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Medical Marijuana
317wc
Member Posts: 924 ✭✭✭✭
Just wondering what the consensus was here about medical marijuana. Curently I am on painkillers, anti-epilepsy drugs, and muscle relaxants. I have been through chemo, radiation therapy, and surgery. I have constant pain and am taking huge doses of narcotic painkillers. I've smoked marijuana and I wish someone turned me onto it while i whas undergoing cancer treatment. I was on a pain pump AKA morphine pump and I became addicted to it. It was the most hellish thing I have ever been through comparable to heroin withdrawl. It has been awhile since I thought long and hard about that time in my life. I was in such a dark place, I would have commited suicide if I had the opportunity to do so. How can a drug(marijuana) be so reviled by so many?
Comments
Monday, June 06, 2005
WASHINGTON - Federal authorities may prosecute sick people whose doctors prescribe marijuana to ease pain, the Supreme Court (search) ruled Monday, concluding that state laws don't protect users from a federal ban on the drug.
The decision is a stinging defeat for marijuana advocates who had successfully pushed 10 states to allow the drug's use to treat various illnesses.
Justice John Paul Stevens (search), writing the 6-3 decision, said that Congress could change the law to allow medical use of marijuana.
Click here to read the decision (FindLaw).
The closely watched case was an appeal by the Bush administration in a case involving two seriously ill California women who use marijuana. The court said the prosecution of pot users under the federal Controlled Substances Act (search) was constitutional.
"I'm going to have to be prepared to be arrested," said Diane Monson, one of the women involved in the case.
Stevens said the court was not passing judgment on the potential medical benefits of marijuana, and he noted "the troubling facts" in the case. Monson's backyard crop of six marijuana plants was seized by federal agents in 2002, although the California law was on Monson's side.
In a dissent, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor (search) said that states should be allowed to set their own rules.
Under the Constitution, Congress may pass laws regulating a state's economic activity so long as it involves "interstate commerce" that crosses state borders. The California marijuana in question was homegrown, distributed to patients without charge and without crossing state lines.
"Our national medical system relies on proven scientific research, not popular opinion. To date, science and research have not determined that smoking marijuana is safe or effective," John Walters, director of National Drug Control Policy, said Monday.
Stevens said there are other legal options for patients, "but perhaps even more important than these legal avenues is the democratic process, in which the voices of voters allied with these [California women] may one day be heard in the halls of Congress."
California's medical marijuana law, passed by voters in 1996, allows people to grow, smoke or obtain marijuana for medical needs with a doctor's recommendation. Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont and Washington state have laws similar to California.
In those states, doctors generally can give written or oral recommendations on marijuana to patients with cancer, HIV and other serious illnesses.
"The states' core police powers have always included authority to define criminal law and to protect the health, safety, and welfare of their citizens," said O'Connor, who was joined in her dissent by two other states' rights advocates: Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist (search) and Justice Clarence Thomas (search).
The legal question presented a dilemma for the court's conservatives, who have pushed to broaden states' rights in recent years. They earlier invalidated federal laws dealing with gun possession near schools and violence against women on the grounds the activity was too local to justify federal intrusion.
O'Connor said she would have opposed California's medical marijuana law if she were a voter or a legislator. But she said the court was overreaching to endorse "making it a federal crime to grow small amounts of marijuana in one's own home for one's own medicinal use."
Alan Hopper, an American Civil Liberties Union attorney, said that local and state officers handle 99 percent of marijuana prosecutions and must still follow any state laws that protect patients. "This is probably not going to change a lot for individual medical marijuana patients," he said.
The case concerned two Californians, Monson and Angel Raich. The two had sued then-U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft, asking for a court order letting them smoke, grow or obtain marijuana without fear of arrest, home raids or other intrusion by federal authorities.
Raich, an Oakland woman suffering from ailments including scoliosis, a brain tumor, chronic nausea, fatigue and pain, smokes marijuana every few hours. She said she was partly paralyzed until she started smoking pot. Monson, an accountant who lives near Oroville, Calif., has degenerative spine disease and grows her own marijuana plants in her backyard.
In the court's main decision, Stevens raised concerns about abuse of marijuana laws. "Our cases have taught us that there are some unscrupulous physicians who overprescribe when it is sufficiently profitable to do so," he said.
The case is Gonzales v. Raich, 03-1454.
According to my reading of the Constitution, the majority's ruling is nothing short of absurd.
"Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you."
I can see it now. Everyone and their brothers will be getting hurt asking for the medical stuff! [:D][:D]
If smoking marijuana brings comfort to someone suffering chronic pain, let them have it.
Anyways since this country needs a shot of drug tax and since the prez is good at killing jobs why not. Sure they'll cut back on building prisons, new hire cops and maybe get JFK-ed. So why not? Just have a clause if you're OD-ing they let you OD.
It should all be legalized but medical use is abused by people who just want to smoke it and ruin the situation for those who truly need it for medical reasons.
+1
I must admit my experience suggests to me that I would want to avoid a heightened perception of pain. I am puzzled by the use of pot for pain control.
quote:Originally posted by Waco Waltz
It should all be legalized but medical use is abused by people who just want to smoke it and ruin the situation for those who truly need it for medical reasons.
+1
I must admit my experience suggests to me that I would want to avoid a heightened perception of pain. I am puzzled by the use of pot for pain control.
That's what I've always said. Since when is pot a pain killer?
If it's used medicinally I'm all for it. Currently, here in Michigan the entire medical marijuana institution is a joke.
MM still has a few tax bugs to be worked out B4 legalized.
But pot should be legal.
CP
It used to be the dealers, smugglers and producers used the profits to build mansions and buy exotic cars now they use the money to build armies and buy exotic weapons.
At least if the government controls it we know it will be a money loser...talk about a green economy
I know I've smacked a few pot-heads and they say "ouch" just like anybody else.
[?]barto[?]
Constitutionally (federally speaking), states would have the ability to impose laws on it, via the Tenth Amendment.
Philosophically, government at any level has zero business or just authority in involving itself in any personal activity that does not DIRECTLY and negatively impact another individual.
I believe we need something for severe Pain but no open door policy that can be abused. Dam if you do and dam if you don't so I'm left with mixed feelings like I stated above. Yes I have had and do have pain
I thought pot was more of a anti-nausea thing than a pain killer.
I know I've smacked a few pot-heads and they say "ouch" just like anybody else.
[?]barto[?]
I guess that might make some kind of sense. It is not good for the lungs in any case.
quote:Originally posted by barto
I thought pot was more of a anti-nausea thing than a pain killer.
I know I've smacked a few pot-heads and they say "ouch" just like anybody else.
[?]barto[?]
I guess that might make some kind of sense. It is not good for the lungs in any case.
Medicinal is available in many forms,other than smoking it, mostly foo products.
There is also a product on the market now that is a vaporizer.
No smoke, no smell.
It super heats the herb, and it is turned into a vapor which is then inhaled, not smoke.
Supposedly no lung damage like is caused with smoking it.
Many years since I have indulged, but I just have heard of this.
Wish they would have been around back in the day!!
Smoking pot has NOT been proven to cause lung damage. Heck, even the lung damage from smoking cigarettes isn't attributed to the tobacco, but all the freakin hazardous/poisonous chemicals the growers spray on it.
So why not? Just have a clause if you're OD-ing they let you OD.
Pot OD [:D]
Addictive? How about Alcohol and Cigarettes?
Marijuana can be useful for Medical reasons but it can be grown at Home in a Closet so until the Drug Companies can find a way to make huge profits from it it will remain illegal.
"Never do wrong to make a friend----or to keep one".....Robert E. Lee
The War on Drugs is a unmitigated disaster. So are Federal Laws on smoking weed.
Since those are the two most common effects of smoking marijuana that I've experienced in my, um, "research" of the subject,then maybe it does have some medicinal value.
But I'd have to say that as a recreational substance it is sadly lacking.
It should all be legalized but medical use is abused by people who just want to smoke it and ruin the situation for those who truly need it for medical reasons.
Similar to the argument against letting people carry guns. Some people misuse guns, so let's ban ALL use of guns. Personally, I agree with medical use. If it helps people who have chronic pain or who are nauseous from chemo, let them use it. As far as abuse of the drug goes, address that issue separately from legal medical use.
1. Stop the stupid expenditure and waste of billions of dollars on "The War on Drugs".
2. Save hundreds of lives being taken by cartels and hoodlums on the street.
3. Increase tax revenue.
4. Stop most of the drug traffic.
Make more people happy and hungry (had to throw that in).
With alcohol, there are tests to determine how much a person has consumed i.e. breathalyzer or blood etc. If a person drinks 2 drinks then blood would be .06 for example.
On the other hand no test will currently determine the amount of weed a person has smoked, therefore if a person is in an accident or shows up to work under the influence, there would be no way to determine if he smoked 1 joint or 5.
I don't care if it's legal or not, I would agree that the Federal government is not in authority to determine people's usage of pot.
However, if people do want it legalized, they should spend some of the millions in profits from drug sales to address the above mentioned problem, then at least there would be a chance for thier cause.
Indica provides your typical overall body type high, probably what most of you think of when you think of the classic stoner type person, doing nothing but sitting around watching TV or eating snack foods.
Sativa gives a more energetic type high, as well as providing a sense of well-being and optimism.
I do think marijuana would be helpful especially in conjunction with other drugs AKA prescription narcotics etc. I know I could cut my painkiller dosage way back with the help of MM. I also dont like the idea of destrying my liver with all the various ddrugs I am currentlyon.
Calling it a pain killer is just a flat out lie though. I had a coworker that had a Medical Pot card and smoked it all the time. I asked the reason for the prescription and he replied that it was for his back pain. (He really did have a bad back.) I asked if it helped with the pain and his exact response was "I WISH!"
I may be wrong, but I've never seen a law that the actual act of smoking pot is illegal. What is actually illegal is the POSSESSION of pot or being UNDER THE INFLUENCE of pot. If you can find a way to smoke it without possessing it and without being under it's influence, more power to you.
Calling it a pain killer is just a flat out lie though. I had a coworker that had a Medical Pot card and smoked it all the time. I asked the reason for the prescription and he replied that it was for his back pain. (He really did have a bad back.) I asked if it helped with the pain and his exact response was "I WISH!"
13-3405. Possession, use, production, sale or transportation of marijuana; classification
A. A person shall not knowingly:
1. Possess or use marijuana.
2. Possess marijuana for sale.
3. Produce marijuana.
4. Transport for sale, import into this state or offer to transport for sale or import into this state, sell, transfer or offer to sell or transfer marijuana.
quote:Originally posted by calrugerfan
I may be wrong, but I've never seen a law that the actual act of smoking pot is illegal. What is actually illegal is the POSSESSION of pot or being UNDER THE INFLUENCE of pot. If you can find a way to smoke it without possessing it and without being under it's influence, more power to you.
Calling it a pain killer is just a flat out lie though. I had a coworker that had a Medical Pot card and smoked it all the time. I asked the reason for the prescription and he replied that it was for his back pain. (He really did have a bad back.) I asked if it helped with the pain and his exact response was "I WISH!"
13-3405. Possession, use, production, sale or transportation of marijuana; classification
A. A person shall not knowingly:
1. Possess or use marijuana.
2. Possess marijuana for sale.
3. Produce marijuana.
4. Transport for sale, import into this state or offer to transport for sale or import into this state, sell, transfer or offer to sell or transfer marijuana.
Thanks for the correction. I've always heard them read charges as "possession of" or "under the influence of".
And 317wc - I've never used it, never will. My answer was based on asking somebody that I know very well about his first hand knowledge. I've talked with others that I don't know as well about pot too. You are the first to say that it DOES relieve pain. The original purpose for medical marijuana was always advertised as providing relief from nausea caused by cancer treatments. So no, it was not based on popular belief or what YOU consider to be a misconception. Heck, it may provide YOU relief just as a placebo provides relief for many people.
I think, correctly I might add, that it is none of the governments business if you decide to smoke a weed for pleasure, pain relief, tension relief or just for the hell of it. As long as you are in the confines of your property it is of nobodies concern what you are doing.....
The War on Drugs is a unmitigated disaster. So are Federal Laws on smoking weed.
So, DO you think that the fact that it happens to be fat soluble,and stays in your body WEEKS after the effects wears off,that you should be denied certain Inalienable rights because of prior consumption?
I personally do not smoke it anymore,because of the fact that it is fat soluble ,and could cost me a shot at a good job,or loose one for me...[:(!]
PURE BS!!
quote:Originally posted by calrugerfan
I may be wrong, but I've never seen a law that the actual act of smoking pot is illegal. What is actually illegal is the POSSESSION of pot or being UNDER THE INFLUENCE of pot. If you can find a way to smoke it without possessing it and without being under it's influence, more power to you.
Calling it a pain killer is just a flat out lie though. I had a coworker that had a Medical Pot card and smoked it all the time. I asked the reason for the prescription and he replied that it was for his back pain. (He really did have a bad back.) I asked if it helped with the pain and his exact response was "I WISH!"
13-3405. Possession, use, production, sale or transportation of marijuana; classification
A. A person shall not knowingly:
1. Possess or use marijuana.
2. Possess marijuana for sale.
3. Produce marijuana.
4. Transport for sale, import into this state or offer to transport for sale or import into this state, sell, transfer or offer to sell or transfer marijuana.
I thought pot was more of a anti-nausea thing than a pain killer.
I know I've smacked a few pot-heads and they say "ouch" just like anybody else.
[?]barto[?]
Just what I was thinking, to keep down Nausea and to boost Appetite.
quote:Originally posted by lt496
quote:Originally posted by calrugerfan
I may be wrong, but I've never seen a law that the actual act of smoking pot is illegal. What is actually illegal is the POSSESSION of pot or being UNDER THE INFLUENCE of pot. If you can find a way to smoke it without possessing it and without being under it's influence, more power to you.
Calling it a pain killer is just a flat out lie though. I had a coworker that had a Medical Pot card and smoked it all the time. I asked the reason for the prescription and he replied that it was for his back pain. (He really did have a bad back.) I asked if it helped with the pain and his exact response was "I WISH!"
13-3405. Possession, use, production, sale or transportation of marijuana; classification
A. A person shall not knowingly:
1. Possess or use marijuana.
2. Possess marijuana for sale.
3. Produce marijuana.
4. Transport for sale, import into this state or offer to transport for sale or import into this state, sell, transfer or offer to sell or transfer marijuana.
Your point?
He did not specify a culpable mental state requisite to the statutory offense. He merely said that he had not seen a law that made smoking marijuana illegal and asked for correction if he was wrong on that point.
I have mixed feelings on this and I can't sand the answer tax it like booze and how many lives are destroyed by booze being legal.
I believe we need something for severe Pain but no open door policy that can be abused (Excellent point. You wouldn't want somebody to smoke too much and end up having a good time.). Dam if you do and dam if you don't so I'm left with mixed feelings like I stated above. Yes I have had and do have pain