Digest This: Marijuana as medicine?
Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009
Digest This is a weekly, hour-long online discussion hosted by WHYY's Health and Science team. Join us every Tuesday at noon. Log in at lunchtime to pose questions to experts and our reporters, voice opinions, and connect to people with similar concerns.
THIS WEEK'S TOPIC: Marijuana as medicine?
Lawmakers in Pennsylvania and New Jersey are championing bills to legalize marijuana for medical use. Supporters say cannabis can help patients suffering debilitating diseases, including cancer, glaucoma and HIV. Opponents — including many law enforcement officials — say the bills have lax safeguards to prevent “doctor shopping” and easy access for recreational users.
When: 12:00 noon Tuesday, December 8th
Where: Right here. Click the blue button in the right sidebar to join the chat.
Moderator: Taunya English
This week's guests:
Chris Goldstein is a radio broadcaster and marijuana reform advocate. He serves on the Board of Directors at PhillyNORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) and Pennsylvanians for Medical Marijuana. Radio show: www.activevoiceradio.com
Edward M. Marsico, Jr. is President of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association and District Attorney for Dauphin County.
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. They can figure out that photos of people who smoke aren't worth anything. Decriminilization period..
The Republican Senate Majority Leader said they won't debate or discuss medical marijuana. I think the groups who are working to get the legislation passed should Pool their resources and launch an all out campaign. Most voter's approve of medical marijuana, and so does the AMA.
Frankly, I'm concerned about submitting written Testimony to those Right Wing Idiots admitting use of the plant. They still choose Propaganda over science and Facts. They're Jack booted thugs who don't care about a few thousand patients who might benefit.
I am a patient covered under the OMMA Oregon's program since 2001. I am also a native born Pennsylvanian. My Christian parents married 55 yrs next May live in Upper Dauphin, PA. and are well respected in the community. They support my use of Marijuana as a medicine. My concern with marijuana as a medicine is employment. Zero Tolerance employers say tey are concerned about impairment. Are they? Not from where I'm standing. Their are tests that will show if somone is impaired, Drug tests only show that I use marijuana, but not if I'm impaired. We need to test for impairment along with drug tests when the drug is legally used. I use mine at night and I am refreshed in the morning. I still have employment issues. That is why I am working to develop Ambulance 420.
I am new to this conversation, though old in my support of marijuana.
Pennsylvania is a very old state in the sense of our aging population. Unfortunately, much of our representation are also very dated in their opinions of progressive topics.
I have spoken with officials that both favor and oppose HB1393, and right now I am not feeling very confident that this legislation will go anywhere. The Republican Guard will not allow it, and they control the state. In fact, they are so confident in their positions that many of them count on re-election without serious campaigning.
Here are the ways that this legislation can pass.
1. Time…give it 5-10 years
2. Change the Guard. Elect OUT those individuals that oppose. Get involved in your local politics and change the system.
3. If enough states pass medical marijuana legislation the federal government may realize a state consensus and pass this federally.
So herein lies the lesson…In Pennsylvania Right does not make Might, but the right control the might.
I worked with the Amish in PA. They go to Mexico for medicine they can't get here. They would use marijuana if it were legal. May be not smokimg it, but by other inguestion means.
This is my mediMarijuana story, in video form:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ftkx2fWtFYg
looking forward to decriminalization in Jersey soon.
The sad truth is that too many white-collar jobs would be lost if marijuana were legalized. There is too much money wasted on busting, prosecuting and rehabilitating marijuana users. The fact is that growers will continue to grow, dealers will continue to deal, users will continue to use and politicians will continue to distract the masses with absurd social issues.
I'm not sure? I don't believe jobs would be lost. In fact the system would be freed up and real criminals would have to do all their time. insted of early releases due to over crowding.
What would Pennsylvania use the "Millions of dollars generated" by a program for?
I think anyone who doesn't believe marijuana is actually medicine. Who doesn't believe marijuana should be actually fully decriminalized.
Watch: "The Union"
You all need to break out of the box and do your own research before passing judgment. Marijuana isn't just a hippie thing…
Time to end the lies of cannabis prohibition. Using cannabis isn't going to make you kill anyone. Geez, I can't make this stuff up but apparatly Anslinger did and got away with it to this day.
Legalize and regulate. Anything less puts money in the pockets of drug gangs.