cannabisnews.com: At The Capitol: Just Say No To Medical Marijuana
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At The Capitol: Just Say No To Medical Marijuana
Posted by CN Staff on July 09, 2010 at 17:22:52 PT
By Jim Sacia
Source: Journal Standard
Freeport, Ill. -- I tell you often, “I’m the eternal optimist. We can fix this thing.” I regret to admit that at times it gets me down. Maybe just a minute or two, then I pick myself up, brush off my britches and try to solve the problem.Thirty years in law enforcement and legalizing medical marijuana in Illinois just don’t go together. I have seen too many good lives ruined. It needs just 60 votes to pass the house. I’m told that the supporters have more than 50.
In Illinois, the legislation to legalize medical marijuana is Senate Bill 1381 sponsored in the house by my friend Lou Lang (D-Skokie). I recently heard Lou on WBBM radio in Chicago referring to those of us in opposition as being of “Neanderthal mentality.” Okay Lou, I can take the shot. I’m a Neanderthal, but I’m in good company. The bill is opposed by Illinois Chiefs of Police, Illinois Sheriffs Association, Illinois Family Institute, Illinois Police Association, Concerned Christian Americans and many other groups and organizations. On May 5, 2010, the Illinois State Police changed their opposition to “neutral.” If I live to be 100, I’ll never be convinced that they went “neutral” without coaxing from the governor’s office. You know of my profound respect for the ISP but this is a good dose of politics in action.“Smoked marijuana can never be approved as a medical treatment for any illness because it is an unstable mixture of more than 400 chemicals, many of which are toxic and include several known cancer causing chemicals. Claims otherwise have been proven to be fraudulent and American patients are protected from such medical claims by a century old medical process that requires all approved medicines to be judged ‘safe and effective’ by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA),” so says Robert L. Dupont M.D., the president of the Institute for Behavior and Health Incorporated and the first director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Oh, but then again, as I shared last week Illinois legislators are far smarter than agencies such as the FDA. Medical Marijuana is a cruel hoax. Supporters oppose the use of purified chemical components of marijuana smoke and insist on “smoked dope” or nothing. That should be the first clue that this is nothing but a “sham”. You can’t deliver medicine safely by smoking it.Marijuana potency is nearly three times more than it was in 1983, and when it’s smoked, its potency is uncontrolled. In 2006 there were 33,854 admissions to treatment centers here in Illinois for marijuana addiction and there is little doubt that marijuana is a gateway drug to cocaine and heroin.Many have e-mailed me that I better support this “or else”. Not only will I not support it, I will speak passionately against it.I will be in Hanover with my mobile office from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, July 16; on my way home I’ll stop at the Elizabeth Fair.As always, you can reach me, Sally or Barb at (815) 232-0774 or e-mail us at: jimsacia aeroinc.netYou can also visit my website at www.jimsacia.com. It’s always a pleasure to hear from you.Jim Sacia is the 89th District State Representative.Source: Journal Standard, The (Freeport, IL)Author: Jim SaciaPublished: July 9, 2010Copyright: 2010 GateHouse Media, Inc.Contact: epetermann journalstandard.comWebsite: http://www.journalstandard.com/URL: http://drugsense.org/url/I2Gf3N47CannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml 
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Comment #15 posted by GeoChemist on July 14, 2010 at 03:28:40 PT
Re: Reply
Nothing to report, I'm beginning to think I will be waiting a very long time. I also sent a request to a Drug Free World asking for the annotated bibliography regarding their "fact" sheet on "marijuana", again I'm beginning to think I will be waiting a very, VERY long time. I just love antagonizing the enemy..............
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Comment #14 posted by GentleGiant on July 12, 2010 at 08:12:22 PT:
Dumb Congressman. . . .
I sent this congressman a letter, also, with links to cannabis and cancer. I can't believe the gall of this man. A guy who definitely hasn't done his research. How much a fool this man looks, agree?
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Comment #13 posted by Hope on July 10, 2010 at 15:52:57 PT
There's a great comment by a leo
over at this article's site.http://is.gd/dnhkzIt starts off with "As a law enforcement officer of thirty years, I find this article offensive."I find it offensive, too.
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Comment #12 posted by Hope on July 10, 2010 at 15:37:47 PT
Sacia lies.
"Supporters oppose the use of purified chemical components of marijuana smoke and insist on “smoked dope” or nothing."
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Comment #11 posted by Vincent on July 10, 2010 at 15:04:03 PT:
 "I’m a Neanderthal, but I’m in good company"
Did everybody hear that? He's proud to be a Neanderthal! Just look at the organizations he mentions: Illinois Chiefs of Police, Illinois Sheriffs Association, Illinois Family Institute, Illinois Police Association, Concerned Christian Americans and many other groups and organizationsGood Company?Jerry Falwell, Archie Bunker, Beverly LaHaye, Sean Hannity, Bull Connors, Sherriff Arpaio, David Caton...Nuff Said.
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Comment #10 posted by Hope on July 10, 2010 at 14:57:40 PT
Lives ruined by plants...
Poison ivy, oak, and sumac can do some harm, although it's usually temporary. Oleander can ruin... as in end life.Trees can fall on people.What kind of outlandish thinking can cause a man to want to jump between the cannabis plant and another man? And to the point of really harming, even killing people to do so?This ex-cop may have seen people's lives ruined by others because of the cannabis plant... but not by the plant or by the use of the plant... unless they had a highly allergic reaction to it... like some people do to peanuts. The "ruining" was done by the people that got highly miffed about someone else using the plant. Their lives weren't "ruined" by consumption of a plant... they were "ruined" because of the outlandish cruelty of a busybody.
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Comment #9 posted by rchandar on July 10, 2010 at 13:53:40 PT:
Article
I think he's way off. There must be tens of thousands of people in Chicago alone with debilitating illnesses for which MJ is very helpful. I especially liked the part "pick myself up, brush off my britches and try to solve the problem."Sick people don't need another dose of morality. This guy assumes that the pharmaceutical industry doesn't manufacture drugs with large numbers of chemicals. Too often, in times of economic stress, these catechism-like formulas are tried out in an attempt to delude us poor little serfs into thinking we are a problem because we're not praising the characteristics of sickness and poverty. In the world of modern medicine, we could use a few less simpletons with little statements that ignore pain and illness.What's he's saying is almost like saying that "these people are getting what they deserved."--rchandar
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Comment #8 posted by Hope on July 10, 2010 at 09:44:37 PT
Mr. Sacia
No one's life was ever ruined by marijuana. You lie.Next time you fall down, a few good swats to the seat of your "britches" might do you more good than just dusting them off.
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Comment #7 posted by afterburner on July 10, 2010 at 07:24:17 PT
More Studies Ignored
A Couple Of Recent Studies The Mainstream Media Forgot To Mention.
Tue, 06 Jul 2010 22:59:05. By: Paul Armentano, NORML Deputy Director
http://blog.norml.org/2010/07/06/a-couple-recent-studies-the-mainstream-media-forgot-to-mention/
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Comment #6 posted by burny72 on July 10, 2010 at 06:16:37 PT:
cannibis facts
wow it looks to me that you are seriously behind the times dude.sounds like you really need to go back and do some studying on this subject.over 20,000 studies have been done on this plant,and the fact is is is safer than an asprin.back in the 70's the us gov't did a study and found that it destroys cancer cells and prevents it from spreading.of course they promptly covered it up,but there was another study on the matter a few years ago that has come to the same conclusion.i guess you guys are getting paid to much for locking up people whose only crime was possesing a safe substance. 
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Comment #5 posted by ctx1502 on July 09, 2010 at 21:15:03 PT:
LMAO
We're the cruel hoax and yet our friendly law enforcement agent quotes 1970s warnings of marijuana being a "gateway drug"!?!?!?! What about ciggarettes, caffeine, and alcohol? Should we ban YOUR evil little morning cup of joe? How about that last scotch before you crawl into bed? How people spend their personal time IS THEIR PERSONAL BUSINNESS, so go mind your own.PS shaking more than 3 times is playing with it.
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Comment #4 posted by runruff on July 09, 2010 at 20:27:50 PT
".....politics in action."
"a cruel hoax."-cannabis has had healers fooled for 7,000 years now. All of the major medical organizations except the FDA has come out in support of cannabis as medicine. The FDA was created and later recognized to "gateway and protect", "patent drugs". FDA approved drugs have killed and debilitated millions of people over the last 100 years. Smoked cannabis still has not hurt anybody!"400 chemicals, many of which are toxic and include several known cancer causing chemicals."-We here all know about U. of Virginia studies on cancer v. cannabis that were shut down by our government."The bill is opposed by Illinois Chiefs of Police, Illinois Sheriffs Association, Illinois Family Institute, Illinois Police Association, Concerned Christian Americans and many other groups and organizations. On May 5, 2010, the Illinois State Police changed their opposition to “neutral.”-Everyone one of these public trough sucking organizations give not one hoot about you or me! Prohibition is a bonanza for the self righteous and the budget bean counters. Most would rather give up their religion than to loose the funds and perks that come with cannabis prohibition. ‘safe and effective’ by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA),”-This is the worst example of corrupt and incompetent bureaucracy there is. The nincompoops over here don't know whether to tie their shoes or wear loafers?I am afraid that Jim missed the best part of politics in action. That was back in about 1936-1937 when American Industry bought congress like a two dollar whore, Now THAT was politics in action! 
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Comment #3 posted by FoM on July 09, 2010 at 19:50:07 PT
GeoChemist 
I hope he does answer you. 
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Comment #2 posted by GeoChemist on July 09, 2010 at 19:29:18 PT
Letter
I sent Mr. Sacia a polite breakdown of the flaws in his letter. I will post if I get a reply from the rep, but don't hold your breath...........
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on July 09, 2010 at 17:28:28 PT
Just My Comment
I wonder if by fighting what so many people believe in is the way it should be for elected representatives. The only options then would be arrest and jail for those who disagree and that is morally wrong. 
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