left him "in the corner, drooling." Nothing worked. Then he tried pot.
"I tell you that the only thing that seems to work for me and make me a contributing member of society is marijuana," Williams said from London during a recent telephone interview.Williams said he prefers eating marijuana, but in a pinch, a few tokes can bring his pain from a "level five down to a three."Williams has even started a company to package and market pot in countries where it's legal for sick people to use.And, he'll be in Albany Tuesday to lobby for legalization of medical marijuana. He said he is scheduled to meet with Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, D-Manhattan, and Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, R-Brunswick.The Democrat-led Assembly Health Committee has twice passed a bill to allow marijuana prescriptions primarily for terminally ill patients. It is widely endorsed by the medical community.Nine states have passed such laws, but Bruno and Republican Gov. George Pataki are opposed.Williams, an ex-Marine and U.S. Naval Academy grad who says he voted Republican or independent all his life, isn't for legalizing marijuana -- or any other drug -- for general use. But for those who are ill, his opinion is clear."A doctor told me I could take up to 30 pills of OxyContin a day, yet you're going to tell me it's not OK for me to take the equivalent of one gram of pot and eat it in a cookie in the comfort of my own home?" said Williams, 47. "Do you want a junkie or someone who's paying their taxes? I've been paying them real well for the past four years." Contributors: Capitol bureau reporters Elizabeth Benjamin and Erin Duggan. Note: Non Drug Policy Portions of Article Removed.Source: Times Union (Albany, NY)Author: Elizabeth Benjamin and Erin DugganPublished: Monday, May 3, 2004 Copyright: 2004 Capital NewspapersContact: tuletters timesunion.comWebsite: http://www.timesunion.com/Related Articles & Web Sites:Montel Williamshttp://www.montelshow.com/Medical Marijuana Information Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/medical.htmTranscript: Montel Williams on Medical Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18288.shtmlTranscript: Montel Williams' Battle With M.S. http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18136.shtmlMontel Williams Goes To Pothttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18095.shtml
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Comment #16 posted by dapoopa on May 04, 2004 at 10:03:09 PT:
Amigula comments on Health Canada
Amigula Inc. yesterday happened to issue a press release commenting in detail on Health Canada and Prarie Plant Systems:Amigula Inc.: Amigula Incorporated on Health Canada Amigula Report New York, May 03, 2004 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) -- Amigula Incorporated (AMJL) the Worlds First Publicly traded Medical Marijuana Company opined today on Health Canada - They are growing marijuana in an old abandoned mine shaft that is most likely contaminated from soil leakage with high mineral toxicity. This is moronic in my opinion. Stated, Warren B Eugene President of Amigula Inc. Medical marijuana is being dispensed to Canadians who require the therapy to cope with the pain, nausea, wasting and sleeplessness that often affect those living with cancer and AIDS. As well, medical marijuana is being prescribed to those whom have severe arthritis, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and glaucoma. To grow it in a mineshaft is counter productive and I`m concerned for patient`s health and their rights. We are starting to advocate for them at Amigula Inc. Comments Warren Eugene Records show almost one third of the 92 patients who received marijuana from the government program from the Flin Flon mineshaft have sent it back. Last fall, some of the first to receive the government cannabis called it unsuitable'' The Prairie Plant System is in the fourth year of a $5.5-million, five-year contract, and has shipped 279 ounces of medical marijuana, costing the government app. $16,000 per ounce. States Warren B. Eugene President of Amigula Inc, Prairie Plant Systems is not at fault. They are under contract and directives from Health Canada. The problem is with Health Canada and their bureaucratic infighting - the mess within the agency. In my opinion should bill c- 10 pass next week in Canadian Parliament a recommendation would be to untangle and to disband Health Canada altogether from any involvement in the medical marijuana business. Health Canada is not involved in the distribution of beer, wines and spirits in Canada or tobacco - matter of fact - I see no reason for them to be involved in this endeavor at all. Almost everything they have been involved in of late seems to get badly contaminated" The SARS fiasco, monkey pox, the bird Flu, the Walkerton water mess, the mismanaged hospital programs. The list goes on and on. These are bureaucrats running things at Health Canada and I tell you that those folks are not "brain surgeon material" Amigula`s product will sell for $1.00 per gram. It`s grown - outdoors or in greenhouses - beaded in natural sunlight. It`s a high quality product - well presented. The packaging is lovely and clearly informs the customer of the therapeutic prescription and dosage required. The product`s are hermetically or vapor sealed. As well, our customers may choose from a variety of Sativa strains that have not been chemically altered - enhanced or induced without regard for the patient`s safety and good health. Our products have been researched and tested thoroughly. We respect the rights of our customers. Most individuals cannot grow medical marijuana for themselves. Often they are to ill to do so. Many are not familiar with the difficulties and intricacies - growing the multiple strains and varieties. Often people think it`s as easy as planting a seed and the plant starts growing. It`s not quite as simple as that. There are male and female plants and each plant and strain combination will be best suited for a singular therapy. We have researched and work with accomplished "green thumbs" whom have perfected the techniques and quality of the products. Our presentation and commitment is as an "art form of botanical sciences" 
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Comment #15 posted by dapoopa on May 03, 2004 at 22:43:01 PT:
Health Canada
Hi again Marc,Thanks for your views on Health Canada and Prarie Plant Systems. I have a couple of related questions for you.1) Despite its shortcomings and flaws, do you think Bill C-10 (which may be voted on soon) will provide some impetus to Canada's medical cannabis program and prod Health Canada into seriously addressing the regulatory grey areas regarding commercial growers and growing?2) In view of the public positions of the Liberals, the Conservatives and the New Democratic Party on cannabis decriminalization/regulation, in your view what electoral outcome in the upcoming election (perhaps in June) would be most promising for the medical cannabis movement? And what would be the least promising?Thanks a lot
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Comment #14 posted by FoM on May 03, 2004 at 17:07:26 PT
Thanks Marc
I just wish I knew why it works and then it doesn't for some folks. Very few people have been banned so it confuses me.
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Comment #13 posted by Marc Paquette on May 03, 2004 at 17:00:46 PT:
No problems to post for me today
Hi FoM :o)I posted twice in here today and I didn't have any problems
my friend.Peace,Marc
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Comment #12 posted by FoM on May 03, 2004 at 16:38:42 PT
Marc a Question
Have you had any more trouble posting here on CNews? I just received another email that a person is told they can't post. They didn't send me the name or I could have checked. There could be a glitch in the registration but I am not sure. I hope others aren't having trouble posting that are registered.
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Comment #11 posted by Marc Paquette on May 03, 2004 at 15:41:37 PT:
Comment #9
Hi Jose;Even if Health "Hell" Canada would authorize other official growers with a legal license to grow medical marijuana in Canada, it would still have to be under the government's standards. If they say you have to sell a blended product or buds with no more than 10% THC let's say, they have to comply. The Canadian government say that the actual PPS pot tests at 10.5% THC. This may be true if PPS have their buds tested only. I don't believe it's the blended product with leaves and stems that is tested. This is why independent tests of that government's schwagg ends out to be much weaker and not a quality product.Peace,Marc
 
http://www.medpot.net
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Comment #10 posted by observer on May 03, 2004 at 13:24:00 PT
Kudos to Montel 
"I tell you that the only thing that seems to work for me and make me a contributing member of society is marijuana," Williams saidThis is very good ... I'm glad Montel has spoken out for at least this degree of freedom.Williams has even started a company to package and market pot in countries where it's legal for sick people to use. And, he'll be in Albany Tuesday to lobby for legalization of medical marijuana. He said he is scheduled to meet with Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, D-Manhattan, and Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, R-Brunswick.Three cheers for Montel! This really is going out of his way, and seems politically astute. Williams, an ex-Marine and U.S. Naval Academy grad who says he voted Republican or independent all his life, isn't for legalizing marijuana -- or any other drug -- for general use.Wow... Montel gets an A+ ! Kudos to Montel for not falling into the trap of saying the "L" word. ("Legalize", "Legalization".) This is one of my pet peeves, and Montel did the right thing. Since the term "legalize" has been demonized by the authoritarian, mainstream press as the equivalent of giving babes acid and smack and crack, don't use the term "legalize" or "legalization". "Legalize" is a highly abstract term. Montel is choosing his verbal battles wisely. Don't get bogged down in the abstract quagmire of "Legalize"; bring listeners and readers back to the concrete and non-abstract realities of jail, prison, incarceration, of razor wire, and iron bars and concrete and the programmed destruction of the human spirit of which is a specality of US prisons.Montel is forging ahead at strategic decison points and tipping points and choice points where his persuasion is needed and can do the most good. This seems to be wise. In Montel's case, his arrest for mariuana clearly used for medical purposes seems to have made Montel blossom into a smart fighter for the underdog. This is beautiful.
http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pot
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Comment #9 posted by Jose Melendez on May 03, 2004 at 13:19:54 PT
Re: comment #7
Re: "The ONLY Canadian company in Canada that has a legal permit from Health Canada to grow medical marijuana is PPS (Prairie Plant Systems) in Flin Flon Manitoba."Thank goodness they spoke out so quickly about being instructed to grind seeds and stems into medicine destined for smoking, eh?Maybe this will force them all to allow ALL of US to grow, trade, share.As for cheap hotel rooms, no economy survives without salespeople. Blame those insisting on a freaking license for such appearances of corruption. Outsourcing ganja to a million dollar mine shaft makes dollars, but no sense.Wage peace, offer amnesty. -jm
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Comment #8 posted by Jose Melendez on May 03, 2004 at 13:12:53 PT
in a word: buy.
" . . . champion the cause and to co-found and develop the company with me."BUY!http://www.investors.com/breakingnews.asp?journalid=20920559&brk=1as for:http://www.marijuana.com/420/showthread.php?t=28521We all make mistakes, and even as shareholders with one share each:http://oneshare.com/. . . or as potential customers, we can all push for what's right, like Google's "Don't be evil." internal slogan.
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Comment #7 posted by Marc Paquette on May 03, 2004 at 09:51:49 PT:
Montel's company is Amigula?
Hi dapoopa;According to Canadians For Safe Access and also the Canadian Cannabis Coalition, Amigula Inc. is a listed company on the stock exchange operated by Warren B Eugene. He operates his business in a small cheap hotel room in Toronto and he absolutely don't have any legal Canadian permit from Health Canada to grow ANY medical marijuana. If they do grow anything, it's done illegally. The ONLY Canadian company in Canada that has a legal permit from Health Canada to grow medical marijuana is PPS (Prairie Plant Systems) in Flin Flon Manitoba.Peace,Marc
http://www.medpot.net
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Comment #6 posted by BigDawg on May 03, 2004 at 09:49:33 PT
I agree E_J
I must admit to being annoyed at Montel's refusal to acknowledge the WOD in total as a problem. Your comment about a leader for those who haven't come full circle is spot on.I happy to see Montel advocating for change regardless....
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Comment #5 posted by E_Johnson on May 03, 2004 at 09:33:41 PT
He leading the right flank
We always get accused of being drug legalizers.To tell the truth, I didn't gain faith in ending the war on drugs until a few years into this movement. The medical marijuana movement ends up leading towards a conclusion about the Drug War. But it doesn't lead there overnight.When I started out as a medical user, even though I did use pot when I was younger, I had grown accepting of marijuana prohibition in a stange way that is hard to own up to now. Since then I have completed Marijuana Prohibition 101, 102, 103 and the extra special seminar in Seeing Good Decent People Get Thrown in Prison for No Good Reason, Just to Support the Freaking War.It's a learning process.The flank of the movement for people who haven't learned yet has to have a leader, and what a fine leader Montel makes for them.
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Comment #4 posted by ekim on May 03, 2004 at 09:32:11 PT
drug makers want us to pay for research
did anyone see 60 minutes the part on resistant microbes. The head of the bid med companies were on and said how can we justify spending 900 million on developing a new drug which will only be used for a few weeks while we can develop drugs that people will take for the rest of there lives.I called a local radio station today cause W is coming to town. the station was asking the question what would you ask the president. I called and said that I would like to have the drug war stopped. I mentioned the 100 raids in Kal last week the dj said that there were guns found and that was a good thing. I asked how much did 100 raids cost the dj said "a lot"
I said that Kal has lost 1000s of paper making jobs and WMU teaches papermaking why can not we use hemp here like Canada. Then I mentioned med marijuana and that Detroit was voting for use in Aug and Sen. Clarke was introducing a med bill along with Montel later this month. I mentioned that 60 minutes ran a piece on resistant microbes and the dj cut me off and said oh I get it med marijuana will cure everything and hungup on me. With out letting me say that if we stopped spending billions on the prohibition of cannabis we could spent time and money developing these much needed microbes to heal infections. 
http://www.mmdetroit.org
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Comment #3 posted by dapoopa on May 03, 2004 at 09:30:30 PT:
Montel's company is Amigula?
"Williams has even started a company to package and market pot in countries where it's legal for sick people to use."And from the April 28 press release of Amigula Inc. (OTC ticker AMJL or AMJL.PK):http://biz.yahoo.com/pz/040428/56626.html"Amigula has met on two separate occasions with Montel Williams and his associates. Mr. Williams is a world class, celebrated author, philanthropist, TV personality and inspirationalist. He is a remarkable being. States [company president] Warren Eugene, "I was honored and privileged to have been able to meet Montel Williams and listen and learn from him. I would love to work with him. I invited him to join us and champion the cause and to co-found and develop the company with me."
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Comment #2 posted by Marc Paquette on May 03, 2004 at 08:48:52 PT:
BRAVO MONTEL!!
Hi my Friends;I have always been proud of Montel's efforts in legalizing medical marijuana for MS and many chronic illnesses, but what upsets me the most, it's that he doesn't realize that the problems and discrimination towards medical marijuana and it's users are caused by this stupid prohibition against a medicinal herb that improves so many lives. Montel said many times that he's against the legalization of this herb, but when it's medical users are repressed and oppressed because of these laws, there is no other alternative but it's legalization. Someone should ask Montel if he likes the fact that his legal medical marijuana use to treat his MS is ONLY legal in California. This is only 1 example on how this law is hurting it's legal (or not) medical marijuana users. I just hope that Montel thinks the law is bad too.Peace,Marc 
http://www.medpot.net
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Comment #1 posted by kaptinemo on May 03, 2004 at 07:29:20 PT:
Now the fun begins
The antis must be grinding their mental gears to try to spin this one. An African-American military veteran 'conservative' talk show host...is speaking out in favor of medicinal cannabis. How can they character assassinate *him* without seeming a bunch of hypocritical racist bigots? Will he have "Dr." Barthwell on his show to tell him to his face that (robot voice) 'mair-ee-wan-na is not medicine'? Would she dare beard the lion in his den?I said it would be a warm Spring leading to a hot Summer... 
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