cannabisnews.com: Marijuana Measure Masks Larger Failure of Vision Marijuana Measure Masks Larger Failure of Vision Posted by FoM on December 28, 2000 at 12:22:16 PT Editorial Source: Times-Standard County supervisors made a cautious move this week that should provide some help to medical marijuana users without taking the county onto shaky legal ground. The U.S. Supreme Court eventually will rule on California's Proposition 215, and it makes no sense for the county to anticipate their decision.The Public Health Department will issue identification cards to medical marijuana users who can produce a legitimate recommendation from a licensed physician -- doctors can't actually "prescribe" marijuana, because it's a herbal remedy, not part of the recognized pharmacopoeia. The county policy includes restrictions to reduce (it cannot eliminate) the likelihood that the cards will be abused.What the county did not do is resolve the greatest source of present controversy, by specifying how much marijuana a patient may legally possess, or a "provider" may grow. This will continue to be left to the judgment of individual police officers, following a departmental rule-of-thumb. Most are not likely to err on the side of generosity.That means we will continue to hear angry complaints -- some of them perhaps legitimate -- about confiscated pot. A few of these have involved growers who seem to be genuinely trying to comply with the law, and who feel they were punished for their honesty.The medical marijuana initiative, unfortunately, opened the door to massive abuse. Suddenly California was full of invalids who could only find relief in a reefer, and of growers who were selflessly willing to supply scores of such unfortunates with "medicine." Few of them had much difficulty finding a healer of some description who would attest to their medical need.There are, in fact, rather few physical conditions for which marijuana is the remedy of choice. It is not a cure, but primarily a pain reliever. Some sufferers say they experience fewer harsh side effects from it than from other pain-killing drugs.Now marijuana is not a particularly dangerous drug (certainly less so than alcohol and nicotine) and there is no reason why those few cancer, glaucoma and AIDS patients who really would benefit from it should not have it. California voters recognized this when they passed Prop 215 in 1996, and county officials are moving cautiously but, we believe, sincerely to make it possible.We do not for a moment, however, believe that all or even most of the advocates of medical marijuana are sufferers who cannot obtain relief by any other means. Some are people who enjoy smoking pot, or who wish to profit from growing and selling the plant, who have seized on this means to obtain its partial legalization.While there are valid arguments against legalizing marijuana, it might make more sense to regulate, control and tax it like tobacco and alcohol than to condone hypocrisy of this sort. We have been trying to suppress marijuana for almost a century, with no result but a great expenditure of public funds that might have been put to better use. The experience with alcohol prohibition in the 1920s should have been a sufficient lesson in futility.The certainty of political retaliation almost precludes any public official from admitting the failure of present policies or openly discussing more workable alternatives. We are apparently fated to remain locked into our present state of mutually agreed denial. And government officials, doctors, lawyers, police and pot growers will all continue their solemn ceremonial dance around a sad handful of seriously ill people.Source: Times-Standard (CA)Published: Thursday, December 21, 2000Copyright: 2000 The Times-StandardAddress: 930 Sixth St. Eureka, CA 95501Fax: 707-441-0501Contact: letters times-standard.comWebsite: http://www.times-standard.com/Related Article:Humboldt County to Issue Marijuana ID Cardshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread8079.shtmlCannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml END SNIP --> Snipped Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #4 posted by Donna on February 09, 2001 at 14:16:33 PT Pre-215 recommendations Before prop 215, when my mom was fighting cancer and wasting away, her doctor suggested to me that I seek out and purchase for her marijuana, to help alleviate some of the horrid effects of the cancer that was killing her. Although I didn't smoke it myself, and had a hard time finding a supplier, I did as the doctor suggested. True, I could have been imprisoned for trying to help my mom, but she was my mom. And guess what? That marijuana did help a 72 year old woman who was dying to get enough appetite to actually enjoy a meal now and then, and enough peace to rest once in a while. Why the feds persist in criminalizing a useful herb is beyond me. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by curendero on December 29, 2000 at 08:24:19 PT: docs' recommendation Illegal MJ has many terrible and life threatening side affects, number one being incarcerated. Prisons and jails are very unhealty environments that harbor serious health threats. Now a doc can recommend legal MJ and those health threats are removed! Sounds like the best medical defense going! Since the day 215 became law I have been a card carrying MJ patient. No I am not dying of anything (C'ept maybe a broken heart and spirit at the shape of this country). But without the MJ I would be washing down Paxil and vicodan with rum to get through my day. I gave those up and manage my social phobias,pain and stress with pot. To see me at work or in any daily situation, you would not believe I started the day with a bowl. I am a professional businessman, a home owner, a father of two great and enlightened kids, an airforce vet, and I smoke about an oz every couple of weeks. I don't get stoned, have not had that pleasure for a loooong time, but then again that is not my main goal when I light up. My receptors shut down long ago and I receive the theraputic benefits that I need to function. No I am not dying, but my life would be a smoking black hell without my herb. Just ranting thanx........ [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by dddd on December 28, 2000 at 16:42:36 PT interestingly strange This article brings up the excellent topic of; "What is your illness?......Does marijuana help?" Now of course the first thing that the antis in law enforcing said,,is; "Now all these people are gonna say their sick,just so they can smoke weed!" They have been caught by surprise.They are having the strange experience of who to listen to,the voters,of the obsessed federal anti overlords.They are not in a comfortable situation. And of course,you have people like me on the other side.....I say; "Well,I just dont feel that good,,but when I smoke marijuana,I feel much better."...."It really helps me."...And it's not that hard to find a doctor,who will agree with you,and for the price of an office visit,you are officially,supposedly,legal. The next big question,,the crux of the matter,,is defining sickness. The common practice in the legal drug dealers realm,is to pay off doctors,to support the effectivness,and need.The doctors have created hundreds of new "disorders",and "syndromes",that just happen to be best treated,with the drug companys latest latest mood altering product.I dont see why it shouldnt work the other way around,and we shall be seeing some doctors on our side of the fence,coming up with syndromes,and disorders that are most effectivly treated with fine marijuana...If claiming some slight,bothersome thing makes you extremely disturbed and depressed;and marijuana is the only thing that provides the relief that helps.If it helps my "condition",then I should have it,and it's a shame that I had to go through all this bullshit,to enjoy the obvious and wonderful therapeutic benifits,,not to mention enjoyment,of smoking this harmless herb. You know,they are going to try to enact laws,that will somehow limit what the "approved",sicknesses are.They've messed with all our other rights,,,,it wouldnt be that much of a suprize if they took away our right to be sick. It's gonna be like asking us;"are you sure that marijuana really makes you feel better,,or do you just feel better when your stoned?",,,,"After all,marijuana is only for those who need it for medical reasons.If it doesnt really make you feel better,then you're breaking the law. Yes,,I admit it's true,,medical marijuana is actually a foot in the door approach,for people like me,,who like to smoke marijuana,because it makes them feel better...It's that simple,,"It makes me feel better".. Or perhaps,if they just reschedule marijuana,so it would be availiable by prescription only,(which by the way,could be the next delay tactic from the hardline prohibitionists),,,and then,,I imagine they will get real scientific.Drug companies would move right in.I'll bet they have already made a plan for it.They will come out with some patented strains,that were for certain syndromes,and adding other drugs to minimize foodtripping.After all,if they allow smoking of a drug,then smoking will become a legitamate form of delivery.They'll be coming out with smokable antacids and antibiotics..... And then we go to imagining a TV commercial.....,It's made by the same firm that did Paxil,and Claritan ads.It goes something like this; It starts with a thirty sumpthin woman,coughing,as she puts a half smoked reefer in the ashtray...... The doorbell rings,she gets up and answers the door....It's her friend;Fay.Fay;"Kim,You look tired.....Did I wake you up?"Kim;"No Fay,I think it's the medication my doctor prescribed.It seems harsh,and it makes me really sleepy. Fay is invited in,and they sit down in the living room.Kim coughs;Kim;"Its that harsh Hashex DL that my doctor prescribed.It makes me feel better,but I always feel tired.What do you use Fay?"Fay;"My doctor got me Valindica.It makes me feel way better,but it isnt harsh like Hashex DL...And best of all,,it doesnt make me sleepy".Kim;"But what about appetite?"Fay;"That's the best thing about Valindica.It contains a special appetite suppressant that has been clinicly proven to control food abuse.....Here,,Ive got some right here...Do you have a lite?... A closing thought.If it does become pharmaceuticly availiable,before it is legalized,it will delay legalization.This wont be that bad though,if it is legal to grow your own..I wonder how many people would grow their own?I dont know anyone who grows their own tobacco..Maybe they will make growin' weed illegal at first,so corporate interests can establish brand names,distribution,and corner the market.May JAH Shine on You......................dddd [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Harvey Pendrake on December 28, 2000 at 14:34:50 PT Prescription vs. recommendation >> doctors can't actually "prescribe" marijuana, because it's a herbal remedy, not part of the recognized pharmacopoeia. Ummmm, that might be true, but the main reason doctors can't prescribe MJ is because it's a Schedule I drug (meaning no medical use and thus no prescription). In other words, even with Prop 215 in effect it's still a federal crime to prescribe marijuana.More journalists should refer to marijuananews.com. They might actually learn something. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: