Medical Marijuana sponsors are going courting
From an e-mail out today, the medical marijuana people are going to be out courting a sponsor for their next attempt to legalize the street drug for medical purposes during this legislative session:
I’ve been getting frequent requests from folks who want the law in South Dakota changed to allow safe access to medical cannabis. As I have told them, I also want the law changed, but I can’t do it by myself. This message is an attempt to find out how much support we have. That means I’d like to hear from you.
Here are some facts:
1. We put medical cannabis on the ballot for the 2006 election in South Dakota.
2. We obtained 48% of the vote.
3. That effort cost about $280,000.00. The Marijuana Policy Project (mpp.org) raised about 85% of that amount, and ran a nice campaign. We got 48% of the vote!!
4. There are two legislative sessions between now and the next election in So. Dak. (2010)
5. The legislature knows that if we take the issue to the voters again, we’ll win.That means, I believe, that there is an excellent chance that the legislature will act, if we give them a reason. We have a few good reasons for them to think about. We have medical cannabis patients and their doctors ready to testify at the legislature.
And…
We plan to ask a legislator to sponsor a bill allowing patients–whose doctors have signed a recommendation stating that the doctor believes that cannabis use would benefit the patient–to possess and use cannabis. The bill must also provide that “caretakers” would be able to grow and transfer cannabis to patients.
And…
I am very optimistic that a group of us, especially including patients, can prevail in getting a medical bill through the legislature. There simply have to be more folks than me talking about it.
Please let me know your thoughts.
Bob Newland
Err… yeah. Would someone tell me why each of these proposals have some clause that provides “that “caretakers” would be able to grow and transfer cannabis to patients.” Well, possibly because it’s their way of making sure they can legally grow pot. And if a few leaves drop off and fall on the ground on the way to the patient…..
The bottom line is that all such efforts are little more than just a way for illegal users to remove the stigma as well as the heavy hand of the law from their habit. None of the proposals have ever addressed such things as quality and control measures that you’d find in any legitimate pharmaceutical laboratory. You know, those little things that make sure that the patient on the receiving end of things actually gets the medicine they think they’re buying.
Not to mention that if it’s legalized in South Dakota, that all it’s going to do is to shift the burden of law enforcement to the federal level where it is, and will continue to remain illegal.
Sorry Bob. This commentator doesn’t think this staggering and addled dog is going to hunt. Not now, nor ever.
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Comments
I think what scares Pat is if he actually tries it once, he might like it, and that would be far too progressive for him. He has been brainwashed by his father, a former federal officer of the evils of Mary Jane (I’m sure his father never tried it either). You’d think a guy with 23 kids would be sucking on a J at least once a day.
O Brother.
There are ways for people to get relief from pain and suffering. I am not in favor of smoking pot, however I am not opposed to pill form. But that is another topic.
Just what we need the “buzzed” driving, walking around on the streets, taking care of their kids, etc.
the buzzed: “o kewl…jonnie just fell and cut into his artery in his arm…the buzzing is stating…look…..how……bright…and…red…that blood is…. mean while jonnie is bleeding out.
Just when they start their crusade of anti-public smoking.
Todd -
There’s 3 parts to this argument.
First, for argument’s sake, let’s say I have a degenerative disease. I buy marijuana to alleviate my suffering. I go to source 1, and it’s pure, and potent. After he goes to federal prison, I go to another source, and I find that it’s been grown from ditch clippings, and cut with oregano. I other words, it’s incredibly ineffective. Where’s the consumer protection? Because no law that’s ever been proposed along these lines offers any measures to protect the public.
Second, let’s say “bob” for example is the local medical supplier for such things. He’s not ill or infirm. He’s just a helpful soul that just grows the stuff. What’s to prevent this perfectly healthy person from sampling his product on a recreational basis, anytime he wants. In fact, the law proposed is designed to protect these drug dealers, instead calling them “caretakers.”
And finally, if it’s legalized in South Dakota, that all it’s going to do is to shift the burden of law enforcement to the federal level where it is, and will continue to remain illegal.
In other words, I’m not changing my mind.
Pat:
Marijuana is the not drug problem in South Dakota. It’s meth and crack cocaine. The feds right now don’t concern themselves with pot unless its being transported in bales. Even the DEA prioritizes and they go after the hard stuff that has no purpose and truly does harm society. I can’t see SD legalizing pot for medical use having any impact whatsoever on the federal war on drugs in SD.
Believe me, having had a family member with a drug and alcohol problem, I’m no fan of illegal drugs or alcohol abuse. But the medical marijuana deal is a different proposition. Strike a blog against the Nanny State!
Todd Epp
SD Watch http://www.southdakotawatch.net
Pat,
As long as it’s illegal, there will never be any quality control standards.
That means when your kids or your neighbors kids, or some other kids you love grow up and want to experiment a little, there’s no telling what they might be smokin’. And even if it’s ok, the money they paid for it is still going to gangsters.
Just a thought.
Todd Inepp: One of the main problems we have is illegal drugs. The cost of it is beyond the ablity to count it. Treatment, kids neglected and abused, welfare, healthcare costs, theft, murder and a lot more than I can think of in this short time.
You got all those dead dems buried yet?
Every dope smoker in the Country would be doing it for med purposes!
The state makes a helleva lots of money off of gambling — seems to me could pay for all our roads, all of our educatonal issues, and probably hold our legislative sessions in Hawaii each year if we legalized and taxed marijuana. Just think how much money a Rounds drug cartel could generate for our state!
Pat,
You have hit some valid points. The proof will be what lies in any proposed bill. Stating what they would like in a medicinal mary jane bill is like the last abortion vote. Some admitted pro-life folks voted against it because it had the exceptions.
I don’t believe for an instant that any bill presented would allow for “caretaker” rights except to say that if you live in my house, have valid documentation, than law enforcement can’t come into the house and arrest me because you have the stuff.
As far as the fact that it will still be illegal argument, isn’t that the same argument some used in the abortion debate. The SCOTUS will reverse a decision on states rights if enough states show that they want it, at least in theory that is what many of the justices have said. So, if enough states can pass some sort of legalization law the SCOTUS will rule that it is a states right issue and not a federal issue.
I believe that it should be legalized and controlled similar to other restricted drugs. As to people driving around stoned, they already do it on alcohol and other legal but restricted drugs. So what is the difference.
put it on the ballot,tax it big,, promise all the money will go to k-12,,it will pass big,,,then funnel all the money into the general fund,,,hahahaha
one more thing the state can pimp,,
No legislator has the political courage to get behind this. It’ll have to wait for an initiated measure in 2010.
It’s too bad. Supporters are ahead of the curve and it’s truly only a matter of time before marijuana is legal for medical purposes across the country. It just got passed in Michigan with more than 60% of the vote. The only time it’s ever not been approved when voted on by the people is here in SD. Aside from that, it’s 12 for 12. That says something, both about the merits of medical marijuana, and the South Dakotans who refuse to acknowledge those merits.
I hope most of you realize why Marijuana was made illegal to begin with? When prohibition ended the Federal department in charge of chasing bootleggers was fearful they would be out of jobs, so they made Marijuana illegal so they could stay on the payroll. Even back then, doctors and scientists knew it wasn’t a very harmful drug.
Go ahead, google the sh*t out it. It has been one of the biggest boondoggles in our country’s history.
The irony of course is that cigarettes, which have no medicinal value whatsoever, only statistic after static proving how much death and illness they cause, are perfectly legal.
Pat’s kids can grow up and smoke them all they want.
And Pat argues that we should leave it up to the tobacco addicts and the bar/restaurant/casino owners and the free market to decide what to do about it.
Powers’ position on these matters is patently surreal.
Alice in Wonderland-like.
feasant
Nice personal shot. The adults on this board are having a civil, reasonable discussion on an issue of public import. But you stay classy!
Epp
10:49-
Reminds me of a Doonsbury toon I saw where Mr. Butts and Mr. Jay were having a conversation. Mr. Butts talked about how many people he kills a year and Mr. Jay says, “I haven’t killed anyone, but I have incarcerated half-million this year.”
South Dakota is the first state (and only) to shoot down medical marijauna the last time. It’s sad that we have no compassion for others suffering because we buy into the lies that are being told.
Pain medications are DEADLY. The side effects are making people sick, making theirs lives hell and even killing them.
Medical marijauna works and has proven to work in many states.
Hopefully we get a clue this time.
So many people on here act as if the drug war is working… It’s not! Please people - Wake Up!
Our kids are told MJ is as bad as meth (by the fact that we treat them legally the same) and since they KNOW MJ isn’t so bad, therefore meth must not really be that bad either. (Once or twice can’t hurt me… right?)
The BEST ‘drug war’ is to treat our kids honestly so they don’t have to go and learn the truth the hard way.
Treat MJ like beer, so we can finally control it (and focus on eliminating the bad stuff like meth). Oddly, (in places where MJ has been made legal) the initial usage goes up, but then as the novelty wears off actual usage is less. Isn’t that the goal of the drug war? Or am I missing something?
Pat,
Try asking your under 18 kids (or someone else’s if you don’t have any) which is easier for them to buy, pot or cigarettes/alcohol? Drug dealers don’t check IDs.
Conventional painkillers all have their disadvantages: NSAIDs can destroy your stomach lining, acetaminophen destroys your liver, and opioids lead to addiction. Even Rush Limbaugh got addicted to Oxycontin. Yet we prescribe and use these drugs every day. We’ve seen nothing to suggest marijuana is any more dangerous than NSAIDs or acetaminophen, and if anything, it’s been shown more beneficial.
Think about this: Heroin was invented to seek a more potent, less addictive substitute for morphine. Obviously, a catastrophe. Pharmaceutical companies have continued their quest though, coming up with all manner of synthetic opioids. They have discovered that the euphoric effects of opiates are directly related to their ability to relieve pain. That is, the more effective a painkiller, the more recreational it can be if abused. Yet, we have no problem prescribing people drugs derived from opium every single day. You’ve probably taken some yourself if you’ve ever had surgery. How is it we can prescribe highly addictive and potentially fatal if overdosed opioids, but not a drug with little to no addictive potential and that is impossible to overdose on?
I’m kind of with you about caregivers though, that seems like it’s asking for problems. However, I can see the reasoning: people with multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy, among others, benefit dramatically from marijuana. However, in all likelihood they would be unable to grow and prepare it themselves due to their disease. I’m not sure how to best handle that situation.
I’m genuinely interested in your response. Have a good one!
John
Pat:
You’re always complaining about creeping nanny statism. Here’s a chance to strike a blow against it. I was once very much opposed to medical marijuana. But as I thought through it, who am I to tell a terminally ill person that they don’t deserve some respite and relief from their suffering? Doesn’t seem like that’s my or your business. As long as there are safeguards to keep it from being used for non-medical purposes, what’s the harm?
Todd Epp
SD Watch http://www.southdakotawatch.net