PROPOSAL 08-1
A LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVE TO PERMIT THE USE AND CULTIVATION OF
MARIJUANA FOR SPECIFIED MEDICAL CONDITIONS
The proposed law would:
• Permit physician approved use of marijuana by registered patients with debilitating medical conditions including cancer, glaucoma, HIV, AIDS, hepatitis C, MS and other conditions as may be approved by the Department of Community Health.
• Permit registered individuals to grow limited amounts of marijuana for qualifying patients in an enclosed, locked facility.
• Require Department of Community Health to establish an identification card system for patients qualified to use marijuana and individuals qualified to grow marijuana.
• Permit registered and unregistered patients and primary caregivers to assert medical reasons for using marijuana as a defense to any prosecution involving marijuana.
Should this proposal be adopted?
YES
Marijuana benefits seriously-ill and terminally-ill patients in that it provides pain relief and appetite enhancement. Any arguments about a slippery slope are nothing more than scare tactics that have nothing to do with the proposal as it stands. Many people have died in the state of Michigan without the ability to gain benefit from a drug that has proven to be of help in ensuring pain, and nausea relief. Allowing someone to die in any form of discomfort that is preventable, is nothing short of cruel. Marijuana gives doctors the ability help their patients terminal, or not and standing in the way are outdated, and cruel federal and state laws that turn a blind eye to the suffering of many citizens.
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10 comments:
Convince me that there is no other substance (oral, itravenous, snort, sprinkle, salve, poultice, or chant) that will perform as well or better and I will agree that inhaling smoke into my lungs is a good idea.
As a recipient of four bipasses, four stents, and vascular artery replacement caused by inhaling smoke from the red man's curse, I categorize this campaign in the same basket as the "black religion" and "born in the Middle East" letters to the Banner that should have been followed by the italicized disclaimer the editoress would normally attach to any opinion that differs from the Banter editorials.
When it comes to "scare tactics" you somehow ignored the position that if we don't promote the use of smoking weeds we are condemning everybody who needs an Aspirin to a long and agonizing horrible lingering painful death without dignity.
The indigenous of Costa Rica are aware of and use many other weeds (usually consumed as a nasty-tasting tea) for medicinal use. Belladonna comes to mind, since it is also a familiar yard decoration.
At the bottom of the same basket is the argument that the same fate will be dealt by God if she finds out that we refuse to allow scientists to screw around with EMBRYONIC stem cells. (Oh, I forgot that the E... word isn't used in the advertising misinfomercials.) Dare I ask if the identical stem cells could be obtained from the umbellical cords that are routinely discarded? Quick, change the subject! Somebody is doing some homework!
Oh, well, I already voted a month ago (for that guy)(against smoking weeds and screwing around with science that has already been completed by the more advanced foreign laboratories.)
Even the architect of the GWBII 2004 campaign, Karl Rove, has miscalculated the need to bring up "last-minute revelations" before early voters get done voting. Anything this late will merely make the job of writing for SNL easier.
Marijuana's been used medically for millenia and has never caused a fatal overdose in recorded medical history. The "red man's curse" notwithstanding, it's safer than many of the things we're routinely prescribed and good science supports its use.
Please check out this video for one personal story.
Thanks for the link Rick.
One of the toughest thinks to convey to people is that this is not unproven science, or a way to make marijuana legal for everyone.
I for one have seen what happens to someone taking chemo. First it seems like everything is gonna be o.k., and there will be no need for the anti nausea drugs. After the second or third session (in my relatives case) there is a constant feeling that they are going to have to throw up at any time.
The doctors (in this case) were swell, and immediately prescribed some of those "available drugs" knowing full well where we were headed. Gradually ruling out the drugs that didn't work (inexpensive) eventually they try one that works as comp. This means the drug company likely gave them samples, and they are trying their best to help. IT WORKS! Not completely, but much better than the rest. On the good side you find a drug that is presently legal that seems to help make the patient more comfortable. On the bad side the freebies are over.
$400 for two weeks supply.
Not covered under insurance. Experimental.
Grillo, you have to see the problems associated with use of this specific drug! The sheet that came with it is as long as my arm. So forgive me if I chuckle when you sight marijuana as being "in the same basket as the "black religion". The only black religion here is the one that claims it must be certified by the FDA in order to be sold to those that may have need for it.
O.K., your scientific explanation of all other options being inadequate to resolve the issue has convinced me that we all need to maintain a garden in our basement in case our cancerous friends crops fail.(;p)
Pardon me if "The "red man's curse" notwithstanding" fails to dismiss the risk of inhaling air filled with pollutants that certainly cause heart problems and possibly contribute to the perceived need for mari-jane in the first place. Is it really not possible for modern "good" science to identify and isolate the beneficial extracts from the cannabis plants and provide an oral tablet? I'm sniffing a smoke-screen, and lovin'it! Whooooee!
Did you know that the A.M.Todd Co. of Kalamazoo had a huge mint plantation in Mentha, Mich? (With a still!)
I wasn't distracted by the dodge that if a product "has never caused a fatal overdose in recorded medical history" it must be part of a wholesome diet. Neither have geraniums as far as I know! "Good science" also supports regular use of Viagra if you don't mind walking around with a hard-on for a few days. I skipped visiting the anecdotal testimonial. "Joe the Plumber" is all I can stomach.
I'm sure your argument pretends to imply that the high-quality weeds will be grown by amateurs with consistently marvelous perfection, in spite of the problems they usually have growing radishes. Certainly the cost is low, as it is with most inferior products that are not inspected for harmful ingredients (like the vegetables grown on the island we Navy guys shelled, and are now laced with heavy metals).
One advantage of growing the pot outdoors would be getting it away from the lead pipes in the basement!
The junk approved by the FDA has at least been inspected (perhaps) and the drug companies seem to be a good investment.(Perrigo,anyone?)
I'm having a "black-light" special on VermiCompost, this week. This is guaranteed to produce lush oily leaves and organically healthy foliage.
I have a friend in Costa Rica who is growing and crossing various strains of cannabis in an effort to produce higher-quality plants. So far, I haven't heard any complaints from the folks who are testing his output. If the proposal passes, maybe we can rent a booth at the Farmer's Market and guarantee the finest organically-grown leaves and solar-dried filler materials. I'm thinking flavors and aromatherapeutically-enhanced experiences. Imagine a mix of cardamom and spearmint, or cinnamon and ginger!
I met an old Cuban guy in CR who rolls special cigars for elite customers around the world. If he is still alive, he might make a product for us that would be exquisitely ideal for the rich and famous. How about a special blend for folks with water-pipes? Hooo-Kaah!
The solution for having "a constant feeling that they are going to have to throw up at any time" is going to be relieved somewhat on January 20, 2009!
They should make all pot legal or keep it the way it is. States that do have Medical Marijuana laws on the books are now seeing an increase in property rights cases.
With the rabid Barnies (city, county and State) around here, I can see them doing a raid, the raidee saying they have a permit and the product being seized (dying) in evidence and the jurisdiction being on the hook for the damage.
I am voting no because it causes more problems than its worth.
I have glioblastoma stage IV cancer A brain tumor. I have been through two chemo session and I just started my theard round of chemo this time I had gotten so sick that I had the dry hevs for seven days strate if I could have found some weed I surly would have bought some.All of these people have no idea what we are actuly going through I would gladly change places with any one who says that weed smoking dosn't work At least give us A chance the drugs that do work a little cost so much that even with my disscount it cost over $400.00
So the reason to pass this law is to save money?
baker65,
I'm still not convinced that smoking pot is the only option available to you.
Is it possible that the producers of the $400 drug are heartless S.O.B.s that need GWBII to lend them $700 billion before he gets tarred and feathered and thrown out of Washington, DC??
Health costs in Costa Rica are 15% of what they are in the USA. 15% of $400 is $60. Would that help?
agno,
I assume that this is the thread that you were referring to.
If Baker was insulted by my disbelief, I apologize for not selecting my words more carefully.
We will, of course, see the consequences of legal pot smoking in a few years, and that will provide a conclusion to the debate.
I won't have such easy access to this forum after next week, so you will be truly alone.
Quite a selection of books on growing high-quality Cannabis int he 7th Street Bookstore, in downtown San Jose, next to the hot item, "Audacity of Hope".
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