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Medical marijuana bill should be law
Published Saturday, March 15, 2008
The medical marijuana bill – passed by the Minnesota Senate last year and likely to see action on the floor of the House in the coming months – should be passed into law as soon as possible.
As a patient suffering from severe neuropathy and other pain-related conditions, this is a major issue in my life. I previously lived in
Hawaii and was a legal medical marijuana patient under that state’s program. It helped me more than the regimen of addictive, dangerous medications I’ve been prescribed over the years.
And just last month, the American College of Physicians -- the second largest physician group in the United States, with a membership of over 124,000 medical professionals — recognized marijuana’s many medical benefits with 10 pages of references and citations. Their official policy position “strongly urges protection from criminal or civil penalties for patients who use medical marijuana as permitted under state laws.”
Unfortunately, Governor Pawlenty has threatened to veto any medical marijuana bill, based on the knee-jerk opposition of a small but influential group of non-experts. The governor seems to believe that law enforcement officers know better than medical professionals which method of treatment would best suit an individual patient.
The governor should reconsider. This is a mainstream and popular issue, with 2 to 1 support from Minnesotans. It's time our lawmakers and governor listen to the physicians and their own constituents, and end the cruel, despicable policy of arresting suffering patients for trying to alleviate their pain.
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Paul Cassenelli -Alexandria
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by lenny (anonymous) on March 15, 2008 at 3:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If the governor could place a tax (excuse me a user fee) on the dope he would sign it in a heartbeat.
Posted by sunfish62 (anonymous) on March 15, 2008 at 3:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree! I have arthritis in my hands, knees and most joints in my body. I have found for myself Pot really helps manage the pain. A lot of Viet Nam Veterans have used it to handle their Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I helps manage our mood swings when put under stress. It's called mellowing out. For myself it helps keep my temper in check. I will turn and walk away rather than fighting or arguing over the small stuff. Many Viet Nam vets were taught killing blows to defend themselves in close combat. Here in the real world the average person does realize that a veteran put into a life or death situation will choose to live because they have ability to kill a person with one blow which the average person does not realize. Pot mellows a person to the point they will turn and walk away. If the apponent pushes the veteran watch out because the veteran will survive, that is what they were taught to do in those kind of situations. The worst thing for alot of people on pot is the "munchies" or loosing track of time. Thank You.
Posted by THESICKMAN (anonymous) on March 16, 2008 at 12:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
JUST TO LET LENNY KNOW, YOU CAN GO INTO ANY POLICE OR SHERRIFS BUILDING AND BUY A TAX STAMP. SO IF YOU DO GET CAUGHT WITH A SMALL AMOUT UNDER 42 GRAMS,WHICH IS ABOUT A $200 FINE. THEY WON'T AND CAN'T CARGE YOU WITH NOT PAYING TAX;S FOR WHAT YOU HAVE. YOU CAN FIND THE INFO IN HIGHTIMES.COM SITE ABOUT COURT FEES,EACH STATES RULES AND REGULATIONS. I THINK IF BOOZE AND TABACCO ARE ON THE SHELVES OF EVERY STORE NEXT TO THE FOOD . IT SHOULD BE MADE ILLEGAL.BOOZE CAUSES OVER 100,000 DEATHS ON THE ROADS AND WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ISSUES. TABACOO CAUSES ABOUT 45,000 CANCER DEATHS PER YEAR. AND THE DEATH RATE FOR POT OR MEDICAL MARIJUANA IS THE BIG ZERO !!! EVEN IF IT IS SOLD LIKE TABACO IN A BAG BY THE WEIGHT. THE GOV. COULD PUT ALL THAT MONEY INTO SCHOOLS AND ROADS AND MEDICAL REHAB FOR THOSE WHO ARE ADDICTED FOR ANYTHING FROM OVER EATING TO DRUG AND CHILD CARE FOR PARENTS THAT CAN'T AFFORD CHILD CARE WHILE THEY WORK.
Posted by thethinker (anonymous) on March 17, 2008 at 11:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
So we can drink booze and smoke cigarettes but we can't light up a joint? Hmmm....mary-jane grows on 6 continents and all 50 states. It doesn't need ANY refining for it's consumption and was legal until early in the last century when it was lumped together with narcotics such as heroin, cocaine, and opium.....
Then again, nobody said our govt makes much sense or uses that magical word: "logic"
Posted by RICK33 (anonymous) on March 18, 2008 at 12:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think they shouldn't make pot legal. Making pot legal will lead poeple to other drugs because pot is a gateway drug. People will abuse it more and more if it was legal. I also think that anyone could go and get a prescription and that's not right either. SO KEEP THAT STUFF AWAY AND KEEP FERGUS MORE OF A DRUG FREE PLACE TO LIVE!!!!!!!!
Posted by BobWilliams (Bob Williams) on March 19, 2008 at 11:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
How about a vending machine?
Posted by charlesrichard (anonymous) on September 16, 2008 at 6:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hi everyone, wishing goodluck one and all of this community, have a nice day, thank u
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charles
["http://www.marijuanaaddictiontreatment.com" http://www.marijuanaaddictiontreatment.c...
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