cannabisnews.com: Medical Marijuana Debate 





Medical Marijuana Debate 
Posted by FoM on October 13, 1999 at 10:27:12 PT
Maine's Proposal Would Be 7th In U.S. 
Source: CBS News
(CBS) Weighing in on a nationwide debate, Maine voters will decide next month whether to legalize the use of marijuana for some medicinal purposes in the state.
Advocates of the proposal, which will be listed as Question 2 on the Nov. 2 ballot, say by authorizing marijuana for specific medical conditions the proposed law would protect patients who are advised by a doctor they might benefit from the drug. "We shouldn't be driving very sick people into illegal situations," says retired veterinarian Mike Lindey, 67, of Freeport, who as part of the campaign for passage of the initiative has taken to the Internet to describe his own use of marijuana during chemotherapy several years ago. Since 1996, five states-- California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska and Arizona have passed medical marijuana initiatives. Voters in the District of Columbia also registered approval. Canada recently granted 14 people with serious illnesses permission to use marijuana for medical reasons. The health department sifted through 100 applications, selecting 14. No applications have been rejected outright, and there may be more exemptions granted, officials said. The Canadian government first gave permission for the cultivation and use of marijuana for medical purposes in June, when Health Minister Allan Rock granted special exemptions from federal drug law to two people who have AIDS. Some of the people who applied to use marijuana said they're too sick to grow the plants. The government, in turn, has said it will invite bids from firms to cultivate the plant. "One of our goals is also to get a Canadian source of supply for medical purposes so that problem doesn't arise," said Rock. "As you know, we're new to this line of work, so we're doing the best we can to cope." People wishing to apply for permission to use marijuana must have a doctor's approval. Those with illnesses such as cancer and AIDS say marijuana helps relieve pain and stimulate their appetite. Despite the shift on medical usage of marijuana, Canadian laws against the drug remain in force and are applied, resulting in many convictions every year. Earlier this month, Maine Gov. Angus King said enactment of the medical marijuana initiative would put Maine on a "slippery slope.". He noted the conflict between the proposal and federal law and suggested that for some proponents, the initiative would be "a first step toward the ultimate legalization of marijuana." The U.S. Justice Department has argued that no claim of necessity can justify use of a drug that is classified by Congress to be a dangerous substance with no approved medical purpose. As a Schedule I substance, marijuana is illegal to cultivate, possess or use under U.S. federal law. Wednesday, October 13,1999 - 12:19 PM ET Copyright 1999 The Associated Press.Mainers For Medical Rightshttp://www.mainers.org/ Reefer Referendum - 10/08/99http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread3203.shtmlState Voters Face Choice On Med. Use Of Marijuana - 10/08/99http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread3207.shtmlEditorial: Legalize Pot in Maine - 9/22/99http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread2983.shtml 
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Comment #2 posted by Lindsey Baker on October 13, 1999 at 15:20:01 PT
marijuana
I believe that marijuana should be legal especially for medical purposes. When you can prove to me that marijuana is more dangerous than cigarette smoke or alcohol, I will listen. Until then, I believe it is a conspiracy within the government keeping it illegal.
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Comment #1 posted by Thomas on October 13, 1999 at 11:36:12 PT
Don't Question Congress
"The U.S. Justice Department has argued that no claim of necessity can justify use of a drug that is classified by Congress to be a dangerous substance with no approved medical purpose."This is unbelievable. The Federal governement is saying there is no arguement that is more powerful than the word of Congress, no matter what their opinion is based on or the reasoning behind it. Sorry Congress, but "because we said so" is not a good enough reason. How dare we challenge their elevated intellignence which leads them to conclude that cannabis is a "dangerous substance."
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