cannabisnews.com: What Are They Smoking?

What Are They Smoking?

Posted by CN Staff on January 18, 2005 at 13:30:14 PT
By Gersh Kuntzman, Web Exclusive Commentary
Source: Newsweek Magazine

Critics say the U.S. government’s officially sanctioned marijuana stinks. But when a legitimate researcher proposed to grow better crops, he was shot down. It's like what I've always been saying: The main problem with the federal government is that its marijuana stinks.This is also the contention of a University of Massachusetts professor who is so intent on improving the quality of the wacky weed for research purposes that he applied to the government for permission to grow it himself.
The government response? "What have you been smoking, professor?"You might have missed the scant news coverage of the Drug Enforcement Administration's rejection of Professor Lyle Craker's application to grow pot. The ruling was handed down just before Christmas, when most Americans were gorging on food, shopping until they dropped, gathering with loved ones and indulging in copious amounts of marijuana to relieve the stress of gathering with loved ones.The DEA's rejection made clear something you may not know: The federal government already has a pot supplier and it's happy with him.No, Cheech and Chong haven't taken over the Department of Agriculture, but, yes, the federal government grows its own dope. It has to. After all, we can't expect research scientists to buy nickel bags on the street when they want to research such things as "cannabis for spasticity/tremor in multiple sclerosis" (as Dr. Mark Aguis is doing). For a handful of federally approved marijuana researchers, a steady stream of ganja flows from a National Institute on Drug Abuse farm in Mississippi (how's that for Orwellian: "Freedom is Slavery," "War is Peace" and "Pot is a Killer Drug, So We Grow It").Because the supply is so tightly controlled, it's easier to cure a wicked case of the munchies in Salt Lake City at 4 a.m. than to get pot from the government for research purposes. That's why Craker, who is director of the UMass-Amherst Medicinal Plant Program, wanted to provide another, non-government, supply of marijuana.You may not have heard of Craker, but there is no greater authority on the healing power of black cohosh (which may sound like a brand of pot, but it's just a vegetable that relieves symptoms of menopause--which, if he can get it to market, should get this guy a Nobel Prize). But late last month, three years after he applied to grow pot, the DEA turned him down.Joseph Heller couldn't have written a better rejection letter. The DEA argued that "current research must utilize smoked marijuana, which ultimately cannot be the permitted delivery system ... due to the deleterious effect ... of smoked marijuana."That's some catch, that Catch-22: The DEA can't permit research because that research will obviously show that marijuana is harmful--even though it hasn't done research to prove it yet. Clearly, the feds are worried that the truth will make us all free--free to smoke marijuana (and the feds are liars, too: there are several researchers experimenting with vaporizing marijuana rather than burning it. And as the good people at Duncan Hines can tell you, marijuana can be eaten, too. So I have no idea what the DEA is smoking when it says that smoking marijuana is the only way to get the medicinal benefits that the DEA says don’t even exist).The rejection letter also said that Craker's plans "would not be consistent with the public interest." But if permitting more marijuana research is against "the public interest," why are American voters constantly circumventing the government to allow more pot smoking? Red State Montana voted by a 62-38 margin last year to decriminalize medical marijuana. Pro-marijuana forces won 16 out of 19 other referenda on Election Day--and medical marijuana is legal in 11 states.Updated: 2:51 p.m. ET Jan. 18, 2005(Full disclosure: If it sounds as if I am some hemp-wearing marijuana crusader, you should know that I never smoked the stuff. True, I once got so wasted on a clove cigarette that I tried to make love to an angora sweater that I mistook for someone I'd met earlier in the evening. Clove cigarettes are not a federally controlled substance, so I am happily free to pursue further research. Fathers, lock up your daughters' angora sweaters.)(Fuller disclosure: OK, the above is a lie. I was so high when I wrote it that I got paranoid that you'd find out that I had smoked pot. OK, I smoked it once. Nothing happened, so I never did it again. From this single experience I learned a valuable lesson: Marijuana does indeed destroy a person's ability to focus on long-term goals—in this case, smoking more pot.)Worse than the hypocrisy, Craker said, is the government ganja itself. It's so bad you wouldn't even buy it even if you were stuck at 4 a.m. in Salt Lake City. Of course, don't believe me or Craker—we don't smoke the stuff. Take it from an AIDS patient who thinks the government weed is reefer madness."It was the worst stuff I ever smoked in my life," said Phillip Alden, who prefers the stronger, purer stuff that comes out of the cannabis buyers' clubs in California. "It was rolled with cigarette company paper and it was filled with seeds and stems. And let me tell you, smoking a seed is nasty."Alden said the government pot actually gave him bronchitis because it was so harsh. He said it reduced his nausea a bit, but did nothing for his neuropathy, an intense nerve pain. "And marijuana is absolutely great for that," he said. "I've been smoking high-grade indiga [a variety of marijuana] from a club in San Francisco and my pain hasn't gotten worse in nine years."Of course, a straight arrow like Craker is not very well served by the strange bedfellows who are financing his fight. Let me put it this way: when your principal funding is coming from the "Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelic Studies," it's hard to dispel the notion that "marijuana research" is just a euphemism for, "Hey man, pass the doobie."Craker, for example, doesn't believe in recreational drug use. For MAPS President Rick Doblin, it's practically an 11th Commandment. I suggested to Doblin that when the government gets a letter from a group called Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelic Studies, it tends to treat the letter differently than one from, say, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. But Doblin was undeterred."Where is it written that medical research on marijuana can only be done by people who are against recreational use?" Doblin asked me. (I suggested that it's probably in some DEA handbook, actually.) "The criteria should be rigorous research. I mean, should I get out of the business of promoting medical marijuana simply because I believe in recreational use of it, too?"I put that question to the DEA, but the agency could not comment because of Craker's pending appeal, according to the spokesman, Rusty Payne (hmm, I bet that a little marijuana would be good for that).Gersh Kuntzman is also a reporter for the New York Post.Check out his rudimentary Web site at: http://www.gersh.tvSource: Newsweek Magazine (US)Author: Gersh KuntzmanPublished: January 18, 2005Copyright: 2005 Newsweek, Inc. Contact: editors newsweek.com Website: http://www.newsweek.com/Related Articles & Web Site:MAPShttp://www.maps.org/Hampering Research DEA Won’t Allow Trialshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20067.shtmlU.S. Puts Brake on 'Pot' Studieshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20034.shtml No Room To Growhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20033.shtmlDEA Rejects Professor's Bid To Grow Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20029.shtml

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Comment #28 posted by FoM on January 19, 2005 at 20:33:19 PT
Amerigo
I second Hopes Welcome!
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Comment #27 posted by Hope on January 19, 2005 at 17:58:00 PT
Amerigo, Hello!
You are sooo welcome. We need every heart, mind, and voice we can find.
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Comment #26 posted by Amerigo on January 19, 2005 at 15:33:25 PT:
I Agree, it's time to take the gloves off!
I'm so damn sick of the wordplay and puns in all of these news stories that I can puke! I say when someone cracks a joke about MJ or puts a tired, old pun in a news story, it's time to get mad and throw some of that twisted prohibitionist logic back in their faces. I say letters and e-mails to congressmen, newspaper editors, etc. Also, a good old boycott or two(switch to biodiesel, buy only hemp clothing, etc...) and just get into people's faces with it. And I always make sure that everyone who I know will know how to protect their 4th amendment from drug(marijuana) screens.
I'm so sick of the bullcrap!P.S. Hello everyone, I'm the newest antiprohibitionist on the block. Peace.
Beat the Man, preserve your 4th Amendment
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Comment #25 posted by Hope on January 19, 2005 at 11:03:49 PT
"Reefer" guy
Irony can be difficult to distinguish. It looks like irony, but we are so used to such "fecal material" being put out there...that it's truly difficult to judge sometimes.I haven't decided for sure one way or the other. It's so overboard that it nearly has to be irony, yet we've seen and heard pretty much the same stuff spouted as real by prohibition and drug war evangelizers for decades.
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Comment #24 posted by Trekkie on January 19, 2005 at 10:47:09 PT
Don't let the reefers misguide you...
This guy HAS to be joking. Either that, or he is so naive, that he believes EVERYTHING that the government tells him.Some juicy bits from his thesis (of feces):And drugs like weed can destroy a grown man as quickly as anyone. Just look at our last two presidents. Imagine the pain their families are forced to endure.>Is he including Sheriff Tumbleweed, his beloved "red" president - G.W. Bush? Have you ever seen the specter of a marijuana addict? It is one of a sickly skin-and-bones fiend, with oily yellow skin and a raspy voice from the constant smoking, herpes in every orifice, teeth or limbs missing, and always in a desperate search for a bowl.>No, as a matter of fact, I haven't. And, neither have you, Mr. Page. Herpes in every orifice?! Teeth or limbs missing?!?! Pot gives you leprosy? When he fabricates so wildly, what can you say in response? "The sky is made of peanut butter, and the clouds speak spanish." Just shake your head and walk away...Clearly the whole movement is a ruse created by addicts stricken with cancer and other disorders after too many years of drug abuse who just want to take advantage of the system at our expense. I’ll drink to that.>I can't wait until your liver gives out... He's trying to say that MJ "addicts" get cancer from MJ, and then try to hoodwink our clever and perfect goverment into legalizing MJ - to cure the cancer contracted while becoming an "addict." Have another drink, ya whiskey-headed goon, because booze is far safer, healthier, does not lead to further experimentation in teenagers, and is controlled and condoned by our goverment - and multibillion dollar lobbyists...They should be held accountable, kicked out of the hospital and moved to a high security prison for posing a threat to society.
Some day, we will all live in a partnership for a drug-free America. So save our ship, vote Red every year...>Yeah, lock 'em up. Build more prisons. That'll solve it. Keep 'em caged so they can't be a burden to society, and "take advantege of the system, at our expense." Who's going to pay for the expense of incarceration?
Yeah, we will all (you too, Mr. Page) live in partnership for a drug-free America - in PRISON. In the "free world," we jail around a 1/4 of our population - a higher rate than anywhere else in the world - including those countries that we are "liberating." I can't go on, I'm too worked up to think properly.
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Comment #23 posted by dongenero on January 19, 2005 at 10:45:01 PT
good news
That is some uplifting news!
Do you suppose it will get any play here in the states?
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Comment #22 posted by FoM on January 19, 2005 at 07:59:51 PT
Dr. Russo
Thank you. That is great news.
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Comment #21 posted by Ethan Russo MD on January 19, 2005 at 07:38:39 PT
Sativex Successful in Cancer Pain Clinical Trial
GW Announces Positive Preliminary Results with its Cannabis-based Medicine (Sativex®) in Phase III Cancer Pain Trial19/01/2005GW Pharmaceuticals announces positive preliminary results in a Phase III clinical trial with Sativex® in 177 patients with severe cancer pain.
The trial was a multi centre double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled parallel group study. Patients in the study had advanced cancer and were experiencing pain that was not responding adequately to strong opioid medication (e.g. morphine). In addition to study medication, all patients remained on their existing opioid and other analgesic medication during the trial.The study included two different study medications - Sativex (a cannabis medicine containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD)) and a THC-rich extract. Patients entering this three arm study were randomised equally to one of Sativex, THC extract or placebo. Each of these study medications were administered by means of a spray into the mouth. In this Phase III trial, Sativex achieved a statistically significant improvement in comparison to placebo in pain as measured on a numerical rating scale (p=0.014), a primary endpoint of the study. A responder analysis showed that approximately 40% of patients on Sativex showed a greater than 30% improvement in their pain (p=0.024).Analysis of escape medication, a second primary endpoint, showed that there were no significant changes in the use of escape medication. The improvements seen in pain were therefore attributable to the positive effects of Sativex.The other active arm of this study, GW’s THC extract did not show a significant effect in pain (p=0.24). This trial therefore suggests that Sativex is the more effective product for use in cancer pain. In the trial, the adverse event data showed the medicines to be generally well tolerated. Approximately 40 per cent of cancer sufferers at present have unmet needs in pain suppression.Dr Stephen Wright, GW’s R&D Director, said, “Patients in this trial were suffering intense pain as a result of their cancer despite using currently available strong opioid treatments and therefore have a very high clinical need. The data from this important trial further demonstrates the broad potential of Sativex, not only in its initial Multiple Sclerosis and neuropathic pain markets, but also in cancer and potentially other types of chronic pain. These positive results suggest that Sativex may represent a valuable new treatment option for this group of patients. “We will now be actively reviewing the next steps, including a possible further Phase III confirmatory clinical trial, towards securing regulatory approvals for the use of Sativex in cancer pain.”Sativex is currently the subject of regulatory applications in both the UK and Canada. A Qualifying Notice for approval in Canada was received in December 2004 for the use of Sativex in the treatment of neuropathic pain in Multiple Sclerosis. In both countries, upon approval, Sativex will be exclusively marketed by Bayer HealthCare.- Ends -
Enquiries:GW Pharmaceuticals plc Today: 020 7067 0700
Dr Geoffrey Guy, Chairman Thereafter: 01980 557000
Justin Gover, Managing Director
Dr Stephen Wright, R&D Director
Mark Rogerson, Press and PR 07885 638810

Weber Shandwick SquareMile 020 7067 0700
Kevin Smith / Sarah MacLeod This news release may contain forward-looking statements that reflect the Company's current expectations regarding future events, including the clinical development and regulatory clearance of the Company's products. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual events could differ materially from those projected herein and depend on a number of factors, including (inter alia), the success of the Company's research strategies, the applicability of the discoveries made therein, the successful and timely completion of clinical studies, including with respect to Sativex and the Company's other products, the uncertainties related to the regulatory process, and the acceptance of Sativex and other products by consumers and medical professionals.

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Comment #20 posted by FoM on January 18, 2005 at 20:39:57 PT

siege
I answered John Kerry's request a little while ago. Thanks for posting it.
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Comment #19 posted by siege on January 18, 2005 at 20:38:07 PT

off topic
I'll say this in the Senate, but I'm asking you to add your voice to mine:"President Bush, for the sake of our troops, replace Rumsfeld now."http://www.johnkerry.com/replacerumsfeldJohnKerry.com
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Comment #18 posted by FoM on January 18, 2005 at 20:02:24 PT

afterburner
I don't like pot humor. It's just not funny. When I think of cannabis I think of people like Angel Raich and Mike and Valerie Corral. I think of Montel Williams and pain and suffering and the need to stop the madness. Cannabis is an herb that people feel helps them. Even if it would just be a placebo effect so what I say. If it works it works. What harm or wrong is there if a person can get relief from this plant?
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Comment #17 posted by afterburner on January 18, 2005 at 19:42:10 PT

RE Comment #12
I'm with you, FoM. Those of us who frequently scan the articles and links posted on this site know that the prohibitionists are deadly serious. We need to be lively serious to combat their fallacious arguments. The time for general cannabis humor is passed: It died when Tommy Chong was arrested and jailed for selling bongs over the Internet, just because he played a humorous character in the 1970's. I feel the same way about cannabis humor that blacks feel about black humor, Chinese feel about Chinese humor, aboriginal people feel about aboriginal humor, Italians feel about Italian humor, Newfoundlanders feel about Newfie humor, Poles feel about Polish humor, etc. We can laugh at and among ourselves, but let not any outsiders tell jokes at our expense. That's not funny; it's prejudice.
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Comment #16 posted by mayan on January 18, 2005 at 18:27:22 PT

unrelated...
Maybe ASA will be the ones to expose the Diebold machines as the death of democracy...ASA SUES ALAMEDA COUNTY OVER “MEASURE R” RECOUNT:
http://www.hightimes.com/ht/news/content.php?bid=169&aid=24&PHPSESSID=e01fc9133cdf02129759dbf0683bab9aTHE WAY OUT IS THE WAY IN...9/11 - Simplifying the case against Dick Cheney:
http://copvcia.com/free/ww3/011805_simplify_case.shtml9/11 Was an Inside Job - A Call to All True Patriots:
http://www.911sharethetruth.com/
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Comment #15 posted by Sukoi on January 18, 2005 at 18:12:13 PT

FoM
I completely understand but maybe others here will take it upon themselves to spread the word anonymously (or not) in semi-hostile environments. It works and it can be quite enlightening and at times, quite fun!
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Comment #14 posted by FoM on January 18, 2005 at 17:57:10 PT

Sukoi
I understand what you are saying. I won't use my time typing to someone that doesn't care or is down right hostile. I can't type alot because I shattered my wrist years ago in a fall from a horse so I limit my comments to here on CNews. Too much typing makes my wrist hurt. I know we are read by those who aren't on our side and maybe they will see and if they don't at least I tried.
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Comment #13 posted by Sukoi on January 18, 2005 at 17:41:31 PT

FoM
I couldn't agree more but there are people out there who actually think like this guy and we need to change their minds. I frequent some forums of all persuasions and have some success, if everyone did this then we would win this fight in a heartbeat; one person can change many minds!!!
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Comment #12 posted by FoM on January 18, 2005 at 17:32:04 PT

Sukoi and Everyone
I have been in a gnarly mood. I am so tired of games. This is a game that isn't funny. Kidding or putting down cannabis and those that need it to ease their discomforts is serious to me. I have no patience with games. The game is over and the truth is out and it's time we see an end to the war on cannabis. Our world is in turmoil and we don't need to be fighting over this ancient medicinal plant anymore. It is way beyond time to end the madness.
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Comment #11 posted by global_warming on January 18, 2005 at 17:30:39 PT

re:this writing
"Where is it written that medical research on marijuana can only be done by people who are against recreational use?" Doblin asked me. (I suggested that it's probably in some DEA handbook, actually.) "The criteria should be rigorous research. I mean, should I get out of the business of promoting medical marijuana simply because I believe in recreational use of it, too?"The answer is "nowhere" in any civilized and rational human being in this world, only those that cultivate an existence from the cottage industries of drug prohibition.Where I am, the temperatures are falling, around 12 degrees F, I am in a place where I can warm myself with the heat from a wood fire, yet it is at these terrible cold nights, that I feel very sad, for the homeless, those that live in the streets.I realize that some of these homeless people have made choices that seem strange, and some have fallen on hard times, through no choice of their own, but these cold nights, will find and take some of these weaker people.Though some have come to these places by misfortune, there are those that refuse to assimilate or integrate into our productive society, and it those that make conscious choices to live such live outside of our civilization, it is these that I respect the most.These nameless and dirty faced human beings have always reminded me of what has been said in the scriptures.Mar 10:21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. gw
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Comment #10 posted by siege on January 18, 2005 at 17:21:12 PT

Social & Health Services, Ltd.
Domain Name: FREEVIBE.COM Administrative Contact:
SHS Network Operations Center shs-ops shs.net
Social & Health Services, Ltd.
11426 Rockville Pike Suite 100
Rockville, MD 20852
US
Phone: 301-770-5800
Fax: 301-468-7394
www.FREEVIBE.COM
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Comment #9 posted by Sukoi on January 18, 2005 at 17:19:04 PT

I think that he's misguided but truly serious
"When we see this much propaganda we must be making progress and it scares them. How can anyone in this day and age hate cannabis so much? Everyone has a relative or friend that smokes cannabis. If they talk like they do about cannabis what else is being distorted? Even if he is kidding about cannabis it's hard to handle for me."This guy is seriously deluded but I feel the same way as you do FoM!

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Comment #8 posted by siege on January 18, 2005 at 16:37:11 PT

phi·los·o·phy
rigorous research how much more is neaded to be had Sir: Nathaniel Page phi·los·o·phy Audio pronunciation of "philosophy" ( P ) Pronunciation Key (f-ls-f)
n. pl. phi·los·o·phiesThe disciplines presented in university curriculums of science and the liberal arts, except medicine, law, and theology.Investigation of the nature, causes, or principles of reality, knowledge, or values, based on logical reasoning rather than empirical methods.

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Comment #7 posted by FoM on January 18, 2005 at 16:06:43 PT

dongenero
When we see this much propaganda we must be making progress and it scares them. How can anyone in this day and age hate cannabis so much? Everyone has a relative or friend that smokes cannabis. If they talk like they do about cannabis what else is being distorted? Even if he is kidding about cannabis it's hard to handle for me.
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Comment #6 posted by dongenero on January 18, 2005 at 15:57:04 PT

maybe FoM
freevibe.com is real Government pro-prohibition propoganda, that's for sure.
Maybe Nathan should be screened in President Bush's mental health sweep. They may need to adjust his Thorazine dosage if he is exhibiting delusional behavior.Ooopps is that mean?..oh well...too late. I feel really bad now. Not really.
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Comment #5 posted by FoM on January 18, 2005 at 15:45:27 PT

dongenero
I don't know but he seems serious.Nathaniel Page is a junior philosophy major. For more information about the ills of illegal drugs, visit www.freevibe.com.
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Comment #4 posted by dongenero on January 18, 2005 at 15:33:28 PT

that one is a joke..almost certainly
"Don't Let the Reefers Misguide You" is almost certainly a joke. I mean, it is so over the top ridiculous it has to be a joke.
Not that there aren't a few that would go "yes, that's right"
Joyce Nalepka comes to mind but, honestly it is so ridiculous...this kid is poking fun in his school newspaper.
It is quite funny. It reads like the remake of "Reefer Madness". He's mocking prohibitionists.
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Comment #3 posted by Sukoi on January 18, 2005 at 15:19:20 PT

Don’t be fooled; cannabis is worse than the plague
Take a look at this completely unsubstantiated drivel:Don't Let Those Reefers Misguide You
http://www.ucsbdailynexus.com/opinion/2005/8666.html
And take a look at this from the BBC; it might not be the U.S. but the logic FOR legalization is nonetheless the same:As the government's war against drugs continues, two personal and opposing accounts argue the case for and against legalisation.
For:Drugs legalisation: 'when, not if'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/if/4152375.stmAgainst:Drugs legalisation 'not likely'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/if/4152453.stm

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Comment #2 posted by afterburner on January 18, 2005 at 15:09:34 PT

Damning Us with Faint Praise
From the title, “What Are They Smoking?” through the many synonyms for cannabis and cannabis culture references, the author damns us with faint praise:“marijuana”
"What have you been smoking, professor?"
“pot”
“Cheech and Chong haven't taken over the Department of Agriculture”
“dope”
“nickel bags”
“ganja”
“munchies”
“hemp-wearing marijuana crusader”
“Marijuana does indeed destroy a person's ability to focus on long-term goals—in this case, smoking more pot”
“weed”
“reefer madness”
“indiga [indica]”
“Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelic Studies [as portrayed by the author]”
“doobie”
“recreational use”This hardly makes for objective reporting on medical cannabis or Professor Lyle Craker's application to grow medical-grade cannabis. To be fair the author does mention vaporizers and eaten cannabis, the fact that 11 states have passed medical cannabis laws over the objections of the federal government, DEA obstructionism, and the poor quality of medical cannabis from the National Institute on Drug Abuse farm in Mississippi. However, these facts get lost in the deluge of cutesy synonyms and cannabis culture references used by this self-described one-time cannabis smoker. He must have had to do lots of research to get all the above synonyms and cannabis references, but how do they add any positive value to his facts? All the synonyms and references do is to play into the public's fears of cannabis from 82 years of "Reefer Madness" brainwashing and to deny serious treatment of the subject at hand. Medical cannabis and medical cannabis patients deserve better.
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