Medical Marijuana, good idea or bad? Options

[illumineering]

The supreme court has just ruled medical marijuana is illegal. Many states that have medical marijuana programs are now reviewing them to determine their legality. It's possible that someone in the medical profession who distributes medical marijuana could be prosecuted and sent to prison.

Is this fair for the people in chronic pain? If I'm dying from cancer, I could go to prison for smoking legal weed. Having had cancer myself, I think it's a raw deal for people who are really sick.

http://www.medicalmarijuanaprocon.org/pop/conflicts.htm

Any thoughts, comments?

[sw33t_rouge]

thats messed up ><

[enyceXaddiction]

they soundt make it illegal for EVERYONE

[enyceXaddiction]

they soundnt make it illegal for EVERYONE

[enyceXaddiction]

oops sorry for the doubl ><

[lKVNiiKINKYl]

It should go on a case by case review...
It's not fair just to say "no you can't have it" because other people abuse it...

[[Scr3amin][Horro...]

Medical or Non-Medical
Marijuana is bad for you.
Its drugs. People who smoke illegal Marijuana shouldnt be doing it.
They also so ban medical marijuana

[sm0kinm0nky]

its supposed to ease the pain like morphine or something. Some countries use heroin, heroin allows you to not feel pain which is good if you have lots of pain physically.

you know theres more deaths with alcohol then marijuana, if alcohol is legal.. so should pot.

[*kryogenix*]

it's bad to the bong.

there are alternatives, such as morphine.

[illumineering]

[Scr3amin][Horror] Posted Jul 9 2005, 7:02 PM
  Medical or Non-Medical
Marijuana is bad for you.

Every drug has side effects that can be generalized as "bad" for you. If the greater good is relief from pain and nausea associated with chemotherapy, how is that bad? Prescribed under the supervision of a physician, the potentially negative effects can be detected and appropriately treated. I'm not talking about the illegal use and distribution.

http://www.medicalmarijuanaprocon.org/pop/conflicts.htm

Click the above link to read a good chart for and against medical marijuana.

[*mipadi*]

it's bad to the bong.

there are alternatives, such as morphine.

As if people don't get addicted to morphine? Morphine is a much more dangerous medicine. It's almost the same thing as heroin.

[jjc66]

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[censored. this has NOTHING to do with the topic. don't mess with the debate forum-fae]

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[technicolour]

As if people don't get addicted to morphine? Morphine is a much more dangerous medicine. It's almost the same thing as heroin.

Morphine is more addictive. I've heard about more people getting addicted to Morphine than marijuana.

Hell, If it somehow helps that person then hey, lemme smoke.

[fameONE]

'DON'T LEGALIZE MARIJAWANNA BECAUSE IT AIN'T RIGHT AND IT AIN'T MORAL!'

I don't smoke, I dont eat brownies and I'm not into THC pills. Mary Jane does nothing to spark (spark, haha) my interests.

However, how is it that alcohol is ok and marijuana is not? How is it that the narcotics that are prescribed to ease our physical pain is ok and marijuana is not?

Too much morph will explode your heart. Too much liquor and you'll succomb to alcohol poisoning. Too much weed and your mother will get raped?

I'd rather not support another substance that could be abused even more than it already is. But put in persepective; why not?

[*x____duckii*]

That's not right. Marijuana shuold be legalized if it's only for medical reasons. That's like banning all medicines. The medicine doctors give their patients are also considered drugs, so might as well throw the doctors in jail for giving their patient medicine, too.

[sadolakced acid]

people who deny people treatment (aka supreme court ruling)

[SillyCourtney]

In some way, I agree with that. It might help you, but there are other alternatives. And think, maybe with taking all that marijuana just as medicine you get addicted to it. Then what? It could just be causing more addicts in the process, which is not what we need. Sure, it helps in some medical cases, but when there's the risk of you getting addicted is it really worth it when there are other medicines to use? I wouldn't think so. And, think, what if a doctor's office gets robbed because they had some medicinal marijuana stored away and some junkie needed a quick fix? If you just get rid of it, it stops problems before they can even begin.

[Hell-Rell]

Look the goverment is going to pass weed as a legal drug because of tobbacco Tobbacoo kills people everyday millions. Tobbacco gives you all kinds of cancer, plus its addictive that should be considered as a narcotic. Marijuana doesn't get you hooked like crack or heroine. Weed is easier to quit and it has to take you a long period of time to "actually" get hooked.

Trust me I know bout this things....

[*mipadi*]

And think, maybe with taking all that marijuana just as medicine you get addicted to it.

You don't get physiologically addicted to marijuana, like you do with other drugs, such as crack or heroin.

[Biblesterr743]

i think its a good idea, to make legalize med. weed. this world is too crazy to make it not.

sigh

[illumineering]

SillyCourtney Posted Jul 12 2005, 10:30 AM

what if a doctor's office gets robbed because they had some medicinal marijuana stored away and some junkie needed a quick fix?

Junkies don't get a "fix" from marijuana. people steal prescription drugs all the time and get fake Dr. orders for drugs. Oxycontin and darvocet are all over the streets here. No one complains about that.

but there are other alternatives

Like what? Marajuana is the alternative drug. Without it, there are none.

If you just get rid of it

People die in car accidents every day, get rid of them.
People drown in swimming pools, get rid of them.
People die in plane crashes, get rid of them.

We tried to get rid of alcohol in the 1920's. What happened? The mafia rolled in and took it over.

[SillyCourtney]

^It was a suggestion. People will still have medical marijuana because no one follows laws. Just because something is illegal or something will harm or kill you doesn't mean it will be completely gotten rid of.

[illumineering]

SillyCourtney Posted Jul 12 2005, 11:38 AM

People will still have medical marijuana because no one follows laws.

If it is used under the strict supervision of a physician, it isn't illegal. It could only be used because the doctor followed FDA/federal guidelines for prescribing it.

S.C. don't take it personally! This is the debate forum. Thanks for checking out the thread!

[SillyCourtney]

You could still use marijuana bought on the streets for medical purposes. You don't just have to get it prescribed by a doctor for it to be medical.

I'm not taking it personally. ^^ I like how you're pointing out your own opinions. It's the same thing I would do. XD

[fameONE]

Not medical

MEDICINAL.

MEDICINAL MARIJUANA

[SillyCourtney]

Not medical

MEDICINAL.

MEDICINAL MARIJUANA

Well SORRY for my mistake. I believe you still got the point, which was the purpose after all, correct?

[jam4eva]

well it should be because people might fake sickness to get hard. So medical marijuana for me is out of the question

[SillyCourtney]

well it should be because people might fake sickness to get hard. So medical marijuana for me is out of the question

I agree with that on some level, but I think some, or even most, of the purposes medicinal marijuana is used for might be quite hard to fake. You'd more than likely actually have to have a serious problem to even be prescribed medicinal marijuana.

[sadolakced acid]

alternates to medicinal marijuana... like... Morphine? OxyContin?

i say, get it in a pill or injection and that's the way to go. there are too many dangers of actually smoking it.

which reminds me... i was watching cops

and this guy was like... i haven't been smoking pot. and the policeman was like... you know what maeks me not believe you? and he reaches behind the mans ear and pull out the joint that was there.

[technicolour]

I seriously can't believe I'm about to say this but sadolakced acid's right.

[illumineering]

sadolakced acid Posted Jul 12 2005, 1:23 PM

alternates to medicinal marijuana... like... Morphine? OxyContin?

Morphine (INN), the principal active agent in opium, is a powerful opioid analgesic drug. According to recent research, it may also be produced naturally by the human brain.[1] Like other opiates, morphine acts directly on the central nervous system (CNS) to relieve pain, and at synapses of the arcuate nucleus, in particular. Side effects include impairment of mental performance, euphoria, drowsiness, lethargy, and blurred vision. It also decreases hunger, inhibits the cough reflex, and produces constipation. Morphine is usually highly addictive, and tolerance and physical and psychological dependence develop quickly. Patients on morphine often report insomnia and nightmares.

-from Wikipedia

OxyContin® is the brand name for the time-release formula of oxycodone, a narcotic analgesic for moderate to severe pain. It is used to treat terminally ill cancer patients and chronic pain sufferers as well as relieving postpartum, postoperative and dental pain. OxyContin® comes in liquid and tablet forms taken every 6 hours. Long-acting tablets are available to take every 12 hours. Oxycodone is an opium derivative and is the active ingredient in Percodan® and Percocet®. Oxycodone binds to the pain receptors in the brain so that the sensation of pain is reduced. Since oxycodone can be habit forming, care must be taken to follow the doctor's instructions when taking OxyContin®. Do not take a larger dose, or take it more frequently, or take it for longer than the doctor has prescribed. Since its FDA approval in 1995, the illegal use of OxyContin® as increased significantly, and the recent OxyContin-related deaths have attracted media attention, thereby illuminating the problem.

-from Waismann Method

Isn't marijuana too addictive to be used as a medicine?
"Some controlled substances that are approved medications produce dependence after long-term use; this, however, is a normal part of patient management and does not generally present undue risk to the patient." [p. 98]

"Animal research has shown that the potential for cannabinoid dependence exists, and cannabinoid withdrawal symptoms can be observed. However, both appear to be mild compared to dependence and withdrawal seen with other drugs." [p. 35]

"A distinctive marijuana and THC withdrawal syndrome has been identified, but it is mild and subtle compared with the profound physical syndrome of alcohol or heroin withdrawal." [Pp. 89, 90]

[p. 95]
Drug Category Proportion Of Users That Ever Became Dependent (%)
Alcohol 15
Marijuana (including hashish) 9



"Compared to most other drugs ... dependence among marijuana users is relatively rare." [p. 94]

"Few marijuana users become dependent. ... Dependence appears to be less severe among people who use only marijuana than among those who abuse cocaine or those who abuse marijuana with other drugs (including alcohol)." [Pp. 96, 97]

"In summary, although few marijuana users develop dependence, some do. But they appear to be less likely to do so than users of other drugs (including alcohol and nicotine), and marijuana dependence appears to be less severe than dependence on other drugs." [p. 98]

-from The National Academy of Sciences


Given the stated addictive nature of each of these drugs, how are they an alternative to Marijuana?

and this guy was like... i haven't been smoking pot. and the policeman was like... you know what maeks me not believe you? and he reaches behind the mans ear and pull out the joint that was there.

Your post obviously does not reflect the actions of a person using medical/medicinal marijuana as I suggested at the start of the thread. Montel Williams suffers from MS and uses medical marijuana. His actions are nothing like the reality tv example you quoted.

[sadolakced acid]

sadolakced acid Posted Jul 12 2005, 1:23 PM

Morphine (INN), the principal active agent in opium, is a powerful opioid analgesic drug. According to recent research, it may also be produced naturally by the human brain.[1] Like other opiates, morphine acts directly on the central nervous system (CNS) to relieve pain, and at synapses of the arcuate nucleus, in particular. Side effects include impairment of mental performance, euphoria, drowsiness, lethargy, and blurred vision. It also decreases hunger, inhibits the cough reflex, and produces constipation. Morphine is usually highly addictive, and tolerance and physical and psychological dependence develop quickly. Patients on morphine often report insomnia and nightmares.

-from Wikipedia

OxyContin® is the brand name for the time-release formula of oxycodone, a narcotic analgesic for moderate to severe pain. It is used to treat terminally ill cancer patients and chronic pain sufferers as well as relieving postpartum, postoperative and dental pain. OxyContin® comes in liquid and tablet forms taken every 6 hours. Long-acting tablets are available to take every 12 hours. Oxycodone is an opium derivative and is the active ingredient in Percodan® and Percocet®. Oxycodone binds to the pain receptors in the brain so that the sensation of pain is reduced. Since oxycodone can be habit forming, care must be taken to follow the doctor's instructions when taking OxyContin®. Do not take a larger dose, or take it more frequently, or take it for longer than the doctor has prescribed. Since its FDA approval in 1995, the illegal use of OxyContin® as increased significantly, and the recent OxyContin-related deaths have attracted media attention, thereby illuminating the problem.

-from Waismann Method

Isn't marijuana too addictive to be used as a medicine?
"Some controlled substances that are approved medications produce dependence after long-term use; this, however, is a normal part of patient management and does not generally present undue risk to the patient." [p. 98]

"Animal research has shown that the potential for cannabinoid dependence exists, and cannabinoid withdrawal symptoms can be observed. However, both appear to be mild compared to dependence and withdrawal seen with other drugs." [p. 35]

"A distinctive marijuana and THC withdrawal syndrome has been identified, but it is mild and subtle compared with the profound physical syndrome of alcohol or heroin withdrawal." [Pp. 89, 90]

[p. 95]
Drug Category Proportion Of Users That Ever Became Dependent (%)
Alcohol 15
Marijuana (including hashish) 9
"Compared to most other drugs ... dependence among marijuana users is relatively rare." [p. 94]

"Few marijuana users become dependent. ... Dependence appears to be less severe among people who use only marijuana than among those who abuse cocaine or those who abuse marijuana with other drugs (including alcohol)." [Pp. 96, 97]

"In summary, although few marijuana users develop dependence, some do. But they appear to be less likely to do so than users of other drugs (including alcohol and nicotine), and marijuana dependence appears to be less severe than dependence on other drugs." [p. 98]

-from The National Academy of Sciences
Given the stated addictive nature of each of these drugs, how are they an alternative to Marijuana?
Your post obviously does not reflect the actions of a person using medical/medicinal marijuana as I suggested at the start of the thread.  Montel Williams suffers from MS and uses medical marijuana.  His actions are nothing like the reality tv example you quoted.

exactly my point... i guess i didn't make it clear enough.

and the thing about cops was an aside... not really about the debate.

[technicolour]

He was being sarcastic about the Morphine and OxyCotin

[fameONE]

I'm sure if you gave a pothead a morphine patch to put on his lower back, he'd forget about smoking a blunt.

[SillyCourtney]

I'm sure if you gave a pothead a morphine patch to put on his lower back, he'd forget about smoking a blunt.

..But what if you kept on giving him morphine patches to make him forget about his pot addiction and you started him on a morphine addiction? It would only make it worse; now instead of one addiction he has two. Either way you go, it's a neverending cycle of "somebody's going to end up screwed."

[PiGo]

well it should be because people might fake sickness to get hard. So medical marijuana for me is out of the question

umm, how can you fake cancer or glocauma?
Yes I think it should be legal under doctor perscription, it's not as dangerous as other drugs out there. The alternatives like painkillers or morphine (which is VERY dangerous by the way) are addictave, and marijuana just isn't.

[illumineering]

He was being sarcastic about the Morphine and OxyCotin

Thanks...I think my marbles were kinda dull...I didn't see that!

[ViciousChk1290]

Look the goverment is going to pass weed as a legal drug because of tobbacco Tobbacoo kills people everyday millions. Tobbacco gives you all kinds of cancer, plus its addictive that should be considered as a narcotic. Marijuana doesn't get you hooked like crack or heroine. Weed is easier to quit and it has to take you a long period of time to "actually" get hooked.

Trust me I know bout this things....

My opinion is the Marijuana should be legalized. At least for the people who need it for medical purposes. Like Reolistic said Cigarettes and such you actually become addicted to and need it it's not like that with Marijuana I know people who smoke it just to relax but could stop doing it at the drop of a hat. Just my opinion though!

[ajax]

I think marijuana should be legalized for everone and taxed by the government. That way everyone wins. The government gets more money and the people get their marijuana. Marijuana is less addictive than nicotine and if people want to smoke marijuana then let them do it legally because you can't stop them.

[Sumiaki]

[Horror],Jul 9 2005, 6:02 PM]Medical or Non-Medical
Marijuana is bad for you.
Its drugs. People who smoke illegal Marijuana shouldnt be doing it.
They also so ban medical marijuana

Aspirin is a drug, Pepto Bismol is a drug, Cough medicine is a drug. Like ALL drugs, marijuana has side effects. The "bad" things that marijuana does to you are side effects. There's always chances when taking drugs. I see no reason for medicinal marijuana to be illegal. What's it trying to prove? How is it helping anything? People are taking medicinal marijuana knowing the all of the effects that it will have on their bodies. So they are fully aware what they are getting into and are willingly taking the medicinal marijuana. So the government isn't exactly protecting anything are they?

[ComradeRed]

The Supreme Court didn't rule medical marijuana illegal; they ruled that the Federal government has the right to pass laws against medical marijuana. There's a very important difference. It's Congress's fault every bit as much as the Supreme Court.

Basically, the argument is that growing pot in your backyard constitutes 'Interstate Commerce'. We call this kind of reading of the Constitution 'loose construction'. The Federal Government uses it to usurp the power of the States. It's a terrible, terrible idea.

However, this decision was overshadowed by the Kelo decision, which in my opinion, was a much worse one. Although both are fundamentally the result of a far-too-liberal interpretation of the Constitution.

[*kryogenix*]

The Supreme Court didn't rule medical marijuana illegal; they ruled that the Federal government has the right to pass laws against medical marijuana. There's a very important difference. It's Congress's fault every bit as much as the Supreme Court.

Basically, the argument is that growing pot in your backyard constitutes 'Interstate Commerce'. We call this kind of reading of the Constitution 'loose construction'. The Federal Government uses it to usurp the power of the States. It's a terrible, terrible idea.

However, this decision was overshadowed by the Kelo decision, which in my opinion, was a much worse one. Although both are fundamentally the result of a far-too-liberal interpretation of the Constitution.

Welcome back!

[illumineering]

However, this decision was overshadowed by the Kelo decision, which in my opinion, was a much worse one. Although both are fundamentally the result of a far-too-liberal interpretation of the Constitution.

Fill me in on this if you would, please. I'm not familiar with the Kelo decision.

[*kryogenix*]

Fill me in on this if you would, please.  I'm not familiar with the Kelo decision.

The eminent domain case. Kelo v. City of New London.

http://straylight.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/04-108.ZS.html

[ComradeRed]

I think medical marijuana is perfectly fine (what you put in your body is your business, as long as it doesn't make you hurt anyone else), but another important issue we have to consider is states rights. It's not Interstate Commerce for someone to grow something in their backyard. It's wrong for the Federal Government to override state laws for something that does not transcend state boundaries.

[illumineering]

It's not Interstate Commerce for someone to grow something in their backyard. It's wrong for the Federal Government to override state laws for something that does not transcend state boundaries.

Although I personally agree, I'm still unable to understand what the precedent was that established this ruling. It's illogical in my mind...although I don't discredit the possibility of my personal bias preventing me from identifying the logic of it.

[Bobblehead425]

actually i have heard it useful if its prescribed in a medicine. but anyway...smoking marijuana is illegal...yet ppl break the law anyway. i dont know whats wrong with this law system

[ComradeRed]

Although I personally agree, I'm still unable to understand what the precedent was that established this ruling.  It's illogical in my mind...although I don't discredit the possibility of my personal bias preventing me from identifying the logic of it.

Basically, the government's argument was that if these people didn't grow in their own backyards, they'd have to buy from somewhere else... and that somewhere might mean other states. Thus, it affects interstate commerce because it indirectly lowers the interstate demand for the trade.

It's a really convoluted version of opportunity cost, basically.

[Mulder]

i support medical marijuana. i think a cancer patient, whose in a lot of pain, should be able to....muffle that pain for at least a little while.

[iiTsDAYNA]

Marijuana is never a good thing, if its used for medical or not.

[Paradox of Life]

Marijuana is never a good thing, if its used for medical or not.

... Care to read the arguments above or at least justify your statement?

It's not necessarily marijuana itself that causes diseases and such but the certain chemicals and components it's made of (Justin's right). If people can successfully make medicinal marijuana that has no chance of fatal (side)effects, it should be legal and if one were to wrongly use the marijuana, legal actions should be enforced. Sorry if I didn't completely understand the topic's subject.

[ComradeRed]

Even if it has dangerous side effects, it should be legal. As long as people are fully informed of all the side effects, they have no one to blame but themselves--it's a personal choice made with informed consent.

Watch a drug commercial on TV--those hvae frightening side effects some times. Yet, we just require companies to tell people what they are before they sell them. Those are the only laws we need for marijuana.

[Purplefender86]

Depends on how it's used

[illumineering]

Depends on how it's used

You're right. The first post describes the context of the use.

[murderous_though...]

This can go either way with me....For the against, theres a website with a cartoon short that you should go to... www.illwillpress.com , go to the toons, and click on "Drugs In Your Head"...THE ALMIGHTY FOAMY IS NEVER WRONG!! sorry, i had to...but on the for side, if weed is made legal completely, not just for medicinal purposes, it will actually reduce crime. The whole reason the drug lords are doing this is because its illegal and people pay more because of it. If it were legal there wouldnt be any reason to smuggle it, so they would get less money, and eventually go out of business. There wouldnt be any deaths in drug busts, and people wouldnt be robbing people of their drugs. Most people who smoke weed do it in their own homes and get f**ked up in their living room anyways. I admit ive done it before...ok i still do it, and honestly its not that big of a deal. Ya get high and laugh at the stupid things the other people are doing, then when the high wears off ya go home. Also, legal marijuana would help the country get out of debt because we wouldnt be spending millions of dollars trying to stop it, so we can spend the money on places it needs to be, for the homeless or for public schools, or on awareness programs, self defense programs and blah blah blah. Personally, make it legal, that way i dont have to worry about getting busted lol

[ryfitaDF]

medical marijuana: a way for stoners to play sick and get their insurance to pay for their buzz.

thumbs down.

for rill. just listen to foamy. he knows his stuff.

[acidbreeze]

i've read articles in scientific american and websites that medical marijuana has good side effects for those in terminal illness, so i support it for those who need it

[o0olaalaa]

i think its good if it can help =)

[evanbunnell]

it's bad to the bong.

there are alternatives, such as morphine.

Morphine is highly addictive chemically, though. The only addictive part to marijuana is from the excitement and euphoria of feeling high. People like it and don't want to stop, but it doesn't mean they can't have a good time without it. I've had many a fun time with pot smokers while they were sober.

[verlorenrivets]

Nothing wrong with natural medicine. Legalize it. I could source plenty of information on why, but it wouldn't change people's minds on it, because the people who are against it have a stick up their ass about the whole drug issue in general, and will see anyone who opposes their opinion as immediately wrong.

I personally don't use, but if it was legalized, it would be a good thing for the economy by way of the people that already use it illegally. I've got sources for that one too, if anyone cares.

[sadolakced acid]

hemlock is natural but there certainly is something wrong with it.

[toria66622]

1st of all weed doesnt make the pain go away.. It helps you goto sleep and it makes you hungry and relaxed.....I think it should be LEGAL...everyone does it anyway so whats the problem?

[verlorenrivets]

hemlock is natural but there certainly is something wrong with it.

Hemlock is a natural poison. Big difference. It's also nearly impossible to overdose on Marijuana.

Come on. Don't be such a square.

[NoSex]

Hemlock is a natural poison. Big difference. It's also nearly impossible to overdose on Marijuana.

Come on. Don't be such a square.

There is not a single case in all of the medical literature of someone dieing from the use of Marijuana. It is just not lethal enough to kill. The poison is in the dose, and Cannabis is just not a large enough dose to kill.

[le_gion]

1st of all weed doesnt make the pain go away.. It helps you goto sleep and it makes you hungry and relaxed.....I think it should be LEGAL...everyone does it anyway so whats the problem?

the problem is that weed is a gateway drug. first hand i can tell you, if you smoke weed, you dont think its that bad (it isnt, in my opinion). but hell, if weed isnt bad, what about pills? X? Crack? seriously, i've seen this transition- and im not the first to mention it. Marijuana is a gateway drug, and congress fears (rightfully, probly) that if its legal, more will smoke it, and more will submerge themselves into the world of drugs.

like i said, "firsthand" - no hypocrites.