Why Not

Needed another blog: http://www.whynotny.com

http://www.discount2011.co.cc/p0v3j2

STOP!!!

Blogger has been getting spammed big time. I have been writing at http://ourpeacepath.com

Lots of News on Marijuana

Wow, the Marijuana world has been busy lately. I thought it was good news when the American college of Physicians came out and said that it supported studies of Marijuana for medical use. I was surprised when President Obama came out with the announcement that the Federal Government would no longer arrest people that were following states laws when it came to Marijuana. But now that the American Medical Association has asked the Federal Government to reevaluate Marijuana as a Schedule I drug. They would like to see more clinical research and development of cannabinoid-based medicines.

Laws are changing

We have seen a lot of changes this year in the Marijuana laws. The biggest change has been an announcement from the White House that there will be no more interference from the Federal Government as long as people are obeying the State Laws. Please let your State know that this now allows them to pass Medical Marijuana bills with no need to worry about Federal Prosecution.

Free Marijuana

Honestly, I thought this site was dead. I am still getting a lot of hits to this site and figured I would start posting again to this Blog about Marijuana. DruU's Timeline:

- When I was a teeneager I smoked Marijuana on a regular basis. I may not of had a great High school Grade point average but I played sports and worked the whole time.

- When I went to College I quit smoking Marijuana and started drinking since my new friends were so anti Marijuana. I got kicked out after the first semester.

- I was anti-marijuana up until a few years ago when I tried it in Amsterdam for pain. It worked great.

- I started researching Medical Marijuana and I have been advocating for it for almost 3 years now. However, I have slowed down as I have learned the Politics of the US.

- After years of researching the benefits vs. harms of Marijuana and other medications and recreational drugs I now believe that there is no reason for Marijuana to be illegal.

I need someone to explain with facts why it is illegal and give me an honest reason why they believe it should be illegal. I do not believe there is a good reason at all.

Who Care's
NY State has one of the top issues to be Gay Marriage. I am amazed that this is such a hot topic. Honestly, stop taking choices from Americans

Test from my palm

I have not been around for awhile do to many life changes. One of those is I am now using a Palm Centro to do my blogging. Hopefully this will work so I can start blogging here again

End Marijuana Prohibition Rally

Damn Sam Productions along with C.A.M.P will have a rally before the Grateful Dead show in Albany on April 17th, 2009. If you are going, let me know, I will be there!!!

Responsible Marijuana Use

There are many States right now having a hard time reaching their budget this year. Some of them are looking to Alcohol to create more revenue for their State. Some of the states do not allow the sale of alcohol on Sundays, well change that and you will have 52 more days a year to gain the tax money. Some other states just want to raise the Alcohol tax. One thing that I have always believed was Alcohol is always the business to be in. When the economy is good people tend to want to celebrate, who can celebrate without a beer or two. When the economy is bad people tend to try and drink their blues away. I am one of those wierdos that does not drink. I do not like the drunk feeling and the feeling of losing control of myself. There for my recreational drug of choice if it was legal would be Marijuana. A nice slow sip of Marijuana Tea or Hot Chocolate with a marijuana Brownie, who would that hurt???

The problem is it is illegal, but here are a couple of my rules. Only use Marijuana when:

1. it is all adults, just like alcohol I believe it is only for those old enough and responsible enough to handle it. However, I do believe as a Disabled Veteran that 18 should be that age. I risked my health younger than 21 I should have been able to drink younger than 21.

2. Designate a Driver. Also like Drinking if you are going to have a nice calm evening of Marijuana use then don't drive. Marijuana like alcohol does affect people differently and those responsible users do not need to jump in a car. make sure you have enough munchies where you are.

3. Setting, Unlike Alcohol, Marijuana seams to mellow out a group of friends. make sure the setting is conducive to an evening of Marijuana use. Music, and Movies. Some games would make it an enjoyable evening.

4. Treat your friends like friends. This rule stands for now because of the laws of marijuana. be a buddy, don't sit there and try to push the parinoid feeling. People get that parinoid feeling for the repricusions that may happen if they are found to be a Marijuana user. There is no need to sit there and every five minutes say, "Look, Cops!!!"

Responsible Marijuana users will tend to abide by these rules without any thought to it. Know what, when and who when you are using marijuana. What = the plan of action. This includes where you are going how you are getting there and back and what you are going to do while you are there.

When = Responsible users know how the marijuana affects them and the how long it will effect them. Know when it is a good time or not. This is going to relate to your surrounding also, Most responsible users will recognize thier surrounding and realize that it is the correct environment and timing.

This leads to Who: Know who you are with. If you know you are with one of those people that will make it uncomfortable for you then take a step back and skip out on this pass.

Marijuana Abuse is done by those who are not responsible with their use. The War on Drugs was created for those who were not responsible in their use, they unfortunatly ruined it for the rest of us.

Canabis Laws - You Need to know

There are now 14 States with Medical Marijuana Laws:
Maine, Vermont, Rhode Island, Maryland, Michigan, New Mexico, Colorado, Montana, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, California, Alaska, Hawaii

There are now 12 States that have Decriminalized Marijuana:
Maine, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Mississippi, Ohio, Minnesota, Nebraska, Colorado, Oregon, California, Alaska.

There are now 12 States that allow industrial Hemp:
Vermont, Virginia, Maryland, Maine, West Virginia, North Carolina, Arkansas, Illinios, Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, California.

The good news is the laws are changing in the states. However, the bad news is that the Federal Government does not agree with these states.

Another Innocent Victim of Marijuana Laws

One innocent victim of the current Marijuana laws has always been Hemp. Hemp is outlawed because of the relationship to Marijuana. Hemp is a wonderful plant that can be used for industrial use. At one point in the US history it was required for all farms to grow Hemp for use by the Military. It can be used for a very strong rope, sails for ships, clothing, I have also heard that it can be made into oil that could run cars (Can’t remember where I saw this). This is one crop that can be grown without the fear of being used as a drug since if anyone was to dry a plant out and smoke it the only thing they would get is a bad head ache. It could be cheap for farmers to grow it and produce a lot of profit since it could be used to make so many other products. This is truly a very innocent bystander of the Marijuana Prohibition laws. It would be kind of like arresting me if my brother robbed a bank just because he is my brother. So what Happens in Washington DC, they said a brother is not enough, let arrest friends also. So they have banned the sale of Cigars. How does this make sense? They said that people are buying cigars to take the tobacco out and refill it with Marijuana. So since people are making blunts from cigars they are now going to ban the sale of cigars. As anyone in college that has been around marijuana users will know, they are going to need to ban a lot more products. Soda and beer can no longer be sold in anything other than glass bottles, this will stop people from smoking marijuana by poking holes in cans to make a bowl, or making gravity bongs from 2 liter plastic bottles. Toilet paper and paper towels can not be sold with a cardboard holder. Those are to easily transformed into Marijuana smoking Pipes. Apples are also banned since there are a lot of people that have discovered how to make a Marijuana pipe out of apples (so much for the apple a day saying). This is another way the Government is going to harm non-marijuana users more than the Marijuana users themselves.

NYS Governor

I have a friend in Vermont that is given Marijuana for Medical use. He lives around 25 miles from my house in New York. I was talking to him the other day trying to plan my three day weekend. I asked if he would want to come over and get some ice fishing done before the lake thaws. His response was, "Wish I could but I can't take my Marijuana into NY and i have been in so much pain lately I can't go a day without it. This got me to thinking about all the letters I have written to Gov. Paterson over the past 6 months. It reminded me of one specific letter I wrote to him.

Dear Gov. Paterson, I commend you on making a tough decision that you understood would cause a lot of voters to question your ability to take the best interests of New Yorkers State wide. This week you ordered that New York will recognize Gay Marriage that was performed where it is legal. This does not make it legal in New York to get married and when you were asked your response was, "We have to have respect for other State laws." This leads me to my question of why isn't it legal to use medical marijuana in New York state. My friend has been given Marijuana for medical use in the state who borders ours, however he can no longer come to my house for a visit since once he crosses that border he no longer can be in posession of the Medication he needs and is given by doctor recomendation. I urge you to look into the Medical Marijuana laws and ask that you give patients relief here in NY by allowing the medical use of marijuana, however, by your own comments I urge you to support those 12 States that have legalized Marijuana for medical purposes and allow those patients to use their medication while here in NY. Thank you, Dru Utopia

Now of course there is the issue that I send him a letter almost every week so i am probably on his ignore list but I think it made sense.

Arrests being made for Photo of Phelps

The Associated Press is reporting that there are arrests being made in the county where the party was that Phelps was photographed at. An Attorney has a client that is being charged with possesion of Marijuana and could face 30 days in jail and $200 fine. Now I understand there are still law enforcement that think this is a horrible situation, however, if that picture didn't come out then where is the problem? That party happened, things went on at that party, every one slept, everyone woke up in the morning. Cops were not called out to the party, there were no deaths at the party, there were no car DWI's issued from that party and there were no Gun shots at that party. How did this party put anyone in jepordy? Where is the "for the protection of law abiding citizens" come into play? Where is the Harm? Now we can move onto the reasonable doubt issue. So he was caught smoking oregeno from a bong that is usually used for smoking Marijuana. can you garuntee that Bong had Marijuana in it? Did you find it and have it tested for traces of Marijuana? These people are going to be getting arrested and have this placed on their records for hanging out with some friends and indulging in something that did not cause any harm or damage to anyone else. What is the sense of spending this money on this investigation. Looks like they just want to damage someone life for enjoying a safer alternative to binge drinking and tobacco use that happens at all the college parties.

Boycott

There is a call to Boycott Kellogg since they dropped sponsership of Michael Phelps. I don't think this will be much of a problem for me and because I think it was crap because of what they did to this 23 year old I will boycott the company. Now with that said, I do not understand the whole appology that Phelps gave. Why would he appologize? Why is it that American's need the appology? What did Phelps do that was so horrible? He Smoked Marijuana, obviously nothing that is going to make him want to do nothing for the rest of his life and forget to take showers. If that was the case then there are a lot of powerful and successful people that should not be there. I am still of strong belief that Phelps just assisted me when I have always told people, "People can be successful with Pot, just like People can be losers without Pot" Phelps is another to look at and ask the question, "are the anti-pot commercials true?"

Yes to...

I know it has been a long time since I have posted on this Blog... My new blog home has not gone as plan. I have not listened to Doug of douggoff.com enough http://douggoff.com/blogs/index.php?blog=5&title=watch_what_you_say&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 My boss saw my new blog and I got into some warm water. I just stopped posting because I didn't want to make that warm water hot again. Ohhh well I have a new job and hopefully soon I will find my new niche and start posting again. Anyway, my new job is in Mass. and I am seeing signs al over the place for "Say no to question 1" and "vote yes on 3" This got me wondering where is Question 2? After a quick google search I found out that Question 2 is on the Decriminalization of Marijuana... No one has signs out because it is common sense that most people are going to vote Yes like the neighbors to the west and the neighbors to the North. All we need now is a Medical Marijuana vote in New York!!! By the way you go Michigan, looks like you are going to be the 13th state to make Marijuana a decision by the a Doctor and Patient and not the government. HAPPY VOTING EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!

New Home for Blog

There is a new home for this Blog. Please swing by and say HI! www.druutopia.com/pot

Phone Call with the Senator's Office

I was so excited to hear that someone from the Senator's Office wanted to talk to me about the letter I sent to them. This is the same office that invited me to the State Capital to talk to one of the Senator's advisors. That was a couple months after this Senator received a visit from Montell Williams. During my Visit I was told that Senator Bruno was ready for a bill for Medical Marijuana. This email I received from Senator Bruno's office was exciting so I scheduled a time to call and talk to this Legislative Assistant. Now the one thing I have to explain is I have a lot of friends that I use and abuse. I make them do things like pound Senator Bruno with letters asking for his support with Medical Marijuana. The reason I wrote this letter to him was because one of my friends received a letter reply from Senator Bruno saying he would not support Medical Marijuana until the federal government allowed it. That is why I placed this part in the letter:

I am also aware that some have been under the mistaken impression that states are not able to act on this important issue, because of federal law. Currently there are 12 states that have passed laws to allow doctors to do a risk analysis for their patients and recommend the medical use of marijuana. Studies have shown thatsome patients receive amazing results with the use of marijuana.The earliest of the modern medical marijuana laws passed 11 years ago, and the federal government has never suggested those states lack the power to remove their own criminal penalties for medical marijuana. The only judge to decide the issue, in San Diego, agreed that states are free to enact medical marijuana laws.

This is the only reason Senator Bruno's office contacted me. They wanted to make sure I heard that the people of California were getting arrested for Medical Marijuana. So I had to explain to this young lady that I do pay attention to this issue pretty close. I do understand that people in California are getting arrested for distribution of Medical Marijuana. I did continue to explain to her that although I believe that California was right to be the first state to pass a bill to allow Medical Marijuana I also believe that their bill has some grey area's that are causing problems with the federal government. I also know that there are 11 states that have passed similar bills including the state that borders New York to the North East. I have not heard anything about these states having an issue with the Federal Government. I explained to her that anyone that says they are for Medical marijuana but uses the federal government as a way to not sign a bill is not someone that needs to be in office. I also explained that although I am a disabled Veteran I am unable to use Medical Marijuana no matter where I am unless the Federal Government allows it since I get my medication from the Federal Government. Senator Bruno has done a lot of good for this area of New York and he has been in office since I was 4 years old. He has stadiums named after him and is very popular with the powerful. He is a Cancer Survivor and he is a Korean War Veteran. I would expect this man to have a little more courage. After this news this week in New York he is now the Acting Assistant Govenour of New York. I request that all New Yorkers Pound his email asking for support of this Bill.

Received Reply from Senators Office

This looks promising...

Dear Mr. (Dru), I am writing to you regarding your recent correspondence to Senator Bruno on February 1, 2008 concerning Medical Marijuana. Please call me at yourearliest convenience so we can discuss this in more detail. I look forwardto hearing from you and hope that we can be of assistance. Thank you, (Name Removed) Legislative AssistantOffice of Senator Joseph L. Bruno

Letter To NY Senate Majority Leader

I wanted to share a letter I wrote to Joseph Bruno, The Senate Majority Leader for New York:

I first contacted your office over six months ago, after a medical marijuana bill was overwhelmingly passed by the New York State Assembly. I was excited because I have seen firsthand the relief that medicinal marijuana can provide patients. I have also seen and read a lot of information on research that proves this is a valid medication. As a disabled veteran this issue is of great importance to me. The risk of addiction and other dangerous side effects is too great for me to take prescription painkillers on a regular basis, and my doctor believes I could be a good candidate for the medical use of marijuana. In October, you graciously welcomed me to the Capital as a voter in your district to speak with your office about my desire to see the New York Senate pass this bill to give patients the ability to legally use the medication a lot of doctors are suggesting. I wanted to thank you for your continued support for this issue and hope to see it in front of the Senate this year with your support. I am also aware that some have been under the mistaken impression that states are not able to act on this important issue, because of federal law. Currently there are 12 states that have passed laws to allow doctors to do a risk analysis for their patients and recommend the medical use of marijuana. Studies have shown that some patients receive amazing results with the use of marijuana. The earliest of the modern medical marijuana laws passed 11 years ago, and the federal government has never suggested those states lack the power to remove their own criminal penalties for medical marijuana. The only judge to decide the issue, in San Diego, agreed that states are free to enact medical marijuana laws. Senator Bruno, I would once again like to thank you for welcoming me to speak with your staff on this issue and for your continued support. I look forward to New York becoming the 13th state to allow doctors to make this decision for their patients. Please see to it that it happens this year; seriously ill New Yorkers are suffering now.

Marijuana Tax Act of 2008?

Govenor Spitzer had, what he would like to think, a great idea in his New York speech last night. His idea, create a tax on Marijuana of $3.50 per gram. I would actually agree with this tax stamp idea, except it is a bad idea. First of all, in 1937 there was a Marijuana Tax Act created. (Which was disputed by a New Yorker) Each person that wanted to have marijuana in their possession was required to have a Tax stamp on the packaging. The problem was if you were caught for possession of Marijuana without the tax you would be arrested for not paying the tax. If you wanted to be legal and get a Tax stamp then you would have to have the amount in your possession so they could know how much to tax you for your Marijuana. But if you showed up with Marijuana to be a good citizen and pay your tax you would get arrested because you haven't paid your tax yet. It was designed to be a catch 22 and make it illegal to have any Marijuana. Governor Spitzer explains that this tax stamp has been active in 29 States already and could raise an estimated $13 Million next year. My question for Governor Spitzer is why would I pay this tax. If I was going to buy an illegal substance ILLEGALLY then I would not be to worried about the tax side of it. I am going to weigh my risk in this situation. Do I buy a gram of Marijuana and not pay to get the Tax stamp and risk getting busted for an illegal substance plus Tax evasion? Or do I buy my Marijuana and pay my tax on it, but have it on record that I am going to have Marijuana with me at some point? If someone is going to deal with the Black Market then they are not going to be worried about the ramifications of getting busted for two laws. Then again Mr. Spitzer, if Marijuana is illegal and I am required to have a Tax Stamp then would that be considered a violation of the Fifth amendment? Like I started this article, I agree with Taxation of Marijuana and other controlled substances as long as I can not be prosecuted for paying taxes on the substance. The way it looks to me is Governor Spitzer is trying to look like he is doing more than he actually is. Stop with the hollow promises that really can't benefit NY, and lets see something that will help us. Legalize Marijuana, control it, tax it, and allow the Farmers of New York grow their Hemp for industrial purposes Now that will be a boost to the economy along with a great income for New York State.

The Super Bowl - Marijuana vs. Alzheimer's

Since I am a football fan I am going to have my Super Bowl Punch right now. I have seen first hand the effects of Alzheimer's Disease and it is a horrible thing to watch. This very intelligent amazing person not understanding that I am not her long lost son. How about seeing a child visit their grandmother to only realize that their grandmother does not know who they are. This is a very emotional decline for not only the patient but also those that are close to those that are inflicted with this horrible disease. Alzheimer's Disease is a degenerative disease that causes dementia or senility. It has also been know to effect a persons speaking and visual abilities. In 2005 Science Daily released an article about the effect marijuana could have on Alzheimer's Disease. This Study was released in the February 23, 2005, issue of The Journal of Neuroscience. This study was done with brain tissues used from people that have died from Alzheimer's Disease and compared it to those that have died around the same age that did not have Alzheimer's Disease. This study showed that those that had Alzheimer's had reduced functioning of cannabinoid receptors. This research expanded quickly into testing on Rats to find the effect Cannabis can have on the brain. The researchers injected the rats with proteins which leads to cognitive decline. Then in other Rats they injected the same protein and also a cannabinoid. This study showed the decline in the memory and thinking in the rats that were not given the cannabinoid. As of October 2006, approximately 4.5 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer's disease. This number is going up due to the life expectancy of Americans also rising. With this study that was released almost 3 years ago you would assume that this is research that would have been released to the public and actually might have gotten some researcher in the US a grant to fund more extensive research. The effects of Cannabis on the brain can cause short term memory loss while under the influence but may save someones memory well into old age. If this research is extended on there might be some findings on cannabis for patients that have brain damage. It is amazing to me to see research such as this completed in other countries hit Fox News, MSNBC, CBS News, WebMD, Live Science and a ton of other resources but not be well known by those patients and the family members of those patients that could actually benefit from it.

Medical Marijuana - List in the making

I have been researching the medical capabilities of marijuana for quite awhile now. It has gotten to the point that I want to make a list of research that has been completed for medical marijuana: 1. Cancer- a. Assists in pain and nausea caused by cancer treatment. b. Found to slow down the spread of certain cancer cells. c. Has been said that can help stop the growth of tumors and may actually assist in shrinking tumors. 2. AIDS- a. Help increase appetite in AIDS patients. 3. Pain Management- a. Assist in reducing pain without side effects with current pain medications. b. Will provide relief of muscle pain and cramping. 4. Neurological a. Can relieve symptoms of Parkinson's Disease. b. Can slow down effect of Alzheimer's.

c. Slows the disease process and extend the life of mice with Lou Gehrig's disease d. Can alleviate muscle spasms, muscle weakness, muscle stiffness, and shaky tremors This is the beginning of the list I am making though my research. I will update it from here on out.

Marijuana and Parkinson's Disease

I used to have a Supervisor that was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease and I could see the effects on him though out the time I worked for him. Within a year after he admitted that he was diagnosed with this disease he left the work place and I have not heard from him since. I could see the effect this had on him and his family and how the medications he was on would affect him throughout the day. I was reading about research that was accomplished in 2004 about the effects Marijuana can have on Debilitating Diseases. One of the issues that was researched was the effect on Parkinson's Disease. Parkinson's Disease has been diagnosed in more that 1 million American's, with symptoms of Slow movements, Muscle Tremors, and Muscle stiffness. This Disease destroys brain cells that create the chemical Dopamine. Dopamine functions as a neurotransmitter that has many functions in the brain, such as: important roles in behavior and cognition, motor activity, motivation and reward, regulation of milk production, sleep, mood, attention, and learning. There are treatments available to help replenish lost Dopamine but there is currently nothing out there that can stop or reverse the effect this disease has on the brain cells that produce this chemical. Research in 2004 has shown that in mice that have received marijuana-like substance and then were given a substance that would destroy the chemical producing brain cells showed little to no difference in the brain chemistry than a healthy mouse. Now if research can be extended on this subject I am wondering if they may be able to try and get the marijuana-like substance that may reverse the effects on patients with Parkinson's Disease. Now there are a lot of effects on Parkinson's patients and the most noticeable is the tremors. My old supervisor was the type that would notice the shaking hands and try to hide the fact that he was shaking. There was a study conducted in the Czech Republic for Marijuana on the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease. Like here in the US doing research with Marijuana is also dangerous since it is against the law. But these studies showed that with over 300 patients with an average age of 66 and on average dealing with the disease for 9 years 46% of them showed relief from the symptoms. The research also showed that the longer the use of Marijuana for the patient the more likely they would see the reduced effects of the disease. Those that used it for more than 3 months. These studies were years ago and I am looking for newer studies to see how far the research has gone since. Sources: Reuters Health Author: Paula Moyer Society for Neuroscience

When can we get Human Studies?

WebMD has released an article about the effects Marijuana has on Cancer. Once thought that the Cannabinoids were only good for the nausea and pain caused by cancer treatment it is now suggesting that it can slow the spread of cancer. This research was completed on animals and in test tubes and these tests have shown the anicancer effects of Medical Marijuana. Recently the increase in findings of medical cases for marijuana use has proven that the illicit drug is a great medicine. My only question now is when will the US allow research on this plant and start treating it as a medicine and not the root of all evil. WebMD is a great resource that many doctors are using and have for a long time. How can a doctor read findings like this and not worry about if they are giving the proper care to their patients?

The Cancer Drug - A MUST READ

Editorial in the LA Times This is a great article and needs to be seen by all.

My New Rx - MS-Cotin vs Marijuana

I am amazed how the medical community, opps, strike that, the Government gets involved in what Perscriptions are best for me. How I long for the day I can make a couple of brownies and eat them when I need relief from my pain. The doctor was looking at my perscription of Hydrocodone and decided it was time to put me on a Time release pain killer. This does work great and I love the fact that I can take it before work and I am good until night when the kids are getting into bed. I do not have to carry my Rx Bottle around anymore and I don't get the fatigue from the "come down" effect until it is almost time for bed. Great Drug and awesome pain killer. Of course since I am one of those that has to worry about side effects with medication I had to look it up. MS-ContinSide Effects & Drug Interactions - Information found Here Not to shabby for a chemical created in a Lab. But: Constipation, lightheadedness, dizziness, sedation, nausea, vomiting, sweating, dysphoria, and euphoria. These top the list of Most Frequently Observed... Marijuana = This is what kills me, the Government (McCain, you have said this before) view of Marijuana is that people want it for medical purposes so they can get High, or a feeling of Euphoria. Well MS-Cotin gives that feeling also, make it illegal. One issue I have with all the opioid based medication I have been put on is the Nausea I get from it. This really sucks since I was up to 200 pounds (my ideal weight) and now have a hard time getting back above 190. Eating just 2 times a day because I have to force myself is not good. Marijuana = One of the main benefits of Marijuana is the ease of Nausea in Chemotherapy patients, and help AIDS Patients feel hunger to stop the wasting away most of them go though. Why not use it for pain so I can actually get back on my well fed diet of 5 meals a day? ohhh, Nooo I feel a rant coming on...

Now I know I am starting to sound as Biased as I am on this subject where I am supose to and always wanted to post Facts instead of my opinion. Anyway, here I go... How in the hell can Mr. (I am not a doctor) Politician tell me that MS-Cotin is a safe drug for use with chronic pain and talk about the sterotypical crap they heard from Mrs. Nancy Reagan in the "Just Say No" Campaign. Or lets talk to those D.A.R.E officers that used to come to my school as I was growing up to talk to me about the hazards of Marijuana. The D.A.R.E project by the way that has not received funding in a long time in many states, that any of the officers that are still on the Drug Campaign are on it under a new acronym LEAP Mr. Politician please let me know your background of Marijuana use and let me know if you have ever had it for Pain Management. Sure I have used it for Medical purposes and know the effects of to much Marijuana will put me to sleep and may make me a little more light headed. Guess what I am now on a medication that is MORE Likely to get me addicted, and if I take to much I can fall asleep and never wake up. This drug scares the crap out of me and many others that have realized that they have addictive personalities. Look at the WARNINGS associated with my new medication, but it is okay for me to take this time released version so I have a feeling of euphoria for 12 hours instead of 2 hours... Mr. (I don't want to know the facts) Politician, Please let me know how this plant that is 100% natural can kill me and why it is a federal offence for me to use it for my pain.

Now since my rant is over I would like to discuss the whole "Serious Side Effects of Marijuana" One of the side effect I would really like to talk about is the mild to severe anxiety. This is something that I can not speak about with facts but I can speak of it in my own experience. When I smoked Marijuana in the US as a teenager it was against the law, I did have Parinoid feelings and was very nervous because I was afraid I would get arrested. However, when I used Marijuana in Europe I was not breaking the law, actually I was using under the advice of a doctor and in a place that it was socially acceptable. I had no worries, did not have any anxiety and felt the wonder of a pain free walk around the city. Now, I would like to return to my new medication, under the side effects again,

alterations of mood (nervousness, apprehension, depression, floating feelings

Not to good, So I guess Marijuana is not the only drug out there that people claim to be nervous about ;) But when you look even farther into the details of MS-Cotin on the Central Nervous System you also notice that it says, "uncoordinated muscle movements," would that be like the reported "clumsiness, loss of coordination," that you get from Marijuana? Now here is another issue I have with most medications, insomnia, I have had a problem with insomnia for a very long time, I do not like the fact that this medication I am on makes it even harder for me to sleep. If I had my choice I would look for something that would be more like tiredness, sleepiness, lethargy, I wonder what would have that side effect? Now a subject that I hate, when it come to this medication...

Gastrointestinal: Dry mouth, biliary tract spasm, laryngospasm, anorexia, diarrhea, cramps, taste alteration, constipation, ileus, intestinal obstruction, increases in hepatic enzymes

That is not anything that I would ever want from any of my medication but unfortunatly if I would like to stay out of Jail I will have to deal with it. There is another reason why I am on medication, this is do to Muscle spasms I get in my Legs and feet. One great thing was when I tried Marijuana I was able to sit there and my legs did not twitch at all for as long as I had any effects of the marijuana and for quite a time after the effects were gone. MS-Cotin may cause muscle tremors, once again the side effects look like a perfect fit for me. I am not going to sit here and talk bad about MS-Cotin because I really do like this medication it helps with the pain for a long time and I don't get any side effects that I can't live with (except the Headache's really hurt, and I love to eat and the Nausea sucks). When you look at all the "BAD" things that we are told about Marijuana and all the reasons these Politicians will not allow these laws to be passed I really do not think they are doing the correct comparison of the medications that they are supporting. The side effects and dangers of most perscribed medications are much more dangerous to the body than anything that Marijuana can cause. If you are on medication for any reason look into the side effects and warnings, do some research on these medications and you may change your view of Marijuana. This isn't just for perscription medications either, Even over the counter medications have more dangers than Marijuana, Check it out.

Know your strains to grow more potent buds

Great Article at expandmywealth.com — These Sativa/Indica crosses have the best of both worlds: the good Sativa flavor and the cleaner high associated with the Indica bud structure. However this desirability only lasts for a few generations of breeding. Unless a person is breeding for a very specific trait, crosses seven generations and beyond the original P1 Indica/Sativa

Medical Marijuana Under Fire in California

I was watching a special on Medical Marijuana in California that aired on 60 minutes the other night. They were talking about the way the law is being abused by certain providers and patients. This story was pretty upsetting to me while watching it. It portrayed California as everyone looking for an easy way to get Marijuana. "Show up at this doctor and give him $100 and he will write the perscription for you." There are a couple of points that they didn't discuss that made me think. First and and formost, why California? there are 11 other states right now with Medical Marijuana legalized and we do not have these issues. Prop 215 in California was the first one to pass in the country since the Federal Government stopped allowing it while Geaorge Bush Senior was President. Could it be that California needs to re-evaluate the way the bill is written. Right now there is no certain ailement that Marijuana is for, there isn't a list of illnesses that a Doctor is told he can or can't perscribe it for. Is it the best medicine for the issue with the least amount of risk? That is what the Doctors are suppose to be asking and that is what they are suppose to be perscribing it for. There are many types of medication out there that will do the same as others but the doctors do thier risk assesment and perscribe the best for that patient. The next issue that brings up in my mind is why are we not talking about those that go to the doctor to get their perscription Pain medications so they can abuse them? Yes, I agree the ability to tell a doctor that the toe nail on my little toe hurts so I need Marijuana is not a good thing, but will he give me Hydrocordone? Probably not, then why are we as a federal government looking at this issue in this way. It is not that California is abusing the Medical Marijuana bill. California is abusing the Perscription Medication laws. Why are we singling out Marijuana. Ohh, this is probably because there are Medical Marijuana Shops. This is the big problem, lets let the state provide perscriptions for medical marijuana but not allow the Pharmacy to get that percription to the people. Lets make them come up with other means to get it. This to me is the Federal Governments issue. You, the Ferderal Government, have been providing Marijuana for medical purposes for years. You have found a method that works but you refuse to see that this is useful and will not accept the Doctors that write these perscriptions. Let the Doctor treat it like a perscription medication and let the patient receive it like a perscription medication. Let it be manufactured like a medication and treat those that manufacture it like they are providing a medication. This is not saying Provide a centralized area that grows and packages Marijuana. That is the federal Governments issue, it is always up to the patient to provide it for themselves or they want it centralized. Let it be like any other perscription medication. There are different types of the same medication now, that is why you can go to the pharmacy and get the "generic" version to save money. California was the first state to legalize the medical use of Marijuana, their law was very generic when written, the laws have been written differently in each state that has legalized the use of Marijuana, I think it is time for the Federal Government to Legalize it federally this will stop the many issues that we currently see with the California Pot Shops. It will also give Doctors in all states to provide their own risk analysis of their patients to see what medication is the right medication for them. This is my Opinion and I know it differs from a lot of those that want Medical Marijuana but I am a Veteran so even the state laws will not effect me. Plus, Hydrocordone, been on it for 3 years... Just try to get me off that stuff...

Drinking - The Acceptable Drug

I say that drinking is acceptable but I am totally confused right now. It is not only acceptable but encouraged. This is the end of the holiday season, the time where friends and family get together to celebrate many different things. The time where companies take some of their profits and throw parties for those that have made them have a profit. This is a time where stores carry more beer than usual and liquor stores look forward to. Why is it that most people feel the need to drink alcohol during this time of year? Thanksgiving, a holiday for Americans to celebrate the pilgrams having a plentiful harvest to make it though the winter. Do you think the Pilgrams were thinking, "Lets throw a huge feast and see if Aunt Tonya will dance on the table with Running Dog." Christmas, the holiday to celebrate the birth of Jesus. I have not fully read the bible but did the three wise men bring, a Keg, Bottle of Scotch and Jello Shots? New Years, time to celebrate the end of one year and the begining of a new one. Was your year so horrible that you want to forget it? Is the view of the future year so grim that you don't want to remember how it came in? I enjoyed a New Years party this year with a few people all of which feel drinking alcohol is a requirement. As I sat their drinking my soda I heard every crack on me about being anti-social. However by the time the ball dropped in Time square I was the one that had the kids in PJ's, in sleeping bags and helping them regain control after all the excellent Sugar treats they were able to eat until late at night. While most of them had parents that by that time were running around in a drunken state and not realizing how many of them were so loud the kids were laughing at them. I talked to one of my friends that was at a different party and he told me today that out of the people at that party, two had to leave before midnight because they got into a fight, one missed the ball drop because he was hugging the porceline, and another spend the first day of the new year in jail for driving after the party. How is this not only acceptable but encouraged? I am not Anti-drinking but the way I see it is why can my friends and family act this way but I am the one that is looked down at because I would prefer a drug that is currently illegal. I am the uncle, nephew, son, grandson, cousin, etc... that you need to stay away from because my drug of choice makes me want to sit on the couch and ponder the universe, wake up the next day functioning correctly, be able to remember the old year and enjoy the New Year. Most of them can't even tell when I have been doing my drug of choice but believe me they all make idiots of themselves and look like fools to their kids, nieces and nephews, and younger cousins. And because of society, these are the drunken animals that these kids are suppose to look up to. I am a burn out druggie that can not function in society because the drug I like is illegal.

Dear Senator McCain

I am an Air Force Veteran that due to a service connected disability was forced to leave after 8 year and 11 days. Yes, I received my severance pay, but that was not what I wanted. I want to get back in the military. I remember the day you announced that you were going to be running for President in 2008. I had a huge grin and looked at my Mother and said, "Now us Disabled Veterans will have someone looking out for us." There was absolutely no way I could not support you. I am not sure if you caught that, I turned to my Mother, yes my mother was at my house helping me with dishes and laundry. This is something my mother does to assist me because of the pain I feel. I have been prescribed a multitude of medications to assist me with this pain. The side effects that I have worried about with some of these medications range from not being able to eat to being taken to the hospital because of painful headaches. These are not what some have had to deal with while on these medications. These medications have been proven to cause everything from gambling addiction to death. The worse part about these medications is the Doctor is worried about my dependence on them. It is known that these medications help me; dealing with pain makes you drained of energy. You get to this point where all you want to do is lay down and not move. How can people tell I am on medication? I am up moving around. I get projects done, the lawn is mowed and the dishes are done before my mother gets there. The Doctor told me that he is not going to prescribe anything for another month because I am too young to deal with all these medications. He wants to disregard what his duty to the patient is because of the dangers of this medication. A doctor’s job is to do a risk assessment of the medications he prescribes. Yes it is a great benefit to me to have this medication. But according to this Doctor the risk is too great also. I was reading an article over in Europe, while I was working for the Air force as a Contractor. This article was about a new study that Marijuana was found to assist people with Rheumatoid Arthritis and other Chronic Pain. I immediately asked my doctor about this finding. She referred me to a pain specialist that was a local National and he told me, "one of these weekends go to Amsterdam with your family and try it. It is legal there and I believe you will see benefit from it." Sure enough because of my position I was never used to taking vacation so I went home and decided me and my wife would take the Girls to The Netherlands and visit the beautiful country. The first day we were there I went into Amsterdam, walked to the nearest coffee shop and purchased a pre-rolled Marijuana Cigarette. I didn't know what to expect, I was scared. But sure enough within minutes the pain was lessened more than half. The Numbness in my legs turned to a tickle. The fatigue I usually feel was gone. I met up with my family and we walked around Amsterdam. The next day I went to the coffee shop again. This time I bought a cup of Tea brewed with marijuana. This time it took longer for me to feel it. I took my family to the Amusement Park over there was able to keep up with them and this time it lasted a lot longer. My wife was so happy because we didn't have to stop for me because of the pain. I didn't have to worry about being on my own because I was able to keep up. Now Senator McCain, I am back in the US. I have been a Military Member and injured my self while in service for the military. I have not gone a single day where my job has not had a direct impact on the United States Government. I have done absolutely nothing but serve this country since the Day I signed those enlistment papers. Why am I writing this? Your Website shows this "John McCain believes that America's veterans who dedicated themselves to protecting our country deserve the highest quality health care." Since I have been back in the states I have asked every VA hospital Doctor what they thought about Medical Marijuana. There have been a couple that have told me that they wish they could prescribe it since it will be a big benefit to a lot of patients. But most of them will not say anything at all because they work for the Federal Government, and they are not allowed to recommend or prescribe this medication. I have since been to civilian Doctors because they do not have to worry about the Federal Government and I have asked them. I have asked Doctors of all types, I have asked Physician Assistants, and Nurses in all types of practice and every one of them has agreed that Marijuana has some great medical uses. So Mr. McCain, I feel you have lied when you said you want the best medical care for us Disabled Veterans. You have said you do not agree with Medical Marijuana. Although Groups like, National Association for Public Health Policy, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Society of Addiction Medicine and a lot more than I can name here, have all endorsed marijuana's medical capabilities. Mr. McCain, I am not asking you to legalize Medical Marijuana right now, I am asking that you do some research, talk to some Medical professionals that do not have any Federal Government affiliation and especially talk to some Medical Marijuana patients in one of the 12 states that have legalized it already. This is too important of an issue for those of us in pain for you not to do something about it. Is it important to you? As a Republican that will be voting in the Primaries, yes it is important to you. Sincerely, Andrew White Disabled Veteran

Trust in the FDA???

Do you trust the FDA? This is what the FDA has reported on Medical Marijuana:

A growing number of states have passed voter referenda (or legislative actions) making smoked marijuana available for a variety of medical conditions upon a doctor's recommendation. These measures are inconsistent with efforts to ensure that medications undergo the rigorous scientific scrutiny of the FDA approval process and are proven safe and effective under the standards of the FD&C Act. Accordingly, FDA, as the federal agency responsible for reviewing the safety and efficacy of drugs, DEA as the federal agency charged with enforcing the CSA, and the Office of National Drug Control Policy, as the federal coordinator of drug control policy, do not support the use of smoked marijuana for medical purposes.

Here is a list of Medications the FDA has Approved, surprisingly most of these are still getting perscribed and some even to children: VIOXX - cause heartburn, nausea, diarrhea, upper respiratory tract infection, swelling of the lower extremities, high blood pressure, itching, stomach ulcers or bleeding, fatigue, vomiting, dark urine, and black stools. Additionally, recent studies have also linked VIOXX to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Bextra - can cause a number of serious side effects, from stomach bleeding to upper respiratory infection Celebrex - has been linked to at least 10 deaths, 11 cases of gastrointestinal bleeding that required hospitalization, and an increased risk of stomach ulcers. Celebrex can increase or double users' risk of blood clots, heart attack, and stroke. Crestor - has been linked to a slew of serious health problems, ranging from muscle weakness and asthenia to kidney damage and total renal failure. Baycol - it was also linked to at least 31 deaths in the United States and more than 52 worldwide. It has also been said to cause rhabdomyolysis, a typically non life-threatening but nonetheless serious muscle ailment that puts undue stress on the kidneys. Symptoms of rhabdomyolysis include fatigue, muscle pain, joint pain, dark urine, nausea, and other discomforts. Viagra and Cialis - possibility of heart attack, sudden death due to cardiac complications, hypertension, and priapism, a serious disorder requiring immediate medical attention in which a man develops a painful and prolonged erection. Risperdal - has been linked not only to type 2 diabetes, but to hyperglycemia, other blood sugar disorders, and pancreatitis—a dangerous inflammation of the pancreas. Seroquel - is linked not only to type 2 diabetes, but to hyperglycemia, other blood sugar disorders, and pancreatitis – an inflammation of the pancreas. Adderall - the occurrence of heart attacks, high blood pressure and other cardiovascular complications that may result in sudden death. The FDA report cites 51 deaths Ritalin - may pose serious health risks including heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, and other potentially fatal cardiovascular problems. The report finds that 51 deaths These are just some of the Medications with Dangerous side affects that the FDA has approved.

Medical Marijuana Endorsements and Statements of Support

Found at http://www.veteransformedicalmarijuana.org/ The following is a representative sample of the large number of medical practitioners and organizations who have publicly stated their support for medical access to marijuana or their opposition to criminal penalties for medical marijuana users. “[T]he Leukemia & Lymphoma Society supports legislation to remove criminal and civil sanctions for the doctor-advised, medical use of marijuana by patients with serious physical medical conditions...[the] Leukemia & Lymphoma Society strongly urge that in a state where patients are permitted to use marijuana medicinally for serious and/or chronic illnesses and a patient's physician has recommended its use in accordance with that state's law and that state’s medical practice standards, the patient should not be subject to federal criminal penalties for such medical use.” —Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, July 2007 "[A] federal policy that prohibits physicians from alleviating suffering by prescribing marijuana for seriously ill patients is misguided, heavy-handed, and inhumane." —Dr. Jerome Kassirer, "Federal Foolishness and Marijuana," editorial, New England Journal of Medicine, January 30, 1997 "[The AAFP accepts the use of medical marijuana] under medical supervision and control for specific medical indications." —American Academy of Family Physicians, 1989, reaffirmed in 2001 "Approved medical uses for marijuana or [THC] for treatment of glaucoma, illnesses associated with wasting such as AIDS, the emesis associated with chemotherapy, or other uses … should be administered only under the supervision of a knowledgeable physician." —American Society of Addiction Medicine, April 16, 1997 "[We] recommend … allow[ing] [marijuana] prescription where medically appropriate." —National Association for Public Health Policy, November 15, 1998 "[AAHIVM supports] state and federal legislation not only to remove criminal penalties associated with medical marijuana, but further to exclude marijuana/cannabis from classification as a Schedule I drug." —American Academy of HIV Medicine, November 11, 2003 "Therefore be it resolved that the American Nurses Association will: … Support the right of patients to have safe access to therapeutic marijuana/cannabis under appropriate prescriber supervision." —American Nurses Association, resolution, 2003 "The National Nurses Society on Addictions urges the federal government to remove marijuana from the Schedule I category immediately, and make it available for physicians to prescribe. NNSA urges the American Nurses' Association and other health care professional organizations to support patient access to this medicine." —National Nurses Society on Addictions, May 1, 1995 "[M]arijuana has an extremely wide acute margin of safety for use under medical supervision and cannot cause lethal reactions … [G]reater harm is caused by the legal consequences of its prohibition than possible risks of medicinal use." —American Public Health Association, Resolution #9513, "Access to Therapeutic Marijuana/Cannabis," 1995 "When appropriately prescribed and monitored, marijuana/cannabis can provide immeasurable benefits for the health and well-being of our patients … We support state and federal legislation not only to remove criminal penalties associated with medical marijuana, but further to exclude marijuana/cannabis from classification as a Schedule I drug." —American Academy of HIV Medicine, letter to New York Assemblyman Richard Gottfried, November 11, 2003 "[The LFA] urges Congress and the President to enact legislation to reschedule marijuana to allow doctors to prescribe smokable marijuana to patients in need … [and] urges the US Public Health Service to allow limited access to medicinal marijuana by promptly reopening the Investigational New Drug compassionate access program to new applicants." —Lymphoma Foundation of America, January 20, 1997 "The American Medical Student Association strongly urges the United States Government … to reschedule marijuana to Schedule II of the Controlled Substance Act, and … end the medical prohibition against marijuana." —American Medical Students Association, March 1993 "[T]he use of marijuana may be appropriate when prescribed by a licensed physician solely for use in alleviating pain and nausea in patients …" —The Medical Society of the State of New York, May 3, 2004 "[T]here is sufficient evidence for us to support any physician-patient relationship that believes the use of marijuana will be beneficial to the patient." —Rhode Island Medical Society, 2004 “[The] CMA continue to support scientifically rigorous research, including all FDA-approved Phase II and Phase III clinical trials and examine the current science concerning the therapeutic role of cannabinoid-based pharmaceuticals” “[The] CMA continue to support the ability of physicians to discuss and make recommendations concerning the potential benefits or harm to the patient of smoked herbal cannabis consistent with state and federal law and oppose criminal prosecution of patients who possess or use smoked herbal cannabis for medical reasons upon the recommendation of a physician” —California Medical Association, October 30, 2006 "Marijuana has proven to be effective in the treatment of people with HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis, cancer, and those suffering from severe pain or nausea … The legalization of medical marijuana would be a step forward for the health of all New Yorkers." —New York State Association of County Health Officials, resolution, 2003 "The SFMS takes a support position on the California Medical Marijuana Initiative [legalizing medical marijuana]." —San Francisco Medical Society, August 1996 "Present evidence indicates that [cannabinoids] are remarkably safe drugs, with a side-effects profile superior to many drugs used for the same indications…" —British Medical Association, November 1997 "[We] support pharmacy participation in the legal distribution of medical marijuana." —California Pharmacists Association, May 26, 1997 "We think people who use cannabis to relieve the pain of arthritis should be able to do so." —Arthritis Research Campaign, October 23, 2001 "The evidence is overwhelming that marijuana can relieve certain types of pain, nausea, vomiting and other symptoms caused by illnesses like multiple sclerosis, cancer and AIDS — or by the harsh drugs sometimes used to treat them. And it can do so with remarkable safety. Indeed, marijuana is less toxic than many of the drugs that physicians prescribe every day." —Former U.S. Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders, M.D., "Myths About Medical Marijuana," Providence Journal, March 26, 2004 "We must make sure that the casualties of the war on drugs are not suffering patients who legitimately deserve relief." —Scott Fishman, president of the American Academy of Pain Medicine, February 2006 "It [medical marijuana] should be an option for patients who have it recommended by knowledgeable physicians." —Dr. Jesse L. Steinfeld, former U.S. Surgeon General, July 2003 "Whitman-Walker Clinic supports the valid use of marijuana, under a physician's supervision, to help alleviate AIDS wasting syndrome and nausea associated with treatment regimes." —Whitman-Walker Clinic, April 1998 "[I]t cannot seriously be contested that there exists a small but significant class of individuals who suffer from painful chronic, degenerative, and terminal conditions, for whom marijuana provides uniquely effective relief." —HIV Medicine Association of the Infectious Diseases Society of America; American Medical Students Association; Lymphoma Foundation of America; Dr. Barbara Roberts; and Irvin Rosenfeld, Amicus Curiae brief filed in the U.S. Supreme Court (in the case of Gonzales v. Raich), October 2004 "Marijuana, in its natural form, is one of the safest therapeutically active substances known … The evidence in this record clearly shows that marijuana has been accepted as capable of relieving the distress of great numbers of very ill people, and doing so with safety under medical supervision. It would be unreasonable, arbitrary and capricious for DEA to continue to stand between those sufferers and the benefits of this substance." —Francis L. Young, DEA Chief Administrative Law Judge, 1988 "[The American Bar Association] recognizes that persons who suffer from serious illnesses for which marijuana has a medically recognized therapeutic value have a right to be treated with marijuana under the supervision of a physician." —American Bar Association, May 4, 1998 "I consider the most important recommendation made by the IOM (Institute of Medicine) panel [to be] that physicians be able to prescribe marijuana to individual patients with debilitating or terminal conditions … I believe such compassionate use is justified." —Andrew Weil, M.D., July 1999 "Cannabinoids and THC also have strong pain-killing powers, which is one reason medical marijuana should be readily available to people with cancer and other debilitating diseases." —Dean Edell, M.D., March 2, 2000 "I'm an oncologist as well as an AIDS doctor, and I don't think that a drug that creates euphoria in patients with terminal diseases is having an adverse effect." —Dr. Donald Abrams, 2005 "Cannabis will one day be seen as a wonder drug, as was penicillin in the 1940s. Like penicillin, herbal marijuana is remarkably nontoxic, has a wide range of therapeutic applications and would be quite inexpensive if it were legal." —Dr. Lester Grinspoon, professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, Los Angeles Times, May 5, 2006 “In states where patients are permitted to use marijuana medicinally for serious and/or chronic illnesses and a patient's physician has recommended its use in accordance with that state law and that state’s medical practice standards, the patient should not be subject to federal criminal penalties for such medical use.” “Well-designed and scientifically rigorous research, including all FDA-approved Phase II and Phase III clinical trials that lead to investigation into the potential therapeutic role and commercial licensure of prescription marijuana should be encouraged, and that production facilities that meet all regulatory requirements should be licensed by the DEA to produce pharmaceutical-grade marijuana for use exclusively in federally approved research.” — HIV Medicine Association, October 30, 2006 “Not everybody needs marijuana for medical illness. But for those who really do, it’s very helpful. As more and more states are taking medical marijuana – New Mexico just did it the other day – eventually it will just be overwhelming. And it will happen. But I’m shocked that it’s taken this long.” — Dr. Thomas Ungerleider, Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry at UCLA and member of President Nixon’s National Commission on Marijuana and Drug Abuse, “3rd Degree,” interview, LA City Beat, March 29, 2007 “[T]he American Association for Social Psychiatry supports full legal status for states to implement their own doctor-advised, medical marijuana programs for patients with serious physical medical conditions…[T]he American Association for Social Psychiatry strongly urge that in a state where patients are permitted to use marijuana medicinally for serious and/or chronic illnesses and a patient's physician has recommended its use in accordance with that state's law and that state’s medical practice standards, the patient should not be subject to federal criminal penalties for such medical use.” —American Association for Social Psychiatry, May 20, 2007 “Overall, by comparison with other drugs used mainly for ‘recreational’ purposes, cannabis could be rated to be a relatively safe drug … In contrast, cannabis might have beneficial effects in some medical indications … It seems likely that medicinal cannabis will re-enter the pharmacopeia.” —Leslie Iversen, pharmacologist at Oxford University and member of the British government’s Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, “Long-tem effects of exposure to cannabis,” Current Opinion in Pharmacology, 2005 “Cannabinoids, the active components of cannabis sativa and their derivatives … exert palliative effects in patients with cancer and inhibit tumour growth in laboratory animals.” —Manuel Guzman, associate professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at Complutense University, Madrid, Spain, “Cannabinoids: Potential Anti-Cancer Agents,” Nature Reviews – Cancer, October 2003 “54% of oncologists favor the controlled medical availability of marijuana, and 44% have advised at least one of their cancer patients to obtain marijuana illegally.” —Doblin/Kleiman (Harvard University) scientifically valid, random survey of oncologists, Journal of Clinical Oncology, 1990 “I have spent my entire career in search of more effective treatments for this awful disease [amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, aka Lou Gehrig’s disease)]. We have now found that the cannabinoids, the active ingredients in medical marijuana, work remarkably well in controlling the clinical symptoms of ALS. Even more exciting is that we are now discovering that the cannabinoids actually protect nerve cells and may prolong the life of patients with ALS.” —Testimony of Greg Carter, M.D., Clinical Professor of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine and Co-Director, Muscular Dystrophy Association clinics and the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Research Center, submitted to Illinois Senate Public Health Committee, March 2007

New Advocacy Organization is Born

One issue being a Disabled Veteran is that my Medical Doctors work for the federal government. Even if Medical Marijuana is made legal in my state, I will not benefit because my doctors will not be allowed to prescribe it. I am not alone, If you are a Veteran or support those that have given so much for their country please check it out. http://www.veteransformedicalmarijuana.org/

Quotes of Marijuana History

This is fun... I really like looking into this it lets you know how some of our misconceptions in the history of the USA. My first Quote, this is probably the most important quote I have seen in my research. 1."Mr. Speaker, what is this bill about?" To which Speaker Rayburn replied, "I don't know. It has something to do with a thing called marihuana. I think it's a narcotic of some kind." "Mr. Speaker, does the American Medical Association support this bill?" "Their Doctor Wentworth came down here. They support this bill 100 percent." The above quotes are the only thing that was said when the bill was brought up on the floor of Congress in 1937. The amazing thing is look at the Doctors name used. Who testified for the American Medical Association? 2. This leads me to go backwards in time. There was one testimony from the American Medical Association before it was passed up to Congress. That was made by Dr. William C. Woodward, both a lawyer and a doctor and at the time was Chief Counsel to the American Medical Association. His Testimony, "The American Medical Association knows of no evidence that marihuana is a dangerous drug." Immediately one of the Congressmen said, "Doctor, if you can't say something good about what we are trying to do, why don't you go home?" The next Congressman said, "Doctor, if you haven't got something better to say than that, we are sick of hearing you." So far we now have what was debated when the bill was sent to Congress and the testimony to get the bill to Congress. I wonder why was the bill Created? Lets go a little farther into the past. 3. I want to take a step a little farther in time to see why the bill was being taken up. in the early 1900's there was a large influx of Mexican Americans coming into the western states. Around the time the Great Depression started there was a large battle between the small farms and the large farms that would hire Mexican Americans at a low cost of labor. The western states needed to decrease the amount of low cost labor for the bigger farms so the smaller farms could compete again. The only difference that could be found was the amount of marijuana use among the mexican workers. "When some beet field peon takes a few traces of this stuff... he thinks he has just been elected president of Mexico, so he starts out to execute all his political enemies." In Texas, a senator said on the floor of the Senate: "All Mexicans are crazy, and this stuff [marijuana] is what makes them crazy." As the proponent of Montana's first marijuana law said, "Give one of these Mexican beet field workers a couple of puffs on a marijuana cigarette and he thinks he is in the bullring at Barcelona." This is how most of the states decided to fight the use of marijuana. 4. As you know the North East has never had a vast majority of Mexican American's. That was not an issue even back in the early 1900's. Therefore there had to be another reason that The north east would jump on the band-wagon for fighting Marijuana. The New York Times in an editorial in 1919 said, "No one here in New York uses this drug marijuana. We have only just heard about it from down in the Southwest, But, we had better prohibit its use before it gets here. Otherwise all the heroin and hard narcotics addicts cut off from their drug by the Harrison Act and all the alcohol drinkers cut off from their drug by 1919 alcohol Prohibition will substitute this new and unknown drug marijuana for the drugs they used to use." So as you can see Racism of the Mexican community has had a large influence on Marijuana Prohibition. If the American Medical Association of the time says things like the AMA, "knows of no evidence that marihuana is a dangerous drug." Why did it become illegal and why haven't the correct studies been completed on Marijuana. Marijuana should be tested and evaluated the same way that all medications are. But then again how many times have I been taken off medication that was approved by the FDA but later found out that it was more damaging than helpful.

Legal in Denver... Feds Stay out

Marijuana is not the Gateway Drug

The myth of the gateway drug has been determined not by statistics that are incorrect but by the wrong statistics. The Partnership for a Drug-Free America, in cooperation with the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the White House Office of Drug Control Policy released the "Gateway Drug" theory as a campaign against Marijuana. They state that marijuana users are 85 times more likely than non-marijuana users to try cocaine. We need to look at how they came up with this Statistic. The National Household Survey on Drug Abuse taken in 1991 is useless when it comes to the statistic on Marijuana users likelihood of using "Hard" drugs. It was calculated by dividing the proportion of marijuana users who have ever used cocaine (17%) by the proportion of cocaine users who have never used marijuana (.2%). The high risk-factor obtained is a product not of the fact that so many marijuana users use cocaine but that so many cocaine users used marijuana previously. When you think about it, Marijuana is the most common illicit drug for many decades so chances are that a user of a less popular drug has tried a more popular drug. This goes for even more popular drugs as well, for example most cocaine users also smoke cigarettes and drink alcohol. Now my opinion on legalization of marijuana will also cut down on use of other drugs. I do believe that there are a lot of users that started off with Marijuana and because of the way they have to go about getting marijuana they come in contact with hard drugs like cocaine and heroin. Because of my stance on Marijuana but do not have experience with it illegally I have talked to a few people in the Marijuana crowd. I have heard certain things that encourage my belief that legalization of the substance. I was talking to a Marijuana dealer. He was explaining to me that he loves dealing with marijuana because he has never had to deal with weapons when taking the product to his customers. He does however deal with other substances where weapons were required and shown as a threat. When he is dealing with customers of the other substances he is always worried about it "going bad" He also told me that when ever he deals with his marijuana customers he offers them the high profit drugs. If a marijuana user was able to buy this substance legally they would not be put in the situation that they are being offered harder drugs.

The Gateway Drug - Blame the Right Drug

The other day I was listening to a speach that a mother was giving about her son in his early twenties that overdosed on Heroin. It is a very upsetting situation and I strongly believe that no parent should out live their children. On the other hand she said one thing that after I thought about it I got kind of upset. During her speach about keeping Marijuana illegal, She said, "Marijuana is the gateway drug, My son started smoking cigarette's then drinking alcohol, smoking marijuana and it was all down hill from there." Now the reason this upset me is because out of the three drugs she mentioned and the drugs that her son was known to take and eventually overdosed on Marijuana was the safest one. Then I started thinking about it even more. At what point does she consider the Gateway? Was she worried about her son when he started smoking cigarettes? That was the gateway from not having an addiction to having an addiction. His life was the same but he added the addiction to it.How about when he moved from cigarettes to Drinking Alcohol? Her son went though the gateway of reality to an escape from reality. Now if you follow the path she is saying her son took the next step was no change just a different way of getting to where he wanted to. He was dealing with an addiction by smoking cigarettes, he went on to drinking alcohol to escape reality and forget about his worries. After that he went to smoking Marijuana, The least addictive drug including Nicotine and Alcohol. Marijuana also gives you a relief from reality but nothing more than alcohol, (and you have to remember your actions the next day). So here she is talking about Marijuana being the Gateway drug but that seams like the only step her son has taken that didn't change the effects he was receiving from his drugs at the time. I believe you can say that Tobacco or Alcohol were the Gateway drugs. I feel sorry for this woman that she has dealt with the pain of losing her child and my thoughts and prayers reach out to her, but please Blame the Right Drug.

Save the Children Part one

I am a firm believer that Marijuana prohibition should come to an end. I have researched and talked to lots of professionals to come up with my beliefs and which side of the fence I should stand on. I believe Marijuana should be legalized for medical purpose and legalized for responsible adults. I believe that with laws comparable to Alcohol and Tobacco marijuana would become a recreation that many adults could responsibly enjoy and will help society more than harm it. I am not alone in these beliefs and I am not ignorant to believe that everyone believes the same thing as me. I have discussed my beliefs with many people and have come across my fair share of debates. I have made posts in many places challenging people to debate me on the issue. The main debate I get is about the children of a community. “Legalization will make it easier for children to have access to Marijuana.” To this I have one main point that needs to be made. All organizations for the end of Marijuana prohibition have all agreed that no one under the age of 21 should be able to gain access to Marijuana when it becomes legal. I am also going to add in there that in some states where Marijuana has been either decriminalized or legalized for medical purposes have special penalties in place for underage use and possession near or on school grounds. This is like Alcohol and tobacco in many ways. Here in New York Smoking on school grounds in prohibited. Selling or giving cigarettes or alcohol to a minor can land you a fine or incarceration. Why would this be any different than Marijuana. No one is saying that marijuana use should be encouraged when it comes to the children. Marijuana has been on an increase since 1972 among High School children while Smoking has been decreasing over the same time frame. Why is this? Smoking Cigarettes has become monitored and taxed by the government for years. In the late 1980’s and early 1990’s I was able to walk up to a machine that was taller than me and put three quarters in and get a pack of cigarettes. No one would look twice at me or tell me I wasn’t allowed to buy them. There was a sign everywhere that said you must be 18 to buy tobacco. No one cared. Years later people were fined for selling cigarettes to minors, television ads were showing the lungs after years of smoking and children were taught about the hazards of smoking cigarettes. This is because of years of research and tests that have proven smoking is bad for you. There have been many people researching the benefits of marijuana for medical use there has also been research that has been reaccomplished since the early 70’s to prove that Marijuana does not cause cancer, does not make you schizophrenic and will not make you want to grab a needle full of heroin. This is the time on information. Children grow up learning how to search the Internet to learn about what ever they want. Children go to class to hear how bad marijuana is and then search the Internet to realize that they were taught inaccurate and embellished information. This is a discredit to our school systems and to our teachers. You gain a lot of respect from the young of a community by teaching them the truth. Well then how do you teach your children not to use Marijuana? My first response to this question is always another question, How do you teach your children not to drink alcohol? This usually gets the response that they teach their children that alcohol is illegal until they turn 21. Why not teach children that marijuana is illegal until they turn 21? The people that I run across that do not understand this way of thinking are those that have never done a minute of research on their own about marijuana. I hear things like, “All stoner’s are lazy and can not hold a job.” or, “everyone I know that smokes weed is stupid.” I again have an easy response to these. “how many alcoholics have a problem holding down a job?” then there is the, “If a stupid person is stupid and you see them smoke marijuana you blame the marijuana, is it possible the person was stupid to begin with?”

Thirty Attorneys General speak out on pain management

January 19, 2005 We, the undersigned Attorneys General, write to express our concern aboutrecent DEA actions with respect to prescription pain medication policy and to requesta joint meeting with you… The National Association of Attorneys General in 2003 adopted a Resolution Calling for a Balanced Approach to Promoting Pain Relief and Preventing Abuse of Pain Medications. Both these documents reflected a consensus among lawenforcement agencies, health care practitioners, and patient advocates that theprevention of drug abuse is an important societal goal that can and should be pursuedwithout hindering proper patient care. The [DEA Pain Guidelines] issued in 2004 appeared to be consistent with these principles, so we were surprised when they were withdrawn. The Interim Policy published on November 16, 2004 emphasizes enforcement, and seems likely to have a chilling effect on physicians engaged in the legitimate practice of medicine… We have learned that adequate pain management is often difficult to obtain because many physicians fear investigations and enforcement actions if they prescribe adequate levels of opioids or have many patients with prescriptions for pain medications. We are working to address these concerns while ensuring that individuals who do divert or abuse drugs are prosecuted… We hope that together we can find ways to prevent abuse and diversion without infringing on the legitimate practice of medicine or exerting a chilling effect on the willingness of physicians to treat patients who are in pain… We hope to meet eith you soon. Sincerely, Attorneys General of: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Georgia,Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota,Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon,Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia

It's The Right thing to do!

I am sharing this with all of you… I am not saying you have to agree with me on my opinions but I am excited the first letter I have ever written to an editor was actually Published 2 working days after I sent it. I am going to copy the letter to here so You can read it. Not only was it Published faster than most according to my Contacts but they added the above title to the letter. I didn’t have a title on the one I sent. I never understood how all-consuming chronic pain could be until I injured my back while serving in the military. Ever since then, my time and energy has been devoted to pain management. Powerful narcotic prescription painkillers leave me feeling like a zombie and often do little to ease the pain. On a trip to Amsterdam after I left the Air Force, I discovered the relief medical marijuana can provide. I’ve since discussed it with my Multiple Medical professionals, and they have agrees medical marijuana could be a far safer, more effective treatment for me than my current regimen. Unfortunately, that decision isn’t between me and my doctor. If I use the medicine he recommends, I could be arrested. I could go to jail. I could lose my beautiful daughter’s. So instead I endure needless pain. Luckily, my state senator, majority leader Joseph Bruno, has an opportunity to help me by taking up the medical marijuana bill recently passed by the Assembly. It’s the right thing to do, and it’s popular: Recent polls in several New York districts show support for medical marijuana laws ranges between 61 and 76 percent, including 55 percent of Conservative Party voters. I implore Sen. Bruno and his colleagues to do the compassionate thing and pass this medical marijuana bill now.

For all my New York Friends

Please send an email to your Senator to help get this bill passed in a special session. It is a prefilled email and the more they get the better. https://ssl.capwiz.com/mpp/issues/alert/?alertid=9874316 The State Assembly already passed this but the Senate has denied it. Let the Senators know that it is in NY’s best interest and the majority of the population wants this. http://ny.mpp.org/site/c.grKMIYPGIqE/b.1773517/k.BE7A/Home.htm For those of you in other states - Go check out http://www.mpp.org/

Why are teens selling drugs? Not Alcohol or Tobacco

According to the federally funded Monitoring the Future Survey,“Marijuana has been almost universally available to American high schoolseniors over at least the past 28 years.” Since 1972 marijuana use by teenagers has increased from 14% to todaywhere 16% of 8th graders and 45% of 12th graders have tried pot. Incontrast, daily cigarette use by high school seniors has declined from 27%in 1975 to 16% in 2004! Credible education — as opposed to exaggerated claims — actuallyworks! Prohibition makes things worse: more availability, more violence,unidentifiable and possibly impure drugs, and a system that exploitsteens to enrich drug dealers. Quotes and Stats Published in the Rocky Mountain News October 21, 2006

Marijuana Study 1944 release

New York Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia released a Marijuana study in 1944 that infuriated Harry Anslinger. Anslinger, appointed as the first Commissioner of the Treasury Department's Federal Bureau of Narcotics, led the fight against Marijuana for 32 years. The Laguardia Commission, prepared by the New York Academy of Medicine, was to study the effect marijuana had on the City of New York in the early 1940's. The most interesting findings are still being argued today by multiple organizations and medical research companies.The following are the findings of The Laguardia Commission. Pay close attention to numbers 7, 9, and 10: 1 Marijuana is used extensively in the Borough of Manhattan but the problem is not as acute as it is reported to be in other sections of the United States. 2 The introduction of marijuana into this area is recent as compared to other localities. 3 The cost of marijuana is low and therefore within the purchasing power of most persons. 4 The distribution and use of marijuana is centered in Harlem. 5 The majority of marijuana smokers are Blacks and Latin-Americans. 6 The consensus among marijuana smokers is that the use of the drug creates a definite feeling of adequacy. 7 The practice of smoking marijuana does not lead to addiction in the medical sense of the word. 8 The sale and distribution of marijuana is not under the control of any single organized group. 9 The use of marijuana does not lead to morphine or heroin or cocaine addiction and no effort is made to create a market for these narcotics by stimulating the practice of marijuana smoking. 10 Marijuana is not the determining factor in the commission of major crimes. 11 Marijuana smoking is not widespread among school children. 12 Juvenile delinquency is not associated with the practice of smoking marijuana. 13 The publicity concerning the catastrophic effects of marijuana smoking in New York City is unfounded And people think he is remembered for bringing New York out of the Great Depression

Marijuana vs. Aspirin

Most people use products that are more damaging to the body with out any thought to what they are doing to the body just because they were raised to think it is safe. Although heavy use of marijuana is not safe it is a lot safer than most of the common used drugs in today's market. This is article one and I am going to compare the effects of two popular pain killers, Marijuana and Aspirin.

Lets start with the history of Marijuana first. Marijuana can be traced back for thousands of years to almost every culture in the worlds history. Up until the Marijuana was prohibited by the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 the US Pharmacopoeia listed cannabis as the drug of choice for over 100 different diseases. This reference was the reference used by doctors since 1820. Cannabis was added to the US Pharmacopoeia in 1870. Since recorded history Marijuana has never been found to cause death by overdose.

The History of Aspirin is not so long and distinguished. Aspirin patented on March 6, 1889 by Bayer who also had the trademark for Heroin. Aspirin causes an average of 500 deaths per year. This is from a Medication that is used for pain and heart disease.

Now that we understand the history of the two pain medications lets look at the legality of both। While Marijuana does have side effects and is know to assist in over 100 diseases without causing any deaths it has been prohibited by the US Federal Government since 1937. Marijuana side effects include problems with memory and learning; distorted perception (sights, sounds, time, touch); difficulty in thinking and problem solving; loss of coordination; and increased heart rate, anxiety, and panic attacks. THESE SIDE EFFECTS DO NOT LAST AFTER THE MARIJUANA WEARS OFF. There have been research results that indicate that Marijuana can cause respiratory irritations among heavy marijuana users if smoked. This can be easily solved by switching to vaporized marijuana or taking marijuana orally. Marijuana has not been linked in any research to lung cancer.

While marijuana is prohibited in the US, with minor side effects and multiple benefits to the drug, any age child can go to a store and purchase aspirin over the counter. The effects of aspirin can be very dangerous. Heartburn; nausea; upset stomach; rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; black or bloody stools; confusion; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; hearing loss; ringing in the ears; severe or persistent stomach pain; unusual bruising; vomiting; Reye syndrome.

In the book, 'The Science of Marijuana' by Dr. Leslie Iversen of the Oxford University Department of Pharmacology said “Tetrahydrocannabinol is a very safe drug,” she said. “Even such apparently innocuous medicines as aspirin and related steroidal anti-inflammatory compounds are not safe.” So if safety is your concern, cannabis is clearly a much better choice than aspirin. By eating it or using it in a vaporizer, Marijuana would be the wonder drug, Safe and effective.

Am I a Pot Head Now?

This is in response to a comment made by one of my friends today. I have become a member of NORML and MPP both are lobbyist against the criminalization of Marijuana and both are trying to get bills passed to legalize marijuana. I believe just like them that there is a lot of good that can come from cannabis. The ability for the farmers of this country to grow cannabis would free up a lot of other resources that have deteriorated our environment. Please look up the uses of cannabis and you will notice that it could be a very profitable crop for the US for products that we export and it has nothing with rolling joints. I also am a firm believer that Marijuana has many benefits to the medical community and they are still researching those benefits. They do know that it can help Chemo patients with nausea, It can help AIDS patients with their appetite, They are using it for those with chronic Pain, and they are using it to help those that have eating disorders. I for a fact know that my life would have a lot less pain in it if I was able to eat a pot brownie instead of taking Vicodin. I also know for a fact that I can take Marijuana for 2 years straight and quit cold turkey but if I took vicodin for 2 months straight I would have a hard time getting off of it. I am also a firm believer that Marijuana is classed as a Type 1 Narcotic along with Heroin and Cocaine. I do not believe that this is the correct classification. I believe that Even Coffee and Alcohol are both more addictive. I also know that Alcohol and Nicotine are both more hazardous to your health. When i was growing up i was told that one Joint was like smoking a full pack of Cigarettes. Current research is now saying that one Joint is like smoking 5 cigarettes. The Way I was raised and taught about marijuana was mostly made up of myths because I back then the government was not allowing the proper research. Current research shows that not only is it a great medical device the side effects and damage that it does is not nearly as bad as most of the prescription medications that are allowed by the FDA. I have had worse side effects from some of the over the counter medications I have taken. I am also a firm believer that the War on Drugs is a failure. The amount of money that is spent on fighting Marijuana could be used for a lot of better Wars… How about the war on teachers and Nurses Pay. How about the War on illiterate children, how about the war on Health Care. Last year over 60% of drug related arrests were for small amounts of Marijuana. (under an Ounce) These arrests now spend Jail time for these offenses. (NY has already decriminalized Marijuana so it would only be $100 Fine) But then you add in the bad drug arrests, Those who sell marijuana… What would happen if it was sold in Coffee shops like over in The Netherlands? If we wanted to sell Marijuana we could Tax it 114% to make it comparable to how much it sells now. We would get the drug dealers off the street and opening coffee shops, (You think Star-bucks is all over the place now) The money we would save by chasing these Pot Heads down and Trials for them is nothing compared to the amount of money we could make by Taxing it. Even if we were to tax it like Alcohol and Cigarettes we would make enough in one year to lower everyones income tax. So far there are a few presidential candidate’s that are for Ending the war on Drugs. pay attention to them and then find out why the others will not even touch the issue. Most of the time it is because they do not want the Stigma of “Soft on Drugs” They do not have a good argument on why marijuana can not be used for medical purposes. Most states that were getting close to the legalization of Marijuana for medical purposes have stopped everything because of the Presidents issues. President Bush said when he first took office, “Let the States Decide” So 12 states have made it legal. Lately the DEA has been making arrests in those states because they have found the other statement made by the President, “If the federal and state governments do not agree then the federal law is the one that counts. So even though there are Medical Marijuana users in these states legally they are getting arrested. Anyway if you do not believe me on any of these please feel free to debate me on it. I am up for it. I have been sending letters and fighting my Senators about it so I would be more than willing to discuss this with any of those that feel they need to disagree. But My first argument is “Its my body why can the Government stop me from doing it?” But before you answer that remember they let me smoke while drinking a bottle of JACK. .. So to finalize this blog, “Am I a pot head now?” No I am not a Pot head. I have not taken anything that is illegal for me to take. I did Smoke in Amsterdam since it was legal and the pain I deal with everyday was completely gone. Will I start making Marijuana butter to make brownies and Cookies with? No, I follow the laws of the US and NY State, I will not break any laws. I will not stick up for anyone that does willingly break the law. I am currently using my voice as a registered voter to make people think about the things I believe in. Do I have a selfish Motive? Yes I do, I just filled my prescription again for 800mg of Motrin… It does not do anything. it takes a little edge off the pain but it still Flipping hurts. I know I can not go back to Vicodin, Percocet, or Codeine because I will easily abuse those and there is such thing of overdose (been close a few times) Marijuana will not allow you to overdose on it.