cannabisnews.com: FRC Applauds ONDCP For Stance On Marijuana FRC Applauds ONDCP For Stance On Marijuana Posted by FoM on September 29, 1999 at 13:38:17 PT Source: PRNewswire Family Research Council's Senior Director for National Security and Foreign Affairs Robert Maginnis commended the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) Wednesday for "its reasoned, science-based stance against the medical marijuana initiative that passed in the District of Columbia last November." The Office of National Drug Control Policy's Dr. Donald Vereen testified Wednesday before a subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee against ballot initiatives to legalize marijuana as medicine.On Tuesday, President Clinton vetoed the D.C. appropriations bill, in part because of Congress's restrictions on drug legalization measures in the District. "The ONDCP is providing a good example of responsible leadership on this issue," Maginnis said. "Other public health officials should join the agency in opposing the legalization of marijuana."The D.C. initiative would allow a person to use marijuana without so much as a prescription, would allow up to four friends of a "medical" marijuana patient to possess and cultivate marijuana, and would allow a patient to keep a vaguely defined "sufficient supply" of the drug.The Institute of Medicine's report, released in March 1999, emphasized that crude marijuana is not a medicine. One of the study's principal investigators said, "Marijuana's future as medicine does not involve smoking. It involves exploiting the potential in cannabinoids such as THC (Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol), the key psychoactive ingredient of marijuana." Maginnis said, "In light of these findings, loosely worded initiatives that invite abuse should be rejected.""The Food and Drug Administration has already approved synthetic THC for use with some illnesses," observed Maginnis. "Unlike crude marijuana, however, THC is a stable, well-defined substance available in quantified dosage form."Sick and dying people do not need marijuana. They need good medicine. Researchers should continue to develop alternative ways to deliver THC to the bloodstream that are fast-acting and do not involve smoking." Contact: Kristin Hansen, 202-393-2100, for radio:Sharon Sampson, or for soundbites: FRC's Direct Newsline, 202-393-NEWS (6397), all of Family Research CouncilNewshawk: Allison AvingerUpdated 2:15 PM ET September 29, 1999PRNewswirePoints: Office of National Drug Policyhttp://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/Family Research Councilhttp://www.frc.org/Counter Points:Woody Harrelson Backs First Medical Pot Grower - 7/29/99http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread2272.shtmlEditorial: Legalize Pot in Maine - 9/22/99http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread2983.shtmlMarijuana Policy Project's Web Sitehttp://www.mpp.org/ACT UP Washington DChttp://www.actupdc.org/Americans For Medical Rightshttp://www.levellers.org/cannabis.htmlDon't Let Congress Undermine Democracy in DC - 9/29/99http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread3067.shtmlCapitalists for Cannabis - 9/29/99http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread3059.shtmlCannabis News Medical Marijuana Articles:http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #7 posted by Doc-Hawk on September 29, 1999 at 18:49:12 PT: Whatta Buncha Bull ""Unlike crude marijuana, however, THC is astable, well-defined substance available in quantified dosage form." How true!The smoker gets almost immediate relief while the patient administered THC (Marinol) must wait a considerable length of time for it to take effect. While the smoker can easily control his dosage, the Marinol patient must cope with whatever dosage of THC (the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana) has been prescribed, even if it is too much. The smoker may get the benefit of many different cannabinoids, several of which are under study now as potential pharmaceuticals, while the Marinol patient gets the benefit of a single active (and psychoactive) chemical. While the smoker's medication would be very inexpensive (if it were not for government prohibition), the Marinol patient must be ready to pay a hefty price. Finally, the smoker may be subject to persecution for trying to take control of his owntreatment. You are right, there is a difference. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by Chris Knestrick on September 29, 1999 at 16:02:43 PT: Let Them Eate Cake "SCience-based" approach?!?!?!?!? If that wasn't so insulting I'd almost find it funny!!! The ONDCP known NOTHING about science!!! Reports that they can't control - in other countries - have long agreed that marijuana is effective medicine. Yes, it's so wonderful that they're protecting the safety of terminally ill people by telling to to "Wait just a little bit longer, chemo/AIDS doesn't hurt that much. We'll find a substitue drug for you in, if you're lucky, 5 - 10 years. ANother 3 or so going through FDA approval (we wouldn't want to give threaten the lives of terminally ill patients), and then we'll have some pharmecutical company charge you out your backside for it. It won't be as effective as actual cannabis, and your insurance probably won't cover it, but we're only doing this for your own good."There is a fire that burn brightly that awaits these men, folks. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by FoM on September 29, 1999 at 15:56:52 PT We're Making Progress Slow But Sure Thanks Observer! I am amazed everyday anymore. I am learning so much. I have only been on line since the fall of 96 and didn't really look into Marijuana issues seriously until last year around this time and then I learned that if you give your reasons why marijuana should be decriminalized you realize you must form an opinion of other drugs too. What an interesting time to be involved in drug policy reform.Peace, FoM! [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by observer on September 29, 1999 at 15:11:04 PT 'health' officials > "Other public health officials should join the > agency in opposing the legalization of marijuana."In other words, health "officials" should seek to harm adults who use use marijuana, by supporting incarceration, forced "treatment" and seizure (government theft) of assets. Not to mention also the shooting of any adults who are thought to resist. (Like Donald Scott, Pedro Oregon, Mario Paz, etc.)more on incarceration of people who use marijuana here: http://hr95.org http://www.november.org http://www.spr.org more on governmental robbery frompeople who use marijuana here: http://www.fear.org [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by FoM on September 29, 1999 at 14:50:21 PT: I Need Advice! Thanks for your comments and I agree. I see Jasper you have a NORML Link. Thanks! I need help with something and I might as well ask it in this thread. I am concerned that I am going to miss some States Initiatives. I know CRRH has one too but I need help finding the links so I can see if the person who wrote Cannabis News's program, Ron Bennett, can make me a special section for the web sites. If anyone thinks of any please put them on this thread. Thanks in advance.Peace and Hope! FoM!PS: You can also e mail me. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by barefoot on September 29, 1999 at 14:11:56 PT: the truth too many people have fallen prey to a GOVERNMENT PLOT to control the masses. don't forget that government's other purpose is to keep the peace by controlling the population's thoughts and tendencies. fear is a very effective tool. the fear of financial penalties and jail time prevents many from protesting. the GOVERNMENT has essentially created a new class of criminal, non violent, free thinking, and harmless. but with the threat of incarceration, loss of money, and publc condemnation by the GOVERNMENT protesters are kept under control. thank god for the underground and the seekers of truth. we will not relinquish our god given rights, our inalienable rights and freedoms to choose our own destinies no matter the conspiracies brought against us just to manipulate our being to fit someones idea of utopia. 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