cannabisnews.com: Organization Hosts Marijuana Speeches Organization Hosts Marijuana Speeches Posted by CN Staff on November 10, 2004 at 08:10:37 PT By Princess McDowell, The Shorthorn Staff Source: Shorthorn Biology senior Bindu Nair wants her prescriptions to come from a doctor and not the government. She also doesn’t want the government to have the power to tell her what she can and cannot take.“Marijuana is one of the most prescribed drugs,” she said. “Government officials shouldn’t be writing our prescriptions — doctors should.” The Students for Sensible Drug Policy is presenting a forum called “Medical Marijuana: Facts, Myths and Everything In Between” at 7 tonight in the Lone Star Auditorium in conjunction with Texans for Medical Marijuana.“Medical marijuana affects us, our parents, our loved ones, people with cancer and people with AIDS,” said Nair, Students for Sensible Drug Policy president.The forum features two speakers from Texas who are medical marijuana patients. These patients will bring their own perspectives and personal battles to discredit the stereotype that all marijuana users are young teenagers. Clayton Jones, 56, a wheelchair-bound activist who uses medical marijuana as a result of a car accident in 1985, will tell his story at the event.The forum will also feature two professors who specialize in substance abuse. Bryon Adinoff, a Distinguished Professor of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Research at the University of Texas Southwestern, is scheduled to present a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation that highlights the positive and negative effects of the drug on the brain and the entire body.James F. Quinn, substance abuse and addictions director at the University of North Texas, will speak on the criminal aspects of using marijuana, including the number of individuals legally allowed to smoke marijuana who were arrested while in possession.Students for Sensible Drug Policy does not promote or condone drug use but does support the use of marijuana when professionals recommend it.Nursing junior Olu Sola said marijuana should be legalized because of its potential medicinal purposes. But it should come in another form, he added.“If they could make it to drink, then I would support it,” Sola said. “Inhaling anything is bad, plus it effects the lungs.”One student who wishes to remain anonymous said there are legitimate uses for marijuana, but believes states should decide whether or not to legalize the substance separately.The use of marijuana for medicinal purposes is legal in 10 states, Montana being the most recent state to legalize its use.Opponents of medical marijuana worry about the impression legalizing marijuana would have on younger generations while advocates hail the potential profits from taxing the substance.Nair said the country will soon realize the medicinal benefits of marijuana.“It’s just a matter of time that when you get sick you should have access to all medicines to cure you,” she said.Note: Guest speakers will explain the drug’s legal concerns and benefits.Source: Shorthorn, The (TX Edu Arlington)Author: Princess McDowell, The Shorthorn StaffPublished: November 10, 2004Copyright: 2004 The ShorthornWebsite: http://www.theshorthorn.com/Contact: online-editor.shorthorn uta.eduRelated Articles & Web Sites:SSDPhttp://www.ssdp.org/Texans For Medical Marijuanahttp://www.texansformedicalmarijuana.org/Reefer Madness - Houston Presshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19567.shtmlNew Group Backs Medical Marijuana in Texashttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18431.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Post Comment