cannabisnews.com: Md. Health Chief Opposes Medical Marijuana Bill
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Md. Health Chief Opposes Medical Marijuana Bill
Posted by CN Staff on March 01, 2011 at 07:47:48 PT
By Brian Witte, Associated Press
Source: Associated Press 
Annapolis, Md. -- Maryland's health secretary said Monday he opposes the current version of a bill to legalize medical marijuana because the department lacks the resources to oversee the system to dispense it and the medical use of the drug remains controversial.However, Dr. Joshua Sharfstein also told a panel of lawmakers the department would be willing to help them study the issue this year to look for a "more feasible option."
Opposition from Sharfstein is significant, because the measure makes the health department responsible for overseeing growers, licensing sellers and doing other administrative jobs. Sharfstein, the former No. 2 official at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, became secretary of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene in January."The use of the marijuana plant itself for medical purposes is controversial," Sharfstein said. "This is not just because marijuana is a controlled substance. It is also because marijuana, unlike approved pharmaceuticals, has not been characterized, studied, and determined by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to be safe and effective."Sharfstein noted that the legislation is tailored to provide marijuana to patients and prevent it from being diverted to illegal markets, but he also said marijuana is the most common drug reported by people under the age of 20 who are admitted to treatment programs in Maryland. That includes more than 6,000 admissions each year."Despite the regulatory structure established by the legislation, the department has concerns that the bill may not achieve its intended goals," Sharfstein said.The measure calls on the health department to establish security and safety standards for growers, who would be chosen by the department. It also would license marijuana dispensaries and create a computerized system to track the amount of marijuana dispensed to individuals. In addition, Sharfstein said the department would review applications for patient eligibility, monitor appropriate clinical care by physicians and oversee the pricing.Sharfstein said oversight of such a large system would require a significant investment."Our initial review of the resource needs for our department to handle these responsibilities in the legislation as written found that the cost would easily reach at least several million dollars," Sharfstein said.He said more study is needed to examine implementation and costs."The department is willing to participate in a study this year to identify a more feasible option for the use of marijuana for medical purposes in Maryland," he said.Delegate Dan Morhaim, a Baltimore County Democrat and physician who is sponsoring the bill, said he's ready to work with the department to address the secretary's concerns, and he said he hoped to address some of the issues during the current legislative session, which ends April 11."We can find amendments to set up something this session, or even just a study bill this session," Morhaim said. "I think that would be very positive."Last year, the Maryland Senate passed a bill to allow physician-approved use of marijuana, but members of the House of Delegates wanted more time to study the idea.In 2003, Maryland approved a law limiting sentencing to a $100 fine for people who use marijuana if they have a medical excuse. But critics of that law say it still drives people whose pain could be alleviated by marijuana into alleys to buy from drug dealers.Source: Associated Press (Wire)Author: Brian Witte, Associated PressPublished: March 1, 2011Copyright: 2011 The Associated PressCannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml
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Comment #6 posted by afterburner on March 02, 2011 at 07:27:39 PT
Grass Roots Bottom-Up Action Requires Rescheduling
Daily Caller: “Is The DEA Legalizing THC?”
February 10th, 2011 By: Paul Armentano, NORML Deputy Director
http://blog.norml.org/2011/02/10/daily-caller-is-the-dea-legalizing-thc/
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Comment #5 posted by The GCW on March 01, 2011 at 15:42:15 PT
BUSTED
Police caught on tape making plans to steal man’s property over small bag of pot"State police caught on tape during drug raid"LANSING (WXYZ) - An Action News investigation is breaking new ground after two state police officers have been criminally charged.Lt. Luke Davis, Lt.. Emmanuel Riopelle and Monroe County resident Lawrence Dusseau face dozens of charges. Davis headed the undercover narcotics unit that operated out of a non-descript house in Monroe County. The indictment alleges he and the others sold off drugs and confiscated goods for their own profit.The Action News Investigators have exclusive audio reportedly of the rogue cops caught on tape during a drug raid. The audio comes from a local man, Rudy Simpson, alleging heavy handed and unprofessional police tactics. Simpson says he was a victim of these tactics in a drug raid on his home.It all centers around State Police Lt. Davis, now facing corruption charges. In June of 2008, the OMNI Drug Task Force, headed by Davis, executed a search warrant on Simpson’s Monroe County home. They based the search on an anonymous tip and a marijuana stem they said they found in his garbage. When the cops came in, Rudy’s band was practicing in his basement recording studio.What the police didn’t know is that the microphones were hot and everything was being recorded."They have a recording studio? What the (expletive)," said one cop.“I hope they’re not mixing," said another.But they were mixing, and two cops take turns singing on the microphone, not knowing their performance was being recorded.Cont.http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/news/local_news/investigations/exclusive:-state-police-caught-on-tape-during-drug-raid
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Comment #4 posted by The GCW on March 01, 2011 at 15:34:16 PT
Good news.
Medical marijuana student back at school COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- A Sierra High School student kept off campus while under the influence of THC has allegedly received an apology from the district's lawyer and is back in school.Cont.http://www.coloradoconnection.com/community/health/story.aspx?id=585138
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Comment #3 posted by paul armentano on March 01, 2011 at 10:29:40 PT
something's brewing in Seattle; it ain't coffee
FYI: Drug Czar Gil K. is meeting with the Seattle Times editorial board this Friday. He called for the meeting after the Times opined in favor of HB 1550, and declared: "Marijuana should be legalized, regulated and taxed. The push to repeal federal prohibition should come from the states, and it should begin with the state of Washington.… Some drugs have such horrible effects on the human body that the costs of prohibition may be worth it. Not marijuana. This state’s experience with medical marijuana and Seattle’s tolerance policy suggest that with cannabis, legalization will work — and surprisingly well.Not only will it work, but it is coming."The Times appears nonplused by the Czar's response, as they went ahead and ran another pro-reform op/ed last week.You can read the details here.http://blog.norml.org/2011/02/28/legitimate-debate-not-if-the-drug-czar-has-his-way/
http://www.norml.org
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Comment #2 posted by paul armentano on March 01, 2011 at 10:21:34 PT
'intended goals'
"Sharfstein noted that the legislation is tailored to provide marijuana to patients and prevent it from being diverted to illegal markets, but he also said marijuana is the most common drug reported by people under the age of 20 who are admitted to treatment programs in Maryland. That includes more than 6,000 admissions each year."Despite the regulatory structure established by the legislation, the department has concerns that the bill may not achieve its intended goals," Sharfstein said."Then by Sharfstein own admission, criminal prohibition has not 'achieved its intended goals.' I suppose he opposes that too, huh? Fat chance...
http://www.norml.org
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Comment #1 posted by Storm Crow on March 01, 2011 at 10:02:56 PT
With over 4,000 years of recorded medical use....
This guy comes up with "marijuana, unlike approved pharmaceuticals, has not been characterized, studied, and determined by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to be safe and effective". As if most of the drugs the FDA "approves" of are safe and effective! Read the "small print" included with your medicines, listen to the "fast talk" at the end of the commercials and then compare that with the side effects of cannabis- "feeling good", hunger and thirst, red eyes, and maybe the giggles, or drowsiness! Not quite in the same ballpark as those "potentially serious or life-threatening" side effects of those "FDA approved drugs" that I hear about every day on the TV! My idea of a "feasible option" would be to just legalize this remarkably safe medicinal herb for everyone! 4,000 years of world-wide testing is sufficiently long for most sane people, even without the FDA's blessings!
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