Tag mmj

Medical Marijuana While On Probation In Colorado? ‘No,’ Says District Court.

7 News reported that The Colorado Court of Appeals is backing an Arapahoe County prosecutor who argued a registered medical marijuana user can’t use pot while on probation because it violates federal law.  This is an important news item that likely affects many Coloradins health decisions.  The precedent it refers to makes some degree of sense.  Basically, consuming marijuana remains a federal crime and probation law in Colorado specifically prohibits the breaking of any law and does not make exceptions for federal laws.   That doesn’t preclude the state legislature from making an exception, although that seems unlikely.

 

Still, this issue demands an important question to be asked.  At what point does the medical need of the individual become an issue of individual liberty? This fundamental question seems to be the basis for the federal complacency (if not approval) with medical marijuana laws in states that contradict federal law.  It could be argued that the civil rights interest in this question has created the tacit consent that has allowed so many to have access to this medicine.  Not to undermine the critical importance of the accomplishments made with state laws and by activists championing them; they are only as secure today as is deemed necessary and prudent by the executive branch of our government.

 

Medical marijuana law in Denver has changed as regularly as the seasons for the last few years.  First it was questionable with little precedent following Amendment 20′s passage in 2000, then as strength in numbers grew and ratification of the new law by the Colorado legislature by way of regulating the industry; the growth expanded.  In Colorado, while we may have stricter regulations on our medical marijuana than some other states, we also have the simultaneous benefit of having a system in place to prevent abuse of our MMJ laws, which may have the benefit of protecting the industry from itself.

 

Without a doubt, the type of change that would help the most to protect patients and to ensure they have access to medicine is going to be a federal change.  Colorado is actually the home of Jared Polis, a congressperson that submitted three bills to the federal legislature for the 2011 session including HR 1984 last year, which would have made it easier for banks to work with dispensaries without violating federal law.

 

The story about medical marijuana is just being written today.  With more and more states opting into systems for patients across the nation and ever increasing popularity of medical marijuana in the sentiments of Americans, the question of the day is, ‘How long will it take for the United States legislature to wake up to good science and good sense to put patients’ rights first?’  It’s a great step that the dialog in this nation is even headed in this direction.  It seems that the propaganda fueled ignorance that led to a long popular prohibition campaign may at last be subsiding and more reasonable voices may now be at the forefront.

 

Article cited: http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/30392586/detail.html

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Ron Paul Supports Medical Marijuana: 5 Mental Disorders Treated with the Substance

By Prarthito Maity:

It is a known fact now that Republican Congressman and presidential frontrunner, Ron Paul, with former chairman of the House Financial Services Committee Barney Frank are looking to legalize medical marijuana and they believe that this decision could come as a boost for people suffering from cancer and the ones undergoing chemotherapy.

In accordance with Ron Paul’s support for the substance, let’s have a look at the healing powers that marijuana possesses against mental conditions.

Curing Anxiety: Although some may argue that marijuana tends to cause mild anxiety sometimes as a side-effect for users, most have agreed to the fact that the substance’s use cause the users to experience mood-elevating effects along with a very relaxing mental condition, and pushes the user towards a normal life without suffering from anxiety. Medical marijuana, according to previous studies, is known for causing a desirable “slowing” down of thought processes. This can, in turn, help mend some of the distressing cyclical thought patterns which plague anxiety sufferers.

Healing Bipolar Disorder: Medical marijuana, surprisingly, can considerably calm down the mood swings that are exhibited by those suffering with Bipolar Disorder. Studies have shown that cannabis works as a mood stabilizer for sufferers. Lithium, which has traditionally been diagnosed for sufferers, takes several weeks before it actually starts working and is also known for causing long term damage to the heart, kidneys, and thyroid gland.

Lithium is also known for reining emotions in to a distasteful and numbing degree, which is something that is not faced by marijuana users. On the contrary, marijuana smokers report feeling a satisfying effect long after the “high” itself has detoriated (the mood stabilizing effect of the drug).

Relief from Insomnia: People suffering from insomnia should consider switching to medical marijuana. It is to be noted that a brownie or a cookie can be taken before bed with a glass of milk, which should ensure good sleep throughout the night. However, users should be aware that the effects of medical marijuana will not be felt for up to an hour at least.

Medical marijuana could be a desirable alternative to other addictive drugs such as Xanax, as marijuana is not habit forming. Users have often reported feeling clear-minded and relaxed after ingesting medical marijuana, sleeping through the night, and having more pleasant dreams.

No More Depression: Studies have suggested that those who use marijuana once or more weekly, reportedly, have fewer episodes of depression than the rest of the lot. Medical marijuana can be smoked or ingested to lift the mood and lighten those up who particularly suffer from depression.

Similar to the sufferers of anxiety, the lasting effects of medical marijuana helps to break unproductive or negative thought cycles which so often get out of control for the sufferer. Nonetheless, remember that marijuana is not a wonder cure for either depression or anxiety and it is quite unhealthy to cover the root problem instead of fully treating it. However, marijuana can help the user live a more satisfying life while he works with a therapist to cure the symptoms.

Relief from Migraines: It is very interesting to note that migraines can also be treated with medical marijuana, and have sometimes shown better effects than the actual migraine medication. This is because when the marijuana is consumed or smoked, retrograde inhibition helps to slow the rate of neurotransmitters in the brain.

People suffering from horrific headaches will know that this is due to an overload of neural stimulation and the above news could come as a relief for them. Retrograde inhibition also relieves the pain and other symptoms which are known to attend a full-blown migraine, including sensitivity to lights and nausea.

In reality, migraine medication has often been tagged for dangerous side effects, which includes increased blood pressure and making the user tired. Medical marijuana can make some users feel slightly sleepy but the doze can always be adjusted so that the migraine sufferer will still experience relief from nausea, pain and hyper-sensitivity while not becoming as drowsy as they would have been with regular migraine medication.

In conclusion, remember that medical marijuana provides us with a safe, natural alternative to dangerous, habit-forming drugs and has lot more to offer than to just push it away, stating that marijuana is for dirty hippies.

(Information from the Weed Blog)

Original source:

http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/284299/20120119/ron-paul-supports-medical-marijuana-5-mental.htm

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Marijuana: Liberal Canary In Coal Mine

Written by Steve Val

An overwhelming majority, 77% of committed Liberal delegates voted to legalize marijuana. As well, if you do the math on the demographic delegate breakdown, you’ll find that even if one assumes every young Liberals voted in favour, you are still left with almost 2/3rds of the remaining delegates in favour. In other words, no matter how your dissect this vote, Liberals of all subsets support this policy, creating a firm resolve. In addition, not only did our interim Leader resist shying away from the vote, Rae embraced it and placed legalization at the center of “war on drugs” debate.

Liberals rejected the idea of removing a leader veto over policy, so the future party structure philosophy remains unclear. However, I now view the marijuana issue as the canary in the coal mine so to speak, how this issue is treated heading into the next election will provide the clearest indication if a formerly top down entity has truly “renewed” and “reformed”. The base have made their voices heard, a voice which is not out of step with progressive society as a whole. It is fair for EVERY Liberal to now have an expectation that marijuana legalization will be part of future Liberal policy, should that fail to transpire, people can rightly ask if members are nothing more than robotic bank machines, patted on the head, but nothing of real consequence in the affairs of party direction.

There has been some mention of actively soliciting “supporters”, using this issue as a lure of sorts. I agree with an aggressive strategy, as Rob Silver pointed out this is a classic “wedge” issue, one the Liberals can use effectively to contrast crime strategies, as well as certain libertarian issues. The marijuana issue is larger than just pot itself, the tentacles of that approach resonate elsewhere. I think Liberals may well shock themselves at how many “supporters” can be attracted, simply based on this particular perspective. This is a way for non-partisan Canadians to say “hey Liberal Party, I agree with you, I SUPPORT your idea, I’ll lend my name to the cause”.

Moving forward, it is imperative to hold the Liberal Party to account, to push the envelope, to push our new executive to follow through on their commitments. How the Liberals manage the marijuana issue is now a central indicator that will demonstrate, in concrete form, if this has truly become a member-centric institution or remains a timid, top down affair, wherein the rank and file are dismissed in the ways that truly matter. I’m leaving the banner on the sidebar as symbolic of this potential future tension, the members who have kept this listing tub afloat have spoken, loud and clear.

Original source: http://www.oyetimes.com/views/22-columns/17158-marijuana-liberal-canary-in-coal-mine

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The Economic Argument for Legalized Marijuana

Written by Hugh MacIntyre

The Liberal Party over the weekend voted to “legalize and regulate” the selling of marijuana. This issue has the potential to breathe life back into the Liberals if they approach it the right way. As it stands now the party’s best chance of regaining at least second place is by putting the marijuana issue front and centre.

More than one pundit has scoffed at the decision to include legalization in its policy document. Even interim leader Bob Rae made a joke of it during his keynote speech. But it’s not a joke and the party is missing the boat on what could be a game changer.

For me the issue of marijuana is one of liberty versus state overreach. It is an unjust law that attempts to control the choices and the lives of individuals. Smoking pot does not harm others, only the smoker, and the smoker has the right to decide what sort of harm he or she enjoys.

For Liberals the issue could be about money and the economy.

It would be a huge boon for government revenue, without even needing to add a “sin tax” to the legal sales of marijuana. All the unreported income and potential sales tax from Canada’s most profitable cash crop would suddenly be available. It would represent a new source of revenue without having to raise taxes by even a dime.

On the spending side, billions of dollars would be saved by ending the illicit marijuana trade. Some of the money would likely go to whatever regulatory framework the government created, but it would have to be a monstrous bureaucracy indeed to equal the massive sum that now goes towards investigating, prosecuting, and jailing someone in the marijuana trade. The Liberals could claim credit for closing the deficit faster than the Conservatives, and might even have money left over for one of their foolish pet projects.

With the deficit eliminated with relative ease and debt being paid down, Canada would be in a unique fiscal position for a G8 and G20 country. We can expect that confidence in Canada would soar even higher and investment would flood in as investors flee the crumbling economies of Europe.

The best part is that Canadians by and large already agree that marijuana should be legalized. They also think the economy should be the priority. It would not be difficult to connect the two issues and convince Canadians to vote for a party that has the most painless plan to put Canada’s fiscal house back in order.

The resolution approved at the convention is non-binding. So there is no guarantee the issue will be in the 2015 Liberal election platform. In fact Canadian political parties have a history of  ignoring policy resolutions from conventions, so the chances of this one being taken up are pretty low. Hopefully the party leadership will take a moment to closely examine legalization and realize the potential. It would not only be the best thing for the Liberals but for Canada as well.

National Post

Original source:

http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2012/01/18/hugh-macintyre-the-economic-argument-for-legalized-marijuana/


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