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.

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!!!!!!!!!

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...