Philadelphia marijuana vigil 7/11/09 - C. David Freitag
Related LInks
The American Medical Association has stepped boldly forward into the modern era of medical marijuana asking that cannabis be removed from Schedule I in the federal Controlled Substances Act. The new stance materialized on November 10th when AMA’s Council on Science and Public Health (CSAPH) issued a report entitled, Use of Cannabis for Medicinal Purposes.
The CSAPH report detailed and affirmed the medical benefits of marijuana while calling for further research into cannabinoids. The report concluded that, "short term controlled trials indicate that smoked cannabis reduces neuropathic pain, improves appetite and caloric intake especially in patients with reduced muscle mass, and may relieve spasticity and pain in patients with multiple sclerosis."
In strong language to the federal government the report also asks that, "the Schedule I status of marijuana be reviewed with the goal of facilitating clinical research and development of cannabinoid-based medicines, and alternate delivery methods."
This pragmatic reversal on the part of the largest physician group in the United States also represents a full circle for the influential organization. In 1937 the AMA opposed the first federal marijuana prohibition law during congressional hearings.
Their Legislative Council at the time, William Woodward, prophetically stated: “the prevention of the use of the drug for medicinal purposes can accomplish no good end whatsoever. How far it may serve to deprive the public of the benefits of a drug that on further research may prove to be of substantial value, it is impossible to foresee."
In December 2009 New Jersey will have final votes on a medical marijuana bill and Pennsylvania will have their first public hearings. This announcement from the AMA should ring the bell for state elected officials that they can provide their citizens with legal protections and cannabis access while federal policy continues to evolve.
For more information please visit the website of Americans for Safe Access who helped spur this new direction for the AMA. http://www.safeaccessnow.org/
Comments
It's clear that change is coming, in matters relating to cannabis at least. Once and for all, to reduce the harm caused by illicit drug use, decriminalize, regulate and tax. Kill the profit of the violent cartels, give Americans medicine and jobs!
Time to legalize cannabis. It's insane that alcoholics go to a doctor for treatment and a cannabis user goes to jail for torment by the system.
The Fed Gov is way behind the people on this one,Ive been telling my kids for years that marijuana is a safer choice compared to alcohol. We have had 2 of our relatives die from alcohol, and not a single problem with marijuana, not even a hangover!
Licensing, taxing, and regulating the distribution of marijuana is the surest way to put the criminal drug dealers out of business and protect our children from the money-hungry criminal element. It’s time to protect our children and take the marijuana business out of the hands of criminals. License, tax, and regulate the marijuana business.
And while we’re at it, let’s find a way to pull the revenue-hungry public policy in the right direction on personal cultivation (i.e., let’s get past the “you can’t tax it because people will just grow their own” argument). Let’s implement a personal cultivation permit. Limit the size of the growing area or the number of plants, and put a small user-fee on it to cover administrative costs, something like a fishing license. Maybe high enough that there will be a little something left over for education or fixing the roads.
One possibility:$100 per year for a permit to cultivate a dozen plants.
It’s a win-win.
I sure wish the Federal Govt would keep their noses out of private matters, such as what I do in my own home, not harming anyone.
Don't forget it was President Richard Nixon (the criminal) who created the War on Drugs and Controlled Substance Act. All this from a CRIMINAL.... great.
[quote]Concerned Parent says:
Licensing, taxing, and regulating the distribution of marijuana is the surest way to put the criminal drug dealers out of business and protect our children from the money-hungry criminal element. ...One possibility:$100 per year for a permit to cultivate a dozen plants. It’s a win-win.[/quote]
Sign me up for that $100 permit!
Study finds smoking marijuana and cocaine can cause cancer
August 18, 1998
WASHINGTON (CNN)-- In the first study of its kind, researchers found that smokers of marijuana and crack cocaine show the same kinds of precancerous conditions caused by smoking tobacco.
The findings were released Tuesday in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
In the study, researchers examined samples of respiratory tract tissue from participants who ranged in age from 21 to 50. To be eligible, the participants had to be in one or more of the following categories: Marijuana smokers who smoked an average of 10 or more marijuana cigarettes a week for the last five years or longer; crack cocaine smokers who smoked one gram or more of crack cocaine a week for nine months or longer within the past year; or tobacco smokers who smoked 20 cigarettes or more a day for the last five years.
Johnny Law, I believe your study is full of holes. What about the cocaine/alcochol drug combo a third chemical – cocaethylene – builds up in the liver over a number of years among those who mix the two drugs. And this is now having major health consequences.
There is no proven link to lung cancer or any cancer from marijuna smoke.
1998........$100 says that's a NIDA study...LMFAO.
The marijuana debate is not just about medicine. It's time to drive a wedge between the drug dealers and our kids. Licensing, taxing, and regulating the distribution of marijuana is the surest way to put the criminal drug dealers out of business and protect our children from the money-hungry criminal element. It’s time to protect our children and take the marijuana business out of the hands of criminals. License, tax, and regulate the marijuana business. And while we’re at it, let’s implement a personal cultivation permit. Limit the size of the growing area or the number of plants, and put a small user-fee on it to cover administrative costs, something like a fishing license. Maybe high enough that there will be a little something left over for education or fixing the roads.
One possibility:$100 per year for a permit to cultivate a dozen plants.
It's a win-win.
WEED IS GOOD
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!