cannabisnews.com: Patients Using Marijuana Increasing Patients Using Marijuana Increasing Posted by CN Staff on August 20, 2004 at 14:17:32 PT By Crystal Luong, Statesman Journal Source: Statesman Journal More than 10,000 Oregonians have cards to let them use the drug. Morphine, Vicodin, carbitrol — 18 pills on even-numbered days, 17 on odd ones, for almost 10 years. That was all before William “Sonny” Watkins discovered medical marijuana could ease the pain from a multitude of surgeries, which have removed half of his brain and parts of his right knee. “I should have been dead,” said Watkins, whose health spiraled downward after a 1991 motorcycle crash put him in an eight-month coma.Marijuana has decreased Watkins’ dependency on synthetic drugs: He is down to one pill, twice daily, to control seizures.“I’m in such good shape now,” he said. “God put grass on this Earth.” Watkins is one of more than 10,000 medical marijuana patients in the state, a number that almost has doubled in the past year. There were 415 Marion County patient cardholders and 134 in Polk County, as of July 1.As medical marijuana use increases and cannabis groves sprout in local neighborhoods, the complexities and shortcomings of current laws continue to create discourse between patients and their caregivers, who grow the drug for them, and among state and local law enforcement officials.Shawn Flury, 43, is the director of Independence-based Oregon Green Cross, which provides two ounces of marijuana per month to each of its 35 patients.“Our patients are the indigent of the indigent,” Flury said. Clackamas County Sheriff’s officers confiscated all of the group’s 110 plants in May for suspected violations. Flury immediately replanted their garden. “Our patients cannot afford to be without medicine,” he said.Snipped: Complete Article: http://www.freedomtoexhale.com/using.htmSource: Statesman Journal (OR)Author: Crystal Luong, Statesman JournalPublished: August 20, 2004Copyright: 2004 Statesman JournalContact: letters statesmanjournal.comWebsite: http://www.statesmanjournal.com/Related Articles & Web Sites:Oregon NORMLhttp://www.ornorml.org/Green Cross Patient Cooperative http://www.hemp.net/greencross/Oregon To Vote on Easing Med Marijuana Usehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19124.shtmlFight Looms Over Medical Marijuana Expansion http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19075.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #25 posted by The GCW on August 21, 2004 at 18:47:45 PT What is a "rock n roll life style"? It is a general term and perhaps innapropriate.Everyone has a life, a style, things they do for fun... just how We are all different yet We are all just sortof getting along...Just the normal, same old...Country music lovers, fishermen, dart throwers, lawn mowers, bicycle riders, model builders, golfers (I always have trouble at the windmill) etc. are all in the midst of their very own rock n roll (type of) life style.The problem is it seems the very greedy have a very expensive rock n roll life style that is probably very addictive that they don't want to give up in order to share...My rock n roll life style may cost $100 a month and I assume the corporate giants that support caging farmers for growing HEMP (as an example) have a lot more expensive life style that is made available because of their dirty deeds.People that do dirty deeds in order to have sportier cars etc will also do dirty deeds to keep it up.A guy used to sailing on a 150 foot yacht made available because greed will fight to not have to back to sailing on a 26 footer.His rock n roll life style is being threatened.That is why cannabis persecution has worked.Police depend on the war on cannabis to support part of their rock n roll life style.The cop will cage Your child in order to help buy HIs child a motorcycle.Low bottom feeder instinct similar to a dog. I know... [ Post Comment ] Comment #24 posted by FoM on August 21, 2004 at 14:46:18 PT Hope I wouldn't delete your post. [ Post Comment ] Comment #23 posted by Hope on August 21, 2004 at 14:00:51 PT Crucifixions Crucifixions Cricifixion, and many other diabolical methods to remove the objections in this world, have been used for many centuries. Mr. or Ms. ..Golden Lung, could you, please, explain, what side you are on, for your last posts, have been a bit confusing, and un-sure, to me.When human beings can stand and watch a human being "nailed" onto a wooden cross, not much unlike the federeal agents breaking into and demanding answers to their impotent questions, perhaps, I have failed to understand, how one act of disgrace differs from some "modern" adaptation, of a primitive and brutal assault on my, and others, persons, qualifies as justice, in front of the "eyes" of god,..This discussion, which is leading to something about Christians and Buddhists, yet remains cloudy in my mind.If you care to elaborate, I, and we, would be most humble to hear your words.-gw (sorry gw...I got distracted I wasn't going to post here until GoldenLung answered you. Rather than have FoM delete my post...I will repost your post here at the top...where it belongs until it's answered) [ Post Comment ] Comment #22 posted by Hope on August 21, 2004 at 13:57:19 PT The GCW You said, "If cannabis helps these people and the word gets out that one joint is equal to or better than any of the white powders; their going to miss profit that they depend on for their rock n roll life style"What is a "rock n roll life style"? [ Post Comment ] Comment #21 posted by global_warming on August 21, 2004 at 12:55:41 PT Crucifixions Cricifixion, and many other diabolical methods to remove the objections in this world, have been used for many centuries.Mr. or Ms. ..Golden Lung, could you, please, explain, what side you are on, for your last posts, have been a bit confusing, and un-sure, to me.When human beings can stand and watch a human being "nailed" onto a wooden cross, not much unlike the federeal agents breaking into and demanding answers to their impotent questions, perhaps, I have failed to understand, how one act of disgrace differs from some "modern" adaptation, of a primitive and brutal assault on my, and others, persons, qualifies as justice, in front of the "eyes" of god,..This discussion, which is leading to something about Christians and Buddhists, yet remains cloudy in my mind.If you care to elaborate, I, and we, would be most humble to hear your words.-gw [ Post Comment ] Comment #20 posted by Hope on August 21, 2004 at 11:01:38 PT My favorite part of this article “I’m in such good shape now,” [ Post Comment ] Comment #19 posted by Hope on August 21, 2004 at 10:57:46 PT a prefer? I prefer. [ Post Comment ] Comment #18 posted by Hope on August 21, 2004 at 10:56:23 PT another two cents worth, please? Of course...it's all a delusion. That's a common saying..."life is only a delusion"...or perhaps "illusion". Well...if it's all an "illusion" ...I don't like any kind of "delusion"...a prefer to have a hand in forming that "illusion" called life.Man...I think I chose well. [ Post Comment ] Comment #17 posted by Hope on August 21, 2004 at 09:18:48 PT The erroneous teaching, I think was derived from misinterpretation of the scripture where Jesus was attempting to comfort his disciples by revealing to them a truth which could be hard for them to handle...impossible probably... if he just said it aloud, "You are looking at God...the Father."He told them "No man goes to the Father except through me." If you read the entire hunk of scripture that goes with this quote...you will see that Jesus was trying to tell them who He was. I think. [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by Hope on August 21, 2004 at 09:13:10 PT GoldenLung, "saying that deserves full acceptance& 1 Timothy 4 New International Version (NIV) From Paul's letter to Timothy.Verses 9 and 10: This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and ESPECIALLY (my emphasis) of those who believe. (If God’s power is to be of any value to us…we have to believe…if it only applies to the hereafter…what good is it?) I believe with all my heart that all people are “saved” whether they know it or not…but they don’t have a relationship with Him…because they don’t believe. So simple it’s scary…or not scary…which I prefer. GoldenLung, ponder this statement. Especially consider what "especially" means.Take special note that it doesn't say "exclusively"...as we are often erroneously taught. It says "especially". [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by Hope on August 21, 2004 at 09:08:26 PT Hello, GoldenLung! Dear GoldenLung, Did you listen to the song I posted for you at "The benefits of Marijuana"?I hope so. It made me think of your situation so much...only it's not a "downer". It’s a great song. Subterranean Homesick Blues.My two cents...concerning religion,1 Timothy 4 New International Version (NIV) From Paul's letter to Timothy. [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by cloud7 on August 21, 2004 at 08:58:47 PT Big Pharm You're right, I didnt even think of that. If B.P. fights alongside the government against our ability to heal our bodies with homegrown cannabis, you know there would be a fight if we could heal ourselves using homegrown mushrooms. "Mushrooms are not medicine" [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by The GCW on August 21, 2004 at 03:00:12 PT Golden Lung, When You speak of Christians, consider You are lumping them together but in fact there are 2 kinds that are very different.Obedient Christians& Disobedient Christians.Just because someone says they are a Christian is not enough. A Christian that supports killing and murdering is disobedient to Jesus Christ who made it perfectly clear with out ? that We are to love one another. Can not love someone and kill them at the same time.Some of the disobedient Christians refer to that as tough love and rationalize the opposite. The Bible tells Us to test the spirits. That's 1 John 4:1-6, subtitled, "Testing the Spirits" (New American Standard Bible)The potential spirits in an obedient Christian and disobedient Christian are different.One allows for the Spirit of Truth to be in You and the other does not allow access to the Spirit of Truth.John 14-16 & 1 John points this out over and over.Here is one letter that was just in the Colorado Springs Independent news paper that mentions that fact. (Isn't Colorado Springs the bastion of the disobedient Christian?)420AMalmosthttp://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v04/n1175/a11.html?122322PUB LTE: Bible ThumpingBrian Vicente asks, "Whom does Hefley truly represent?" ( "Saddened, not surprised," Letters, July 22 ) and since this is a biblical issue I'd like to give a biblical answer. Supporting the biblically evil practice of caging humans for using cannabis, which Christ God Our Father said is good on literally the very first page of the Bible, is disobedient to Christ God Our Father who said to love one another. Supporting cannabis prohibition biblically represents evil. You cannot love your brother and cage him for using what is good at the same time. Obey Jesus Christ, love one another, receive the spirit of truth. But disobey and you will not receive the spirit of truth. Is that why Colorado Springs Congressman Joel Hefley doesn't know the truth? Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v04/n973/a08.html Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v04/n1070/a07.html (this one is Brian Vicente's LTE that is the focus of the above LTE.)The Green Collar Worker [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by FoM on August 20, 2004 at 23:23:26 PT Golden Lung I found this about Buddhism. http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/5minbud.htm [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by Golden Lung on August 20, 2004 at 23:13:20 PT Part II Christians are constanly changing God's ideas to fit them, then they are inducted into the Bible. Hell was inducted to obey it. And purgatory, which was never in the bible. Is on a fast pace to get mention. Christianity is all fake and lies. But good philosophy. If you want good philosophy, Buddhism is for you. Fight hate with love is one of my favorite philosophies by Buddha. Buddhists respect and listen the ideas of other religions as long as they are based on love and compassion. Christians are closeminded unless they hear what they want, until it is what God wants. This is a big a subject. Some body throw in there two cents. [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by FoM on August 20, 2004 at 23:10:12 PT Golden Lung This is what I think of when I read hell fire or other assorted terms used.http://www.bible-history.com/jerusalem/firstcenturyjerusalem_hinnom_valley.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by FoM on August 20, 2004 at 23:03:24 PT cloud7 Thank you! That article was very interesting. Big Pharm probably doesn't think so though. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by Golden Lung on August 20, 2004 at 23:03:24 PT: All seed baring plants are good:Slightly off topic First off, I'd like to thank the person who mention the bible and it's verse that we may now use as a defense and shocker/stunner/(stirrer upper because you know what the bible says about seed baring plants in this case marijuana)if we ever get in a verbal argument with a Christian about (que hi-pitch, annoying, nasal voice) how God feels about marijuana and how it should never be used. Forgive them, they have been misled by anti-marijuana propaganda, media, and worst off all, an ever-changing religion that was brought on by a group of talented writers with an incredible imagination fueled solely on how much they hate certain parts of society and what would be a creative way to change those people, if you obey, Heaven, if not, go to Hell. If you are scratching your head, you are scratching the surface of a lie that will be revealed to you today, unless you used to read the bible and study Christianity as much as I did when I was one. You are scratching the surface of a lie that has caused fun-wasted, guilt tripped lives for two milleniums. Important message: LIVING LIFE AS A CHRISTIAN IS THE SAME AS GOING TO THE MALL, PAYING TO SEE A MOVIE, CLOSING YOUR EYES THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE MOVIE, ALL IN HOPES OF GETTING YOUR MONEY BACK. Please enjoy your life. You only get one. Don't let it be filled with guilt and loss of once in a lifetime experiences, please enjoy. The bible orginaly (Old and New) did not have a Hell, where you were punished for eternity, for not accepting Christ as the person who saved your life from troubles of it and accepting his ways. But "His" ways and God's mind as changed a lot for being an omniscient(all-knowing)and supernatural being, don't you agree. Almost like the writers of the Bible didn't like the framers ideas. The Bible writers didn't like gays, if ain't obvious now. Yeah, neither did Hitler, he just did it in a non-pacifist way. Oh wait, "God" ordered that you stone a homo-sexual todeath. Well anyway, the Bible didn't originally have Hell as eternal punishment, but as the Lake of Fire and Brimstone (which was symbolic). Fire was saw as divine to the ancients(which was the time it was written), how it burned up every thing until nothing was left of it's fuel. And the Brimstone, was used in purification rituals I think they were used by the ancient Greeks, I think. It was intended to be interpreted as "Lake of Divine Purification" and what would be "burnt-up" was your will that wasn't broken on Earth. Then you would be purified until your were pure enough to be in the prescence of God. There is actually a scripture in the Bible that says God will take you out of flames and wipe the tears from your face or something like that. The divine purification process doesn't hurt, a scripture says that too. I think both of those were left in the Revealations, but you can count on not finding that anymore, so many people have weaved there ideas into the bible, you will never find one that has those scriptures if you buy a bran new one. When they saw that no one was paying attention and obeying the laws they thought it would be best to make a story with some events that people would remember and all events you can't argue with because of the New idea of eternal punishment for not obeying. If I have offended anyone I'm sorry for that offense, but please enjoy your life, like all of us stoners. This essay, if you will, was just exposed to you just so you will feel more comfortable in an arguement with a Christian. I convey a better message in person if this 'report' sucked, but you get the idea. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by cloud7 on August 20, 2004 at 22:38:07 PT ... Interesting article on medicinal psychedelics from the BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3528730.stm [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by The GCW on August 20, 2004 at 19:37:25 PT The Persecutors can not afford this! “I’m in such good shape now,” he said. “God put grass on this Earth.” If cannabis helps these people and the word gets out that one joint is equal to or better than any of the white powders; their going to miss profit that they depend on for their rock n roll life style.They must resort to additional deceit & murder etc. to keep silence.Cage all the healthy cannabis users before anyone sees they are NORML.Alert AlertAnd clergy better make sure the sheep doesn't even aproach the truth.Christ God Our Father gave Us this plant before man got here for what man needs if for tomorrow.We will need it even more tomorrow.“God put grass on this Earth.”And did not intend for uncivilized people to take it away.Cannabis is not leaving.(Don't stop packing, bush.) [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by FoM on August 20, 2004 at 18:27:02 PT BGreen I hope it works out for the couple and I hope they have a good lawyer. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by BGreen on August 20, 2004 at 16:59:08 PT This Makes Me SICK!!! Drug tests at center of child's removalParents adamant they did not use marijuana, question test results indicating otherwise.PHOTO OF BABYChristopher Henry Cryderman was born July 27 at Cox South hospital. Three days later, a Children's Division investigator reportedly told police he was at risk of death in the Crydermans' home. Christina Dicken / News-LeaderBy Matt Wagner News-Leader StaffAt the core of the state's case for taking a 3-day-old baby from Najwa and Chris Cryderman are drug-test results that paint the parents as marijuana users.But the couple — neither of whom has ever been charged with a drug-related crime — has adamantly denied using drugs, calling into question the methods used to analyze their urine.http://springfield.news-leader.com/specialreports/dfs/0820-Drugtestsa-160323.htmlBaby's removal prompts question about how much has changedFour kicks from a policeman's boot was all it took to pop the center panel out of Najwa Cryderman's front door. Then, one by one, four Springfield officers climbed through the rectangular hole and into Cryderman's West Madison Street home. Seconds later, an officer walked out cradling her infant son, Christopher Henry. The 5-pound, 5-ounce boy was 3 days oldhttp://springfield.news-leader.com/specialreports/dfs/0820-Babysremov-160322.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by global_warming on August 20, 2004 at 16:01:55 PT Evolutions " Morphine, Vicodin, carbitrol — 18 pills on even-numbered days, 17 on odd ones, for almost 10 years. That was all before William “Sonny” Watkins discovered medical marijuana could ease the pain from a multitude of surgeries, which have removed half of his brain and parts of his right knee..I should have been dead,” said Watkins, whose health spiraled downward after a 1991 motorcycle crash put him in an eight-month coma...Marijuana has decreased Watkins’ dependency on synthetic drugs: He is down to one pill, twice daily, to control seizures..I’m in such good shape now,” he said. “God put grass on this Earth.” One might argue that a person missing part of his brain, cannot properly testify about what works or doesn't work. Yet this Medical Marijuana phenomena is growing daily and spreading throughout the land, one has to wonder, maybe there is something to this story, maybe, these really sick people have found an answer to their pains, maybe this answer, that so many polticians and law enforcement people find objectionable, has not to do with pain relief, has not to do with marijuana, but has more to do with so many people rejecting authority, authority of doctors, judges, the law, and government in general.Like so many good soldiers in the past, who have echoed the mantra of "just following orders", this narrow minded belief system, has collapsed under the feet of so many people in the past and present.When good people defy the law, then maybe the law is bad, for so many good people cannot be faulted for seeking truth and the only good answer to their pains.It has been said, that medical marijuana is not a cure, it only makes a person who is suffering "feel better", yet, who would deny some of these incurable infirmities a path to feeling better, as they slowly die and fade into the unknown universe?I think, that the government is not really against marijuana specifically, it is more concerned about people defying and questioning the established governmental bureaucracies, these same bureaucracies that feed upon their reckless abuse of power and greed. They must clean house, they have to discard outdated myopic functions, they must accept what science has discovered, for the this phenomena of defiance will not stop with marijuana, it will reach into the hallowed halls of justice, and ultimately root out those ignorant fools that pretend to be leaders.-gw [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by schmeff on August 20, 2004 at 15:11:04 PT Miranda Warning!! "As people become more and more educated about what's legal and not legal, it makes it more complex for us," said Officer Marty Miranda of Community Response.These LEO control-types just hate it when the sheep know their rights. Put another way: "When people are confused and fearful, our job is much simpler and the gravy-train can continue uninterupted." [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on August 20, 2004 at 14:51:14 PT Related Article from The Associated Press More Oregonians Turning To Medical Marijuana August 20, 2004SALEM -- Growing numbers of Oregonians are turning to medical marijuana to treat pain, pressuring local law enforcement to make sure patients and their caregivers are using the program properly. More than 10,000 Oregonians use medical marijuana, a number that has almost doubled in the past year. Many patients are too poor to afford other treatment, or prefer marijuana to synthetic drugs, said Shawn Flury, who directs the Independence-based Oregon Green Cross. The group provides two ounces of marijuana per month to each of its 35 patients. But Clackamas County Sheriff's officers confiscated all of the group's 110 plants in May for suspected violations. Flury immediately replanted their garden. "Our patients cannot afford to be without medicine," Flury told The Statesman Journal in Salem. Law enforcement officials say they look for patients and caregivers who grow in excess or otherwise try manipulate the system. "As people become more and more educated about what's legal and not legal, it makes it more complex for us," said Officer Marty Miranda of Community Response. Oregon law does not restrict the number of patients a caregiver can have. Many provide marijuana to at least five, Miranda said. Under Oregon's six-year-old medical marijuana program, patients designate a primary caregiver and provide the address of a grow site, said acting program manager Mary Leverette. Caregivers can grow up to seven plants for each patient. The largest site in the state serves 16 patients, according to program data. Caregivers cannot legally provide services for cash or any exchange with monetary value. "I get nothing out of this except that I'm helping somebody," said Jess Hanson, a caregiver in Dallas. Caregivers say a seven-plant garden initially costs at least $1,000. Outdoor sites can yield one major crop per year, but plants can be damaged by insects or disease. Indoor grows involve high energy costs year-round for the lighting. "It's more cost-effective with more patients," said caregiver Hal Ballard, who provides for seven patients besides himself. Debilitating medical conditions may also prevent patients from growing marijuana themselves. William "Sonny" Watkins, who uses marijuana to treat pain from multiple surgeries, said the program needs to gain mainstream acceptance. "This isn't about getting high," he said. "The people who are sick, they're trying to have a quality of life that nobody would understand." Meanwhile, one side effect of the growth in medical marijuana use is that the accompanying licensing fees have generated a substantial budget surplus for the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program. The program reported a surplus of about $986,000 by the end of March. The program started without state funding in 1999 and has operated solely on patient fees. As a result of the greater participation, the Department of Human Services cut annual renewal fees in July 2003. Since then, registration has almost doubled, and further reductions are being sought. Some of the surplus will go to the state's general fund and to develop a 24-hour verification system that law enforcement officials could use to confirm legal cardholders. But medical-marijuana advocates want to see more of the funds directed to patient-care resources. Still, state officials said the program will continue to focus only on processing applications, issuing state registry cards and handling renewals. Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press Medicinal Cannabis Research Links [ Post Comment ] Post Comment