cannabisnews.com: Medical Marijuana - A Rational Approach





Medical Marijuana - A Rational Approach
Posted by CN Staff on February 26, 2009 at 04:49:54 PT
Editorial
Source: Press of Atlantic City
New Jersey -- The state Senate finally passed a compassionate and rational bill that would allow the use of medical marijuana for debilitating illnesses. But it is unclear when the Assembly will take up the measure. Why the possible delay? Some observers believe it's because Assembly members are up for re-election this year and fear tackling a controversial issue.There are unquestionably many people opposed to this bill. But frankly, we think the medical- marijuana issue is a heck of a lot less controversial than some politicians apparently do. As bill sponsor state Sen. Jim Whelan, D-Atlantic, said, "It's been a surprise to me but the overwhelming response has been positive. People recognize that this is a bill aimed at getting pain relief."
Of course they do. And 13 other states have recognized that as well and passed medical marijuana laws.Some opponents say they support the concept of medical marijuana for people who have cancer or multiple sclerosis, but believe the bill is written too broadly. The bill allows the use of medical marijuana for specific conditions that include cancer, glaucoma, wasting syndrome, severe or chronic pain, severe nausea, seizures and severe and persistent muscle spasms.But there are important safeguards in the bill. First, the patient's physician must certify that the patient has a qualifying debilitating condition and that conventional medications are not as effective as marijuana. Then, the patient must get approval from the state Department of Health and Senior Services, which would issue identification cards. And the state would keep records and issue an annual report tracking the number of cards issued and types of conditions they were issued for. Patients would be allowed to have six marijuana plants and an ounce of marijuana in their possession. None of the 13 states with similar laws have smaller possession limits.Criminalizing the use of marijuana in cases where it can ease a patient's suffering is a bizarre - and cruel - disconnect in public health policy. The same poppy plants that produce heroin can be used to produce painkillers such as codeine and morphine. We consider the use of these and other painkillers - which can be physically addictive - to be a judgment call on the part of a physician. What the state Senate bill would do is make the use of medical marijuana a similar judgment call by doctors. We don't ban prescription painkillers because we fear doctors will allow them to be abused by patients. We shouldn't ban the medical use of marijuana, either.Politicians sometimes misjudge the amount of voter backlash on such issues. The Assembly ought to pass this bill and become the 14th state to have a compassionate, sensible medical-marijuana law on the books. As Whelan said, "Given the positive response, frankly, that I've gotten and others have gotten on this, I don't see it as being much of an election issue one way or the other."Source: Press of Atlantic City, The (NJ)Published: Thursday, February 26, 2009Copyright: 2009 South Jersey Publishing Co.Contact: letters pressofac.comWebsite: http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/Related Articles & Web Site:Coalition for Medical Marijuanahttp://www.cmmnj.org/NJ Senate Passes Medical Marijuana Billhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread24514.shtmlSenate Votes Today To Legalize Med Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread24509.shtml 
Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help




Comment #27 posted by FoM on February 26, 2009 at 11:16:43 PT
Sam
He has gone further then Clinton already. Obama is a commanding leader with a sensitive nature. The buck will stop with him in my opinion. 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #26 posted by Sam Adams on February 26, 2009 at 11:12:16 PT
okay
So Obama has moved us back to the way things were in 2000 under Clinton. Good job! Let's hope he takes us a lot farther than that.I like the way Holder answered this question though - re-iterating that Obama is his boss now - remember, Holder has not supported med MJ in the past. Hopefully this is Obama re-directing his tough guys to work in a progressive way from now on.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #25 posted by FoM on February 26, 2009 at 11:04:12 PT
MarijuanaSavesLives
You're welcome.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #24 posted by FoM on February 26, 2009 at 11:01:47 PT
Just My Thoughts
How hard it must have been standing in the room with the current head of the DEA under Bush and say what he said.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #23 posted by Hope on February 26, 2009 at 10:53:05 PT
comment 20
Oh my.I had to watch it three times before I could comprehend what he was saying. He doesn't look like he feels well at all.Maybe it's the time of year. But my mothering senses kick in a lot during this season, and when I detect in anyone's demeanor that they don't feel well, I start being concerned that they're sick or getting sick.After I finally was able to get past that and really listen to him and what he was trying to convey... I'm pretty impressed. If he'd felt better he could have delivered that even better.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #22 posted by Hope on February 26, 2009 at 10:44:21 PT
Comment 15
That's a very long, very dark, very painful, exhausting even, recall of history to start with. But it is a painful history. Very painful. It's very painful to recall all the sorrow wrought by this prohibition. It's painful knowing people have died because of it. It's painful to have lived it and be living it. As we all know, all too well. It's a dark time, as we here know. Maybe that really is light on the horizon this time.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #21 posted by MarijuanaSavesLives on February 26, 2009 at 10:41:47 PT
Thanks FoM
Thank you for the Video. Out of all the video here on the web very few make me feel the way that did... Mucho Respecto Por-taa-blay (much respect thank you)
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #20 posted by FoM on February 26, 2009 at 09:39:17 PT
Check It Out!
US Attorney General Eric Holder: Ending Medical Marijuana Raids now US Policyhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjZeW2fcQHM
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #19 posted by FoM on February 26, 2009 at 09:14:36 PT
runruff
I am looking forward to the person President Obama picks to fill her position since Obama appears to making good decisions so far.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #18 posted by runruff on February 26, 2009 at 09:10:15 PT
If history is any teacher .........
It should take about one week to repair the damage done by the pesky DEA and to continue operations as usual. As we all know where there is a demand there will be a supply.This is all a big dog and pony show! If all goes as planed this high profile operation should be enough to sustain a decent budget the next go 'round!"We successfully concluded the largest and hardest hitting operation to ever target the very violent and dangerously powerful Sinaloa drug cartel," said DEA Acting Administrator Michele M. Leonhart. Then Ms. Leonhart retired to have her damaged nails redone!
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #17 posted by FoM on February 26, 2009 at 08:48:13 PT
Just Something Else
I have looked at google so many times over the years I don't notice the ads. Does anyone know when google started allowing medical marijuana type ads? If I search marijuana I don't get any ads but I do with medical marijuana. Maybe it is just on my computer since it has been acting weird lately.http://news.google.com/news?ned=us&hl=en&q=medical+marijuana
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #16 posted by FoM on February 26, 2009 at 08:33:28 PT
Related Article From Raw Story
Justice Department Will Stop Medical Marijuana Raids, Attorney General Says John ByrnePublished: Thursday, February 26, 2009 URL: http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Justice_Department_will_stop_medical_marijuana_0226.html
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #15 posted by FoM on February 26, 2009 at 08:31:22 PT
News Article From The Huffington Post
Holder Vows To End Raids On Medical Marijuana Clubshttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/02/26/holder-vows-to-end-raids_n_170119.html
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #14 posted by FoM on February 26, 2009 at 08:22:38 PT
runruff
I think it would because of the problem at the southern border. They just did a big bust and that is where Eric Holder said what he said about medical marijuana. 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #13 posted by runruff on February 26, 2009 at 08:18:34 PT
DEA budget 2009 ?
Whay are they getting more money?http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/fy2009/justice.html
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #12 posted by FoM on February 26, 2009 at 08:02:55 PT
goneposthole
I don't understand how legalizing cannabis would help except for maybe a year or so. If it is legalized everyone will grow and sell it. When it is finally able to be grown in a person's garden it will be free. How can they tax free?PS: I'm not saying it shouldn't legalized but just what I see as the future once it would be done.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #11 posted by FoM on February 26, 2009 at 07:58:23 PT
goneposthole
I don't think we have even begun to go down yet. My husband hasn't had any steel to haul for 4 months and it looks grim for the future.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #10 posted by goneposthole on February 26, 2009 at 07:54:38 PT
What is going on?
In California, there are 40 thousand applicants for 350 available housing vouchers in Conta Costa county.People who were making 60 to 100 thousand dollars per year are now asking for help.California would be very wise to legalize cannabis. If they have to secede to make their point, they should.This economy is in a economic depression and it not going to go away with Obama's words alone.Things must change drastically. Legalizing cannabis is a clear option that cannot be avoided or ignored.It must happen. We are in a desperate situation.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #9 posted by FoM on February 26, 2009 at 06:43:37 PT
runruff 
LOL!
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #8 posted by runruff on February 26, 2009 at 06:40:49 PT
Climate change alert!
I think the temperature in hell just fell to 32 degrees!
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #7 posted by FoM on February 26, 2009 at 06:18:34 PT
OverwhelmSam
That's why I didn't understand. I have never watched anything about a Matrix. I watch the Discovery Channel. LOL!
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #6 posted by OverwhelmSam on February 26, 2009 at 06:16:22 PT
FoM
I like the movie Matrix and Neo is a character who can reshape the Matrix at will, kind of like Obama can reshape the government at will. Plus, they have similar sun glasses.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #5 posted by FoM on February 26, 2009 at 06:13:38 PT
OverwhelmSam
Just like that! I'll keep looking for an article and as soon as I find one I'll post it. What do you mean Neo Obama? The two don't go together.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #4 posted by OverwhelmSam on February 26, 2009 at 06:11:04 PT
Just Like That
And Neo(Obama) changes the matrix in favor of medical marijuana. Kind of anti-climatic if you ask me.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #3 posted by FoM on February 26, 2009 at 06:05:03 PT
Holder Clarifies DEA Raids Position
http://www.celebstoner.com/200902261573/news/marijuana-news/holder-clarifies-dea-raids-position.html
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #2 posted by FoM on February 26, 2009 at 05:31:55 PT
More Information
The question appears about 25 minutes into the press conference, which was devoted to an operation against the Mexican Sinaloa drug cartel.http://www.c-span.org/Watch/watch.aspx?MediaId=HP-A-15821
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #1 posted by FoM on February 26, 2009 at 05:26:10 PT
Oh Happy Days!
Speaking at a press conference with DEA administrator Michelle Leonhart, Attorney General Eric Holder declared that ending medical marijuana raids "is now American policy."   A reporter asked, "shortly after the inauguration there were raids on California medical marijuana dispensaries...do you expect these to continue?", noting that the President had promised to end the raids in the campaign.   Holder responded, "What the President said during the campaign...is consistent with what we will be doing here in law enforcement. He was my boss in the campaign.... He is my boss now. What he said in the campaign is now American policy."
[ Post Comment ]


Post Comment