cannabisnews.com: Ventura Supports Medical Marijuana Ventura Supports Medical Marijuana Posted by FoM on April 04, 2001 at 22:54:52 PT By Patrick Howe, Associated Press Source: Star Tribune Gov. Jesse Ventura said Wednesday that he supports legalizing marijuana for medical use.``Medical marijuana? I fully support it, absolutely. Who is government to tell someone if they have AIDS or cancer, what they should be taking?'' Ventura said in response to a question from a student at University of St. Thomas during a talk to a political science class. Ventura cited the experience of his mother, who was given a mix of narcotics to help the pain caused by a respiratory disease. She died in 1995.If marijuana provides the same sort of relief to others who are suffering, the Independence Party governor said, he's all for it.``To me, you've got a kid here with cancer,'' Ventura said. ``I don't give a damn if he smokes a joint.''Ventura plans to attend a forum on the issue Friday, sponsored jointly by the Department of Health and the Department of Public Safety. Organizers say the state hopes to encourage more research.A bill before the Legislature this year would appropriate $100,000 to study potential medicinal uses of marijuana.The study is not part of Ventura's budget proposal, but Public Safety Commissioner Charlie Weaver said the department would be happy to administer it if lawmakers agree.Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm wrote earlier in a letter that the forum is designed to encourage research that will ``advance the acceptance of marijuana as an important medical tool and ultimately address the legal constraints at the national level.''Ventura made the marijuana statements during a question-and-answer period with students following a presentation on campaign finance laws. At one point, he quoted singer Willie Nelson as describing marijuana as an herb, not a drug.One student questioned whether legalizing marijuana for medicine wouldn't lead to a ``slippery slope'' regarding legalization of other drugs. Ventura said no, noting that morphine, a relative of heroine, is used medicinally.Another student shared with Ventura the story of the student's own mother, who he said used marijuana provided illegally by a doctor to help ease her pain in a fatal battle with lupus. Ventura responded: ``How sad. How pathetic,'' that she had to seek the medicine illegally.``The government stands out there and says you're dying of a hopeless disease but, no, you can't have the medicine of your choice.''Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune (MN) Author: Patrick Howe, Associated Press Published: Thursday, April 5, 2001 Copyright: 2001 Star Tribune Contact: opinion startribune.com Website: http://www.startribune.com/ Related Articles & Web Site:Governor Jesse Venturahttp://www.mainserver.state.mn.us/governor/Gov. Ventura Supports Medical Marijuana http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9265.shtml Committee Hears Medical Marijuana Study Proposal http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9262.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #3 posted by Cuzn Buzz on April 05, 2001 at 09:24:27 PT Bless em. Bless em all.Gary Johnson has stood, and continues to stand tall for our cause, as will Jesse Ventura hell, just ask him, he'll tell ya....I guarentee it!I suspect that in the private lives of these very public persons you would find many similarities, both probably have friends who use marijuana, and like the majority of normal people have tried it themselves, and so know that the prohibitionists arguments consist of practicaly the same thing as a skinned balloon, though with less substance.One thing for sure, we have here two leaders who understand the concept of "Of the people, by the people, and for the people".As one of We the People, I most certainly appreciate them. ~~~Since another post here mentioned Competition, I'm afraid that in a one fall three rounder with a fifteen minute time limit I'd have to go With "The Body", but I'd love to see Gary Johnson as his Tag Team partner! ~~~ [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by The GCW on April 05, 2001 at 04:09:36 PT: Vote for politicians whom pass the litmus test. Gov. Gary Johnson is a bright star amongst the COMPETING POLITICAIANS, And he passes Gods litmus test on this issue. None of his opposition can keep up with him and America has a genuine shortage of politicians who speak out for the truth. The Truth is presented on Page one of my Bible in the 1st Book and the 1st chapter. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by dddd on April 05, 2001 at 01:37:12 PT hope Jesse Ventura is a unique and special politician.He is one ofthe few glimmers of hope in this 'wanna-be demockrassy'....dddd [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: