cannabisnews.com: Weed Plan Ill Advised





Weed Plan Ill Advised
Posted by CN Staff on November 21, 2005 at 07:18:17 PT
By Chris Planer
Source: The Lantern
Ohio -- On first appraisal, it seems that the arguments in favor of allowing the medical use of marijuana are logically flawless. The fact that the demon weed has many therapeutic uses (for glaucoma, chronic nausea associated with chemotherapy, etc.) is pretty much beyond scientific dispute. Risks associated with marijuana usage (and everyone but fanatic stoners will admit that there are risks - face it, incinerating plant matter and inhaling it into your lungs cannot be entirely good for you) are relatively minor. No one would be likely to argue that marijuana is more dangerous than two other currently legal products - tobacco and alcohol - in terms of its effect on human health.
If these facts are beyond dispute why do I find so much wrong with the current push to legalize marijuana for medical usage? In sum, the argument strikes me as disingenuous, ill-advised and entirely missing the point.In regard to the argument being insincere, perhaps the federal government's underlying view of the medical marijuana advocates is correct. There is often an implicit stereotype in drug war propaganda that the medical marijuana argument is merely a Trojan Horse of legality and legitimacy concealing a gaggle of dirty, wild-eyed hippies who want nothing else but to get stoned. Some advocates of medical marijuana are clearly capitalizing on the suffering of many unfortunate people in order to get one foot in the door for the full legalization that they so obviously hope for. Why do activists resort to this ploy? It seems that either they do not have the courage to make the argument they want to make (that the government should not tell us what to put in our bodies) or they view it as tactically unwise to make such an argument at this time. If it is the latter than I understand, but I have a creeping suspicion that it is the former.It appears that the current strategy of many activists is to tout the plethora of medical uses for marijuana in an attempt to counter decades of government propaganda which could find nothing good to say about weed. Perhaps the reasoning is that if enough fringe medical benefits are established for marijuana then public opinion will eventually support the legal availability of the drug for medical uses and, eventually, for recreational uses as well. Tactically and philosophically, this does not sound like the best plan to follow.Is it really a good idea to support a new regime which would require everyone to get a doctor's prescription every time they want to smoke a joint? In this case, doctors could be regarded as one more set of experts whose approval is required in order to live out our lives the way we choose. And if the experience of the nation under Prohibition (where alcohol was generally illegal but available for some medical uses) is anything to go by, then this is definitely not the road we want to go down as it lead to all kinds of corruption. Besides all of this, the idea of a society where the government can easily find out who is smoking and who is not by examining medical records or pharmacy sales is just a little bit unsettling.The tactical emphasis on medical marijuana has meant that many well-meaning advocates are missing the entire point of what is wrong with the current regulatory regime. The point is not whether or not marijuana has benefits, the point is that the government has already preempted the individual's right to make this decision for themselves. When activists have a chance to take the principled stand that the government should not be telling us whether or not to use a relatively harmless substance they instead hide their head for shame and resort to appeals that likely apply to a very small segment of the current population of marijuana users. This seems dishonest, spineless and counterproductive.Chris Planer is a second-year MBA student studying marketing. He can be reached for comment, criticism or correspondence at: planer_1 cob.osu.edu Source: The Lantern (OH)Author: Chris PlanerPublished: Monday, November 21, 2005Copyright: 2005 ngda - The Lantern Contact: lantern osu.eduWebsite: http://www.thelantern.com/CannabisNews -- Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml
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Comment #25 posted by FoM on November 23, 2005 at 06:57:55 PT
Related Published Letter To The Editor
Marijuana Info, Responsible Uses***By Students for Sensible Drug Policy at OSUNovember 23, 2005To the Editor:The following is a response to Chris Planer's Nov. 21 column, "Weed plan ill-advised." We agree that the medical marijuana argument is not the best way to put the issue of legalizing marijuana on the table, but it is a tactic that pro-pot activists have been forced to use as a result of governmental propaganda. The American public has been preconditioned to view the recreational use of marijuana as immoral, dangerous, and detrimental to society. Students for Sensible Drug Policy at OSU does support the use of marijuana for medical purposes, but we also look at the plethora of other factors that should make its legalization a reality not a distant dream. Currently, the public does favor medical marijuana - more than seventy percent actually - but there are bigger issues.The government should definitely not be telling people what they can or cannot put in their bodies, especially when far more harmful substances such as alcohol and tobacco have legal, regulated and profitable industries. If marijuana was legal it could be produced and distributed in a safe and legal manner, which would result in a vast reduction in crime and imprisonment. The DEA and local authorities could focus resources on drugs that are actually dangerous and possibly reduce the amount of money spent annually fighting a war against America's own citizens (over $60 billion annually).Environmental implications also speak to marijuana's benefits. Marijuana is a renewable resource with a large number of uses besides the obvious. Hemp, the stalk of the plant, was used to make the first paper in China nearly 4,000 years ago. It also has many industrial uses as lubricants, ropes, fabrics and plastics. At the time it was made illegal by the federal government, Shell Oil Company was researching the use of hemp oil as a renewable, fuel-efficient and environmentally sound alternative to gasoline-powered automobiles.The economic benefits of legalization would go to an industry that needs the most help right now, farming. Instead of being paid by the government to produce smaller amounts of consumer crops, farmers could easily produce and sustain a crop that has a profitable, high-demand market. The current system allows the two most profitable American industries, oil and prescription drug companies, to maintain a marketplace monopoly of needed goods: energy and medicine.Research in these and other areas was halted when marijuana was banned in this country in the 1930s. Legalized, modern, unbiased research methods would find its applications to be far more plentiful. Also, new forms of consumption that do not require "incinerating plant matter and inhaling it into your lungs" could be developed for safer consumption.We are activists, not "spineless hippies" who, along with doctors, professors, politicians and police officers, are calling for the legalization of marijuana now to promote individual freedom and the progress of our country. SSDP does not encourage drug use, but that being said, we do not consider the marijuana plant to be a drug in the federally mandated sense.Copyright: 2005 The Lantern 
SSDP
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Comment #24 posted by observer on November 22, 2005 at 10:07:59 PT
pushing legalized marijuana
I find so much wrong with the current push to legalize marijuana for medical usageNote: "push" used to describe any lessening of the punishment of jail for any marijuana users, as if something foreign and evil is "pushed" - as drug "pusher" might "push" his wares.Similarly, note how not locking up a few medical patients for using cannabis is described as "legalize marijuana". Since the word "legalize" has been framed by mainstream media as meaning somthing akin to 'giving crack and heroin to toddlers via gum-ball machines,' saying medical cannabis laws "legalize marijuana" is useful to scare the bejesus out of Mom & Pop Bible-belt Red-State. This is what they hear.Some Authority: "Blah blah blah blah. push blah blah, legalize marijuana blah blah blah."Response: "Oh no Ethel! Them ungodly hippies is tryin' to legalize marijuana to push on our children!" 
http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/ 
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Comment #23 posted by mayan on November 21, 2005 at 17:10:22 PT
Eventually???
Perhaps the reasoning is that if enough fringe medical benefits are established for marijuana then public opinion will eventually support the legal availability of the drug for medical uses and, eventually, for recreational uses as well.What? Where has this guy been? Nearly 80% of the public already supports medicinal cannabis and, considering the Denver vote, the public is quickly shifting in favor of legal recreational cannabis.Let's teach him a thing or 200...planer_1 cob.osu.edu
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Comment #22 posted by FoM on November 21, 2005 at 13:35:34 PT
Potpal
I loaded my sister's video clip from her video camera on to my computer and then put it in Windows Movie Maker which came with my computer. Then after I figured it out I deleted the audio off the video clip and replaced it with the music I wanted. I then added a few pictures after the clip and faded out the music. It isn't hard now that I have figured out how to do it. You can put special effects between stops in the clip and between pictures too.
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Comment #21 posted by FoM on November 21, 2005 at 13:28:01 PT
Potpal 
That must be for Quicktime or a Mac right? Wmv is for Windows Media Player. It would be great to see people use the Internet. College students could ask other students a few questions when they are sitting out on the lawn like they do when the weather is nice. Someone could just ask a few questions where people meet at different events if it is allowed. The ideas are almost endless.
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Comment #20 posted by observer on November 21, 2005 at 13:16:43 PT
Why?
Chris Planer is a second-year MBA student studying marketing. ... 
why do I find so much wrong with the current push to legalize marijuana for medical usage? In sum ...Why? Maybe because Chris knows full well that most of his resumes will be going to large corporations or straight to the government, itself? Chris had better well denounce those pot-smoking "dishonest, spineless", "dirty hippies". When his employeers google his name, better if they find things that agree with the party line. And Chris best not mention unpleasant facts: jailing people like Todd McCormick, say. Yeah, keep pounding on "dirty hippies", that's the ticket. 
http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/
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Comment #19 posted by potpal on November 21, 2005 at 13:15:52 PT
FoM
The format is .mov. It is what gets cranked out of my Nikon 8800. To play, Quicktime Player picks it up and away it goes. Would like to learn a little more about editing and laying in a background track, stuff like that.Many of the digital cameras today make videos too, hence the proliferation of these 'shorts'.
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Comment #18 posted by FoM on November 21, 2005 at 13:08:13 PT
Taylor121
I know you believe in organizations to make the difference. I want to believe in organizations to make the difference but they never ask us what we feel about where the money is used. If they became more in touch with us then I wouldn't have a problem. Money is hard to come by for people these days and we all need to use it wisely. At least that's the way it is for me.
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Comment #17 posted by FoM on November 21, 2005 at 12:58:33 PT
Another Idea
With Christmas not to far off maybe some people could tape at a family gathering and ask the question how do you feel about the current laws surrounding marijuana? That might not work because some people might get angry that don't understand but it would be a way of capturing a video with different people's beliefs and input. We could use CNews as the link when it was uploaded to Google. I think the more people that will make a comment and it becomes available to see online would help us. Just a thought. 
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Comment #16 posted by Taylor121 on November 21, 2005 at 12:53:49 PT
Nice News
This is really good news on the UK thing. The ONDCP has tried to say that the UK was reversing their stance. It is even more clear the madness going on in Australia is just inflated bs now that they refused to do so. Cannabis reform is moving forward.http://www.mpp.orghttp://www.norml.orghttp://www.drugpolicy.orgDonate to reform!
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Comment #15 posted by siege on November 21, 2005 at 12:46:53 PT
"Cannabis to remain on low-risk list
Advisory Council advises against reversing reclassification of cannabis The following report apeared in news in brief in the Sunday Times 20.11.05"Cannabis to remain on low-risk listCANNABIS is to keep its listing as a low-risk drug. The Home Office downgraded the drug to class C in 2004, meaning it has a low risk of addiction and few long-term health hazards. The government's Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs found that although there was evidence linking cannabis and mental illness, it was not strong enough to justify raising its classification. "Although this news has not apparently been announced on any official Government websites at time of writing (21.11.05) information recieved by Transform and an earlier story in the Independent newspaper suggest it is correct.The Home Secretary will now decide how to act on this advice and we can expect an announcement from the Home Office in the next few days.http://www.tdpf.org.uk/MediaNews_LatestNews_20_11_05_cannabis_%20reclassification_announcement.htm
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Comment #14 posted by FoM on November 21, 2005 at 12:19:42 PT
Potpal
What format did you use? I only have been able to figure out wmv.
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Comment #13 posted by FoM on November 21, 2005 at 12:12:38 PT
Potpal 
I am amazed at what is going on now with the Internet. When your video is uploaded please post the link. With high speed connections soon we will be the TV! We had two camcorders and video taped many horse related training sessions. We haven't had a camcorder for years now but it might be worth getting one in the future since the price has dropped alot. I don't know what we would do with a camcorder now with no more horses. Do they even still call them camcorders? LOL!
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Comment #12 posted by runruff on November 21, 2005 at 12:10:45 PT:
Long haired dirty hippies just couldn't wait.
Every dirty haired dirty toed hippie I've ever known
had aready decided not wait for legalization to get high.
Besides to judge people in such a way is really a snobbish attitude and too judgemental. It may be their chosen lifestyle. I don't like to be dirty but then that's just me and doesn't in any way make me a more valuable person.
Here are a few pertinent quotes: "Marijuana in its natural form is one of the safest therapeutically active substances known to man. By any measure of rational analysis marijuana can be safly wsed within the supervised routine of medical care."-DEA Administrative Law Judge Francis L. Young"If people let governments decide what medicines to take and what foods to eat, their bodies will soon be in as sorry a state as are the souls of those who live under tyranny."-Thomas Jefferson
"
The secret of happieness is freedom and the secret of freedom is courage."-Thucydides"The more corrupt the state the more numerous the laws."-Tacitus Annals 11127"Never doubt that a small group of thoutful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that does."-Margaret Mead"What are politicians goin to tell people when the constition is gone and we still have a drug problem?"-William Simpson"The peoples right to change what does not work is one of the greatest principles in our system."-Richard Nixon"The prestige of government has undoubtedly been lowered considerably by the prohibition law. For nothing is more distructive of respect for the govrenment and the law of the land than passing laws which cannot be enforced."-Albert EinsteinThese quotes and much more is offered up by the individual who took the time and pains taking effort to compile it all
over at secretwebsites. Thank you oh fellow warrior.I feel Chris Planer left much unspoken 
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Comment #11 posted by potpal on November 21, 2005 at 12:03:31 PT
video google
Funny thing, I just not 5 minutes ago uploaded a time lapsed sunrise I took from here. Titled: Super sunrise. It is amazing, this internet revolution, and it's only just begun! When the analogy was made, that the internet was like giving everyone a printing press, this video/audio aspect was not quite factored in, more like a movie/tv studio to boot. 
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Comment #10 posted by E_Johnson on November 21, 2005 at 11:55:32 PT
OT for your amusement
A woman afraid of flying got drunk on a flight and tried to go outside for a smoke while the plane was in the air!
Lady tries to step outside plane for a cig
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Comment #9 posted by FoM on November 21, 2005 at 11:49:02 PT
Just a Suggestion
I have been thinking alot about videos and the Internet. I uploaded my sister's video on YouTube.com and last night I uploaded the same video on Google Video. I can't get over the volume of videos being uploaded. The video I uploaded last night still isn't on line and that tells me this feature is really popular and they must be backlogged. Every time I refresh this link new videos are added. Check it out. I hope to see more videos about Cannabis on Google soon. If anyone has a video made you might want to see about uploading it to Google so many people will be able to see it.http://video.google.com/
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Comment #8 posted by potpal on November 21, 2005 at 11:20:46 PT
Mr. Planer
Apparently this young man has some growing up, living and thinking to do before his arguments become genuine. He needs to discover his own thoughts and free himself from the prejudice and propaganda that he has picked up along the way.
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Comment #7 posted by afterburner on November 21, 2005 at 11:11:47 PT
'demon weed' 
Our friend, Carl Sagan once wrote a book entitled "The Demon-Obsessed World." I always wondered why a scientist would explore such a topic. Now, having read that Carl Sagan was chronic, the enquiry seems to flow.
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on November 21, 2005 at 09:40:05 PT
Dirty, Wild-Eyed Hippies 
What the heck are dirty, wild-eyed hippies? I have never met one. Where do they come up with this stuff? 
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Comment #5 posted by Toker00 on November 21, 2005 at 09:35:06 PT
Chris Planer
And the adacity to call cannabis "demon weed"? F**king neanderthal.Wage peace on war. END CANNABIS PROHIBTION NOW!
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Comment #4 posted by runderwo on November 21, 2005 at 09:32:32 PT
it's very simple
1) The people with the most objective knowledge about the cannabis plant and cannabis's therapeutic and spiritual uses are in favor of legalization. These people are called upon as sources of information because they are domain experts. Is the information right or wrong? Why attack their character ("potheads", "legalizers") if you can't refute their claims that cannabis is a medicine and is additionally more harmless than alcohol as a recreational drug?2) The "foot in the door" sounds sinister, but really. Cannabis has been demonized for so long that any active inquiry and realistic examination of its costs and benefits has been stamped out or ignored. Obviously medical use is a foot in the door in the sense that it will contradict the government's lies about reefer zombies and sexless amotivated young men. So why is contradicting lies a bad thing again?
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Comment #3 posted by Toker00 on November 21, 2005 at 09:28:41 PT
He may SEEM right, but HE misses the point, too.
What he is not realizing is that many of us push for medical cannabis, commercial hemp, AND recreational cannabis equally. But cannabists are not selfish. We realize the most immediate beneficiary would be someone who is sick, not someone who is well. That is not cowardice, that is compassion. But he thinks cannabists just want to get high...I have a real problem with that. I did not learn about cannabis from someone who just wants to get high. I learned from activists who have researched this plant from root to flower, and KNOW it's benefits inside and out. Some of these activists have never smoked cannabis. But they are humanitarians and guardians of compassion. Insincerity my butt. Cowards don't take the risk of prison for growing medicine to help others. I'm glad this is just one person's opinion, and not mainstream. This guy needs to catch up and talk to the REAL hippies, not the governments propagandized version.Wage peace on war. END CANNABIS PROHIBITION NOW! 
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on November 21, 2005 at 08:46:49 PT
Just My Thoughts
I know that Cannabis is good medicine but I also know that the laws that keep it illegal are wrong. It's a superior medicinal herb but it has been used by many generations just to relax. The medical use of marijuana is important but the government has fought us tooth and nail so lets get on with it and change the laws period.
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Comment #1 posted by OverwhelmSam on November 21, 2005 at 08:33:44 PT
He's Right Ya'Know
It's our right to use marijuana if we so chose. Although this concept brings out the "Yes I can. No you Can't" argument, no law against vice, prostitution, gambling, drugs, can work if the people decide to engage in these victimless activities. The government goes beyond their powers when they attempt to regulate these vices by imprisonment.Prostitution: Sex is legal, trade is legal, entering into a business arrangement for sex is not. Right.Gambling: Playing a game is legal, betting you'll beat the odds is not. Whatever.Drugs: Out Society is inundated with drugs. Putting people in jail for nothing more than using drugs is insane. Why?
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