cannabisnews.com: Expert Rails Against Medical Marijuana





Expert Rails Against Medical Marijuana
Posted by CN Staff on February 10, 2005 at 07:58:29 PT
By Andrea Hahn, The Southern 
Source: Southern Illinoisan
Mount Vernon -- About a dozen people, some of them in education or counseling, turned out in Mount Vernon Wednesday to hear Dr. Andrea Barthwell talk about the need to take marijuana seriously.Barthwell has embarked on a lecture series presenting the dangers of marijuana use -- particularly in the face of Illinois House Bill 407, which would create the Illinois Medical Cannabis Act. Barthwell is the former deputy director for Demand Reduction from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy -- otherwise known as the deputy drug czar.
The Illinois Medical Cannabis Act, sponsored by Rep. Larry McKeon, D-Chicago, would allow a person diagnosed with what the bill describes as a "debilitating medical condition" to be a card-carrying legal cannabis user. The sick person and that person's primary caregiver would be allowed to own up to 12 cannabis plants and two and a half ounces of "usable cannabis."Barthwell said her "Illinois Marijuana Lectures" are not specifically in response to the bill, which was filed Jan. 26 and sent to the Human Services Committee on Feb. 2. Judy Kreamer, president of Educating Voices and Barthwell's tour-mate, said she had asked Barthwell to present these lectures as part of the organization's overall mission to keep children from using drugs.However, much of Barthwell's 90-minute presentation focused on the issue of legalizing marijuana for medical purposes. Kreamer said she hoped those in attendance would "do a training session" or "write about this" after hearing the program.Barthwell stressed that legalizing marijuana for medical purposes by popular vote would subvert the Food and Drug Administration approval process."We'll be going back to the days of snake-oil medicine," she said.Barthwell said perception causes a serious dilemma when it comes to marijuana. She said many people who are responsible adults in today's society remember a time when marijuana use was fairly common, and something that was generally left behind as people matured. In fact, she said, many people, including parents, believe that marijuana use is relatively harmless.However, Barthwell said the negative side-effects of marijuana use on health -- including an increased risk of lung cancer -- are part of an equation that should raise concern. The other part of the equation relates specifically to school-age children.Barthwell said the THC level -- the chemical in cannabis that produces the high -- has increased as marijuana producers have learned more about manipulating plant growth. She said in the '60's and '70's, the THC level was about 1 percent. Now it averages about 7 percent, she said, up to 17 percent, with "BC bud" from Canada showing a potency of up to 30 percent THC level.Barthwell said the "initiation age" of users is 9 to 11 years old. She said the increased potency of cannabis combined with the lower average age of first-time users is equivalent to gulping whiskey on an empty stomach as opposed to nursing a beer over a period of hours.She said legalizing marijuana for any reason, even medicinal reasons, would make the substance more available to minors.Barthwell said the Illinois Medical Cannabis Act is a cover for the broader agenda of general legalization of marijuana."Another agenda being worked here is using our compassion for the sick and dying," she said, referring medical proponents testimony about the drug's beneficial effects on those with cancer or glaucoma."It is not a medicine," she said. "You don't know what's in it," she said. She said the variable level of THC in marijuana plants depending upon variety and growing methods makes it nearly impossible to prescribe a particular dosage.Barthwell urged those in attendance to "let Springfield know how people feel about (marijuana use and legalization)."In an interview after the presentation, Barthwell said nine of 10 marijuana users do not become addicted to the drug -- but those non-dependent users tend to be the ones who recruit new users. She said those who introduce drug use to their peer groups usually do so after they have had a "novel and pleasant experience" -- not after they have become entwined in a downward spiral of drug addiction.Matthew Atwood, Illinois Drug Education and Legislative Reform Executive Director, said Barthwell's lectures are filled with "disingenuous arguments.""I don't think she has the research to back up her arguments," Atwood said. "She refuses to back up her claims with citations, and she continues to drive around the state with her disingenuous claims."Barthwell said she will have her research citations available online within "a couple of weeks."Atwood said protecting children from abusing legal drugs is a responsibility of families and of those to whom the drugs are prescribed. He said cannabis would be in the same category.Since marijuana is, in at least some cases, beneficial for treating symptoms, Atwood said a patient would not necessarily need an exact prescription, but could "use as much as they need." He added that medical research of marijuana has been blocked by the very organizations that claim more research is needed.The Illinois Medical Cannabis Act is scheduled for a hearing before the Human Services Committee on Feb. 17.Barthwell was reported to have considered a run for the U.S. Senate representing Illinois when she stepped down as her deputy drug czar. She said at present she has no political ambition, but, in the face of the political nature of the legalization question, she would "seriously consider" resuming her political career "if duty called."Source: Southern Illinoisan (Carbondale, IL)Author: Andrea Hahn, The Southern Published: Thursday, February 10, 2005 Copyright: 2005 Southern IllinoisanContact: andrea.hahn thesouthern.comWebsite: http://www.southernillinoisan.com/Related Articles & Web Site:Medical Marijuana Information Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/medical.htm Medical Marijuana Issue Heats Up http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20216.shtmlMedical-Use Marijuana Hot Topic http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20215.shtml
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Comment #14 posted by Industrial Strength on February 12, 2005 at 00:00:04 PT
the check is in the mail, I promise
"Barthwell said she will have her research citations available online within "a couple of weeks.""I used to find garbage like this a shining ray of hope. Surely, if this is how they present their arguments, surely your average person will figure it out soon enough, I thought. We don't stand any real chance. America is a country that celebrates sloth and ignorance and has the collective maturity level of a grade ten special ed class. I've spent the last two years of my life working for the Western Canada Wilderness Committee and I've become so bummed out and pessimistic lately I'm not sure I'll continue to. I just don't know what it is I was working to try and save or if we had any chance. By the way, anyone care to venture a guess as to what poses the greatest threat to Western Canada's wilderness? The answer is an easy one.Well, I don't know how this post got to where it did, so I'll shut up now. Ciao.Pessimistically, Samuel.
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Comment #13 posted by afterburner on February 11, 2005 at 10:54:33 PT
''disingenuous arguments''
"She said legalizing marijuana for any reason, even medicinal reasons, would make the substance more available to minors."So, by this logic morphine must be "more available to minors" since it is a legal medicine.
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Comment #12 posted by FoM on February 10, 2005 at 18:56:49 PT
All Because of Mentioning California Grass
McCartney Show Sparks Complaints to FCC Excerpt from Article:Two other complaints submitted this year centred on a line from Get Back, the 1969 song that was among the four tunes sung by McCartney. The viewers were upset by the line "Jojo left his home in Tucson, Arizona/For some California Grass," taking it to be a reference to Marijuana. http://www.cbc.ca/story/arts/national/2005/02/10/Arts/fcc050210.html
 
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Comment #11 posted by kaptinemo on February 10, 2005 at 18:50:07 PT:
I think the title says it all
Expert Rails Against Medical MarijuanaFrom Dictionary.com: http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=railsrail3  ( P ) Pronunciation Key (rl)
intr.v. railed, rail·ing, rails 
To express objections or criticisms in bitter, harsh, or abusive language. See Synonyms at scold.I'd say the shoe fits...
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Comment #10 posted by observer on February 10, 2005 at 11:04:24 PT
''Legalizing'' Marijuana 
much of Barthwell's 90-minute presentation focused on the issue of legalizing marijuana for medical purposes.
...
Barthwell stressed that legalizing marijuana for medical purposes by popular vote would subvert the Food and Drug Administration approval process.
...
She said legalizing marijuana for any reason, even medicinal reasons, would make the substance more available to minors.
...
Barthwell said the Illinois Medical Cannabis Act is a cover for the broader agenda of general legalization of marijuana.
...
Barthwell urged those in attendance to "let Springfield know how people feel about (marijuana use and legalization)."
...
She said at present she has no political ambition, but, in the face of the political nature of the legalization question, she would "seriously consider" resuming her political career "if duty called."
(From the book, "Drug War Propaganda," pg.266.)
Cannabis to Total Legalization of MarijuanaMany prohibitionists claim that not arresting the sick and dying people
who use cannabis would lead to total "legalization" of marijuana. The
slippery slope to total access to marijuana, the drug warrior says, is
reason to continue the jailing. (Well, jail is not explicitly mentioned.)
To heighten fears, total access by "the children" may be emotionally
stressed."All these attempts to legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes are
part of an indirect means of achieving total legalization of the drug,"
huffed one official. The bureaucrat pointed to "studies stating that
regular use of marijuana damages the human brain, immune system,
reproductive organs and lungs."Ever with an eye to the propaganda value of all events, the official
fretted that "the message being spread concerning the so-called medical
use of marijuana is very effective advertising to convince kids that
marijuana is not harmful. This advertising is many times more effective
than those 'Joe Camel' ads by the tobacco companies, which lured
children to smoke tobacco," asserted the government official.33
A Texas paper warned of the horrific consequences should people no
longer be in peril of arrest and incarceration for using marijuana
medically. This would be a "stepping stone" to total legalization of
marijuana the paper reported, quoting politicians.34"A bill that would strengthen defense against prosecution," the paper
said (euphemizing away the issue of incarceration), "for those using
marijuana with a doctor's approval met with resistance Tuesday from
some legislators who fear it could lead to completely legalizing the
drug." To avoid sliding down the slippery slope to total access of the
sinful marijuana, say righteous legislators, total prohibition must be
strengthened.Politicians "on the jurisprudence committee expressed concern over the
bill's implied method of self-medication -- smoking -- as well as
whether the bill would function as a stepping stone to eventually
legalizing marijuana in full." The good lawmakers of the land are only
holding the line in maintaining total prohibition. All or none. Otherwise
marijuana sin shall fill the countryside. "All I think it'll do is just
proliferate the use of the drug just like it would any other drug," the
paper quoted one politician as saying. "Anyone can raise that defense,
it's an affirmative defense, if they can get a doctor,"35 cried the
politician. (The paper did not ask the politician how that situation
reflected on the medical licensure laws of Texas.)
(Drug War Propaganda, pp.266-267)http://drugwarpropaganda.news-bot.net/
now in print, 324 pages: Drug War Propaganda
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Comment #9 posted by Richard Paul Zuckerm on February 10, 2005 at 10:25:46 PT:
SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, DECEMBER 2004 ISSUE
Please read the comprehensive article supporting Medical Marijuana in the December 2004 issue of Scientific American?
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Comment #8 posted by goneposthole on February 10, 2005 at 09:30:01 PT
She's right, all the way
Here's what happened:I planted a marihuana seed on Monday.On Tuesday it was a fully matured phenotype of Indica.I woke up on Wednesday morning and there was a bottle of pure THC on my kitchen table. The ingredients on the label said: Pure THC, use only if drowned by incessant government propaganda.It's madness, I tell you, madness. Manifested by quacks and charlatans and do-gooders and crackpots and anybody who sees fit to lie all of the time for self-serving purposes.
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Comment #7 posted by FoM on February 10, 2005 at 08:58:00 PT
News Article from The Santa Cruz Sentinel
Here's an article that is worth reading. I won't post it because they have names of people in the article and it upsets folks when they find their name online after a few years and they contact me and I then remove the article.Marijuana Team Tries To Decipher Healing vs. Dealinghttp://www.santacruzsentinel.com/archive/2005/February/10/local/stories/04local.htm
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Comment #6 posted by schmeff on February 10, 2005 at 08:57:30 PT
About a Dozen...
...people showed up to hear Barthwell. Kinda says it all, doesn't it? At least one person, apparently, was the 'journalist' who authored this story. Is it too much to speculate that ALL of those in attendance were either the media, or other suckers of the Drug War teat ordered to show up by their supervisors."About a dozen people, some of them in education or counseling, turned out in Mount Vernon Wednesday to hear Dr. Andrea Barthwell talk about the need to take marijuana seriously." The journalist has to approximate, "about a dozen", because in such a HUGE crowd...it's difficult to be more accurate.
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Comment #5 posted by observer on February 10, 2005 at 08:41:40 PT
Barf Well - No Cannabis
[3]
Barthwell has embarked on a lecture series presenting the dangers of marijuana use -- particularly in the face of Illinois House Bill 407, which would create the Illinois Medical Cannabis Act.
(Sentence 3) re: "marijuana use" - "This strategy equates the use and abuse of drugs and implies that it is impossible to use the particular drug or drugs in question without physical, mental, and moral deterioration." [W.White,1979] (Use is Abuse (propaganda theme 4) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme4.htm#alluseisabuse ) 
 
 
[6]
Larry McKeon, D-Chicago, would allow a person diagnosed with what the bill describes as a "debilitating medical condition" to be a card-carrying legal cannabis user.
(Sentence 6) re: "cannabis user" - Prohibitionists try to hammer in the idea that 'all use is abuse.' The rhetoric of prohibition needs to deny that many people can use currently illegal drugs without abusing them. (Use is Abuse (propaganda theme 4) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme4.htm#alluseisabuse ) 
 
 
[9]
Judy Kreamer, president of Educating Voices and Barthwell's tour-mate, said she had asked Barthwell to present these lectures as part of the organization's overall mission to keep children from using drugs.
(Sentence 9) re: "children" - Prohibitionists are champions of "the child", "kids", "children", etc. Only continued or increased punishments of all adults caught using "drugs" will send the correct "message" to children. (Children Corrupted (propaganda theme 5) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme5.htm#5 ) 
 
 
[10]
However, much of Barthwell's 90-minute presentation focused on the issue of legalizing marijuana for medical purposes.
(Sentence 10) re: "legalizing" - Drug policy options are presented as either total prohibition, or as total "legalization." No middle ground is contemplated in the "zero-tolerance" world of prohibition. Absolute prohibition executed with religious fervor and purpose! (Total Prohibition or Access (propaganda theme 7) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme7.htm#7 ) 
 
 
[12]
Barthwell stressed that legalizing marijuana for medical purposes by popular vote would subvert the Food and Drug Administration approval process.
(Sentence 12) re: "legalizing" - Onward prohibitionist drug warriors, fighting the epidemic and scourge in the battles of the war against drugs! (Drugs declared evil by politicians, that is.) (Total Prohibition or Access (propaganda theme 7) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme7.htm#7 ) 
 
 
[15]
She said many people who are responsible adults in today's society remember a time when marijuana use was fairly common, and something that was generally left behind as people matured.
(Sentence 15) re: "society" - Prohibitionists assert that the survival of the community, society, the nation, the world, etc. are at stake. Only continued and increased punishments for drug users can be contemplated, because, say prohibitionists, society will otherwise fall apart. (Survival of Society (propaganda theme 3) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme3.htm#3 ) re: "marijuana use" - Prohibitionist propagandists repeatedly assert that "use is abuse." Details about "using" as opposed to "abusing" drugs are ignored. (Use is Abuse (propaganda theme 4) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme4.htm#alluseisabuse ) 
 
 
[16]
In fact, she said, many people, including parents, believe that marijuana use is relatively harmless.
(Sentence 16) re: "marijuana use" - The rhetoric of prohibition will assume that "use" and "abuse" are identical. (Use is Abuse (propaganda theme 4) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme4.htm#alluseisabuse ) 
 
 
[17]
However, Barthwell said the negative side-effects of marijuana use on health -- including an increased risk of lung cancer -- are part of an equation that should raise concern.
(Sentence 17) re: "cancer" - The rhetoric of prohibition asserts that insanity, crime, and violence are caused by drugs, or are controlled by prohibition. (Madness,Crime,Violence,Illness (propaganda theme 2) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme2.htm#2 ) re: "marijuana use" - Prohibition propaganda claims that all use of any "drug" is abuse. (Use is Abuse (propaganda theme 4) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme4.htm#alluseisabuse ) 
 
 
[18]
The other part of the equation relates specifically to school-age children.
(Sentence 18) re: "children" - Being a prohibitionist means you can never shed too many crocodile tears for the "children". (As you lustily jail or kill their parents for using drugs.) (Children Corrupted (propaganda theme 5) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme5.htm#5 ) 
 
 
[24]
She said legalizing marijuana for any reason, even medicinal reasons, would make the substance more available to minors.
(Sentence 24) re: "legalizing" - With God on Their Side (prohibitionists assure us), only the continued rooting out of the sinful drug users (total prohibition) will do. All else is portrayed as the slippery slope to total legalization of all drugs for toddlers. (Total Prohibition or Access (propaganda theme 7) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme7.htm#7 ) 
 
 
[26]
"Another agenda being worked here is using our compassion for the sick and dying," she said, referring medical proponents testimony about the drug's beneficial effects on those with cancer or glaucoma.
(Sentence 26) re: "cancer" - Drugs, claim the prohibitionist, cause insanity, violence, and terrible sickness. (Madness,Crime,Violence,Illness (propaganda theme 2) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme2.htm#2 ) 
 
 
[30]
Barthwell urged those in attendance to "let Springfield know how people feel about (marijuana use and legalization)."
(Sentence 30) re: "marijuana use" - "This strategy equates the use and abuse of drugs and implies that it is impossible to use the particular drug or drugs in question without physical, mental, and moral deterioration." [W.White,1979] (Use is Abuse (propaganda theme 4) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme4.htm#alluseisabuse ) 
 
 
[31]
In an interview after the presentation, Barthwell said nine of 10 marijuana users do not become addicted to the drug -- but those non-dependent users tend to be the ones who recruit new users.
(Sentence 31) re: "addicted" - Drugs, the prohibitionist explains, are a wicked bane on modern man. Why if not for the noble drug war (i.e. jailing drug users), exclaims the propagandist, then people will run amok, and violence, death, psychosis, and plague shall cover the land. (Madness,Crime,Violence,Illness (propaganda theme 2) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme2.htm#2 ) re: "marijuana users" - Prohibition propaganda claims that all use of any "drug" is abuse. (Use is Abuse (propaganda theme 4) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme4.htm#alluseisabuse ) 
 
 
[32]
She said those who introduce drug use to their peer groups usually do so after they have had a "novel and pleasant experience" -- not after they have become entwined in a downward spiral of drug addiction.
(Sentence 32) re: "drug addiction" - The rhetoric of prohibition will try to use labeling and guilt by association to link drugs and drug users with hated groups. (Hated Groups (propaganda theme 1) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme1.htm#1 ) re: "drug use" - Prohibition propaganda claims that all use of any "drug" is abuse. (Use is Abuse (propaganda theme 4) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme4.htm#alluseisabuse ) 
 
 
now in print: Drug War Propaganda
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Comment #4 posted by OverwhelmSam on February 10, 2005 at 08:36:35 PT
Is That All She's Got?
A health dissertation? There are more dire consequences with eating disorders; That's the subject she should be researching and talking about, judging by her girth.
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Comment #3 posted by ekim on February 10, 2005 at 08:33:37 PT
Where are the Co Sponsers to this bill 
if this vile woman will not debate the Rep.McKeon, D-Chicago in full day light then her lecture series presenting the dangers of marijuana use must be made public information as to where and when she will be speaking and attacking -- so the other side will have a level playing field. I hope Sen. Obama of IL. will come out in favor of a open debate and not allow this back door effort to smear the good Rep.McKeon by trying to scare people with lies like Barthwell said perception causes a serious dilemma when it comes to marijuana.-- including an increased risk of lung cancer --- Lies she can not defend in a open debate.today at 3 pm on C-Span 3-----drug czar jpee will be asking for his money -- the shake down will be carried on C-Span radio also.
http://www.leap.cc/events
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on February 10, 2005 at 08:25:48 PT
mayan
Please post your letter if you get published and it gets posted. I wish we could have a link to published MJ articles on CNews but it never happened. Jose posts his letters when he's published and that's nice.
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Comment #1 posted by mayan on February 10, 2005 at 08:12:57 PT
Get Busy
Let's bombard The Southern!Submit a LTE...http://www.thesouthern.com/template.php?p=scripts/letter_to_editor.phpI just sent mine! I hope it shows up at Mapinc.org!
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