Republicans and Medical Marijuana
I know medical marijuana is not, nor should it be, the defining issue of the 2008 presidential election. But, it seems the stubborn refusal of the current administration and all the Republican candidates, Dr. Ron Paul excepted, tells the country much about these folks.Last Saturday Mitt Romney bravely confronted marijuana and the disabled in Dover, New Hampshire:
The other day, at another town meeting in New Hampshire, a sickly Linda Macia mentioned from her wheelchair that she used medical marijuana. Miss Macia politely asked John McCain his position on permitting it. Barely were the words out of her mouth before the senator spun on his heels and stalked away.
This is another one of those things I find puzzling.
There is certainly evidence marijuana has medicinal value. And why wouldn't the old party of states' rights want the federal government to let each state decide for itself whether it wishes to permit disabled and terminally ill patients to use cannabis under a doctor's supervision?
Do they fear pot will turn sick people into gay anarchists?
It is not even clear that it is good politics for these guys.
In Texas, a 2004 Scripps-Howard poll found that 75 percent of the people favor allowing it—including 67 percent of Republicans. Such red states as Alaska, Colorado, Montana and Nevada are among the 12 that have legalized medical marijuana.
But somehow it has become an article of faith with the pillars of the Republican Party that the devil weed is such a a profound danger the federal government must take all steps to eradicate its use, regardless of scientific studies , the laws of the states, or the feelings of the people, including their own constituencies.
I guess it is good they are standing up for what they believe, regardless of what others think.
Kind of a profile in courage.
No matter how dopey it happens to be.
Labels: 2008 campaign, disabled, John Mccain, libertarian, marijuana, medical marijuana, mitt romney, presidential election, Republican Party, Republicans, Ron Paul, states' rights, YouTube
posted by Becky C. at
9:01 AM
10 Comments:
I am PRO medicinal marijuana, that may even help my crohn's attacks.
"And why wouldn't the old party of states' rights want the federal government to let each state decide for itself whether it wishes to permit disabled and terminally ill patients to use cannabis under a doctor's supervision?"
The answer is very simple. What industry is number 1 in lobbying dollars? The pharmaceutical industry. They can't patent marijuana, so it doesn't matter what good it can do people. The only thing that matters to our politicians is that the flow of money through Pfizer to them remains undisturbed. The only thig that matters to the pharm. industry is making sure that people remain ill but able to keep getting their overpriced products. There have been advances in medicine to help people live with diseases, but when was the last time something was CURED?
Meleah--I am not a doctor, but that is a condition I suspect marijuana would be very good for. If you continue to have problems (and I know with your new diet it has gotten better) you should check with a doctor--I don't know about NJ law on it though. They do have synthetic THC (the active ingredient)as an approved drug--but I am told that it makes a lot of people real sick and way too dopey to function.
Speaking of synthetic THC--isn't it contradictory that the FDA, Bush, the Republican Party continues to maintain that marijuana does not have any therapeutic value--yet they have approved the active ingreident (albeit in synthietic form) as an approved drug?
I guess that gets back to the point Joe the Troll was making.
~Becky
Great post, Becky. Maybe it shouldn't be THE defining issue, but I really think it should be one of the biggies (I know, I'm dreaming). And I'd go further and say that courageous officials like Ron Paul should seriously be making an end to the entire policy of drug prohibition a key part of their efforts. It's amazing to me that everyone seems to know very well that alcohol prohibition created a profitable and violent black market that gave a big boost to the mob, caused crime rates to spike, and turned otherwise law-abiding people into criminals, yet they've got some mental block to seeing that drug prohibition does the same thing. Legalizing all currently illegal drugs would go a long way towards reducing the power of gangs, cleaning up our inner cities, emptying our prisons, reducing overall crime rates, and even helping Afghanistan rebuild (since the Taliban continues to thrive off the profits generated by the black market we've created for heroin).
I agree Darren. But it astounds me that these guys won't even go along with modest reforms like medical marijuana and the growing of industrial hemp.
The position on medical marijuana is not only idiotic and cruel, it violates one of the cardinal principles of the Republican Party--States' Rights (at least it is when they want to justify something like discrimination against a class of people).
But actually, in the first part of the last century when the federal government was itching to get into the drug regulation business it was the conservatives who put up the opposition that the federal government had no authority to get involved on the basis of states' rights and the Tenth Amendment.
Those who now call themselves conservatives have faint resemblance to the conservative movement and philosophy as it has traditionally been defined and practiced.
The only true conservative candidate in the 2008 presidential campaign is Ron Paul.
~Becky
Gonna have to go ahead and agree with everything on this one. At least the rational arguments about states' rights.
In fact, I'll go one further. For the last several years, those who are in favor of a federal criminalization which is the status quo, have had ample opportunity to argue their case. I've yet to even hear what the argument is, and I find that more than a little irritating.
Personally, I'd vote to keep it criminalized, myself. (And being in the Golden State, I'd be trounced every time.) But if Oregon then wants to declare it legal, what the hell do I care??
I guess there will always be people whose definition of film noir will always be "Reefer Madness"...
Personally, I see the decriminalization of marijuana--whether for medical or recreational purposes--as a potential cash cow for this country. If the government chose to regulate it in the way they already do liquor and drugs, there's massive revenue just waiting to be had.
But if the very forces of regression that put the Bush Administration continue to have their say and sway, such a day will never come to pass.
What a waste.
Becky,
The product you are referring to is called marinol. It is a C2 (class 2 narcotic).
The prohibition on growing industrial hemp is IMHO ridiculous. THe plant has so many bloody uses and would be an incredible replacement crop for all of the tobacco farmers that the .gov is trying to force out of business.
Personally, I say legalise it all. It is no business of anyone what an individual puts into his or her body. Of course I'm one of those much maligned anarchist/minarchist types.
The States Rights issue, well you have to go back a number of decades to find that as anything more than a talking point. But then power does corrupt.
Hello, just another reefer fan, here.
I've smoked weed to get rid of my headaches, asthma, depression, anxiety, frequent nightmares, and just all-around make a healthier, more sane person. I can't imagine how many cooperate interests are at work in keeping marijuana illegal, but it has to be a whole lot, because I doubt anyone, even politicians can be that dumb.
There's a lot of money to be made on cannabis, and a lot more that is being lost to foreign, and often hostile powers (cartels, anyone?) because the people want their pot, and the black market is pretty much the only way to get it. 'Less you're lucky enough to be terribly ill (Oh the irony).
Strange how a plant with such medical, recreational, and industrial value is so taboo in a time where we pride ourselves on being 'rational and intelligent'.
It seems paradise will always be a heartbeat away, but hopefully if we as a people stop being so lazy and apathetic towards the loss of out liberties, we'll get something done. At least, that's something to look forward to. - peace
Blessings:
Here's a quote the BIBLE thumpers hate(and Politicians alike as they are equally corrupt)
"Ye shall have every seed bearing plant on the face of the earth as your own."
I've always said; "To find the right answers you must first find the right questions"
That's precisely what 'Joe the TROLL' did and look how much he was able to uncover and point out.
Were you also aware that there is no such thing as "Marijuana", medical or otherwise? The proper term is "Cannabis", but many years ago the U.S. began a propaganda campaign against "MaryJane" and began promoting LIES about it to scare people. Then they began threatening other countries to also criminalize it...or ELSE!!!
It almost looked like Canada was going to step out from under this shadow of lies, but then BUSH bought himself a new prime Minister(using the same voting machines and system that bought his election)and nipped that in the BUD.
Were you also aware that "POT" can be used to help ease addictions to "man-made drugs"?
Were you aware that if everybody was allowed to have it and use it as GOD intended then we wouldn't have POOR PEOPLE? Money would literally grow on bushes. There wouldn't be any need for a lumber industry, a pharmaceutical industry, an oil industry, worldwide starvation...WOW, is anybody starting to get the picture?
Soon you will ALL have to decide with whom you stand. By your actions shall that decision be made. Personally, I don't follow liars, murderers and thieves, as I understand that who I follow is who i am. I stand against them all as, I AM who I AM.
you humble servant,
ancient clown
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