cannabisnews.com: Government Must Correct MMJ Misinformation





Government Must Correct MMJ Misinformation
Posted by CN Staff on October 01, 2004 at 08:41:09 PT
Press Release
Source: U.S. Newswire
When the government says there is no medical use for marijuana, it's just plain wrong, according to a petition being filed Monday under the Data Quality Act, a little-known law that requires federal agencies to rely on sound science. If the patient-advocacy group filing the claim prevails, the Department of Health and Human Services will have to change its tune on medical marijuana and publicly admit that the drug is now routinely used for medical treatment.
Americans for Safe Access, the national medical-marijuana advocacy group responsible for the petition, will hold a noon press conference at the National Press Club. Reporters will enjoy a light lunch and hear from leading researchers, medical marijuana patients, and representatives from a few of the dozens of professional health organizations that have endorsed changing federal rules on medical marijuana, including the American Public Health Association and the American Nurses Association.At issue is the government's insistence that "marijuana has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States." According to the petition, scientific research, federal reports and patient experience all show marijuana works for pain, nausea, loss of appetite, anxiety, and spasticity.Admitting marijuana has medical use would clear the way to allowing doctors to prescribe marijuana to their patients. Currently, nine states have laws permitting patients to legally use it, but they are at odds with the federal prohibition that ranks marijuana as more dangerous than cocaine or amphetamines.Those debunking the government's claim will include Marcus Conant, M.D., leading HIV/AIDS clinician and researcher whose suit against the government established the right of physicians to recommend marijuana to their patients; Denis Petro, M.D., chief of neurology, Malcolm Grow Medical Center of Andrews Air Force Base, a leading researcher in treating Multiple Sclerosis with marijuana and its cannabinoid components; and Robert Melamede, Ph.D., chair of the biology department, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, where he researches and teaches on the role of cannabinoids in health and disease.To: Assignment Desk, Daybook Editor, Health Reporter Contact: William Dolphin of Americans for Free Access, 510-919-1498 Web: http://www.SafeAcessNow.org/News Advisory: -- Health and Human Services is Target of Patient-Group Action Under Data Quality Act -- Press Conference with Doctors and Patients at the National Press ClubWHEN:12 p.m., Monday, Oct. 4. (Lunch provided)WHERE: National Press Club, Edwin R. Murrow Room, 14th and F Sts. NW, Washington, D.C. For more information, contact William Dolphin at 510-919-1498 or Steph Sherer at 510-872-7822.Complete Title: Government Must Correct Medical Marijuana Misinformation, Petition SaysSource: U.S. NewswirePublished: October 1, 2004Copyright 2004 U.S. Newswire Website: http://www.usnewswire.com/ Contact: http://www.usnewswire.com/contactusn.htmlCannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml
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Comment #7 posted by FoM on October 02, 2004 at 14:08:02 PT
Friendly Reminder: Ashcroft v. Raich - ABC and NBC
Heads Up: Upcoming TV Programs DPFCA: Ashcroft v. Raich on ABC Good Morning America, NBC's Nightly News & NBC's Today Show Hello Everyone,Sunday, October 3 -- Good Morning America - Weekend Edition on ABC will be airing a story about Ashcoft v. Raich interviewing Angel.From the NBC Reporter: "The Supreme Court preview stories, which will mention your case among the others the court will hear this term, are scheduled to run Sun, Oct. 3 on NBC's Weekend Nightly News and Mon, Oct. 4 on NBC's Today Show.As it stands, we're using Diane's interview in the Weekend story and you're on the Today show."Compassion and Justice,Angel McClary Raichangel raich-v-ashcroft.comDownload the major pleadings from our litigation (Raich v. Ashcroft) at: http://raich-v-ashcroft.com and http://angeljustice.org or http://angeljustice.comhttp://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread19580.shtml#10
Angel Raich vs. Ashcroft News
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on October 02, 2004 at 08:04:20 PT
Article from CounterPunch
Pot Shots: In Case You Missed Montel: http://www.counterpunch.org/gardner10022004.html
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Comment #5 posted by Patrick on October 01, 2004 at 18:12:11 PT
Free Speech at Stake!
Agog you bring up a point that I’ve been pondering since I saw the infomercial for Kevin Trudeau’s book “Natural Cures They Don’t Want You To Know About” http://www.calcompnutrition.com/natural-cures-kevin-trudeau.html. I saw this last weekend I think. I recall him being very very passionate about the whole drug industry and who can say what about what drug and even more importantly that the FDA has an armed branch that raids the offices of nutrition and herbal product manufacturer’s etc. I didn’t buy this book during the commercial or to date. But, he spoke of this ability of the “Federal Govt alphabet soup” to just bust and shut up people who say things akin to “eat vegetables and you’ll live longer”. While every night on TV I eventually end up hearing that a 4 hour erection may require medical attention! I don't get it?I agree turn the tables on the government and demand the Truth about everything. If I want to claim that consuming cannabis makes me more health conscience and watching too much TV leads to a craving for fast foods that eventually will lead me to obesity, heart failure, and death then I am "free" to say that, and if not, then Saddam's evil twin must be in charge. Free speech means just that. Free Speech. 
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Comment #4 posted by Dankhank on October 01, 2004 at 18:09:14 PT
Liar, Liar wish your pants were on fire .....
I personaly mailed a copy of the Cannabis Research Library to the Drug Czar a couple of years ago. Never heard back from him, unless the DEA is watching me and waiting for a chance.courtesy of RockwellI'm just an average guy with an average lifeI work from nive to five, hey hell I pay the priceBut I want is to be left alone in my average homeBut why do I always feel like I'm in the Twilight ZoneCHORUS:I always feel that somebody's watchin' meAnd I have no privacyI always feel that somebody's watchin' meIs it just a dream?When I come home at nightI bolt the door real tightPeople call me on the phone I'm trying to avoidWell, can the people on TV see me or am I just paranoidCHORUSWhen I'm in the shower, I'm afraid to wash my hairI might open my eyes and find someone standing therePeople say I'm crazy, just a little touchedBut maybe showers remind me of Psycho too muchThat's why...I always feel like somebody's watching meWho's playing tricks on meI always feel like somebody's watching meTell me it can't beI don't know anymoreAre the neighbors watching meWell is the mailman watching meAnd I don't feel safe anymore, oh what a messI wonder who's watching me now?
Who?The IRS?I always feel like somebody's watching meWho's playing tricks on meI always feel like somebody's watching meI can't enjoy my tea!
Watch this, DEA
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Comment #3 posted by Agog on October 01, 2004 at 16:29:44 PT
Karmic Justice and Maturation of the Movement
It is a good idea to use this Act. We obviously have truth on our side, and I believe it shows the way the activist community is maturing in both immediate tactics and strategic positioning... Bravo!The difficult argument I would guess, would be Marinol versus the whole cannabis extract..... I can only hope that data from GW Pharma might be utilized to show the efficacy of whole plant extract rather than a single identifiable active component.From a karmic perspective absolutely beautiful... FDA FCC and other Federal Govt alphabet soup organizations prosecute companies routinely for "misrepresentations" I say we turn the barrel around (barrel of the pen of course)Agog
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on October 01, 2004 at 15:52:43 PT
Portion of Article from NBC-MSNBC News
Death Penalty, Medical Marijuana Dominate 2004-05 SessionBy Pete Williams, Justice CorrespondentNBC NewsOct. 1, 2004WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court of Chief Justice William Rehnquist, known for its rulings protecting states from the demands of the federal government, faces a provocative question this term: Will it stand up for a California law that permits using marijuana with a doctor's approval? (03-1454 Ashcroft v. Raich, scheduled for argument on Nov. 29.) 
The state-federal clash over California's Compassionate Use Act, adopted in 1996, became dramatically clear in August 2002 at the rural home of Diane Monson, whose doctor recommended marijuana to relieve her severe back pain.State and federal law enforcement officers raced to her house after spotting marijuana growing in her back yard. When she told them she cultivated the plants for medical use, the state sheriff's deputies backed down. But a federal drug agent insisted the plants be destroyed and chopped them down as Monson recited the text of the California law. 
"He did, in fact, that hot August day, take my cannabis, take my rights and that's not OK," she says, explaining why she sued the Justice Department.Federal law bans marijuana possession, and Congress has never agreed that there is a legitimate medical use for it. But eight states — Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont and Washington — have laws similar to California's. Supporters of the laws say tens of thousands of residents in those states use marijuana with a doctor's advice.Complete Article: http://msnbc.msn.com/id/6152244/
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on October 01, 2004 at 09:14:11 PT
Just a Note
I have to get ready to go register to vote and I might get behind on some news. I will catch up as soon as I can. As far as this press release goes I want to say Go ASA and everyone that is taking part in this event!
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