cannabisnews.com: Bill Backs Medical Use for Pot Bill Backs Medical Use for Pot Posted by CN Staff on April 05, 2005 at 20:43:44 PT By Christy Hoppe, The Dallas Morning News Source: Dallas Morning News Austin, Texas -- Chris Cain, a quadriplegic, said for 10 years he took the heavy prescription narcotics that weakened his spasms but left him in "a zombie-like state," unable to work, interact or venture out of his home. Then a doctor recommended that he try marijuana, Mr. Cain told lawmakers during a hearing Tuesday on a bill that would allow the use of marijuana for medical reasons. Only a little stopped the spasms and allowed him to function. He got off the pills in 1994. "I was able to start leaving my house and going to places with friends. I was able to start working again," Mr. Cain said. Now 36, he runs a successful computer-based consulting business. Mr. Cain said marijuana gave him his life back. And it has made him a criminal. In July 2003, seven sheriff's cars and two police helicopters converged on his house in Kountze in southeast Texas. A misdemeanor amount of marijuana was seized. Mr. Cain said the officers took his computers and threw him in jail without nursing care. The case remains pending, he said. Snipped:Complete Article: http://www.freedomtoexhale.com/mmjtexas.htmSource: Dallas Morning News (TX)Author: Christy Hoppe, The Dallas Morning News Published: Tuesday, April 5, 2005 Copyright: 2005 The Dallas Morning NewsWebsite: http://www.dallasnews.com/Contact: letterstoeditor dallasnews.comRelated Articles & Web Site:Texans For Medical Marijuanahttp://texansformedicalmarijuana.org/MMJ: Texas Needs a Thoughtful Discussionhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20234.shtmlMedical Pot Law Backers Hopefulhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20152.shtmlPoll Finds 75% of Texans Support Med Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19840.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #13 posted by unkat27 on April 07, 2005 at 12:46:28 PT Poverty sucks Max, I'd love to move to California, but the cost of living is much too high there for my situation. I'm on SSI and have no other source of income at this time, so my place of residence is limited to low income housing. Coincidentally, I have discovered that the safest havens for cannabis users, even in the Mass-state where I live now, are high-rent communities like college towns where I can't afford to live, while the places I can afford to live are dominated by fascists and religious-right people who don't understand that cannabis is not the demon the government has made it out to be. When the fascists can't touch the wealthy estates, they love to pick on the poor. I am working with animation on my computer and hope to make it into a source of income, but that takes time. Animation production is a very time-consuming process. Hopefully, later this year, it will go somewhere. If it does, I'll be moving to either Canada or some pot-friendly state in the US. [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by FoM on April 07, 2005 at 10:46:20 PT Max Flowers I agree that if a person lives in a state that hasn't eased up on MJ Laws move. I also believe that states that are hard on Cannabis often are hard on other things too. [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by Max Flowers on April 07, 2005 at 10:42:20 PT unkat27, move to California for cripe's sake!! You are the latest poster to make me wonder in astonishment, why your life is not worth enough to you to move to a medpot-friendly state...?! If I had the problem you do, namely: - But it was just the opposite when I found some mj; it helped me overcome depression and anxiety was never a problem, and my work kept me going day after day with both interest and devotion, for as long as I had mj. Unfortunately, I do not live in a pot-friendly state and cannot legally use it as a medicine, and so, well, as much as it helps, I haven't had any now for over 11 months. I'd just like to conclude by saying, God, my life is BORING without marijuana (and I am ever so depressed). - ...I would make it my highest priority to move to place where this was not the case (hint: CALIFORNIA) so that my life would improve one hundred fold. What makes you stay in a place where the above is the case when you know there is a state that will let you live the way you want to live and be healthy (as healthy as you can be, at least)? Don't say family ties or money or any of that, as I won't understand, because while those things are important factors, they don't overrule---at least the way my mind works---the importance of peace of mind and health and not being persecuted!I am going to keep on urging people trapped in dysfunctional states to move to CA where the state law has at least some sanity. It seems so obvious, I just don't understand why you all have not done it way earlier, before I can even suggest it? What good are the "united states" to people if they don't feel free to move from an oppressive state to a less oppressive state? [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by FoM on April 07, 2005 at 07:32:49 PT Texas Affirmative Defense Bill Receives Hearing Take Action Now! http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/alert/?alertid=7140111&type=STFriends:NORML is pleased to announce that HB 658, a bill to enact a statewide affirmative defense for seriously ill patients who use marijuana therapeutically, continues to move forward in the Texas State Legislature. On Tuesday, April 5, 2005 the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee heard testimony in favor of House Bill 658. Though several members of the Committee responded positively to the testimony, no vote was called and the bill remains pending. Therefore, if you have not done so already, please take a moment today to write your Representative and tell him or her to support House Bill 658. Pre-written letters are available online from NORML at: http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/alert/?alertid=7140111&type=STIn addition, if your Representative serves on the Criminal Jurisprudence Committee, it is vital that you call him or her TODAY, and voice your support for medical marijuana. The Committee is expected to vote on this proposal in the near future.The following Representatives serve on the Criminal Jurisprudence Committee:Rep. Terry Keel (TX-47th), Chair – (512) 463-0652 Rep. Debbie Riddle (TX-150th), Vice-Chair – (512) 463-0572 Rep. Aaron Pena (TX-40th) - (512) 463-0426 Rep. Mary Denny (TX-63th) - (512) 463-0688 Rep. Juan M Escobar (TX-43th) - (512) 463-0666 Rep. Terri Hodge (TX-100th) - (512) 463-0586 Rep. Paul Moreno (TX-77th) - (512) 463-0638 Rep. Richard Raymond (TX-42nd) - (512) 463-0558 Rep. Elvira Reyna (TX-101st) - (512) 463-0464The large outpouring of support from people like yourself was partly responsible for HB 658 receiving Tuesday’s hearing. We hope that we can count on your support as the legislature continues to debate this vital piece of legislation.To help support NORML's state legislative efforts, please donate today at: https://secure.norml.org/join/Thank you again for your support of NORML's legislative efforts in Texas.Regards,Kris Krane, Associate Director NORML [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by Toker00 on April 07, 2005 at 05:59:11 PT Parasites... ...comes to mind, too. And not just on the MJ movement, but on the entire world. As well as sucking blood and eating rotten flesh, they suck the good from the earth, and don't share. There is enough wealth in this one country, US, to feed, clothe, and shelter every human being on the planet. The technology exists to create a virtual Heaven on Earth. It won't happen unless we turn from the material to the apiritual consiousness. A supreme consciousness. God has given us many uniters. Love is one. Understanding is one. Tolerance is one. Compassion is one. Cannabis is just one beneficial plant that God provided for our nourishment and well being. There are many others. Most are banned or will soon be. An obvious attempt to curtail spiritualism and resist the other uniters. A plant that will HEAL the Nations. You'll see.Peace. Legalize, then Revolutionize!(medicine)(energy)(nutrition) [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by unkat27 on April 06, 2005 at 20:54:08 PT Alcohol kills, Cannabis saves Lexapro? Thanx Taylor121, I'll check into it. But I'm not seeing my psyche now and I can't receive discounts without a doc's prescription. Somehow, dishing out 20 bucks for a few pills never seems to be as satisfying as 20 for a bag of good mj. Toker00, I was abusing alcohol for about 10 years until I began getting pains in my lower back and stomach. I stopped drinking after I found some friends who connected me with mj. But an anti-pot informer harrassed me so much he pushed me back on the drink and my spleen ruptured. I was in terrible pain for a month, couldn't eat anything but high-fiber cereals, and actually thought i might die. After the pain went away, I caught the informer in the act (he was banging the wall outside my room and running, 3 or 4 times, day and night), and he was evicted. But after that, the pain in my lower back was a recurring problem and I also developed an ulcer -- all because of alcohol. The antacid companies would not make any profit if it were not for alcohol abuse. Mj has no adverse effects when I use it medicinally, only positive effects. The people who campaign against mj reform to keep mj criminal are sadistic vampires and vultures, nothing more. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by Toker00 on April 06, 2005 at 15:07:13 PT Can I get a witness? unkat27 and taylor121, I also suffer from depression and anxiety dissorders. Without Cannabis, I get on the Manic side. I replaced Amitriptylene(spelling?) and Alcohol with Cannabis years ago. Saved my liver and other organs by doing so.Cannabis cannot be beat.Peace. Legalize, then Revolutionize. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by Taylor121 on April 06, 2005 at 09:49:53 PT I say lexapro because... All drugs effect people differently, but lexapro it a newer med that seems to have less side effects. With paxil and zoloft, I was reduced to a zombie, always falling asleep when I had aboligations. Lexapro lessened these side effects to where I can function.. but like I said, still not what mj did for me. Anyways hang in there. There is alot to live for. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by taylor121 on April 06, 2005 at 09:38:25 PT Wow-- unkat27 you are alot like me I have panic disorder, social/general anxiety disorder, and periodic insomnia. I have yet to find anything that helped me as much as marijuana, alas, I am on probation for a marijuana violation in Texas, currently on probation. Depression? Marijuana is amazing at fighting it head on. For your depression, you might try lexapro. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by unkat27 on April 06, 2005 at 09:06:30 PT Mj also good for Anxiety disorders In the article, Chris Cain said that the drugs precribed to him by doctors, while weakening his spasms, left him in a 'zombie-like' state and unable to do his work. Mj, in contrast, did not make him into a zombie while also helping his condition.I can agree that this has been the case with a lesser disorder as well. I was diagnosed with a shizoid personality disorder and the symptoms include severe depression, insomnia, and accute anxiety disorder. These problems all interfere with my regular life and work, such that I have been unable to hold a regular job or form workable relations with people. My psychologist put me on prescription pills a few years ago and all they did was make my life dull, pointless, and boring, and I was constantly too drowsy and disinterested to do my work. But it was just the opposite when I found some mj; it helped me overcome depression and anxiety was never a problem, and my work kept me going day after day with both interest and devotion, for as long as I had mj. Unfortunately, I do not live in a pot-friendly state and cannot legally use it as a medicine, and so, well, as much as it helps, I haven't had any now for over 11 months. I'd just like to conclude by saying, God, my life is BORING without marijuana (and I am ever so depressed). [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by goneposthole on April 06, 2005 at 07:48:43 PT Chris Cain is a 'criminal' In order to have a life, you must become a 'criminal'. You have to be chained to a narcotic so others can control your 'crime free life'?Louis Armstrong was a 'criminal'. Carl Sagan was a 'criminal'. John Kennedy was a 'criminal'. Steve Kubby is one hardened 'criminal' for saving his own life. Heck, being a 'criminal' puts you in good company. Donald Rumsfeld isn't a criminal. He's a good Murkan. George Bush isn't a criminal. He's a good Murkan. Dick Cheney is not a 'criminal'. Just a red blooded good Murkan. There you go.Stop the world, I want to get off. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by OverwhelmSam on April 06, 2005 at 04:21:25 PT A Federal Conspiracy To Keep Weed Illegal? I don't buy into a lot of conspiracy theories, but it seems like governor's offices around the country are proactive about keeping marijuana illegal. Did the Federal government brief them and tell them not to sign?As far as that jerk Perry is concerned, let's boot him in the next election. I'm telling you guys, as soon as politicians start getting de-elected in part for their stance against marijuana, they'll change their tune. (I often wonder why the the marijuana reform groups are not focusing on individual politicians who are against marijuana reform? It's the only effective avenue that we have which will work.)Overwhelm Uncle Sam [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Taylor121 on April 05, 2005 at 23:37:48 PT Frustrating 'Governor Rick Perry doesn't support the bill. His office says the bill would encourage illicit drug use, and the state needs to focus on curbing that.'HB 254 and HB 658 have so much going against them. I get really frustrated sometimes. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment