cannabisnews.com: Washington Post March to the Drug War Drum Washington Post March to the Drug War Drum Posted by FoM on September 23, 1999 at 08:18:15 PT Letters To The Editor Source: McWilliams.com You quote National Drug Policy Director Barry R. McCaffrey's opposition to the D.C medical marijuana initiative saying it "'flies in the face' of findings issued this year by the National Academy of Sciences' Institute of Medicine." His statement is completely untrue. Let the Executive Summary of the IOM report speak for itself: "The combination of cannabinoid drug effects (anxiety reduction, appetite stimulation, nausea reduction, and pain relief) suggests that cannabinoids would be moderately well suited for particular conditions, such as chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and AIDS wasting.The psychological effects of cannabinoids, such as anxiety reduction, sedation, and euphoria can influence their potential therapeutic value. "Until a nonsmoked rapid-onset cannabinoid drug delivery system becomes available, we acknowledge that there is no clear alternative for people suffering from chronic conditions that might be relieved by smoking marijuana, such as pain or AIDS wasting. One possible approach is to treat patients as n-of-1 clinical trials (single-patient trials).[involving] an oversight strategy comparable to an institutional review board process that could provide guidance within 24 hours of a submission by a physician to provide marijuana to a patient for a specified use." The truth, then, is (a) marijuana is medicine; (b) it is "moderately well suited" for certain illnesses; (c) there is "no clear alternative" to "smoking marijuana" for some patients, and (d) that smoked marijuana be available "within 24 hours of a submission by a physician." The ONDCP's latest wave in its $1 billion advertising campaign is themed, "HONESTY: The Anti-Drug." Perhaps ONDCP director McCaffrey should follow the advice of his own copywriters. Peter McWilliams 8165 Mannix Drive Los Angeles, California 90046 323-650-8488 peter mcwilliams.comhttp://www.petertrial.com/And here's the final word on the subject from "grandma" Kay Lee. Go, Grandma, Go!Take us home.Enjoy, Peter I just want to point out something to those who don't know enough about marijuana to support the effort to change the laws. The two reports below will give you an idea of what subterfuge and dishonesty people who advocate for the marijuana plant have had to deal with from the politicians that call us liars. This fight has gotten very difficult and dangerous because the government is targeting cannabis users and patients who dare to expose or express the truth. The opposition has it down to a fine art. Even now, during a height of patient and advocate arrests, the truth manages to be kept muffled. In court, if the pain doesn't show, the patient goes to prison. If the pain shows too clearly, the court offers such a lenient plea-bargain that the truth the patient has been trying to tell is never seen or heard by the public. The sick person is so relieved to avoid jail time and in many cases, no urine testing while on probation, that he grabs the plea bargain, accepts the loss of his stuff, pays the fees, and lives with the criminal record. But, you the public, never get the opportunity to hear the truth. Although the effort to cover-up is frantic and ruthless, the proof that marijuana does not belong in schedule 1 or even 2 or 3 or maybe even 4 does exist and is being constantly uncovered, despite the government's efforts to keep us ignorant. The truth never changes. First we were told marijuana was a violent drug, causing women to prostitute themselves and men to murder. After WWII we were told that marijuana made people so laid back that the 'commies' could come in and take over America. In the 80's they said it was medicine and still give eight patients a monthly supply, and they even developed an imitation THC called Marinol. Now in 99 they say there is absolutely no medicinal use and that all patients are liars. First they said marijuana caused brain damage, then cancer, then impotence and infertility, now they are reduced to saying it might hurt your lungs like cigarettes and that no medicine can be smoked, which isn't true. Many natural medicines were smoked before the pillpushers perverted the form. The other argument they have left is that it 'sends the wrong message to the children.' Here's where the grandmother in me gets angry, because I will not raise my family in ignorance just so the status quo can be maintained. The message is perverted. Instead of sticking to a lie, I prefer to tell my grandchildren that almost all medicine came from nature so marijuana is not unique: That all medicine is to be respected and used responsibility: That lies should never be tolerated. The IOM report that says that marijuana is not addictive, not particularly harmful, and can be used medically. The National Toxicology Report stated that the group of rats who had lots of THC for two years had FEWER tumors than the rats who had none. What if proper testing proves marijuana to be preventative? The National Highway Department found that you couldn't visually tell a stoned driver from a straight one. Except the stoner's tended to drive slower and more cautiously, which everyone should do. The list goes on: We base our truth on research that has been hidden from view. We offer this evidence to you the same way it was offered to us - as a wonderful gift of knowledge and a path to understanding.In Truth, Kay Lee The Truth As I See Ithttp://www.zyworld.com/kay~lee/home.htmD.C. Voters Supported Medical Use of Marijuana - 9/20/99http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread2954.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #4 posted by FoM on March 31, 2001 at 12:33:20 PT Hi Kay Lee! It's so good to see you. You're still are an inspiration to me.Take Care, FoM!Go Go Go Kay Lee!!! FreedomToExhale [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Kay Lee on March 31, 2001 at 12:09:16 PT: BOB BARR Bob Barr's talking about 'quackery' when he squandered taxpayer money to lay a bill on the table in Georgia that called for the amputation of body parts for offenders of the drug laws.When I called his office over this half page bill, his aide readily admitted Barr wrote the bill, but insisted it was "a joke"! I asked if she wasn't aware of how much that "joke" cost the taxpayers?Now what if those jokester legislators jokingly voted for that monstrosity...I'd be writing this with no arms!Love and Peace,Kay Lee New Family Section of MAKING THE WALLS TRANSPARENT [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by observer on September 23, 1999 at 16:33:03 PT Barr and Quackery ... > ... with an argument that is, medically speaking, the > worst kind of quackery," Barr said."Medically speaking"? This man was a prosecutor for the police state, not a medical professional. As a Congressman, a servant of the people (not a master), Barr is to implement the will of the people, upholding the Constitution. Instead we find this persecutor nullifing the results of plebiscites, to the end that he may continue to incarcerate adults for consuming a plant. This man makes a mockery of freedom and liberty. In Congress, he has much company. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on September 23, 1999 at 08:44:46 PT: Marijuana Initiative Threatened METRO In BriefThursday, September 23, 1999; Page B03 THE DISTRICTWashington Posthttp://www.washingtonpost.com/Marijuana Initiative ThreatenedRep. Robert L. Barr Jr. (R-Ga.) said yesterday that he will introduce legislation to nullify Initiative 59, the District referendum to legalize the medical use of marijuana, if the D.C. Council enacts the measure and if a budget standoff between the White House and Congress stalls a separate city marijuana ban."It would be a travesty for Congress to stand by and allow a handful of activists to overturn federal narcotics laws with an argument that is, medically speaking, the worst kind of quackery," Barr said.District voters approved the initiative in November, 69 percent to 31 percent, but the votes were not tallied until Monday after a federal judge rejected Congress's attempt to seal the results.Separately, Congress has passed a Barr amendment to pending D.C. appropriations legislation prohibiting any city attempt to loosen drug regulations, although President Clinton has threatened to veto the bill for unrelated reasons.VIRGINIA [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: