cannabisnews.com: Revisions To Medical Marijuana Law Polarize Sides Revisions To Medical Marijuana Law Polarize Sides Posted by CN Staff on August 12, 2004 at 08:44:43 PT By Crystal Luong, Statesman Journal Source: Statesman Journal Consensus talks recently broke down between medical-marijuana advocates and statewide law enforcement, setting up a potential voting-season battle this fall. The latter said they withdrew after it became clear that no consensus would be reached on the Oregon Medical Marijuana Act.Benton County District Attorney Scott Heiser, representing law enforcement, said some medical-marijuana advocates were “driven by a desire to legalize the drug … using the medical-marijuana act to try and advance their ‘cause.’ ” Advocates express disappointment at the outcome of the almost yearlong meetings.“Law enforcement views us as criminals, not patients,” said Madeline Martinez, executive director of the Portland-based Oregon National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.“Here, we’re volunteers,” said Martinez, who also has been a medical-marijuana patient for almost five years. “They take us to the end, and then say, ‘We don’t want to play.’”As the breakdown surfaced, revisions to the state’s medical-marijuana act, Measure 33, had qualified for the November ballot.Law enforcement expressed frustration toward the pro-medical-marijuana faction that was unilaterally collecting signatures for Measure 33 while consensus talks occurred.“A lot of people tried, put a lot of time into this,” Heiser said. “For what? So Measure 33 could get on the ballot?”During talks, advocates and law enforcement refused to compromise on two key issues addressed in Measure 33: multiple-growth sites and caregiver compensation.Snipped: Complete Article: http://news.statesmanjournal.com/article.cfm?i=85419Source: Statesman Journal (OR)Author: Crystal Luong, Statesman JournalPublished: August 12, 2004Copyright: 2004 Statesman JournalContact: letters statesmanjournal.comWebsite: http://www.statesmanjournal.com/Related Articles:Oregon To Vote on Easing Med Marijuana Usehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19124.shtmlFight Looms Over Medical Marijuana Expansion http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19075.shtmlCampaign Works on '04 Ballot http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18189.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #10 posted by FoM on August 20, 2004 at 11:20:30 PT News Articles from The Statesman Journal The Statesman Journal is a snipped source and it is easier for me to post the links. Here they are!http://news.statesmanjournal.com/article.cfm?i=85402http://news.statesmanjournal.com/article.cfm?i=85419 [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by FoM on August 13, 2004 at 15:23:19 PT Updated Article from The Associated Press Law Enforcement Officials Halt Medical Marijuana TalksThe Associated Press August 13, 2004 SALEM - A committee formed to give legislators some guidance on medical marijuana issues has disbanded, after talks broke down between law enforcement authorities and medical marijuana supporters.Benton County District Attorney Scott Heiser said his side pulled out because supporters of medical marijuana seemed primarily interested in wholesale legalization of the drug, a charge advocates deny.Marijuana has been legal for medical purposes in Oregon since 1998.``Law enforcement views us as criminals, not patients,'' said Madeline Martinez, executive director of the Portland-based Oregon National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.Department of Human Services Public Health Officer Dr. Grant Higginson, who will submit a full committee report to state Senators within the next couple of weeks, said it was clear since the first meeting in November 2003 that few agreements would be reached.The group was convened after the failure of a bill in the 2003 legislative session that would have created an all-access grow-site database for law enforcement. Under the bill, anyone with a prior drug conviction would have been disqualified from the program, and applicants would have been forced to undergo an education course.Even as the committee was meeting though, medical marijuana advocates were collecting signatures for a measure on the November ballot, which would increase the availability of medical marijuana.That effort threw a wrench into the talks, and both sides found themselves unable to agree on two key issues: multiple-growth sites and caregiver compensation.The state's existing medical marijuana law does not limit the number of patients for whom a caregiver can grow, but any monetary exchange between patients and caregivers is illegal. Caregivers can possess up to seven plants per patient.Abuses of the system at multiple-growth sites have been a growing concern for law enforcement.But advocates argue that multiple grows make economic sense, considering the high costs of production.The upcoming ballot measure would create licensed dispensaries, or state-regulated nonprofit entities that could distribute medical marijuana to patients.It also would allow a qualified patient to possess up to 6 pounds of medical marijuana per year.http://www.registerguard.com/news/2004/08/13/c4.cr.medmarijuana.0813.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by breeze on August 12, 2004 at 19:37:12 PT Rethinking the issue The other day I posted a link that demonstrated Reagan's child as being a supporter of stem cell research. I THOUGHT that this son of Reagan had finally seen the light, and viewed bush for what he is. Today, I read of how Reagan's widow is endorsing BUSH full on, after talking to bush about stem cell research. She wants stem cell research because she saw how it could have helped her hubby when he was alive, and how it can help others- but still stands behind a man who will not be as supportive of the issue as others. SHE wants medicine that is not accepted by most "moralist" leaders.Well, we want medical marijuana. I also KNOW that ALL cannabis needs to be decriminalized in order for people to be able to access the best medication they can grow- otherwise the point is basically mute. Yeah, medical cannabis is something that needs to be administered to sick patients. Imagine ONE doctor in each state being liscensed to prescribe medical marijuana, he would in his own practice create a monopoly of sorts, and indeed become a very rich man- everyone who wants to legally use marijuana would go to him, and he would be booked up for months. So, marijuana issues sit on the table, not moving forward toward a sane compromise, but instead remaining in favor of those who say what a person can or cannot do with their own body.Imagine if aspirin or any other medication were made illegal. Cold medications almost fit this bill now- most pharmacy's allowing only purchase of two boxes of the stuff because it COULD be used to make meth, and you have to have id present when buying it, plus sign a contract. Anyway, lets say common household aspirin and its kin such as advil, tylenol is illegal. You can only buy it from people on the black market- imagine what people would do then. You would have a market of billions trying to score some pain relief. Now, imagine alcohol suddenly becoming illegal because of the government. You would have a definite repeat of what happened during the thirties of the last century.Well, as far as medical cannabis is concerned- you have both of these worlds combined. A person who says they are only for medical cannabis has my full endorsment, but they need to recognize that this will not happen without ALSO endorsing the recreational value. Maybe in a few states, medical cannabis will be legal- but that doesn't help the other fourty. It needs to be nationwide, and for ALL citizens, not just the few who live in a state where people are more compassionate. Its like saying that advil and tylenol are legal only in THIS state, the rest of you can suffer. It is in direct example of nancy raygun saying I want stem cell research because it can help alzheimer patients and alzheimer patients alone- anyone else can just go to where it is legal for other uses. Medical cannabis IS a reality, but its not helping those suffering who need it now because of propaganda, and laws. Changing this is only a step in the right direction. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by FoM on August 12, 2004 at 14:42:45 PT AP: Talks Over Medical Marijuana Break Down August 12, 2004SALEM -- A committee formed to advise legislators on medical marijuana has disbanded. The committee included law enforcement officials and medical marijuana advocates. Participants say the two sides failed to reach any agreements. Benton County District Attorney Scott Heiser says his side pulled out because medical marijuana advocates seemed most interested in wholesale legalization of the drug. Marijuana advocates say that's not the case. And advocate Madeline Martinez says she was treated as a criminal by law enforcement officials on the panel. Medical marijuana has been legal in Oregon since 1998. The group was convened to consider access to medical marijuana, such as policies for caregivers who grow large pot gardens for multiple patients. Copyright 2004 by The Associated Presshttp://www.kptv.com/Global/story.asp?S=2166513 [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by FoM on August 12, 2004 at 12:12:33 PT News Article from The Jerusalem Post Pharmos Gains on Orphan Drug Designation August 12, 2004 Shares of Pharmos Corp. surged Thursday after the company said its flagship drug candidate was granted orphan drug designation by US Food and Drug Administration. The stock was up 7.6 percent to $3.56 in morning trading in New York after rising as high as $3.72. Pharmos's dexanabinol is currently undergoing Phase III clinical trials as a potential treatment for severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Results of the trial are expected to be announced around the end of this year. The orphan drug designation will give the drug seven years of market exclusivity in the US if it obtains market approval. It also provides Pharmos with certain tax credits, reduced filing fees, and preferential pre-filing regulatory guidance. Dexanabinol was discovered at the Hebrew University, and uses a synthetic derivative of the active ingredient in marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The drug is designed to block the toxins that lead to deadly inflammation in the brain following a head trauma. No other treatment is known to exist for this usage, and the annual market potential for the drug is estimated to be $500 million in the US, and more than $1 billion worldwide. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1092280015654 [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by JR Bob Dobbs on August 12, 2004 at 12:06:13 PT George Clinton pleads guilty to crack charges This article makes it sound like he's innocent but believed a plea bargain would be in his best interest... http://www.eonline.com/News/Items/0,1,14703,00.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by siege on August 12, 2004 at 11:54:56 PT missed it the first time Troops' Plasma Needed to Develop New Anthrax Defensehttp://www.defenselink.mil/news/Aug2004/n08112004_2004081102.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by siege on August 12, 2004 at 11:46:07 PT Off topic same old thing.HOME Health F.D.A New Drugs Approved To Treat Radiation From Dirty BombsFDA Counterterrorism Page http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/bioterrorism.htmlAnthrax http://www.fda.gov/cber/vaccine/anthrax.htm [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by waynerson on August 12, 2004 at 11:41:13 PT: Take The Lead! Oregon needs to take the LEAD ! to change the backward laws, CORRECT! [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on August 12, 2004 at 10:52:10 PT Just a Note Hi Everyone,I can't find any news worth posting. I've been looking but nothing important has surfaced. Hopefully soon Cannabis issues will be back in the news but between elections, war news and the Olympics it will probably stay slow. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment