cannabisnews.com: Cannabis Questions Answered










  Cannabis Questions Answered

Posted by CN Staff on March 09, 2005 at 17:12:11 PT
By Phillip G. Kopp 
Source: Renegade Rip 

The myths surrounding the process of obtaining medicinal marijuana differ greatly. Some people will say it's extremely easy, while others state how difficult it is. I have had to clear up ridiculous rumors surrounding cannabis use in one class after another and have had to speak openly about my own use and conditions. Trying to keep my personal life out of the limelight of controversy has been nearly impossible. I have decided to set the record straight with many people out there, hoping to bring a better understanding of cannabis patients.
Suffering from a variety of disorders - epilepsy, migraines, back pain, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, insomnia, gastritis and depression - I found myself flooded with pills that counteracted each other along with very high hospital and prescription bills. I decided to try a drug alternative that I was weary of: medicinal marijuana.I had heard of a local clinic that operates solely to help cannabis users, NorCal Health Care. I made an appointment and was instructed to have a California drivers license or ID card, a copy of my medical records and $150 dollars for administration fees when I came in.The license and medical records I had, but I had to call in a few favors to cover the medical fee. When I arrived, I had to be buzzed in through an electric gate after my appointment had been confirmed by security. When I walked in, I had to present my drivers license to prove who I was and was directed down the hall to the doctor's office. I had to present my license again to the receptionist and was asked to present my medical records and pay the administration fee.Once that was done, I was given medical forms to fill out explaining my medical history, what my symptoms were and what other alternatives I had tried to help with those symptoms. At this point, I thought that I had to have cancer or a severe illness to be authorized or even considered. By the time the doctor called me in, I was sure that I had wasted my time and money. I sat quietly as the doctor looked over my records, marking which pages to make copies of. I was asked a series of questions such as, "Do you think cannabis will help you with your ailments?" and "Why didn't these other prescriptions work?"  After a 30-minute discussion, the doctor gave me authorization. I was handed a temporary license to use medical cannabis in California only. I was told about an overall set of rules that seems to be parallel to the laws over alcohol. The responsibility of finding out state and county laws are up to the patient. Cannabis is still illegal under federal law and authorization for use is only in the state. The federal government is still debating issues about legalizing medicinal cannabis. Until a decision can be reached, people are encouraged to keep use inside residential homes for sake of having to deal with any kind of trouble with authorities.With my temporary license in hand, I was directed to a small cannabis store inside the health care facility. I was, once again, asked to show my driver's license and my temporary cannabis license. My picture was taken, and I was told to expect my cannabis card in the mail after 4-6 weeks. The small store had a variety of over 30 different brands of cannabis in prescription bottles behind a glass case. The staff helped me pick out the types of marijuana that would best help me. The price ranged similar to what you would pay on the street, only the product is fresher and more potent. After using the drug for over two weeks, I have experienced a remarkable difference. I get better sleep at night, am more productive, eat regularly and have even lost weight. I find myself not moving around as much in class and have been able to relax easier under stressful situations. I still fight stereotypes and have to work against the conservative belief that all people who want medicinal marijuana are all just a bunch of potheads. I'm an average person like anybody else who wants to lead a productive life and cannabis helps me do that. With support and hard work, the federal government will approve the drug. More people will have access to it and not have to worry about being arrested just for taking a drug. Note: After obtaining marijuana license, user still struggles with stereotypes.Source: Renegade Rip (CA)Author: Phillip G. KoppPublished: Wednesday, March 9, 2005 Copyright: 2005 The Renegade RipContact: ripmail bc.cc.ca.usWebsite: http://www.therip.com/CannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml

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Comment #12 posted by Hope on March 10, 2005 at 10:06:26 PT
GCW
As far as I'm concerned, Stan White has become a living legend. He wields the two edged sword mightily.I thank God for Stan, in all his manifestations.Of all the hard working letter writers we have, Stan is the only one I can always recognize with out even seeing a signature. Thank you, Stan. Thank you, GCW.I can think of at least two powerful phrases that Stan has added to the reformist's vocabulary. Stan is a modest man and I don't want to embarrass him...but you are, indeed, Stan...a mighty man.Thank you.
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Comment #11 posted by FoM on March 10, 2005 at 09:23:57 PT
The GCW 
Thank you! Good Job! 
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Comment #10 posted by The GCW on March 10, 2005 at 05:45:31 PT
Marijuana use is Biblically acceptable
Also in this issue of the Rip:US CA: LTE: Marijuana use is Biblically acceptableIt is important for cannabis users to know where they stand on the cannabis issue in Biblical terms. It is Biblically correct to re-legalize cannabis (Kaneh Bosm, before the King James Bible).It is no accident that the Bible indicates God created all the seed-bearing plants and said they were all good, on literally the very first page in Genesis 1:11-12 and 29-30. The only Biblical restriction placed on cannabis is that we use it with thanksgiving - see 1 Timothy 4:1-5, where it even describes who will promote its prohibition as those who have fallen away from the faith.Many people would also like clergy to speak up on this issue since Jesus Christ risked going to jail in order to heal the sick.Source: Renegade Rip (Bakersfield College, CA) Published: March 9, 2005 Viewed at: http://www.therip.com/news/888952.html 
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Comment #9 posted by Hope on March 09, 2005 at 22:16:27 PT
Oh No. The Straw Man Cometh...Again.
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n406/a04.html?397
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Comment #8 posted by FoM on March 09, 2005 at 21:16:16 PT
Off Topic: New Google News Feature
I went to check the news on Google and they've added the ability to add news topics if you want. I think you can customize the page but I haven't explored that feature yet. I thought others might want to check it out!http://news.google.com/nwshp
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Comment #7 posted by Hope on March 09, 2005 at 19:10:13 PT
Words? A slap in the face?
I read today where Don Johnson said he once asked Hunter Thompson, "What is the sound of one hand clapping?"Hunter slapped him in the face.
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Comment #6 posted by Hope on March 09, 2005 at 19:00:41 PT
"LYING is the greatest social problem" 
It very well may be, Mayan. It's certainly one of absolutely staggering proportions."Honesty is the best policy" has become a quaint social notion from the past. The “really good people” (you know…the ones that really matter) all say it’s not something for modern times. Even our very moral, very religious president says so.Mercy has been openly and proudly replaced with hatred and dehumanization. The merciful are looked down upon and called “bleeding hearts” or some other version of “fool”. Pure love is now for weaklings and we’re told tough love is the right thing to do when we are displeased with others choices in life.“Tough love” is one of the biggest lies ever foisted on humankind. It’s just an excuse not to have to practice real love. Real love is too much trouble and people find it easier to be proactive in handing out tough love, more so than real love. Tough love saves time. Real love involves too much involvement.Truth for lies and right for wrong. Courage and patriotism have been replaced by fearfulness and unthinking subjugation. They...liars in places of authority...have refaced honest values with masks of hypocrisy. The more I can see through that mask...the more hideous looking I realize they really are. I don't like seeing that. I suspect that is where a lot of these problems caught hold. We just don't want to look closely and see that ugliness. A lot of people won't. They see it a moment...then look away quickly and go on to act like they never saw it.And I've seen some in authority have the gall to say they are the “good guys”. If they really were, they wouldn’t have to "point" that out, themselves, so much.Seems like that little "bad guys versus good guys" saying became popular in law enforcement sometime after the Ruby Ridge episode. Oh yeah. It’s real obvious. They are the “good guys” and everyone else …including those who would dare to disagree with them, are the “bad guys”. It scares me for such immature people, and I know they’re immature the instant they spout that childish saying, to be running around with guns…some of them half-cocked.
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Comment #5 posted by FoM on March 09, 2005 at 18:24:25 PT
About The AP Article
I don't even understand what it's all about. That's why I didn't post it. How many times will Nevada be an issue? I guess I would quit thinking about Nevada since they don't seem to want the marijuana laws changed out there.
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Comment #4 posted by mayan on March 09, 2005 at 18:14:50 PT
"Social Problems"
From the article FoM posted in comment #1..."We do know marijuana is a gateway drug," said Douglas County Sheriff Ron Pierini, who is also the president of the Nevada Sheriffs and Chiefs Association. "We just don't need to condone the social problems."It seems that LYING is the greatest social problem facing this country today. The "gateway theory" has been disproven time and again. Pierini is just another drug-warrior who's afraid of losing his slice of the drug-war pie.THE WAY OUT IS THE WAY IN...Alex Jones Responds To Ben Chertoff, Popular Mechanics 9/11 Debunking Campaign:
http://www.prisonplanet.tv/audio/090305alexresponds.htmThe Colorado 9/11 Truth Activists Strike Again!
http://greeleybordc.org/colorado911/rockymtnbullhorn.htmlThoughts on Being More Effective:
http://www.911truth.org/article.php?story=20050308221007798Threshold Fears and Unanswered Questions About 9/11: 
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0306-23.htm9/11 Was an Inside Job - A Call to All True Patriots:
http://www.911sharethetruth.com/
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Comment #3 posted by FoM on March 09, 2005 at 18:08:39 PT
I Appreciate This Article Too
When I read an article where a person shares how it is trying to get medical marijuana it gives me hope that others might see too.
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Comment #2 posted by Taylor121 on March 09, 2005 at 17:46:21 PT
Liar
'"We do know marijuana is a gateway drug," said Douglas County Sheriff Ron Pierini, who is also the president of the Nevada Sheriffs and Chiefs Association. "We just don't need to condone the social problems." '"There is no evidence that marijuana serves as a stepping stone on the basis of its particular physiological effect." 
-National Institute of Medicine- Assessing the Science BaseRand casts doubt: http://www.rand.org/news/press.02/gateway.html
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on March 09, 2005 at 17:27:33 PT

AP: Nevada Lawmakers Pass Initiatives To Voters
By Elizabeth White, Associated PressMarch 09, 2005CARSON CTIY, Nev. (AP) - A Nevada Assembly panel decided not to vote Wednesday on two dueling initiative petitions - one more lenient than the other - that would tighten rules on smoking in public areas. The Assembly Judiciary inaction means both initiative petitions will now go to the voters in 2006. If both pass, the one with a higher number of "yes" votes will become law. While sponsors of both initiatives say they want to protect Nevadans, particularly children, from second-hand smoke, legislators noted one proposal, Initiative Proposal 1, goes a lot farther than the other, Initiative Proposal 2. IP1 would bar smoking inside grocery stores and convenience stores, many of which have slot machines and now allow smoking. It also would ban smoking inside restaurants but would allow it inside casinos and stand-alone bars, defined as those that don't share an area with a restaurant and only serve prepackaged foods like peanuts and popcorn. "If they are within the gaming area of the casino they can take their cocktail from the bar and take their cigarettes and puff away and gamble," said Helen Foley of the Clean Indoor Air Alliance. Brooke Wong, of the Nevada Tobacco Prevention Coalition, said the Centers for Disease Control issued an advisory to tell people that smoke-free environments can prevent lung cancer. She said exposure to second-hand smoke creates up to 26,000 asthma cases a year. But those in favor of IP2, which would allow smoking in restaurant bars and grocery store and convenience store gambling areas, said too many restrictions would hurt local taverns, cause layoffs and force them to choose between serving food and allowing smoking. Sean Higgins, general counsel of Herbst Gaming, Inc., said IP1 is a "fraud to the public," and could even include hotel rooms in the prohibition. But Wong, also director of program services for the Idaho-Nevada American Lung Association, said she never intended to go after hotel rooms. Sam McMullen of the Nevada Retail Association said gambling areas in grocery stores will be fully ventilated by 2007, three years ahead of an original deadline. "Our big test has been that the number of complaints has dropped off significantly since we started ventilating and alcoving the facilities" he said. Supporters of each proposal also differ on who should have control over the smoking regulations. IP1 sponsors want local city and county governments to be able to adopt stricter rules than their initiative requires. IP2 sponsors want control to remain with the state Legislature, and they say enforcement requirements in IP1 will put undue strain on local police. Stan Olsen of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said his organization is neutral on the proposals - but IP1 would create significant problems for law enforcement, which already has more cases than it can tackle. For either one of the initiatives to go into law without a public vote, the Senate and Assembly would have had to pass them by March 18, the 40th day of the session. They would then have gone on to Gov. Kenny Guinn for a signature. Judiciary Chairman Bernie Anderson, D-Sparks, said the committee didn't get the initiative petitions until recently because they were held up in litigation. Secretary of State Dean Heller decided the petitions fell short of the number of signatures to require the Legislature to act. But U.S. District Judge James Mahan on Jan. 28 overturned Heller and ordered lawmakers to consider them. Buffy Martin, government relations director for the Nevada branch of the American Cancer Society, said she didn't expect the committee to vote on IP1. "We've been struggling to pass this for 16 years," she said, adding that she thinks voters will approve IP1. Two years ago, the committee failed to take a vote on a bill to prohibit smoking on school grounds and in grocery stores and restaurants, although two-thirds of voters in Clark and Washoe counties requested the ban in advisory questions. A third initiative petition will be heard in Assembly Judiciary on Thursday. The petition would legalize possession and use of one ounce of marijuana by those over 21 years old, among other things. Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins, D-Henderson, has spoken out against the petition since the opening day of the legislative session and says he will "use every bit of influence I have to make sure it doesn't pass." Perkins, a Henderson police officer who said he's seen his fair share of suspects under the influence of drugs, said he expects to testify against the bill Thursday. Perkins held a press conference Wednesday with other police to voice concerns over the initiative. "We do know marijuana is a gateway drug," said Douglas County Sheriff Ron Pierini, who is also the president of the Nevada Sheriffs and Chiefs Association. "We just don't need to condone the social problems." Copyright: 2005 Associated Presshttp://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/nevada/2005/mar/09/030910096.html
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