cannabisnews.com: Legislators Wary of Medical Marijuana Legalization





Legislators Wary of Medical Marijuana Legalization
Posted by CN Staff on November 22, 2004 at 16:18:03 PT
By Bill Hiles
Source: State Gazette
The three state legislators who represent Dyer County are lukewarm at best toward a proposal to legalize medical marijuana. "I don't think it will get out of committee'" said state Rep. Phillip Pinion, D-Union City. "There's a pill for it that's legal." State Sen. Steve Cohen, D-Memphis, said last week he will introduce a bill to legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes in the new legislative session beginning in January.
"We've got other pressing issues like TennCare and I haven't given medicinal marijuana much thought," said state Rep. Craig Fitzhugh, D-Ripley. "I would have to defer to medical expertise and I'm willing to consider it, but I wouldn't want to open the door to general legalization." State Sen. Mark Norris, R-Collierville, said Cohen has tried to pass general legalization of marijuana in the past. "This may be another attempt on Steve's part to legalize drugs," Norris said. "I've always tried to keep an open mind and I will on this, but I'm opposed to the legalization of non-prescription controlled substances." Cohen said he believes people who are sick and suffering are being denied a drug that could help them. "When you see somebody whose life is ending and you know there's something that would ameliorate their pain and make life less ghastly, it's incumbent upon all of us to allow it," said Cohen, who's watched several friends battle the side effects of cancer treatment. "There's no reason why society should not allow drugs that can be helpful." In a 2003 report, the American Medical Association cited studies showing that compounds in the drug can help people suffering from a wide range of illnesses, from glaucoma and AIDS-related weight loss, to epilepsy and the nausea associated with some cancer treatments. But the association also said there are health risks involved with marijuana, and recommended that the National Institutes of Health fund further research into medical uses of the drug. Some studies have shown that marijuana can stimulate appetite and promote weight gain as well as ease pain. At least 10 states have approved medical marijuana use. Fitzhugh, Norris and Pinion all said they believe there are legal alternatives to medical marijuana. "I want to help people that's sick, but I don't want to make a drug available that we can't control," Pinion said. "There are legal medicines available that contain the same chemicals as marijuana." He acknowledged that some claim legal marijuana medicines are not as effective as straight marijuana. "If it can be controlled and regulated we don't need to shut the door on it," Fitzhugh said. "But I'd need to be convinced it works better than currently legal alternatives." "I think there probably are legal alternatives," Norris said. "I'd have to be convinced the alternatives aren't effective before I could vote for it." The Associated Press contributed to this article.Complete Title: Local Legislators Wary of Medical Marijuana LegalizationSource: State Gazette, The (TN)Author: Bill HilesPublished: Monday, November 22, 2004Copyright: 2004 State GazetteContact: crimel stategazette.comWebsite: http://www.dyersburgnews.com/Related Articles & Web Site:Medical Marijuana Information Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/medical.htmSerious Debate Needed on Medical Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19859.shtmlSenator Advocates Legal Medical Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19858.shtmlCohen Plans To Push Legalizing Med Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19833.shtml 
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Comment #9 posted by observer on November 23, 2004 at 00:54:08 PT
LEGALIZING DRUGS! LEGALIZING DRUGS! 
[6]
Steve Cohen, D-Memphis, said last week he will introduce a bill to legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes in the new legislative session beginning in January.
(Sentence 6) re: "legalize" - Any mention of lessening the harshness of drug laws is portrayed as a sinful "legalization". Only total prohibition (or more jailings) will be righteous. (Total Prohibition or Access (propaganda theme 7) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme7.htm#7 ) 
 
 
[9]
"I would have to defer to medical expertise and I'm willing to consider it, but I wouldn't want to open the door to general legalization."
(Sentence 9) re: "legalization" - Drug policy options are presented as either total prohibition, or as total "legalization." No middle ground is contemplated in the "zero-tolerance" world of prohibition. Absolute prohibition executed with religious fervor and purpose! (Total Prohibition or Access (propaganda theme 7) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme7.htm#7 ) 
 
 
[11]
Mark Norris, R-Collierville, said Cohen has tried to pass general legalization of marijuana in the past.
(Sentence 11) re: "legalization", "legalization of marijuana" - Onward prohibitionist drug warriors, fighting the epidemic and scourge in the battles of the war against drugs! (Drugs declared evil by politicians, that is.) (Total Prohibition or Access (propaganda theme 7) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme7.htm#7 ) 
 
 
[12]
"This may be another attempt on Steve's part to legalize drugs," Norris said.
(Sentence 12) re: "legalize drugs", "legalize" - With God on Their Side (prohibitionists assure us), only the continued rooting out of the sinful drug users (total prohibition) will do. All else is portrayed as the slippery slope to total legalization of all drugs for toddlers. (Total Prohibition or Access (propaganda theme 7) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme7.htm#7 ) 
 
 
[13]
"I've always tried to keep an open mind and I will on this, but I'm opposed to the legalization of non-prescription controlled substances."
(Sentence 13) re: "legalization" - Any mention of lessening the harshness of drug laws is portrayed as a sinful "legalization". Only total prohibition (or more jailings) will be righteous. (Total Prohibition or Access (propaganda theme 7) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme7.htm#7 ) 
 
 
[14]
But the association also said there are health risks involved with marijuana, and recommended that the National Institutes of Health fund further research into medical uses of the drug.
(Sentence 14) re: "health risks" - Prohibitionist propaganda claims that horrible dangers are caused by "drugs." (Madness,Crime,Violence,Illness (propaganda theme 2) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme2.htm#2 ) 
 
 
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Comment #8 posted by FoM on November 22, 2004 at 20:50:47 PT
BGreen
I know what you mean. This is just so darn sad to read.
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Comment #7 posted by BGreen on November 22, 2004 at 20:47:37 PT
They Don't Know
The mother said she'd noticed Christopher was having trouble breathing during a visitation but her pleas to have Christopher taken to the doctor apparently fell on deaf ears.I'm sure tomorrow's newspaper will have a story about this tragedy, complete with the usual vilification of cannabis and it's partakers.The fact is that the foster care system is NO PLACE for the children of cannabis users if their only crime is using cannabis.The Reverend Bud Green
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on November 22, 2004 at 20:39:03 PT
BGreen
Yes I do remember. That is terrible. What caused his death?
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Comment #5 posted by BGreen on November 22, 2004 at 20:35:46 PT
FoM, Do You Remember This Post?
http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/19/thread19369.shtml#4Drug tests at center of child's removalParents adamant they did not use marijuana, question test results indicating otherwise.Christopher 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. At 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.***********************************************************Christopher Henry Cryderman was found dead today at his foster home. They said his life was in danger because of "marijuana" but he never even saw his first birthday in the "safe" child "protection" system.The Reverend Bud Green
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Comment #4 posted by OverwhelmSam on November 22, 2004 at 19:26:59 PT
The Key is the State Legislatures
Like I've always said, the key to winning the war against marijuana, is the indentification and eradication of those representatives who are against marijuana. It is relatively easy at the state level because, state officials don't need that many votes against them to lose.Wake up legalization movement.
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Comment #3 posted by mayan on November 22, 2004 at 18:16:31 PT
Congresscum
"If it can be controlled and regulated we don't need to shut the door on it," Fitzhugh said. "But I'd need to be convinced it works better than currently legal alternatives." "I think there probably are legal alternatives," Norris said. "I'd have to be convinced the alternatives aren't effective before I could vote for it."Many doctors and their patients already are convinced about the efficacy of medical cannabis. It's sad that congressmen feel that they are the ones who need to be convinced before others can be aleviate their suffering! What business does anyone have standing between a person and their doctor?Here's some insight into Ohio's rigged vote...How the Ohio election was rigged for Bush - by Bob Fitrakis :
http://freepress.org/columns/display/3/2004/995The way out is the way in...MORE INFORMATION ON PUSH FOR NY GRAND JURY OVER 9/11:
http://www.newswithviews.com/Devvy/kidd79.htmA message on the Spitzer campaign and the Kevin Ryan story from 911Truth.org: 
http://www.911truth.org/article.php?story=20041119181332882
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on November 22, 2004 at 18:02:57 PT
Thanks The GCW
Current Results:Do you think marijuana should be legalized for medical use? 
 Yes. There's nothing wrong with medical marijuana. -- (45%) 
 Yes. And while they're at it, they can legalize my recreational use, too. I'm going to go through a lot of paper writing out those fake prescriptions.   -- (33%) 
No. Marijuana should always be illegal.   -- (18%) 
 It's not already legal?   -- (3%) 
 
 
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Comment #1 posted by The GCW on November 22, 2004 at 17:47:06 PT
POLL
http://www.mtsusidelines.com/
Do you think marijuana should be legalized for medical use?-Yes. There's nothing wrong with medical marijuana. -Yes. And while they're at it, they can legalize my recreational use, too. I'm going to go through a lot of paper writing out those fake prescriptions. -No. Marijuana should always be illegal. -It's not already legal? (note: 3 of the 4 are good choices...)
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