cannabisnews.com: Melissa Etheridge Says She Used Med Marijuana Melissa Etheridge Says She Used Med Marijuana Posted by CN Staff on October 14, 2005 at 09:38:54 PT By The Associated Press Source: Associated Press New York -- Melissa Etheridge says she smoked medicinal marijuana to help with the side effects of chemotherapy during her treatment for breast cancer. The 44-year-old singer, who was diagnosed over a year ago, is now cancer-free."Instead of taking five or six of the prescriptions, I decided to go a natural route and smoke marijuana," Etheridge says in an interview to air Sunday on "Dateline NBC" (7 p.m. EDT). When asked how her doctors reacted, Etheridge says, "Every single one was, `Oh, yeah. That's the best help for the effects of chemotherapy.'"The singer said she smoked marijuana every day for her pain and symptoms and "the minute I didn't feel it, I stopped."The use of marijuana with a doctor's recommendation is legal in California and nine other states, but is against federal law. Asked if she was concerned about federal prosecution, Etheridge replied, "No, I didn't worry. But it was worth it."Etheridge, who grew up in Leavenworth, Kan., recently released a new greatest hits album, "The Road Less Traveled," including the new song "I Run for Life," which is dedicated to the fight against breast cancer.Complete Title: Melissa Etheridge Says She Used Medicinal Marijuana During ChemotherapyON THE NEThttp://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032600/http://www.melissaetheridge.com/Source: Associated Press (Wire)Published: October 14, 2005Copyright: 2005 The Associated Press CannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #24 posted by FoM on October 16, 2005 at 10:34:51 PT Hope When I showed that picture to my husband he cracked up laughing. It sure made me laugh too. Glad you liked it. [ Post Comment ] Comment #23 posted by FoM on October 16, 2005 at 10:33:25 PT Friendly Reminder: Dateline Tonight Survivor and singer Melissa Etheridge speaks out on medicinal marijuana (Stone Phillips)October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and we here at "Dateline" thought it a perfect time to check in with a survivor who was diagnosed a year ago this month: multi-platinum, multi-Grammy winner, Melissa Etheridge. Eight months ago, she talked about her battle against breast cancer for the first time on Dateline. In an interview to be broadcast Sunday night, Etheridge reveals new details about her struggle, including her decision to use a controversial drug to help her get through chemotherapy -- marijuana. "Instead of taking five or six of the prescriptions, I decided to go a natural route and smoke marijuana," she says. When asked if her doctors recommend this drug, Etheridge says that from the surgeons to the oncologists, everyone told her it was the best thing for the side effects of chemotherapy. Etheridge admits she used it everyday for her pain and symptoms but that "the minute I didn't feel it, I stopped." The medical community remains divided on medicinal marijuana, and although California is one of the 10 states that allows seriously ill people to use marijuana with a doctor's recommendation, federal law prohibits the drug under any circumstance. She says she wasn't worried about the risk of federal prosecution. "It was worth it," she adds.Etheridge, who is now cancer-free and feeling better than ever, told "Dateline" that it took cancer for her to stop putting her career before her family. "Cancer's like the ultimate excuse. Who's gonna say, 'Oh, no, you have to show up for this one?' It's the ultimate eraser," says Etheridge.In the face of possible death, she says, her life "became simple and cleared up." The interview airs on Dateline this Sunday, 7 p.m./ 6 C. Click here to watch Etheridge play an excerpt of her new song, "This is Not Goodbye," which she wrote while she was in chemotherapy to acknowledge the difficulties cancer patients' loved ones face. http://msnbc.msn.com/id/9590453/#051014a [ Post Comment ] Comment #22 posted by Hope on October 16, 2005 at 08:23:21 PT Picture of Neil I'd like to have a t-shirt with that printed on it. [ Post Comment ] Comment #21 posted by Hope on October 16, 2005 at 08:22:27 PT Picture of Neil That is a good one. [ Post Comment ] Comment #20 posted by FoM on October 15, 2005 at 20:37:51 PT EJ Something Funny Here I'm surfing around and just listened to an interview from Switzerland and I found this picture of Neil with his new hat he has been wearing recently.http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/ragland14/detail?.dir=17b6&.dnm=1e6d.jpg [ Post Comment ] Comment #19 posted by billos on October 15, 2005 at 04:54:27 PT ...........Poor Melissa......... She, as many did, smoked for physical ailments, as do I. But it really helps the emotional stress too.Makes me wish I could wake up baked. That way my day wouldn't be ruined upon first light of cognizant thought that BushCo is still in Washington.(((((wake at 4AM and eat a brownie then go back to bed??!?!?!))))) [ Post Comment ] Comment #18 posted by mayan on October 15, 2005 at 04:50:35 PT Misc. Some Buddhists in Sri Lanka are seeking to legalize the herb! Maybe they've been reading Cannabis News...High Stakes: http://www.lankabusinessonline.com/new_full_story.php?subcatcode=22&catname=Offbeat&newscode=354848322Other cannabis related news...Pot backers won't halt domestic violence ads: http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_4160629,00.htmlLivermore officials study ways to create safe marijuana clinics - City meanwhile renews moratorium on pot clubs for 20 months: http://www.insidebayarea.com/dailyreview/localnews/ci_3119690THE WAY OUT...DAVID RAY GRIFFIN COMES TO NEW YORK CITY! http://ny911truth.org/Behind Every Terrorist - There is a Bush - New 9/11 Related DVD: http://www.911blogger.com/2005/10/behind-every-terrorist-there-is-bush.htmlKarl Schwarz - The 9/11 Truth Candidate: http://www.karlschwarz2008.com/BTW, Melissa Etheridge rocks! We will see more and more celebrities come out of the woodwork as it is becoming increasingly popular by the day to disagree with the federal government! [ Post Comment ] Comment #17 posted by FoM on October 14, 2005 at 18:09:34 PT Thanks EJ I was outside mowing today and had my headphones on and was listening to Prairie Wind. We had such a drought this summer. We didn't need to mow much then the weather turned and the grass is rich and thick once again. The trees are starting to shed their leaves and the air smells so fresh and crisp. I was in my own little world for a while today. [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by E_Johnson on October 14, 2005 at 18:02:23 PT That's great FoM! That's wonderful. Conan O'Brien has good taste and great timing. [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by Hope on October 14, 2005 at 18:00:03 PT Kaptinemo Fixin to send you an email...don't dump it! [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by Hope on October 14, 2005 at 17:51:28 PT Thank you, Melissa. A lot of women who have been through what Melissa has been through are probably wondering why this option wasn't available to them and they may decide to do something about it for the sake of future chemotherapy patients in their states.Even if it's a little help, which it's obvious it's more than "a little" for some people, but even if it's just a little help, why not make it available? Sometimes, just a little help in getting through those things can mean all the difference in the world. [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by FoM on October 14, 2005 at 17:09:36 PT E-Online: Melissa Etheridge Meets Mary Jane By Josh Grossberg Oct 14, 2005Come to Melissa Etheridge's and you might smell something funny. In an interview with NBC's Dateline airing this weekend, the rocker opens up about her high-profile battle with breast cancer and admits for the first time to smoking medical marijuana to help her cope with the side effects of her chemotherapy treatment. "Instead of taking five or six of the prescriptions, I decided to go to a natural route and smoke marijuana," Etheridge told anchor Stone Phillips during the sit-down, which airs Sunday at 7 p.m. ET/PT. The segment also features Etheridge performing two songs. Prescription-obtained pot is legal in California and nine other states. Doctors say the drug helps to relieve the chronic pain many cancer patients endure as they undergo radiation and chemo. However, federal law has yet to embrace medical marijuana and the Supreme Court ruled in June that those who smoke it can be prosecuted for violating federal drug laws. When Phillips asked her whether or not her doctors approved of her toking up, Etheridge replied: "Every single one was, 'Oh, yeah. That's the best help for the effects of chemotherapy.' " Asked if she was at all concerned about being arrested, the two-time Grammy winner replied, "No, I didn't worry. But it was worth it." Etheridge announced she had been diagnosed with the disease last October and underwent a successful lumpectomy a week later. In February, she made a triumphant appearance at the Grammys sporting a bald head and joined Joss Stone for a rousing rendition of Janis Joplin's "Piece of My Heart. After months of treatment, the Lucky singer was recently declared cancer-free and has returned to making music. Two weeks ago, Etheridge released a greatest hits collection, The Road Less Traveled, featuring the new single, "I Run for Life," an anthem she wrote about her struggles against breast cancer. As for how she's doing now, Etheridge told Phillips the health crisis really reshaped her priorities, putting her family ahead of her career. "Cancer's like the ultimate excuse. . .who's gonna say, 'Oh, no, you have to show up for this one?'. . .It's the ultimate eraser," she said, adding that her life "became simple and cleared up." As she continues to write, record and perform--and may even star in a sitcom--the entertainer also intends to use her celebrity status to raise money for the fight against breast cancer. Etheridge surprised about 300 UCLA students by turning up at a cancer biology class last week and relating her struggles; the class was captured on camera for a special airing Monday on MTV's college network, MTVU. Meanwhile, all sales of "I Run For Life" are being donated to breast cancer awareness initiatives. Copyright: 2005 E! Entertainment Television, Inc. http://www.eonline.com/News/Items/0,1,17582,00.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by runderwo on October 14, 2005 at 17:08:49 PT endorsement "Bah, she's just another one of them artsy pot-smoking lib'rals. Why should I listen to her?" [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by Jim Lunsford on October 14, 2005 at 16:59:59 PT E Joh non Since marijuana has been shown to inhibit cancer, and a study of the chinese (1800)as observed by the brits concludes that if you have hemp in your diet, you won't have cancer. I think if weed were legal, chemotherapy would be a thing of the past. Boy, am I baked today. Just smoking and meditating all day. It certainly is hard to be depressed while stoned. And they just now figured that one out? I think change is in the air. What a refreshing hemp smell it is as well!Rev JimBeing baked: How to succeed in your inner life [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by Taylor121 on October 14, 2005 at 16:36:55 PT Let's try to remove the anti-pot ads Can you spare one minute to help eliminate the White House drug czar's outrageous marijuana ads? These ads have featured stoned teenagers driving over a little girl on a bicycle, one stoned teenager shooting another in his parents' den, another stoned teenager date-raping another, and a teenager who gets pregnant because she smoked marijuana. Another ad claimed that people who buy marijuana are funding terrorism.You can help end these deceptive ads for good by sending a letter to your three members of Congress right now.With the ads overwhelmingly criticized as wasteful and ineffective, the Republican Study Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives — which includes nearly half of all House Republicans — has recommended eliminating the ad campaign entirely to help offset the costs of Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts. This would produce an estimated savings of $631 million over the next five years.The Marijuana Policy Project has lobbied for years to eliminate all funding for the drug czar's deceptive ads. Past grassroots efforts have resulted in dramatic cuts to the program — 33% over the last three years alone — but now we have our first real chance to eliminate the ads entirely.Please click here to send a quick letter to your U.S. representative and two U.S. senators to ask them to wipe out the drug czar's ad campaign.Every independent analysis has shown the ad campaign to be a failure. An independent evaluation commissioned by the National Institute on Drug Abuse in 2003 concluded, "There is little evidence of direct favorable Campaign effects on youth." And the Senate Appropriations Committee noted this summer that it "continues to be concerned about the direction and efficacy of the Media Campaign as it is currently structured." Yet the deceptive ads continue.We finally have the chance to stop these misleading ads for good. If you've read this far but haven't taken action yet, please send your letter to Congress now.Thank you.Sincerely,Rob Kampia Executive Director Marijuana Policy Project Washington, D.C.http://www.kintera.org/siteapps/advocacy/index.aspx?sid=78639554&msource=10000&auid=1158440&c=bgLPI7OEKnF&b=1097567&action=4487&template=x.ascx [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by FoM on October 14, 2005 at 15:21:29 PT Off Topic: EJ On My Birthday To Boot! "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" to Host Neil Young for a Week-Long Stint as Musical GuestLegendary Musician To Appear November 1-4 BURBANK, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 10/14/2005 -- NBC's "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" once again breaks format to bring in the biggest names in music, welcoming Neil Young as musical guest for the entire week of shows November 1-4 (12:35 am - 1:35 am, ET). This announcement comes on the heels of the groundbreaking entire episode with U2 last week, and follows in the footsteps of other format-busting bookings of The White Stripes for a week and The Strokes for a month of Tuesdays. "I wanted two solid months of Neil Young, but he told me it was, quote, 'getting creepy,'" quipped O'Brien. Young has created one of the most exciting and groundbreaking legacies in rock and roll history. A multiple Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member, Young has become known as a musical innovator and inspiration, running the gamut of recordings, live performances and film endeavors. Over the last forty years, the acclaimed singer-songwriter has often been cited as the artist that leads the way for others through an uncompromising pursuit of staying true to his music. Young's latest release "Prairie Wind" is no exception. It is receiving universal acclaim, placing it in the pantheon of such Young classics as "Harvest" and "Harvest Moon." The New York Daily News described the record as "the loveliest melodies and performances of his 40-year career;" while Esquire magazine stated simply, "'Prairie Wind' is not just the album Neil Young's career needed but one our record collections needed even more." Young also recently collaborated on a concert film directed by Academy Award®-winner Jonathan Demme, performing with a number of special guests at Nashville's legendary Ryman Auditorium (home of the Grand Ole Opry). The film is scheduled for a February release. Since its debut in 1993, "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" has been the premiere venue for alternative music acts. In its almost ten-year run, the show has welcomed one of the most diverse and cutting-edge assortments of musical performers on network television. Visitors to the program range from living legends and current hit makers to underground sensations. In addition, "Late Night" boasts the network television debuts of superstar acts like Radiohead, Green Day, Sheryl Crow, Coldplay, No Doubt and Wilco among many others. "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" is from NBC Universal Television Studios in association with Conaco and Broadway Video. Lorne Michaels and Jeff Ross are the executive producers. Allan Kartun directs. Mike Sweeney is head writer. http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release_html_b1?release_id=98006 Neil Young: Prairie Wind [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by MikeC on October 14, 2005 at 14:41:14 PT Thank you Melissa!!! We need more celebrities to speak up! [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by E_Johnson on October 14, 2005 at 13:06:57 PT I wonder... whether spraying cannabis tincture on your head every night could help preserve hair follicles from chemo?Just a thought...They say breast cnacer chemo can leave a patient cognitively impaired and it can take between one to three years for their smarts to come back.So that's another area where research should be done. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by FoM on October 14, 2005 at 12:21:22 PT A Video of Melissa I'm watching the video. She is a powerful singer. I don't have any of her music but she really is good.http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/melissa_etheridge/artist.jhtml [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by FoM on October 14, 2005 at 12:07:14 PT kaptinemo I love Janis Joplin's music. Melissa sang a tribute to Janis ( Another Piece of My Heart) at the Grammys. It was as good as Janis singing it. She didn't have any hair because of Chemo and her performance just blew me away. Thank you Melissa. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by kaptinemo on October 14, 2005 at 12:01:12 PT: I still have her "Brave and Crazy" album She always impressed me as one gutsy lady. She's proved it again. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by FoM on October 14, 2005 at 10:17:14 PT Listen To A Little of Her Song http://www.melissaetheridge.com/ [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by E_Johnson on October 14, 2005 at 10:12:19 PT Thank you Melissa!!! She's so brave to speak up in public about this. Maybe news of Steve Tuck's plight made her take this step. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on October 14, 2005 at 09:39:42 PT Forgive My Religious Comment But Thank You Jesus! [ Post Comment ] Post Comment