cannabisnews.com: Medical Marijuana Goes on Trial





Medical Marijuana Goes on Trial
Posted by CN Staff on November 19, 2004 at 08:16:54 PT
By Allison L. Smith
Source: Northwest Herald 
In the shadow of an upcoming U.S. Supreme Court case, Illinois is considering a law to allow the seriously ill to use and have marijuana. The Supreme Court on Nov. 29 will hear a California case on whether sick people who smoke marijuana on a doctor's orders are subject to a federal ban on marijuana. States are not required to enforce federal law, and 10 states – Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont and Washington – have passed laws protecting the seriously ill from marijuana prosecution.
Several others long since have recognized the drug's medicinal value, including Illinois in the 1970s. Illinois House Bill 4868 – called the Illinois Medical Cannabis Act – was introduced in February by two Chicago Democrats, state Reps. Larry McKeon and Susana Mendoza. Because the bill is not likely to pass by the end of this legislative session, it is slated to be reintroduced in January. The law would apply to people fighting cancer, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis and AIDS, or those who are HIV positive. It also would include those with illnesses that cause wasting syndrome or severe pain, nausea or muscle spasms. Other illnesses and symptoms would be considered on a case-by-case basis. With a doctor's recommendation, patients would register with the Department of Human Services. They would receive permit cards, allowing them or their primary caregiver to have no more than six marijuana plants or an ounce of marijuana. Doctors point to marijuana's numbing effects and almost unparalleled pain relief. And they say it has the added benefit of stimulating appetite in people suffering from wasting syndrome. In October, more than 100 nurses, doctors, activists and sick people testified for and against the bill before an Illinois House subcommittee on health care. Outgoing state Rep. Rosemary Kurtz, R-Crystal Lake, was there. Before the hearing, she said, she supported legalizing marijuana for those with a few months to live and with a doctor's recommendation. But she said she was influenced by the testimony of people with all sorts of painful long-term illnesses. "I've been enlightened," she said. "I used to think [marijuana legalization] should be limited to the end of life. Now I'm mulling it over." Kurtz said the bill should be refined to better address the law-enforcement aspect and to help patients or their caregivers avoid resorting to buying marijuana from street criminals. Dr. Bruce Doblin of Evanston testified that marijuana is not addictive, but patients could become dependent on its extraordinary pain relief. He said nearly 1,000 Illinois doctors have signed a petition in support of the legislation. "I've seen firsthand the benefit that smoking marijuana can have for patients," he said. "When everything else has failed, they tell me this is the best thing they've ever done." Dr. Edward Senay of Naperville testified against legalizing marijuana for the sick. He said medical studies show that marijuana binds to immune cells. "If you're giving them a drug that impairs their immune system, you're not doing them any favors," he said. Matthew Atwood, an activist working to legalize medical marijuana in Illinois, said that although prescription drugs such as Marinol could potentially achieve similar effects for some people, they do not work in all cases. And they eventually might become toxic or ineffective in a person's system. "People with wasting syndrome are already taking, like, 15 pills a day, vomiting them and taking another dose and another," Atwood said. "Taking another pill, like Marinol, doesn't help these people." Brenda Kratovil, 43, of Waukegan, has glaucoma and multiple sclerosis. She said she has undergone nearly 30 surgeries and used an array of prescribed drugs, some of which lost their effectiveness over time or turned toxic in her system. She eventually turned to growing marijuana in her back yard but was convicted in 2003 on felony marijuana possession and just finished probation. These days, she said, she still uses marijuana but has to buy it from dealers. "When I do stop using, the pressure in my eye goes to outrageous pain levels," she said. "Our government needs to realize they need to help sick people who have no other options, instead of harassing us and raiding us and treating us like criminals."Source: Northwest Herald (IL)Author: Allison L. SmithPublished: Friday, November 19, 2004Copyright: 2004 Northwest Herald NewspapersContact: cliffward nwherald.comWebsite: http://www.nwherald.com/Related Articles & Web Site:Angel Raich v. Ashcroft Newshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/raich.htmFederal Government, Butt Out of Med Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19843.shtmlFighting for The Right To Miracle Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19811.shtml Lawmakers Lobbied To Back Marijuana Plan http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18435.shtmlStatehouse Panel To Hear Medical Marijuana Plan http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18426.shtml
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Comment #19 posted by paulpeterson on November 21, 2004 at 04:44:41 PT
Dr. Bruce Doblin of Evanston
I believe Dr. Bruce Doblin is the brother of Dr. Rick Doblin, the head of MAPS, the researcher that studies some mind altering drugs. These guys are both heaviweights and I am glad to know that 1000 doctors are already on board for the dramatic update to the Illinois medical marijuana law coming around the corner.Of course, from my own research, it appears that if there is enough political backing in Illinois now, we may be able to induce the state to actually USE THE LAW AS IT EXISTS RIGHT NOW, without need for improvements (the law is just not clear enough to convince people that we CAN enforce it now-with 1000 doctors we should be able to get ONE OF THEM to sign a form and get a test case into the waters!I will report back to you on these efforts. PAUL PETERSON, BROADCASTING FROM WITHIN REBEL HELD TERRITORY (9 villages and counting that have already decriminalized for EVERYBODY, not just the sick and infirm). Over and out
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Comment #18 posted by The GCW on November 20, 2004 at 08:38:07 PT
Medical Marijuana Goes on Trial?
Interesting.Put God on trial.He's the one.He created all the seed bearing plants and He said they were all good.He's the one they should put on trial.Government's problem isn't between Me and You; it is with God.420MEWe don't need no trial.Page 1 of the Bible is Our virdict from The Ecologician Himself. All the plants are good; let no devil government pry anyone away from that truth.LET'S PUT THE DEVIL WORKING CANNABIS PROHIBITIONISTS ON TRIAL.Let's do it now, already.Expose cannabis prohibitionist's sick soul (it's easy!). Cannabis prohibition exists in the court of the devil. 
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Comment #17 posted by siege on November 19, 2004 at 17:45:07 PT
Good Dr.
Good ""Dr. Edward Senay"" For him, the "CURE" word does not exist. Hemp that helps the body heal,, so where is the Oath that you took dumb one the one that said that you will help the sick??? or do you think you are god
and just can't make it that hight yet!! Your physician will also never tell you that, at one time, strokes, both ischaemic and haemorrhagic, heart failure due to neuropathy as well as both ischaemic and haemorrhagic coronary events, obesity, atherosclerosis, elevated blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, elevated triglycerides, impotence, retinopathy, renal failure, liver failure, polycystic ovary syndrome, elevated blood sugar, systemic candida, impaired carbohydrate metabolism, poor wound healing, impaired fat metabolism, peripheral neuropathy as well as many more of today's disgraceful epidemic disorders were once well understood often to be but symptoms of DIABETES!! 
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Comment #16 posted by John Tyler on November 19, 2004 at 17:41:24 PT
Ignorance or hypocrisy? 
I'm always amazed at the political class and their hypocritical views on cannabis. They are usually against it until they get slapped in the face with reality, like when a close relative gets a disease that could be alleviated by cannabis or when someone they love gets busted. 
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Comment #15 posted by global_warming on November 19, 2004 at 16:21:49 PT
Confused
"Dr. Bruce Doblin of Evanston testified that marijuana is not addictive, but patients could become dependent on its extraordinary pain relief. He said nearly 1,000 Illinois doctors have signed a petition in support of the legislation...I've seen firsthand the benefit that smoking marijuana can have for patients, he said. When everything else has failed, they tell me this is the best thing they've ever done..."Dr. Edward Senay of Naperville testified against legalizing marijuana for the sick. He said medical studies show that marijuana binds to immune cells...If you're giving them a drug that impairs their immune system, you're not doing them any favors, he said."Two doctors testament, each with opposite views, who are you going to believe?If I was diagnosed with a terminal illness, would I be worrying about my "immune system", if the doctors told me that my illness would soon overtake my body and that death was imminent, should I be concerned about my immune system?Needless to say, the opposing doctor has no medicine that will improve my immune system, so why is he so focused on my immune system, when he or the other doctor have no medicines that will alleviate my disease?It seems that we are caught up in a catch22, I'm going to die soon, and one doctor says go ahead and smoke your brains out it doesn't matter, and the other doctor says that on top of my death sentence that I should be put into a prison for breaking the drug laws.Can anybody figure this out?
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Comment #14 posted by siege on November 19, 2004 at 14:59:47 PT
Sam Adams
who Run against Nixon  was it the man in the wheelchire 
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Comment #13 posted by FoM on November 19, 2004 at 14:47:44 PT
Sam
Thank you about the test page. A friend asked me to make the top a little larger and I did. It's fun to learn new things.As far as where we are in America my husband and I are preparing for hard times. I don't mean that we are digging a bunker in the ground but are being careful how we spend our money. Buying this computer and satellite modem upgrade took a lot of thought on our part. It won't break us but we are using common sense in our basic money situations. We cancelled programs on Direct TV that we don't watch enough to warrant keeping them and taking that money and increasing our home owners coverage. That is basic but we have to prepare that jobs and work could get tight. I feel so very bad for the boys that are fighting in Iraq. They are fighting for a war that has no meaning. I would be so upset if a child of mine got killed in this war. Wait until the draft returns and it will. It will because no one in their right mind would enlist now and since they keep killing more of our troops that is the only logical conclusion for anyone to take.
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Comment #12 posted by Sam Adams on November 19, 2004 at 14:11:10 PT
on a mac
the webpage looks perfect and professional on my mac w/ Safari.FOM, the only way I can deal with the current picture in the US is just to accept that this is a peculiar characteristic of humankind that is normal. Looking back through history, it's the same story over and over, plenty of good people having to deal with evil governments. I feel a responsibility to keep my head down & take care of myself above all else, and right now that is going OK, so I'm thankful for that.Just in US history, there were many people who thought the Civil War was wrong, slavery was condemned from before 1776, many did not want to wipe out the Indians either. Plenty of pacificists all around before WWII. My biggest concern would probably be waves overtaking my house from global warming in the next 20 or 30 years.  That would be hard to avoid!I'm not sure this is the worst of times in recent memory, either - at least the Bush elections have been close, Nixon won by huge landslides. re: Jeb Bush, a couple of people have told me that the Repubs want him to run. Another front runner is Rudy Guiliani, who would have to be the worst & most fascist world leader in a long, long time. We can hope for McCain also, he might even be better than whatever the Democrats come up with.
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Comment #11 posted by ekim on November 19, 2004 at 12:33:14 PT
Students for Sensible Drug Policy Annual Conventio
Nov 19 04 National Council for the Social Studies Annual Convention 09:00 AM Jim Gierach Baltimore Maryland USA 
 National Council for the Social Studies Annual Convention. Nov 19th-20th. 9am-6pm. Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, MD. Speaker Jim Gierach and Speakers Bureau Coordinator Mike Smithson will exhibit to the 3500 attendees of the convention explaining how LEAP speakers would be great in the classroom environment to teach about modern drug prohibition. Nov 20 04 Students for Sensible Drug Policy Annual Convention 02:30 PM Jim Gierach College Park Maryland USA 
 Students for Sensible Drug Policy Annual Convention. Nov 20th. 2:30pm-3:30pm. Stamp Student Union, University of Maryland, College Park, MD. “Legalziation vs. Decriminalization” Debate between LEAP Speaker Jim Gierach and Dr. Mark Klieman, UCLA School of Public Policy. Nov 20 04 National Council for the Social Studies Annual Convention 09:00 AM Mike Smithson Baltimore Maryland USA 
 National Council for the Social Studies Annual Convention. Nov 19th-20th. 9am-6pm. Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, MD. Speaker Jim Gierach and Speakers Bureau Coordinator Mike Smithson will exhibit to the 3500 attendees of the convention explaining how LEAP speakers would be great in the classroom environment to teach about modern drug prohibition. Nov 20 04 Denver 5 Points Lions Club 10:00 AM Howard Wooldridge Denver Colorado USA 
 Board Member Howard Wooldridge visits with members of the Denver 5 Points Lions Club to discuss the failure of drug prohibition. Alternative Fuels Data Center.
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
1617 Cole Blvd, MS/1633
Golden, Co 80401-3393
www.afdc.doe.govI hope someone from this Laboratory will be hearing Leap Speaker Howard Wooldridge.Nov 23 04 Golden Rotary 08:00 AM Howard Wooldridge Golden Colorado USA 
 Worth his weight in gold and shining just as bright is Board Member Howard Wooldridge when he meets with members of the Golden Rotary to discuss issues related to the failure of drug prohibition. 
http://www.leap.cc/events
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Comment #10 posted by FoM on November 19, 2004 at 12:30:40 PT
goneposthole
When I saw the presidents being all buddy buddy I thought what are they saying to the children. They call each other every nasty name in the book and say how the world will end if this or that person is elected president then they kiss up. That's immoral to me. Thanks for checking the web page! I hope I have most of the stuff figured out now. At least it is keeping me mentally occupied and I'm listening to Neil's music and not watching the tv. I have it muted.
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Comment #9 posted by goneposthole on November 19, 2004 at 12:21:18 PT
The State has a right to your life
Right up to the end. There is no choice in the matter. Don't pay your taxes and find out what happens to you.We have a ruling class of politicians that want it that way. The baby boomers have a subservient attitude towards our government. Payday is on Friday, once a week. Forget about the war in Iraq. There is bread and circus on TV, so what does it matter if Americans die over there? Drink your beer and don't ask questions. The politicians will tell you what you are free to do. Life? Liberty? Happiness? You've got to be kidding. Just who do you think you are? All of those former Presidents and the current President have sore arms today from patting each other on the back. Passive resistance is futile. Direct action is futile. You must obey the State. Pay your taxes to support everything the State does. War is big business and costs big bucks, so get out your checkbook and write the check. If you don't, it will be taken from you.Medical Marijuana for the sick and dying? Not on your life!The page looks fine. Hats off to you, FoM.
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Comment #8 posted by FoM on November 19, 2004 at 12:02:28 PT
dr slider 
Thank you. That was the hardest thing I've had to do with my new computer. Don't get discouraged. Many of us are deeply hurt by what is happening. It's ok to be feeling down when we have a good reason and we sure have a good reason these days. Remember the only way thru hard times is to talk and help each other feel better and get a little hope back. After 9-11 I never thought I'd be the same but we do recover. 
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Comment #7 posted by dr slider on November 19, 2004 at 11:56:26 PT:
FoM
It looks fine to me. Keep up the worthwhile endeavor ( "g**d w**k" has lost its lustre for me)
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on November 19, 2004 at 11:41:20 PT
Off Topic : Help
Most of you know I just got a new computer. I did a test page upload with a new program to see if it worked. Could someone check this link and tell me if it looks ok. Thanks in advance. This stuff is hard for me to learn to do. http://www.freedomtoexhale.com/kine.htm
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Comment #5 posted by dr slider on November 19, 2004 at 11:26:50 PT:
 America (the cult)
I caught a glimpse of the presidential lovefest at the Clinton Library. The most urgent question I asked I was, what are all of those fools doing sitting in the rain? Just to catch a glimpse of their "heros", I surmised. Now that "we" have completely transfered the hero archtype to that of celebrity, "our" fate is entirely predictable. Words and deeds no longer matter. Only perception counts. Where am I going and what the hell am I doing in this handbasket?
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Comment #4 posted by Max Flowers on November 19, 2004 at 11:01:44 PT
Sam Adams
Please do NOT tell me you mean that Jeb Bush is going to run in 2008 against Hillary!! I had not even considered that possibility until I read your comment! Oh my god, if he is even thinking of that, we are much more screwed than I thought (if that is possible).And you're right, this incestuous monarchy-like pseudodynasty crap is getting too weird, and is VERY unAmerican. 
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Comment #3 posted by FoM on November 19, 2004 at 10:50:24 PT
Sam
I am so upset with what is happening that I am keeping it inside. I am so angry that I dare not talk publically about it. My mind is racing with things that make me furious and I know I can't do anything to stop it all. It's really hard to handle for me.
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Comment #2 posted by Sam Adams on November 19, 2004 at 10:46:03 PT
No kidding
That's what I was thinking - providing MJ only to dying patients in their last few months of life? That's a militant position, not a compassionate one.Ok, we, the ruling political class, will only give you marijuana in exchange for your life.  Oh, thank you for you undying benevolence, oh mighty ruler! In the case the mighty that we down before is only a slimy little parochial-ass state legislator. Our freedom has been kicked down to the gutter.Did anyone else see pictures of the little presidential get-together down there in Little Rock? Big showing of American Royalty. That's what we've got here, a ruling class not composed of a monarchy, but of a towering political class and their hordes of bureaucratic minions. As I've pointed out before, in Iraq, 99% of the people voted for Hussein. In America, 99% of the people voted for a Republicrat. What's the difference?  In many European countries, and Israel, there are several competing parties that get a significant vote, and with each election coalitions are built and realigned to pick a leader, so there's a constant flux of changing positions, and oppurtunity for instant feedback from government to change based on popular opinion.Here we're sinking into a psuedo-monarchy system, where the same families get "elected" and "re-elected" and we sink into a moribund system of status quoism. Hillary Clinton is Democratic front-runner? Jeb Bush for the Bushes? Ridiculous! We're back to days of King Richard. Where is the outrage? Why is the media mute on this whole transformation?
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Comment #1 posted by Craiig on November 19, 2004 at 08:22:57 PT
"I've been enlightened,"
No doubt she's one of those that it takes a few more seconds to get the joke or has to have it spelled out to her.
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