I just read this article in our local free newspaper. The impression I got, was that all the warnings and worries of the people that were against legalizing pot for medicinal purposes, in Michigan, were coming to fruition.

If you read it all the way thru, it sounds like it is basically a way for ANYONE to smoke pot, legally. Not just the people it was intended for: chronic pain, cancer victims, etc.

AND for some, their "prescription" is paid for at tax payer's expense.

I'm just wondering what effect this will have on other states passing similar laws, or if it will make it easier for the law's opponents to push to have it changed.

Here's the article: http://www.lansingcitypulse.com/lansing/article-4064-pot-and-the-lord.html

Where does the article say this??
"AND for some, their "prescription" is paid for at tax payer's expense."
It said "she just made the church her caregiver and gets her cannabis for free"
Sounds like the church is giving her prescription for free in this case.

I know in Washington, Montana and Oregon it isn't that easy to get a doctor to prescribe it. There are many I know personally in those places who can't get it legally...most Doctor's don't hand it out so easily. One is Washington has been able to get a prescription and she's a mess. It will NEVER be legal in any way, shape or form in Utah.

"Swee just made the church her caregiver and gets her cannabis for free because she is on a low income. She has been to the Smokers Club every day since it opened, she said."


I believe you are correct: it is provided by the "church." And the "church" is receiving some type of government assistance, tax-break, etc. to provide for low income "patients."

I may have to do some under-cover research and report back to you all.

Something tells me it must not be that difficult to obtain, legally, in Michigan if 19 y.o. college kids are getting permit cards for their "chronic pain" afflictions.

I think they just have an ache for the "chronic."

19 years old can have chronic pain..ya know those hang overs suck.

I'm so UBER Pro! I'm a long time advocate for the legalization, medical or otherwise.

I've volunteered myself unto the bedside vigil of so many dying from long protracted battles w/ cancer and AIDs ...

Where, a toke of cannabis was the ONLY thing that gave that person an appetite and ability to eat w/ out nausea or vomiting, much less eased their pain.

That is only one basic track in my advocacy, dignity and peace in dying. I can continue on many others!

I recently listened to an interesting story on NPR, that was just breaking last week in CA, concerning an arrest made of a Leading Medical Marijuana Activist and Medical Marijuana Dispensary owner there ...

Apparently, the charges were SO heavy handed that it was obvious he was being made an example of due to his extremely high profile, activist notoriety in leading the cause...

The grey area is Federal Law vs. State, and the real legality of dispensing publicly.

... Seems many are left be if they do not get in the public eye, and preach. A sort of "DO NOT become a Mr Big Pants" preaching advocate kind of ethos.

Seems the safest way being pushed by "The Law" is where the one w/ the prescription is also to be the intended grower of their own medication. Many are far too sick for that.

When I did a quick search, there were so many recent busts, I didn't see which one I'm citing as the big case.

I just recall that this chap was being sent down the river a very long time if the charges lead to conviction for all of them.

He had a very outspoken attorney, fingers crossed ...

Very liberal in the Denver surrounding area ...

Still, we have a lot of grey area in Denver, where it is legal by the voters there. Does nothing to touch Fed laws.

In Boulder, the practice is to dump an ounce or less out onto the ground during routine traffic stops.

The mountain town up the road, Nederland, is a huge 'growing capitol'.

Interesting link ...

http://www.medicalmarijuanaofamerica.com/pows.html

http://www.canorml.org/news/fedmmjcases.html

Federal and state law do not deny medical use of addictive and potentially dangerous drugs-- such as morphine for pain patients or cocaine for ophthalmic surgery patients-- out of fear of sending the wrong message to kids. Acknowledging the medical value of those drugs has not caused a surge in persons who think it is okay to use those drugs socially. To deny medicine to very sick people because our society is afraid of adequately educating young people about drugs is not only stupid, but cruel.

My point was, the young people using it are not using it for what the law was intended for (or at least not 99% of them).

In theory, I don't have a problem with using it under the supervision of a physician, as the law intended. I believe people respond differently to all kinds of medication. What works for one person, doesn't necessarily work for another. I think pot could help some who don't respond to traditional medicines for pain or nausea. (m.s., cancer, etc.)

But let's not be stupid and ignore the loop-holes that many are using to, well...use. lol.

I digress. I really didn't want to create another thread where we argue the pros and cons of smoking pot.

I just thought it was interesting how all the arguments of people that fought to keep it illegal, are now being supported by the actions of so many that were on the other side. My guess is, most of the people that fought to make it legal, really couldn't care less about the medicinal uses. It just provided more of a legitimacy to their argument and a vehicle to make their habit legal.

But the original question was whether this will affect other states in legalizing it?

Yeah, drug abuse/drug running/govt~media hype ... ALL long ago took out our best pharmaceuticals, opium/cocaine/marijuana, that are/were also natural and needn't huge pharmaceutical patents.

My friends in Iran? They all sit out in the yard w/ all their olde timer parents, grand and great grandparents and smoke a bowl of opium as they watch the sunset.

Funny, how much worse a drug alcohol is perceived to be in those Moslem countries.

Moderation in all things ... Those that can't/don't/won't moderate, ruin it for everyone else.

Also, smoking is never healthy. Opium and marijuana are best taken in a controlled mg. form, to monitor dosage amount and do away w/ the harmful smoking issues.

Let the vaporizer theorists now enter ...

Yes, but a question such as yours will always lead back to that very discussion.

Threads always take on their own organic flow ...

... And what is at the heart of the reason for the question?


Always on topic!

"Among the known or suspected chronic effects of marijuana are:

1. short-term memory impairment and slowness of learning.

2. impaired lung function similar to that found in cigarette smokers. Indications are that more serious effects, such as cancer and other lung disease, follow extended use.

3. decreased sperm count and sperm motility.

4. interference with ovulation and pre-natal development.

5. impaired immune response.

6. possible adverse effects on heart function.

7. by-products of marijuana remaining in body fat for several weeks, with unknown consequences. The storage of these by-products increases the possiblilties for chronic, as well as residual, effects on performance, even after the acute reaction to the drug has worn off. Of special concern are the long-term developmental effects in children and adolescents, who are particularly vulnerable to the drug's behavioral and psychological effects.

The "amotivational syndrome," characterized by a pattern of energy loss, diminished school performance, harmed parental relationships, and other behavorial disruptions, has been associated with prolonged marijuana use by young persons. Although more research is required, recent national surveys report that 40% of heavy users experience some or all of those symptoms."

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00001143.htm

Yep, CHRONIC ...

Chronic anything is excess, never beneficial by definition: OVERKILL!

Moderation of all things.

Also ... Smoking anything is just not healthy.

I remind you all of the routine disclaimers we hear on the telly for the 'legal' pharmaceuticals being stuffed down out throats by the Pharmaceutical/Insurance Cartels:

Seizure, Coma, Death ...

Lovely!

... I'll just put on a kettle and we can discuss the pros, cons and side effects of every drug, esp. in chronic usage terms.

I know what my betting money will be laid down on!

I will break it down for you:

Years upon years of people being drilled to acheive higher education has finally clicked in the AVERAGE joes head.

Espesically with havin a black president & women acheiving higher positions in goverment.
Also being reckoginized in war efforts to the extent that men are.

The community colleges are overflowing

NOW with the goverment in such debt finacial aid is declining.
And the poor saps in the colleges are STILL fighting to better their life.

So the MAN says how can we lower debt (i.e. Get some of the college kids to quit & still make money)
By making weed legal.

Perfect plan- sluggsh high ppl eventualy become to lazy to attain their goals thus emptying some seats n the classroom. By opening up a weed store on the corner.

Now if you dont want to belive the goverment will pinch a penny wheVER it can.
U r sorely mistaken

Not sure about legalizing it but maybe decriminalizing it may be a better term. There are 14 states that now have some form of medical marijuana laws, so I believe it is just a matter of time before more states follow the same path.
It would be reasonable to judge cannabis as less of a threat in my option....than say, alcohol, tobacco, or prescription narcotics all of which that are all easily accessible for teenagers.

Yeah but the sperm you do have is partying so happily....

... Hear~Hear! And, ALL more dangerous!








Edit ... ... Hey, long time ...

Yeah it has...How you doing???
Sorry I got to post this...for some of the posts a few above.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1jB7RBGVGk&feature=related