lawrocket 3 #1 November 30, 2004 As many are aware, the US Supreme Court is examining whether the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, a federal law, amounts to an unconstitutional use of the U.S. Congress' power to regulate commerce among the states and does not apply to medical marijuana. The Justices seemed to be leaning in the favor of ruling in favor of the federal power to regulate it. Personally, I find this to be a state's rights issue. But, I also see valid arguments from the feds, and concerns of some justices, that this could open the floodgates to overturning thousands of laws and federal regulations for unconstitutional use of the commerce clause. Goodness, I hope the latter happens. It'd be nice to see federal enforcement pared down! My wife is hotter than your wife. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peacefuljeffrey 0 #2 November 30, 2004 I find that the "commerce clause" is overused (ABused) by the government to seize power that it should not have, by s-e-r-i-o-u-s-l-y ... s-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g the definition of what "affects interstate commerce." I have read of applications of this clause that were absolutely absurd, transparent grabs on the part of congress to regulate stuff it had no legitimate reason to. They are cynically manipulating the use of the clause, turning it to overuse and usurpation. -Jeffrey-Jeffrey "With tha thoughts of a militant mind... Hard line, hard line after hard line!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tbrown 26 #3 November 30, 2004 Then there's the issue of why the Feds feel they should get into regulating the practice of medicine, which has always been regulated by the states. Because the Feds are not only seeking to arrest wheelchair bound sick people, but to strip their doctors of their licenses to prescribe ANY drugs. There are going to be some interesting cases testing "conservative" issues this term. Aside from medical maryjane, there will also be a court test of whether states have the right to block or regulate direct sale of wine by mail from state to state. And then there's Oregon's physician assisted suicide law, which the voters had to pass TWICE to enact, thus forcing them to think and debate even more on this delicate issue. So we'll see what kind of "conservatives" are calling the shots these days. Are they the real conservatives who stand up for personal liberty and curtailment of Federal power ? Or just lockstep right wing authoritarians / Guess we'll find out. Oh and for the record, marijuana helped my brother a lot through his long illness and death from cancer. The thought that someone would try to steal that kind of relief from him or anyone else whose life is being stolen away by illness is disgusting. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Muenkel 0 #4 November 30, 2004 I personally am for the use of medical marijuana. I don't see how this substance can be abused more than any 'legal' prescription. And btw, I am a 'conservative.' _________________________________________ Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lawrocket 3 #5 November 30, 2004 Hey, tom! You know, I think we should put our trust in the FDA and the government, and give some Vioxx to all those pot smokers... My wife is hotter than your wife. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,175 #6 November 30, 2004 QuoteI personally am for the use of medical marijuana. I don't see how this substance can be abused more than any 'legal' prescription. And btw, I am a 'conservative.' No contradiction there. True conservatives wish to minimize government interference in our lives. Fascist dictatorships maximize government interference in our lives. Unfortunately I don't see the current US government as being truly conservative, or anything close.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peregrinerose 0 #7 November 30, 2004 I'm all for the medical use of marijuana. It should be regulated like any other prescription pharmaceutical. Only be given with the script of the doctor, set number of refills, and available only through the local pharmacy. Only a certain amount should be in possession at a time, and refills would be done accordingly, say a month supply at a time filled one month apart and not less. Just like any other medication. Many illegal drugs do have their place in medicine. Until not very long ago, cocaine was used as a topical anesthetic. The one I use now is a milder derivative. I even had a patient test positive for cocaine since I used the relative (proparacaine) in his eye the day before. Jen Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrunkMonkey 0 #8 November 30, 2004 The "Medical Marijuana" debate is moot. There is Marinol, the THC from mj in pharmaceutical form. ...This is "420" shit masquerading as legitimate medical debate. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpeedRacer 1 #9 November 30, 2004 QuoteThere is Marinol, the THC from mj in pharmaceutical form. does it work well in terms of helping cancer/AIDS victims to eat? I had heard that it doesn't have the same effect if taken orally. Speed Racer -------------------------------------------------- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dbattman 0 #10 December 1, 2004 Here's what I see at the center of the whole issue. Marinol 5mg 30 capsules $261 at drugstore.com Growing a plant in the corner of your basement, $0. Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't I allowed to produce intoxicating substances for my own use? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shotgun 1 #11 December 1, 2004 QuoteMarinol 5mg 30 capsules $261 at drugstore.com Growing a plant in the corner of your basement, $0. Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't I allowed to produce intoxicating substances for my own use? Apparently not... Well, not if it means less business for the pharmaceutical companies... But you're more than welcome to brew as much beer as you want... It's much better to kill your liver than your lungs anyway (after all, the liver is much better at repairing itself)... And I'm sure those who want to keep marijuana illegal are only looking out for our health, of course. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zenister 0 #12 December 2, 2004 actually the lack of available profits is one of the prime reasons why no one in the drug industry has pushed the government for permission to have real comprehensive testing on the effects of marijuana...there is nothing for them to gain in investing the vast amounts of money such a study would require... either way.. proven effective or no they lose any chance of regaining that investment... the fundamental principle of government isnt "what is best for the people" it is "money talks" no profit? no study, and no reason to admit that the years of government demonization was simply propaganda... ____________________________________ Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #13 December 2, 2004 Quoteactually the lack of available profits is one of the prime reasons why no one in the drug industry has pushed the government for permission to have real comprehensive testing on the effects of marijuana The lack of any vested interest whatsoever and the resultant loss of revenue due to treatments based on marijuana is why the pharmaceutical companies lobby AGAINST it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freethefly 6 #14 December 2, 2004 QuoteThe "Medical Marijuana" debate is moot. There is Marinol, the THC from mj in pharmaceutical form. It is not real THC, it is a synthetic drug. Marinol is a highly ineffective and expensive drug. It is suppose to mimic the effect of THC but does not. As an AIDS patient I can tell you first hand that smoked or vaporized THC is far more effective. To those who wish to keep this great relief from those in need I only hope that someday you become greatly ill (hopefully you contract AIDS or maybe devolope cancer) and this great medicine is withheld from you. I do not actually wish sickness on anyone, I only wish for true compassion. Something that America deeply lacks. ...This is "420" shit masquerading as legitimate medical debate. Tell that to the millions of people around the globe who use it as a true medicine. If the US is so concerned with drug abuse then alcohol shoud be a schedule one drug with no known medical value. No doctor has ever told an AIDS or cancer patient to go drink wiskey or beer. Alcohol has no medical value whatsoever. It is responsible for an unknown number of deaths and broken families. Yet it is glamourized and looked at as a rite of passage. I am all for long prison terms for people who drink beer or any other alcoholic beverage at any time or for any reason. Anyone caught selling alcohol should serve a life term in prison or given the death sentence. Man, does that sound insane!!! Well, it is what is given to those who use marijuana. It should apply to drinkers as well. The Feds try to blur the issue by likening the ill to deadheads. They claim that drug abuse will increase and drug death will rise. Illegal drug deaths have zero to do with medical marijuana or recreational marijuana. In comparison alcohol deaths are over a million compared to the roughly 3500 deaths from all illegal drugs combined per year, marijuana excluded. A visitor from another planet would surely scratch his head and wonder why this is. Why advertise and encourage people to use something that kills so many while at the sametime incarcerate those who use a substance that has never killed anyone. It is my view, as it is so many others, that you are better with a joint than a drink."...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites