cannabisnews.com: Poll Finds 75% of Texans Support Medical Marijuana Poll Finds 75% of Texans Support Medical Marijuana Posted by CN Staff on November 17, 2004 at 23:32:07 PT By Todd Ackerman Source: Houston Chronicle A strong majority of Texans favor legalizing the medical use of marijuana, according to a new poll.Seventy-five percent said people with cancer and other serious illnesses should be allowed to use marijuana for medical purposes as long as their doctor approves, according to a Scripps Howard Texas poll question commissioned by Texans for Medical Marijuana. Nineteen percent said they would oppose such a bill. "I'm surprised support is that high," said Dr. Richard Evans, president of the Texas Cancer Center and medical adviser to Texans for Medical Marijuana. "That should help when we next testify before the Legislature."Bills that would have legalized the medical use of marijuana have been introduced in the last four sessions of the Texas Legislature but have never passed. Evans said he expects legislation again will be introduced in 2005.Marijuana is considered to have some therapeutic uses, particularly the relief of nausea suffered by cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. As a result, 11 states, most of them in the West, have legalized its medical use.In a report on the medical use of marijuana earlier this year, a committee of the Texas Medical Association called for more research into whether seriously ill patients would benefit from marijuana. It also said doctors should have the freedom to discuss with patients all treatment options, including marijuana, without fear of regulatory or criminal sanctions. It did not take a position on whether Texas should legalize marijuana's medical use.Snipped: Complete Article: http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/health/2906937Source: Houston Chronicle (TX)Author: Todd AckermanPublished: November 18, 2004Copyright: 2004 Houston Chronicle Contact: viewpoints chron.comWebsite: http://www.chron.com/Related Article & Web Site:Texans For Medical Marijuanahttp://www.texansformedicalmarijuana.org/ New Group Backs Medical Marijuana in Texashttp://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread18431.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #13 posted by Hope on November 18, 2004 at 11:58:13 PT prisoners laboring in fields "unpaid prisoners laboring in fields supervised by armed guards on horseback, with no pretense of "rehabilitation" or "job training.""Several years ago, passing by on the highway, I saw this happening. Rows of white clad prisoners hoeing fields while a mounted armed guard watched over them. I was told they were growing food for the prisoner's consumption. I've never heard though, that they had a good menu including fresh vegetables. [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by observer on November 18, 2004 at 11:16:12 PT Jesusland Loves Mammon and Slavery, More Poll Finds 75% of Texans Support Medical MarijuanaThe slave-owner mentality will rule in Texas and all over Jesusland. That's where the money and power is; so their ideology and religion follows. Letting a few "dopers" rot away with cancer is small price for police, prosecutors, politicians, prohibition bureaucrats, treatment racket profiteers, marijuana testing industry interests, to pay for letting their good times ($$$) roll. Some states, especially those in the South such as Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, etc., still have unpaid prisoners laboring in fields supervised by armed guards on horseback, with no pretense of "rehabilitation" or "job training." In those states the labor is mandatory, refusal to work brings harsh punishment and increases prison sentences served. Prison Politics: Slaves of the State, Paul Wright, 1994 http://www.zmag.org/zmag/articles/july94wright.htm [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by goneposthole on November 18, 2004 at 11:15:32 PT It's the old adage 'The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak' [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by FoM on November 18, 2004 at 09:06:45 PT Sativex BigDawg I agree with you. Then it will Bye Bye Schedule I Lie. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by BigDawg on November 18, 2004 at 09:00:48 PT Craiig If Sativex gets US approval... then the ENTIRE Schedule One lie will be history.Schedule One is for substances with NO medical value. Approval for Sativex will prove medical value for Cannabis as it is a plant extract.It may remain controlled to some extent... the Schedule One wall will come tumbling down.It is a can of worms... and I look forward to seeing it opened. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by Craiig on November 18, 2004 at 08:12:50 PT The Red State Myth? I always assumed 'red states' would be strongly against med maj, however it seems to be just a myth. Unless they've been turned by seeing blue states legalising. btw i reserve the right to talk utter gibberish.I am concerned however that this GW product called Sativex, or cannabis spray, if passed checks and became legalised in the US, then all this med maj may become illegal under state law again? [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by Robbie on November 18, 2004 at 07:31:46 PT Wow. That big Red state? That's pretty progressive for such a consistently Republican state. Of course, the Bible-thumpers are in control of the government there so I doubt we'll see any movement toward an MMJ initiative in the near future.Still, 75% ain't bad. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by potpal on November 18, 2004 at 06:27:25 PT For the children... Got pot?http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4017321.stm [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by OverwhelmSam on November 18, 2004 at 04:45:56 PT 19% Against? Let me guess: Law enforcement officials, drug rehabilitation employees, drug testing employees, and prison guards. That would be about 19% wouldn't it?It's time for Texas to change it's laws now. Write your state representatives. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by breeze on November 18, 2004 at 03:38:27 PT oops- posted before i compared the link i was in a hurry [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by breeze on November 18, 2004 at 03:36:16 PT JR Bob Dobbs- you are exactly right- Alleged Pot Thief Branded With Forehead Tattoo-http://www.wftv.com/news/3927170/detail.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by JR Bob Dobbs on November 18, 2004 at 02:45:13 PT Black market consequences Below is an article about the kind of behaviour the black market encourages. When you can't go to the police to settle your differences, people often take the law into their own hands. http://www.wftv.com/news/3927170/detail.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by breeze on November 18, 2004 at 01:50:03 PT I just realized something- Brazil is more free, more compassionate, more intelligent than those that reside in these united states. How can I say this? The nation is about to decriminalize "drugs" within their borders. Brazil is not a small country. Its rather large, with portions of rainforest, and portions of modernized society.The prohibits, the evangelical christian taliban, the freedom fighters (they fight against freedom I suppose)- all agree that medical marijuana should be allowed when they have a relative who could benefit from its availability- but shun the idea of overall decriminalization. Its kind of like saying that unless you have a headache, its illegal for you to take ibuprofin- but first you must have a doctor's prescription, and then government approval to take the ibuprofin IF you live in a state that approves of using ibuprofin to treat headaches, on top of that- you have to find out who has ibuprofin- as well as be nervous someone is going to nail you for having the ibuprofin even though you are legally able to even USE the ibuprofin. So, a large number of people approve of medical marijuana being decriminalized for use in Texas. Hooray! That is wonderful in a sickening sort of way, they are smart enough to say we agree sick people should get medication, but not without STRICT enforcement of WHO gets the medication- and what they are using it for. It certainly has been proven to help people who suffer from depression- but will these people ever be allowed to be added to the list of those who are able to treat themselves with the wonder herb? Not likely, common perception by the prohib's is that the plant must be consumed hourly- by anyone using the plant to alleviate their ills.And so, Brazil- has decided that drug use in their country is more of a health issue than a police issue. The nation is going even further than that, by opening 250 state mandated "drug use" centers- I suppose to insure that people are able to get clean needles- which in turn will reduce the number of people contracting AIDS or hepatitus. Even though I don't live in Brazil, it sounds like a wonderful place to live- only because their leaders holding office finally have common sense.This is something we all need to stop for a moment and recognize- Other nations are realizing the HARM that laws supporting prohibition are doing, instead of helping or preventing crime. Even nations that once bordered the lines of being a police state.Even http://www.rense.com/ is announcing this type of news- that cannabis and hemp decriminaliztion could eliminate many of the social/economic/criminal issues within our nation. http://www.rense.com/Datapages/hempdat.htmCheck it out, there is more there than just this- though some of it seems a bit on the conspiratory side, part of it is believeable- which makes the country that we are living in even MORE frightening. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment