- ‹ previous
- 58 of 2794
- next ›
Pot and the AMA
Marijuana use got another small boost yesterday:
The American Medical Assn. on Tuesday urged the federal government to reconsider its classification of marijuana as a dangerous drug with no accepted medical use, a significant shift that puts the prestigious
group behind calls for more research.
...."Despite more than 30 years of clinical research, only a small number of randomized, controlled trials have been conducted on smoked cannabis," said Dr. Edward Langston, an AMA board member, noting that the limited number of studies was "insufficient to satisfy the current standards for a prescription drug product."
Earlier this year there was sort of a boomlet in optimism about marijuana legalization, but while I was working on my pot piece for the July/August issue of the magazine I became convinced that it had been overblown. I'd say we still have another decade before there's a real sea change in policy.
Still, this is the kind of thing that has to happen in order for marijuana use to become mainstreamed. It's one of those small steps that lots of people can agree on (there's scandalously little serious medical research on marijuana), and the results are almost certain to be good for the cause of legalization. Still, even if the AMA's call gets some attention, these results are years away, and in the meantime there's also pushback like this taking place. Progress is going to be slow and arduous, and I continue to think that I'll be surprised if serious moves toward widespread legalization take place in less than five or ten years.
Ain't gonna happen
I've been waiting for legalization all of my adult life (and a little bit before that as well), and I was always confident that it would eventually happen, because it made sense and reasonable people agreed.
Well, I've waited decades and have now given up all hope. It ain't gonna happen. The country is deadlocked on a huge number of issues, and pot legalization is no different. Once and a while there is some noise that indicates that change is in the air, but it always ends up for naught.
Decriminalization
Let's not forget there are steps between the current situation and legalization - which itself means different things to different people. I think reducing the penalty for simple possession of small amounts could be pushed through in a few states in the next couple of years. Another year of falling tax revenues will make states look for new ways to cut court and prison costs.
Endocannabinoids,
Endocannabinoids, cannibinoid receptors, and the diverse physiological effects of the former are the subject of fairly recent advances in biochemistry. This system is apparently related to diverse effects on appetite, blood pressure, intestinal activity, pain relief, and bone density. The physiological importance of the compounds is really unquestionable.
It's in the interest of the medical profession to advance our knowledge and wise use of cannibinoids. Dosage, misuse, formulation, etc. are valid questions, but it's simply malpractice to avoid their consideration.
malpractice
requires deviation from a standard (and leading to a bad outcome), none of which applies.
Yeah, bad choice of
Yeah, bad choice of language. Didn't even notice I did that.
More research is good
But more research may show that marijuana has few medical uses! Which could close down the semi-legal status in some states.
Which would be fine, if based on good research.
No, pot should be legalized
No, pot should be legalized because it is a relatively benign recreational drug, certainly safer than alcohol.
It all boils down to
It all boils down to politics when considering legalization of pot. The Republicans, who are for keeping government out of our private lives, will oppose legislation de-legalizing pot, because it is their mind set to enact laws that tell us how to live our lives.
pot
As long as the assholes who make the decisions continue to support the undermining of our physical and mental health with alcohol, I say the legalization of pot is way overdue.
Woodstock Universe supports Legalization
Valid medicinal value, it’s a victimless crime, the War on Drugs WAY too costly, too many arrests for simple possession, tax it and use the money to pay for health insurance and to reduce the deficit…Need I say more?
Woodstock Universe supports legalization of Marijuana.
We will giveaway a Woodstock Universe Prize Package to the best member blog on “Why we should legalize marijuana?”
Prize package includes Woodstock Universe T-shirt and magnet, WDST decal, Radio Woodstock Live in Woodstock CD and Woodstock 3 days of peace and music Director’s Cut DVD.
Join Woodstock Universe to blog.
Add your vote in our poll about legalization at http://www.woodstockuniverse.com.
Current poll results…97% for legalization, 3% against.
Peace, love, music, one world,
RFWoodstock
It is the stigma that scares
It is the stigma that scares many people who use smoking pipes to keep it a secret. One of the problems inhibiting legalization is that people who smoke a glass pipe are not considered serious or mature. It is the public to make our choices known and to make sure our voices are heard. With the economy the way it is today this is the best chance to change the law. Send a letter make, send an email make a phone call, every hand written Letter that makes it to a representative is considered to be the voice of thousands of people who did not take the time to write and that is a power we all have.
Sunflowerpipes.com