cannabisnews.com: Legalize The Medicinal Use of Marijuana










  Legalize The Medicinal Use of Marijuana

Posted by CN Staff on February 17, 2009 at 07:16:36 PT
Editorial 
Source: Concord Monitor 

New Hampshire -- The federal government's refusal to acknowledge that marijuana in small, prescribed quantities has well-documented medicinal uses began long before former president George W. Bush launched his war on science. But because no truce has been declared in that war, countless people are suffering needlessly and dying in pain that might have been alleviated. Last week, Lancaster Rep. Evalyn Merrick, a victim of myeloma, described for her fellow lawmakers how even a minute amount of marijuana, in her case one puff, was enough to allow her to hold down food and drink for the first time since her illness worsened.
Merrick is again sponsoring a bill that would allow physicians to prescribe marijuana for qualified patients under strict and careful guidelines. Her 2007 version of the bill easily passed the House, but it died from a threatened veto by Gov. John Lynch. This time, it deserves to sail through. Marijuana, for reasons that are still being researched, sometimes works to alleviate symptoms of illness and the effects of chemotherapy and other treatments when nothing else does. Synthetic versions of the banned drug's active ingredients have not worked as well, though that could change. At last count, 13 states have passed laws permitting the prescription, possession and use of medical marijuana, but all those laws are superseded by outmoded federal laws that are more a product of fear than science. Among the fearful are lawmakers who worry that if they vote to legalize medical marijuana, they will be seen as soft on drugs and crime and thus vulnerable come election. Some courage in the face of suffering. The New England Journal of Medicine endorsed the use of medical marijuana more than a decade ago, and thousands of people have been helped, often through the use of illegally procured supplies. The reality is that marijuana is readily available, and when someone is in great pain or dying, fear of prosecution is a small barrier. Only the ill who are old or isolated have difficulty obtaining it. It's wrong to make criminals of people who had the terrible misfortune of being struck down by disease. As Belmont Rep. James Pilliod, a physician, says, marijuana is much weaker and less dangerous than many pain relievers doctors can prescribe legally. Since the strength of the drug varies widely, it's currently impossible to administer a standard dosage. And smoking anything negatively impacts health. But since overdosing is virtually impossible, patients should, within reason, be allowed to determine what dose works for them. Enforcement of anti-marijuana laws by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration has been a problem, but unlike Bush, President Obama sees the issue as one of states' rights. He has said that he intends to stop the raids on medical marijuana facilities and the arrests of patients who use the drug. If, as we assume, Merrick's bill passes the House again, we hope that the medical profession and other sufferers who benefit from using the drug will meet face-to-face with Lynch and state senators to let them know that a "no" vote will condemn some of their constituents to needless pain and suffering. Source: Concord Monitor (NH)Published: February 17, 2009Copyright: 2009 Monitor Publishing CompanyContact: letters cmonitor.comWebsite: http://www.concordmonitor.comURL: http://drugsense.org/url/EkFN7oKO CannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml

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Comment #11 posted by FoM on February 18, 2009 at 05:52:55 PT
pottalktv
Thank you for the work you are doing and thank you for sharing it with us.
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Comment #10 posted by pottalktv on February 17, 2009 at 23:08:31 PT:
My Videos out on the Internet
Check out the videos on my YouTube channel. Also feel free to Google Me! pottalktv or tonyderenzo
Pot Talk TV's YouTube Channel
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Comment #9 posted by pottalktv on February 17, 2009 at 23:01:38 PT:
Check out my Live Medical Marijuana Talk Show
A Live Internet Medical Marijuana Talk Show   Ustream.tv every Wednesday at 4 PM to 5 PM (PST). Check it out.
Pot Talk TV Live Broadcast
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Comment #8 posted by FoM on February 17, 2009 at 14:00:44 PT
Potpal
I'm glad she is going thru the chemo ok. My niece went into kidney failure after her first treatment. She was suppose to have 13 or so treatments and she was only able to handle 4 of them. 
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Comment #7 posted by potpal on February 17, 2009 at 13:56:47 PT
fom
Thank you. She'll get her last chemo treatment come Monday...so far so good.
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on February 17, 2009 at 11:18:13 PT
Potpal
I'm really sorry to read about your friend.
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Comment #5 posted by FoM on February 17, 2009 at 10:53:34 PT

OT: Recession Threatens To Burn Out Pot Clubs
February 17, 2009URL: http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/Recession-threatens-to-burn-out-pot-clubs-39698057.html
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Comment #4 posted by mykeyb420 on February 17, 2009 at 10:28:51 PT

off topic
A co-worker friend of mine has his own internet show called " Pot-Talk TV " with your host Tony DeRenzo. This past Sunday was Feb 15th or 2/15. In California, it is the second most celebrated pot related holiday after 4/20. This is because of proposition 215 passed in 1996. Tony took his show on the road to Denis Peron's house to video the festivities. 
Pottalk TV
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Comment #3 posted by runruff on February 17, 2009 at 09:25:54 PT

I'm all over the place here!
I found only one doctor in the Northwest prescribing Marinol. He is covering three states trying to bring relief to the suffering and help preserve eyesight. He said that Marinol is not a medicine. I am saying this next comment and not quoting the good doctor; You can use the Marinol prescription to cover your job if you get pee tested or if you are on parole.He did say that the whole flower top [bud] was the real medicine.I've had an interesting time all these many years watching the truth unfold. It brings to mind all the adages and sayings that go with describing truth and the power in it!
Of all the carefully crafted lies and richly textured, colorful propaganda, I see the truth keep popping up it's smiling, bouncing little head. Ooh that truth! What consternation! Social engineering is so difficult with a pesky little thing like truth just hanging around and won't go 'way!I am 1/2 American Indian [more really]. I identify with this side of my heritage very strongly. Truth among my ancestors was something one would live and die by. Lies were so unneeded and uncommon. I want to share with you this wonderful speech by a very wise man, Chief Seattle. http://www.halcyon.com/arborhts/chiefsea.html
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Comment #2 posted by potpal on February 17, 2009 at 08:34:29 PT

Doctors...
Need to climb aboard 'end the reefer madness train' and begin demanding the use of medicinal cannabis. I have a friend going through chemo treatments for ovarian cancer in PA and she tells me her cannabis use is encouraged by her doctor and her request to try Marinal was shot down, her doctor stated, it will only make you paranoid. So, why aren't more doctors speaking up and confronting the DEA stance?What's up, Doc?
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on February 17, 2009 at 08:05:10 PT

Just a Comment
I wish that I could find the information from this excerpt.Excerpt: He has said that he intends to stop the raids on medical marijuana facilities and the arrests of patients who use the drug.
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