"Potential for ABUSE"

[Pharmer Phil]

Yes, a very "BROAD" term, and it can be applied to alot of things, alcohol, drugs, gambling, even Computer usage.....

Today the "powers to be" here in Minnesota vote on medical marijuana.
Now, speaking about any illegal activity on this phorum is prohibited, if it is done in a manner promoting or advocating it's use.
But this is a issue that is going to be in most of the 50 states legislation soon.
Discussing it solely from this standpoint, we may proceed.

Pholks, I wouldn't care what type of "substance" it was, if it helped even ONE person, it should be made available too those that need it.

If it was found out tomorrow that Oak trees would alleviate pain and discomfort, But had the potential for abuse...would we then have to cut down every oak tree in the United States?

Potential for abuse...
Yes, as it is with a overwhelming majority of the drugs that have a pronounced effect, and actually does help a person who is in pain.
That alone should not dictate if a cancer patient, or a poor person suffering from M.S. should be able to make themselves comfortable with it's use.

For years, Alcohol was illegal to sell in most of the southern states.
Dry Counties were everywhere, and the "primary" people keeping the counties "dry"?

The bootleggers, who would loose money from running alcohol across borders.
They would pad the billfolds of their politicians, to keep their business alive.

If anyone thinks that this type of "funding" doesn't take place in the marijuana business, you are really looking at the world through "rose colored glasses"

So, in My opinion, No government agency, F.D.A., or man, should stand in the way of anything that helps many, especially, when the restrictions are largely politically motivated.

[bscamo]

One thing that should be added to the "potential to abuse" list is the abuse of power that is created by being elected to political office. Many politicians who actively block the use of Medicinal MJ (MMJ) receive large "donations" from the multi-billion dollar drug companies. Even doctors receive "perks" from the same sources.

Phil , I'd like to add these to your "rose colored glasses" comment:

Wearing blinders or blindfolds.

Having head up where the sun don't shine.

Suffering from the "Ostrich Syndrome" .

Unfortunately , many of "the powers that be" believe that money is more important than people. And they have warped other peoples' beliefs in that direction.

Fairly recent Supreme Court decisions have stated that the BATF and the DEA can ignore any State's Legal Medicinal MJ (MMJ) and simular laws. Are they therefore above the law ?

But I do know that at least some doctors have become hesitant to prescribe MMJ in states where it's legal because of those decisions....

And if you caught my thread in "crazy cures" about natural treatments you'll see that MMJ is not the only option that is in danger of being eliminated.....

[jeanette]

there is much much more potential to abuse the high powered meds they prescribe to cancer patients and others...

how did the vote go? Minnesota is kind of a "green" state.

during WWII the government contracted iowa farmers to grow hemp for rope and many many other things.. now they take the drug planes around, on our tax dime of coarse, and spray the wild hemp.. hemp is a renewable resouce that can be used for many things... to bad the government thinks we are going to get all hopped up on ditch weed and rape and plunder the country side..

[jokenmar]

It is utterly rediculous. That is why I posted what I did in the Crazy Cures section about the natural herbs etc. that our government now wants to make unavailable except by prescription. We will lose the freedom to go into a health store to buy natural medicinal herbs and other natural products if they are used for "healing". We all need to send our letters in to our elected officials in our own states, letting them know that we do not approve of this and other freedoms they are taking away from us.

Of course, they aren't worried about their health and health insurances. We pay for whatever they need, no matter how much it costs. And we will continue to pay for the rest of their natural lives.

[jeanette]

yeah and they don't have a crappy HMO, or insurance companies not paying for necessary treatments..

but it's ok to put us all on prozac, zoloft, etc.. something that you can't stop taking with out the aid of a doctor, and is also known to cause suicidal and/or homicidal behaviors in teens and young adults.. i'm not saying "let them all smoke pot" because we know that pot and school are incompatible. but, let them not be so quick to prescribe these powerful medications with out looking into alternative medicine

[Deleted]

This is Illinois state law(in effect since _{(correct me if Im wrong)}1978.) as it stands now.

cannabis control act


The proposed new bill is here

[Pharmer Phil]

well I never even listened to the news after I heard that bit, and don't know if it was passed or not...makes no difference, the jist of it was what bothered me...People Ill, in pain, why should a law even be a factor ifin they can or can't get what helps them.....It just plain seems idiodic to me that people sit in pain waiting for the freakin government to move into this century.

[jeanette]

Medical Marijuana: Minnesota Bill Passes Senate, House Version
The Minnesota Senate Tuesday gave final approval to a medical marijuana bill, passing SF 345 on a narrow 33-31 vote. The vote marks the first time a medical marijuana bill has been approved by a full vote in either House in Minnesota.

Also Tuesday, the House version of the medical marijuana bill, HF 655, overcame one more committee hurdle, passing the House Finance Committee on a 20-14 vote. It should soon be on the way to a House floor vote.

While there are differences between the House and Senate bills, both would essentially set up a system where qualified patients could obtain marijuana to ease their pain and symptoms through nonprofit organizations registered with the state.

"I'm happy the Senate has voted to protect some of Minnesota's most vulnerable citizens from the threat of arrest for trying to alleviate their pain, per the advice of their doctor," said Sen. Steve Murphy (DFL-Red Wing), the bill's lead sponsor. "I'm hopeful we are only a few weeks away from Minnesota becoming the 13th medical marijuana state."

But Minnesota is not there yet. The House must still approve its version of the bill in a final floor vote. And even if it passes and is reconciled with the Senate version, Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R), backed by law enforcement organizations, is vowing to veto it.