Pa. lawmakers hear medical marijuana arguments
Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009
Advocates and opponents of legalized medical marijuana in Pennsylvania stated their case at a Capitol hearing this morning.
Listen:
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
A bill before the House would allow patients to use marijuana with a doctor's permission. The drug would be sold at licensed so-called "compassion centers."
Patients would have to register with the Health Department, and would be limited to six plants or one ounce of marijuana at a time. Those restrictions aren't good enough for Sharon Smith, the founder and president of the anti-drug organization MOMSTELL.
Smith: When has smoking anything been good for your health?
Smith doesn't buy the argument marijuana can help ease the pain of seriously ill patients.
Smith: House Bill 1393 ignores the fact that marijuana is an illegal drug with no recognized medical value.
Supporters of the bill told members of the Health and Human Services Committee that legalizing medical marijuana is a common-sense way to improve the quality of life for some terminally ill patients.
People who oppose the medicinal use of cannabis by patients are forgetting the fact that life is fragile. Each of us — and everyone we love and care about — is just ONE DIAGNOSIS away from being a patient him or herself. And when it is someone you love who is suffering, you will do whatever is necessary to bring them dignity, comfort, and compassion (which includes the ingestion of medical marijuana where appropriate).
CompassionAssociates.org is a patient-based non-profit organization which provides medical marijuana assistance to patients, their families and loved ones. For more information about ways to help suffering patients and medical marijuana information, please visit our website at http://www.CompassionAssociates.org (or email me directly at email hidden; JavaScript is required).
MAY THOSE THAT SEEK COMFORT, FIND COMFORT. [-_-]
LEGALIZE!….ppl listen to police in helicopter by gregory issacs. it supports the growing of mj in industrial crops. the taxing could indeed stimulate the economy. 100's of years ago when george washington was baking in his horse buggy all the way til today, mj has taken a good bad and ugly label from society. in the early days it was accepted. then the statistics up til today slowly changed tht. in this day and age we have the ability to control what theese statistics can do. TECHNOLOGY can and will BETTER assist with tht in manny ways. combine it with the mind of the farmer, the distribution of the product, and the sorting of strains all over the world and in the states and kaboom economic stimulation. maybe it can even make countries stop hating eachother. the sun will rise.
When will all these righteous folks who think alcohol use is ok ((because more likely than not it is a part of their socialization) understand the death ratio from use is galatial in proportion. If you are not suffering from cancer or another disease you have no right fighting against people who are ill. Hopefully with boomers on the rise so will marijuana and alcohol use will decrease. Any parent who would prefer that their child consume alcohol responsibly, but quiver at the word marijuana needs to only look at death and crime statistics.
When Medical Marijuana is legal in all 50 States and the scientists have an opportunity to really observe its highly beneficial effect on the wide variety of medical conditions, we will be incredulous that it took so long to admit the obvious, that the resistance to the Truth was so fierce…
Oh, well, the resistance to a discovery that the Earth was not flat was fierce too, but it had to end at some point. To even say that marijuana does not have medicinal value is the same as to say that the Earth is flat… Think about it!
If you don't have personal experience you don't know anything and you are ignorant of the true facts. If you have to be told what to believe and say, your a sheep not a human and if you've never seen anyone suffer through dialysis because their kidneys shut down from opiates, or watch them waste away before your eyes because they can't eat because of side effects of man-made drugs, go visit an oncology ward or the aids ward in any hospital or even your family member being treated for cancer with chemo or radiation then come say there is no use for medical MJ. 'Til you have personal experience you have no right to a say anything so shut your mouth.
The odds have never been stacked against those who have opposed medical marijuana. They probably have pharmaceutical companies in their pocket. i'm not going to hippie rant just one more point i would like to make.
The city of philadelphia will be saving 3 million dollars this year because they will do away with photos. Photos of individuals who have been arrested for marijuana. Thats a lot of potholes that could be fixed. Decriminilization period..
Right on, Hippeh!
The odds have never been stacked against those who have opposed medical marijuana. They probably have pharmaceutical companies in their pocket. i'm not going to hippie rant just one more point i would like to make.
The hearing was biased and however was in charge of scheduling speakers should be ashamed of themselves. The whole point of a public hearing is to hear from the public on both sides of the issue. This was clearly stacked to only represent the pro-drug lobby. There were only three individuals placed on the in ternary opposing the bill and those people were given less time to speak than those supporting the bill. There were people in the audience that asked to speak out, were told they would be on the schedule, and then somehow left off.
Ms. Smith raised many valid points about abuses of such programs in other states and how the bill, in its current form, does not offer protections against such abuses. Her concern for her community is genuine and it is a shame that she is being made a villain for having the courage to speak out against a truly dangerous bill.
Amylyn,
This was an open forum. Anyone could have spoken if they had scheduled with the proper staff. These always run long and some people are left without the chance to speak.
If the forum seemed pro HB1393 then it’s because more people favor the bill than oppose.
To say that the Health and Human Services department was biased towards the pro HB1393 majority is a mis-representation of the facts. The committee was critical and questioning of the pro HB1393 expert testimony – And well they should be! This is a misunderstood piece of legislation being lumped with generalized legalization and addiction.
Please note, that this is not the final hearing on HB1393. If the general population is against this legislation then I CHALLENGE them to bring that representation to the next hearing. But please, be informed of the real legislation, and don't summon ghosts like Mrs. Smith and certain members of the committee.
The detractors of HB1393 looked foolish. Their logic was faulty and clearly demonstrated both their lack of knowledge regarding the bill and their lack of updated information regarding the benefits of medical marijuana.
Listen, I am really tired of each side in this conversation throwing our statistics that favor their side. The only fact I need to know is that people in pain find relief by using marijuana. I dare you to look in the face of someone who needs this medication and refuse them a quality of life that only this medication can provide.
I watched my Mother die a very painful cancer related death when her kidneys shut down because of the opiates prescribed for her immense pain. I watched as she tried to keep healthy through the chemo and radiation and the suffering she endured could have been in part alleviated by a little bit of MJ but it was not legal and so she was killed by the medical establishment who had their hands tied by the big drug companies and the teachings perpetuated by J.P. Rockefeller who would only fund colleges teaching the use of manufactured and patented medicines that have DEATH as a side effect. A few months later my little brother died from aids related illness and there is no doubt that he could have benefited from medical marijuana. People you need to start doing your own research use the brains God gave you and stop being led by the nose by entities wishing to extract your money from you. Doesn't anyone in America think anymore?!?
Many of us think, but unfortunately not enough.
No spell check amylyn?
Sorry bout the spell check bro! I promise to do better next time ; )
Dear Readers,
I ahve recently relocated to western PA from San Francisco, CA where I did have a prescription for Medicinal Marijuana. I am unfortunately HIV+ and have found the use of said medecine extremely helpfull for many reasons. It does help increase appetite which was of great value when I suffered pneumonia and was down to 130lbs. I am now back to my normal weight for my height. thank you. It also eases the occassional joint pain that is caused by the disease. And I must say that in general when I am down in the dumps thinking about the grim inevitability of dying from this ailment, it does lift my spirits and takes my mind to a much more pleasengt state.
Now I am a proffessional, with an excellent job and absolutely no criminal record. The state of California receives millions of tax dollars from the LEGAL sale of medicinal marijuana. And with it being legal helps keep drug dealers out of business and inevitably out of the possession of minors, not a bad thing if you ask me!
Now if you are in the mind set that making this, (I'll say medicine as oppossed to drug, which is what pharmeceutical companies sale)legal that it would encourage more people to try it, then you are taking away the very qualities that make us human beings, FREE WILL AND THE INTELLIGENCE THAT SEPERATES US FROM ANIMALS! As far as addiction is concerend, I have been with out Medicinal Marijuana for over a month and can easily say that I suffer from absolutely no mental or physical withdrawls. However I wouldn't mind a big fat spliff!
So come on people, stop acting like ignorant children and more like the capable adults that make us proud to call ourselves American, and show a little compassion for people in need, and who deserve a natural, non chemical substance for certain ailments. I just find it amazing that people will take a pill with blind acceptance that has such side affects as; kidney failure, nausea, diarhea, sudden shortness of breath, migrains, COMA AND OR DEATH, but have such strong opinions about something that grows naturally from God's green Earth! That's wild! OK, time to hand over the soap box to someone else. Thank you to all those who bothered to read my thoughts. God bless.
You know, Ms. Smith makes an excellent point that it is not the business of the legislators to determine what is and what is medicine. The FDA is qualified to do that. The PA legislature is not.
Qualified? BS Look I can show you the warnings on the labels of all these approved medicines and they are grim. The drug marijuana is not even properly scheduled. Marijuana dose not have adverse side effects and my liver is safe. If I used the meds most docs prefer I would die sooner period.
Valid medicinal value, it's a victimless crime, the War on Drugs WAY too costly, too many arrests for simple possession, tax it and use the money to pay for health insurance and to reduce the deficit. Need I say more?
Woodstock Universe supports legalization of Marijuana.
We will giveaway a Woodstock Universe Prize Package to the best member blog on "Why we should legalize marijuana?"
Prize package includes Woodstock Universe T-shirt and magnet, WDST decal, Radio Woodstock Live in Woodstock CD and Woodstock 3 days of peace and music Director’s Cut DVD.
Join Woodstock Universe to blog or just vote in our poll.
Add your vote in our poll about legalization at:
http://www.woodstockuniverse.com
New poll started 11/25. Currently 95% and for 5% against.
Peace, love, music, one world,
RFWoodstock
I attended yesterday's meeting in Harrisburg, and as always was prepared to be opened minded on both sides of the issues. I am sure it is no wonder that I thought the points raised by 1393 supporters were much stronger than those presented by its detractors.
First off, for all of you stoners out there let me clarify that this is for medicinal purposes only. You may consider this legislation ”gateway" legislation for generalized legalization, but those pure of intention are only seeking relief and an improved quality of life for those that find it through marijuana. These are those suffering through chemotherapy, chronic pain, wasting disease and other serious ailments.
Because this bill is intended ONLY for citizens that have been approved through their physician, and registered through a state organization, it will no more pose a threat to children as does any other controlled substance. Let's be clear, illegal marijuana is much easier to obtain for children than is legalized tobacco or alcohol. Let's stop talking about the "Children". This is a tired argument that attempts to pull on the heart-strings. No one wants to hurt or ruin the future of children.
Detractors will tell you of the danger of smoking ANYTHING. This could be true. I don't know all of the scientific data, but my logic would tell me that inhaling any burnt substance could cause irritation and perhaps cancer. Ok, that is a valid point, but the detractors fail to recognize that MANY patients receive the benefits of marijuana by either vaporization or consuming the medicine through food or drink. See, this is another emotion hot button as well, and tries to ride to coat-tails of the anti-smoking sentiment that has been growing in this country for years! "If we don't want tobacco smokers in public areas, then why would we tolerate marijuana smokers?" This is poor logic and is geared to sway the uninformed.
Let's talk about Maslow's law of human needs. At the core of this concept is the strongest human need of all and that is the need for oxygen, food, water and revulsion from pain. It is these physiological needs that will drive those in pain to seek relief in any form they can, including illegal marijuana. So, what do we do as a society when we catch them growing medicine for themselves? We throw them in jail where illegal drugs are easily obtained! How we treat our poor and sick are truly an indication of our morality as a society. And guess what? We really stink.
Let's talk about his concept of gateway drug. First off, marijuana has ZERO chemical components that can create dependency. Furthermore, and this is from my own personal experience, my first introduction into the dark world of drugs was alcohol then tobacco. But of course you will very few politicians with the courage to fight these industries, especially when these organizations are directly responsible for keeping politician’s wallets fat. Shame on you politicians! You have spit on the public trust.
In Harrisburg there were several physicians standing up for medical marijuana, and they made many salient points. For instance, did you know that marijuana has an LD 50 lower than any medicinal substance on the market? LD = Lethal Dose and the 50 represents 50 percent, so an LD 50 is the amount of substance needed to get an individual 50 percent of the way towards a lethal dose. It is virtually impossible to overdose on marijuana, in fact it would take an individual consuming 1500 pounds over 15 minutes for that to even come close!
Emergency room physicians and Neurologist all came to the defense of marijuana with this message, "It helps people in pain feel better and it has no negative side effects." Both sides of this argument agree that medical treatment is a decision that must be made between a patient and his physician. This is all we are asking for. Allow physicians access to a substance they know works!
The "Political Party Walkers" will tell you that we in Pennsylvania can not approve of medical marijuana because the federal government has not approved it. And yes, this is true. But it is also true that we may act within the concept of Federalism. We as a state have the right and moral responsibility to act on the behalf of our citizens, and to damn what the Washington tell us. This is at the heart of everything our forefathers fought for. Besides, President Obama has already given the states a green light to seek out their own medical marijuana laws without fear of federal prosecution. He may not be able to change the marijuana laws at a national level, but he certainly has given us the "wink" to do what we see fit.
Also, and even our respectable member of the Health and Human Services department didn't seem to recognize this, the AMA has recently reversed their stance on keeping marijuana as a Class I drug. This means that the AMA sees the potential that marijuana has clinical benefits. Many other medical associations have also given approval, and many others fear providing their approval because of backlash fears from their constituents. Fear is major emotion that is keeping this sensible policy away from the governor desk.
Marinol and other cannabis synthetics are not 100 percent effective. For many they work well for the relief of nausea and pain, but for others the only substance that works is consumed medical marijuana. Why are we denying these people relief? Is it again…Fear?
Ok, let’s move to what politicians understand. Money. It should come to no surprise that for a majority of our country's history marijuana/hemp was a major cash export. Most of the signers of the Declaration of Independence both sold and profited from its use. But today, we treat this substance it would rob our nation of prosperity and direction. Nothing could be more false. The projected tax revenues expected from legalized medical marijuana in Pennsylvania is $25,000,000. Show me a simpler, safer and more compassionate path to this revenue than medical marijuana.
No one wants another California. We hear all the time about the marijuana dispensaries out-numbering the Starbucks in downtown Hollywood, but the legislation being proposed by HB1393 is not even close to creating another "California" here in the Keystone State. Looks towards Rhode Island if you want an example of where this legislation may take us.
YES! I am slanted towards approving HB 1393. Prejudices, Fear and images of “stoners” hold this legislation from becoming reality. Shame on Pennsylvania, shame on our government and shame on us if we don’t demand approval of this legislation from our elected officials.
Greg, LD 50 is actually when 50 % of the test animals die after being given a specific dose of the chemical or drug being tested. Researchers haven't been able to induce any animal to die no matter how much of a concentrated dose of Pot is given. The theoretical amount for pot (LD 50 ) is the equivalent of between 20 and 40 thousand joints that would have to be smoked in 15 minutes. I challenge anyone to do that!
Pot should be RE-LEGALIZED!
Simple choice.
You can argue the pro/con points all day long and you will still be left with the fact that either the drug gangs will distribute cannabis or the gov't regulates cannabis distribution. You can talk about messages sent to youth, age appropriate access, the law is the law, it's illegal for a reason, addiction, family problems, etc…but the bottom line is that cannabis *will* be distributed…either by the drug gangs or through gov't regulation. People want it and recent polls reflect that changing attitude. Cannabis is the largest cash crop in 12 states and in the top 5 in 39 states and growing. Prohibition isn't stopping anyone. Cannabis use grew under the noses and sometimes with the assistance of the police, dea, cia, border patrol, and (insert laugh here) GED educated homeland security personnel (seriously, that's all they require…a GED, scary).
Like the system currently in place? Then the drug gangs continue to distribute with the blessing of their prohibitionist enablers who claim they are winning the war on drugs. Want something different? Then the gov't gets to regulate the distribution. Cannabis will be distributed. I say keep the drug gangs out, legalize and regulate the distribution with problems solved in court and not on the street with running gun battles. Geez, when's the last time you saw Bud and Miller in a shoot out over distribution routes?
See? Simple.
The govt doesnt want to lose their income on all of the chemicals they sell to us. This country is pill happy..Got one for every ailment…Pot can be free, and it doesnt have the nasty side effects of many other treatments. Mother nature put all of her plants and animals for a reason. Every single organism has a job in the cycle of life. I dont see where pain killers fit into that
1. The American Medical Association, LA Times & Washington Post are calling for extensive federal research of marijuana's medicinal purpose(s). The A.M.A. House of Delegates has called "for further adequate and well-controlled studies of marijuana and related cannabinoids in patients who have serious conditions for which preclinical, anecdotal, or controlled evidence suggests possible efficacy and the application of such results to the understanding and treatment of disease."
"Moreover, the patchwork of state-based sytems that have been established for 'medical marijuana' is woefully inadequate in establishing even rudimentary safeguards that would normally be applied to the appropriate clinical use of psychoactive substances."
2. The November 21, 2009 LA Times Editorial "The AMA's Reversal on Marijuana" specifically notes: For all the debate over whether marijuana has medicinal value, arguments that the drug has significant palliative properties or that it has none suffer from the same flaw: There's little scientific proof either way."
3. At the same time, the AMA specifically refused to endorse state-based medical marijuana programs & the Washington Post editorial (Oct 25 "Questions About Pot") called for a moratorium on new state programs.
4. Moreover, the same Washington Post article also recognizes the medical marijuana controversy may be moot in the near future as a number of extensive FDA supervised clinical trials of a drug known as Sativex (cancer & MS) have ended or are near an end
Sharon Smith doesn't know [expletive deleted] about anything. She shouldn't even make any comment when she hasn't even smoke marijuana. If the [expletive deleted] even cared about this state she would be for this knowing that it would bring great revenue to the state. But see this is what you get when someone makes decisions and are uneducated.
Amotive seems to "know" about pot and has perhaps toked a little too much when he/she should have been paying attention in school during grammar classes. Smoking pot does not make you an expert on anything. Drugs make you stupid and it shows.
Challenger, if you are an American, be aware that your President regularly smoked marijuana as a youth and writes extensively about it in his autobiography.
I personally attended and graduated from NYU's Stern School of Business, with a dual major in Finance and Economics. 3 of my 4 years in school were spent smoking "too much" marijuana (days, nights, weekends). I am now going back to school to obtain a second degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Babyboomers, who were the first proponents of the marijuana "counter-culture" are now approaching retirement, writing many of our laws, and getting back into the "habit" after a long and successful life building careers and raising families.
Maybe it's time we opened our eyes and stopped calling one another stupid.
I also ask Amotive to tone it down there!
Each is entitled to his or her opinion. But, it is true that experience trumps rigid ideology any day.
If a priest told me God existed in Heaven, I would believe my own experience before his words any day.
And I do believe my own experience in that regard more than what I'm told each Sunday. God is great! And so is weed!