cannabisnews.com: Prosecutor, Talk Show Host Push Medical Pot





Prosecutor, Talk Show Host Push Medical Pot
Posted by CN Staff on June 15, 2004 at 13:21:33 PT
By Samuel Maull, Associated Press Writer
Source: Associated Press 
New York -- Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau joined television talk show host Montel Williams on Tuesday in expressing support for the legalization of marijuana for medical uses in New York. "It should be available to those whose suffering would be eased by the use of marijuana," the district attorney said. "There is absolutely no reason for not using marijuana for medical purposes. It's another weapon in the arsenal."
Morgenthau said he supported a marijuana legalization bill that has been introduced in the state Legislature by Assemblyman Richard Gottfried. Williams, diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1999, choked back tears as he said he uses marijuana to relieve pain in his legs and feet caused by the crippling neurological disease. "There are days I don't feel like getting out of bed," he said. Morgenthau said he came to support medical marijuana after doing research and talking to his daughter, a physician who specializes in treating drug abusers. He said he asked her whether marijuana had valid medical uses and she replied "absolutely." The prosecutor said patients who use marijuana are often able to ease effects such as the nausea that follows chemotherapy, the loss of appetite and tissue wasting that follows use of some medications, and the symptoms of glaucoma and MS. Williams, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and a former Naval officer for 12 years, said he started using marijuana on his doctor's recommendation. He said he had tried other prescription painkillers but they failed to control his tremors and spasms and caused side effects. "Marijuana works for me," he said. Williams, since 1991 the Emmy award-winning host of his own syndicated talk show, said marijuana does not incapacitate him in any way. He said he is almost immune to its euphoric effects but still benefits from its therapeutic effects. Morgenthau and Williams both noted that 10 states already allow the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes _ Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont and Washington. Williams also said medicinal marijuana is permitted in Canada, Britain and Holland. "Why is it that doctors in California can ease my pain and doctors is New York can't?" Williams asked. "I am a card-carrying prescription marijuana user in Canada and California." Source: Associated Press Author:  Samuel Maull, Associated Press WriterPublished: Tuesday, June 15, 2004 Copyright: 2004 The Associated Press Related Articles & Web Sites:Montel Williams Showhttp://www.montelshow.com/Medical Marijuana Information Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/medical.htmMontel Speaks for Medical Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18831.shtmlNY Rethinking Its Ban on Medical Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18803.shtmlMontel Williams Pushes Pot -- for Medical Reliefhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18797.shtml 
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Comment #11 posted by Sam Adams on June 16, 2004 at 08:04:34 PT
AP 
Note the snipe in the headline from the AP - calling Montel a "pusher". They know they've totally lost on medical MJ, but they're not happy about it.We shouldn't be disappointed with the Swiss. Politicians, political parties, and mainstream media are openly speaking the truth, CP won't hold up for long in that environment. I would guess most Euro governments are saying, "hey, Bush will hopefully be gone in a few months, we've waited 30 years, why not wait another 3 months before doing anything?"
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Comment #10 posted by Virgil on June 15, 2004 at 20:37:45 PT
Swiss reject reforming cannabis laws
They do not enforce the laws they have now, so some could say "What difference does it make?" From http://www.swissinfo.org/sen/swissinfo.html?siteSect=105&sid=5002445Smoking a joint will remain illegal in Switzerland after parliament threw out government proposals to decriminalise cannabis.
 
The House of Representatives refused by 102 votes to 92 to debate amendments to the drug law – the second time it has dismissed the proposal.
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Comment #9 posted by The GCW on June 15, 2004 at 19:47:34 PT
& Thank You,
Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau! 
420There isn't a wall anymore, only people.The Green Collar Worker
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Comment #8 posted by FoM on June 15, 2004 at 18:47:01 PT
Thanks Virgil
Funny smoke! That made me laugh!
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Comment #7 posted by Virgil on June 15, 2004 at 18:25:03 PT
A victory somewhere is victory everywhere
Sukoi gave a link below to the India Times where they report on GW's latest. The India Times also brought up the situation at Euro 2004 where the British are told not to worry about any possession offenses and there stash is safe from confiscation- http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-739622,curpg-4.cms Pot is everywhere as the superior alternative to alcohol has people going to pot.India has a long tradition with cannabis and the British would conduct the first major study when they encountered the widespread practice. It was the British that would bring the Indians to Jamaica and it was the Indians that brought ganja. The article has 4 screens with the last three being people's opinion on Free Cannabis. I just want to copy some of the language.An artiste doping is justifiable.Plus, doping can create problems of violence at events. What's a concert without a bit of funny smoke? 
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on June 15, 2004 at 17:51:06 PT
Related Slide Show With Montel Williams
http://www.nynewsday.com/news/local/newyork/politics/nyc-montgal0616,0,1841098.photogallery?coll=nyc-homepage-headlines&index=1
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Comment #5 posted by mayan on June 15, 2004 at 17:21:48 PT
Great Article...
...from the AP, of all sources! The wall of cannabis prohibition is falling fast, especially with the swelling tidal wave of anti-Bush backlash pounding against it's hollow shell. Those who would deny a sick person the only medicine that can help them will be on the defensive from here on out.Here is a link to an interesting article regarding some Swiss tokers getting popped by an unmanned drone...Big Brother is watching you: Swiss smokers copped by pilotless plane:
http://www.spacewar.com/2004/040613100053.b97xqo89.htmlThe way out...Whistleblowers ask federal workers to come forward with 9/11 evidence: 
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0604/061404c1.htmTENET'S PERJURY AND RESIGNATION: Door Now Open to Question, 'What Did Bush Know, and When Did He Know it?"
http://www.911citizenswatch.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=299&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0New objections to 'Fahrenheit 9/11' 
http://money.cnn.com/2004/06/15/news/newsmakers/moore_maf/Group puts heat on ‘Fahrenheit’ - Move America Forward pressuring theater owners not to show film:
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/5216323/Kaloogian's Hooligans: Going After Moore and the First Amendment:
http://www.altpr.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=201&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0Fahrenheit 9/11 turns up the heat:
http://911heat.notlong.comVIDEO OF FAHRENHEIT 9/11 SCREENING IN HOLLYWOOD: 
http://extratv.warnerbros.com/video/indexaol.html?=fahrenheit0609
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Comment #4 posted by sukoi on June 15, 2004 at 16:17:09 PT
Frances Plante-Scott
has been posting at the Kerry forum. It is so sad that this woman had to needlessly endure what she has been through over nothing more than government greed and corruption. For those interested, here is the link:http://forum.johnkerry.com/index.php?showtopic=35466&st=210Also, here are a couple of articles:Cannabis triggers transient schizophrenia-like symptoms
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=9510 Cannabis drug treats nerve pain: GW Pharma
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/740499.cms
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Comment #3 posted by FoM on June 15, 2004 at 15:48:53 PT
Press Release from GW Pharmaceuticals
GW Announces Positive Preliminary Results with its Cannabis Medicine in Phase III Neuropathic Pain TrialJune 15, 2004GW Pharmaceuticals announces positive preliminary results in a Phase III clinical trial with Sativex® in 125 patients with neuropathic (nerve damage) pain. In the Phase III trial, a statistically significant improvement in comparison to placebo was achieved in pain as measured on a numerical rating scale (pThe trial was a multi centre double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled parallel group study of Sativex in the treatment of peripheral neuropathic pain characterised by allodynia. In addition to study medication, all patients remained on their existing medication during the course of the trial. Allodynia is the occurrence of pain in response to a normally non-painful stimulus (e.g. clothes touching against the skin). It is often intense and can occur in patients suffering from a range of conditions that damage the peripheral nerves (e.g. diabetes, post-herpetic neuralgia) and is a highly reliable marker of neuropathic pain. In the trial, the safety profile was consistent to that shown in previous Sativex studies with adverse events being generally mild or moderate in intensity. Dr Geoffrey Guy, Executive Chairman, said, “Neuropathic pain is one of the most difficult types of chronic pain to treat and available treatment options are limited. This Phase III trial adds further strong support to the body of evidence in neuropathic pain generated from GW’s earlier clinical trials. As in previous trials, the results obtained are over and above the effects of the patients’ existing drug treatments. We therefore believe that Sativex may present an important therapeutic advance for patients suffering from this condition.” Sativex is currently the subject of regulatory applications in both the UK and Canada. In both countries, upon approval, Sativex will be exclusively marketed by Bayer HealthCare. Enquiries: GW Pharmaceuticals plc
 01980 557000
 
Dr Geoffrey Guy, Chairman
 
 
Justin Gover, Managing Director
 
 
Mark Rogerson, Press and PR 
 07885 638810
 
 
 
  
 
Weber Shandwick Square Mile
 020 7067 0700
 
Kevin Smith / Sarah MacLeod
 
 Notes to Editors SativexSativex is a whole plant medicinal cannabis extract containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) as its principal cannabinoid components. The medicine is administered by means of a spray into the mouth. Neuropathic PainNeuropathic pain is caused by damage to or dysfunction of the nervous system. It is usually chronic and accompanied by unpleasant burning or shooting sensations, or extreme sensitivity to touch. It is estimated that at least 1 per cent. of the world’s population suffers from neuropathic pain, including over 600,000 patients in UK. Neuropathic pain can be difficult to diagnose and may be confused with nociceptive pain (caused by bodily injury - ‘visceral’ or ‘somatic’). The presence of allodynia can confirm that the pain experienced by the patient is truly neuropathic. Neuropathic pain can be associated with many conditions including multiple sclerosis, stroke, cancer, spinal cord injury, physical trauma and peripheral neuropathy resulting from diabetes. It can also occur in patients who have previously suffered from shingles, a condition known as post-herpetic neuralgia. Neuropathic pain is one of the most difficult types of chronic pain to treat. Since treatment options are limited, doctors often prescribe a combination of therapies in an attempt to relieve symptoms. GW Neuropathic Pain TrialsGW has previously reported positive results from two neuropathic pain Phase III trials, in multiple sclerosis and in brachial plexus injury. A further Phase III trial is ongoing in patients with neuropathic pain arising from spinal cord injury. Pain Disability Index (PDI)The PDI consists of a collection of 7 rating scales designed to measure the degree to which several aspects of the patient’s life are disrupted by chronic pain. The scales are scored from 0 (no disability) to 10 (total disability), and cover the following domains: family/home responsibilities; social activity; sexual behaviour; life-support activities; recreation; occupation; self-care. PDI total score is obtained from the sum of these individual assessments. This news release may contain forward-looking statements that reflect the Company's current expectations regarding future events, including the clinical development and regulatory clearance of the Company's products. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual events could differ materially from those projected herein and depend on a number of factors, including (inter alia), the success of the Company's research strategies, the applicability of the discoveries made therein, the successful and timely completion of clinical studies, including with respect to Sativex and the Company's other products, the uncertainties related to the regulatory process, and the acceptance of Sativex and other products by consumers and medical professionals.
  
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Comment #2 posted by Virgil on June 15, 2004 at 15:31:02 PT
A little bit deceiving
"I am a card-carrying prescription marijuana user in Canada and California." There are only about 800 people in Canada that would be certified by the government for MMJ. It is for Canadian citizens and maybe refugees like Kubby. I think Montel probably has a card from a compassion club in Canada because they would acknowledge the need with his MS. My guess is that he carries a card from a compassion club in California and not from the state ID program. It would still only do him good in California. Well, who knows and who really cares? He and others should have there stuff and cannabis should be free for everyone.It does make me wonder about people flying in and a type of drive thru at the airport where a doctor considering the extreme safety of cannabis and the ability of free cannabis to protect people from police beatings and prison rape might cite a ubiquitous relief such as stress relieving or some cancer fighting to get some relief at the dispensory at the next door down. What a can of worms the prohibitionists have on their hands and the patients too.Everyone knows enhanced soup is good for what ails you.
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on June 15, 2004 at 13:25:01 PT
Thank You Montel Williams!
I appreciate Montel Williams dedication. He is well respected by about everyone. I hope they listen to him. 
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