The whole war on drugs has been a failure since President Nixon declared it back in 1968. The good news is that the internet sheds more light and that exposure has lead the media to finally scrutinize some the drug war tactics. Medical Marijuana is an important front to the beginning of the end of the war on drugs. As more states like Minnesota adopt laws legalizing pot for medicinal purposes, the more pressure will be put on the federal level to stop the raids on Marijuana growers.

The way of ending the drug war will come through slow incrimmental steps. The women’s right movement started in 1832 and they didn’t win the right to vote until 80 years later. The winds of change blow slowly.

I think legalizing or not people are going to find a way to use it no matter what. But if you legalize it, it could be alittle safer place people won’t be killing people for it.

Killing each other for it? Maybe the top of the food chain drug dealers, who deal in harder drugs, but for the most part, marijuana is grown peacefully on this continent (not by terrorists) and sold in its circles. Potheads killing each other for a joint? Get real.

the fact that any herb could be deemed an illegal drug with equal jailtime to that of a child molestor should certainly be read into. The fact of the matter is it has many good purposes and even for those who use it to just chill- like someone with a beer or glass of wine; those who choose to abuse it will continue to do so regardless of laws, and maybe removing the “forbidden fruit” aspect of it would even take some of the excitement out of it for many.

12 states have found that the ONLY trouble with the medical weed law is the DEA coming in like an army and raiding small mom and pop ‘farm’acies(remember Minnesota food co-ops years ago, small like that). RN groups support it, 2nd largest MD national group supports it. Feds are way behind the times, lets do like Bush said “the best medical decisions are made between the doctor and patient”. Thanks to the brave IR and DFL Minnesota legislators. Gov P’s appointed Labor Commish authored the bill last year!

THC (the active ingredient in marijuana) is already available in oral form as the drug marinol. This begs the question: why do users like Lynn Nicholson want to smoke it instead? My opinion is that they enjoy being stoned and leading non-productive lives. If MJ is legalized we can expect to be supporting a lot more “ill” people who want to lie around and live off the rest of us. It’s your choice people.

Just a few Disadvantages of Oral THC (Marinol®), according to the American College of Physicians:

“While useful for some, these drugs have serious limitations. The oral route of administration hampers the effectiveness of THC because of slow absorption. In addition, for patients with severe nausea and vomiting, for whom oral THC is indicated, swallowing a pill may not be feasible.”

“The oral, synthetic THC has low and variable bioavailability. Oral THC is slow in onset of action but produces more pronounced, and often unfavorable, psychoactive effects that last much longer than those experienced with smoking. On the other hand, smoked THC is quickly absorbed into the blood and effects experienced immediately. Studies have found that patients prefer the immediate effect on symptoms that occurs after smoking marijuana.”

In addition to the advantages of cannabis of Marinol mentioned by the American College of Physicians, natural/real cannabis has many beneficial cannabinoid compounds in addition to THC, like cannabidiol (CBD)and cannabinol (CBN), both of which are non-psychoactive but possess distinct pharmacological effects and amazing medical potential.

For instance, cannabidol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that has been clinically demonstrated to have analgesic, antispasmodic, anxiolytic, antipsychotic, antinausea, anti-rheumatoid arthritic properties, and even anti-convulsant properties, particularly in the treatment of epilepsy.

Of course Marinol should remain an option, but the advantages of cannabis should not be eclipsed by dis/misinformation.

“people who want to lie around and live off the rest of us”
It is an absolute lie that the average marijuana smoker is “unproductive”.
Incredibly productive, famous people like Carl Sagan have smoked on a regular basis and led normal lives.
Even if they didn’t, who are you to say they should be thrown in jail??