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Cnn

Hickenlooper says he doesn’t see the benefit of rescinding marijuana policy for Trump Administration

After news broke earlier this week that Attorney General Jeff Session has rescinded the Cole Memo, changing how the government enforces federal marijuana laws, Gov. John Hickenlooper told CNN Saturday that he didn’t see how the move would help the Trump administration.

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Dr. Sanjay Gupta Not Only Apologizing For Previous Stance on Marijuana

gupta

Marijuana patients and activists have been disappointed regarding the across the country known Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s sights on Cannabis. For a long time he appeared to dismiss the numerous patient recommendations and lots of studies carried out highlighting the advantages of medicinal marijuana.  Dr. Gupta has considerable affect on established medical community, and federal policy (he’s a detailed ally of Leader Obama and it was offered a situation within the Whitened House).

About eight several weeks ago, Dr. Gupta required the initial step to redeeming themself within the medicinal marijuana community.  He accepted he didn’t consider all the details and authored articles entitled “Why I transformed my thoughts on weed.” Dr. Gupta stated he was sorry for adding to “misleading” the general public on marijuana   It had been an excellent gesture and assisted the thought of legitimate medicinal marijuana gain much more traction. Then he dug much deeper on medicinal marijuana in the CNN documentary “Weed”.
Dr. Gupta has taken the redemption farther.  The other day he stated he was “doubling lower on medicinal marijuana.Inch  The phrase grew to become overused throughout 2012 election season, but continues to be encouraging to listen to from Dr. Gupta.  In the brand new article, he discusses the government government’s patent on cannabinoid treatment.  Many of medical marijuana’s detractors have no clue exactly that the us government has acknowledged the effectiveness of cannabis, while still declaring they haven’t.  Confusing, we all know.  Clearly, the final and diminishing group in Congress who keep towards the old speaking points don’t truly understand what their government has acknowledged.
This hypocrisy wasn’t lost on Dr. Gupta.  In his article he said However, this specific problem still bothers me: “Just how can the federal government deny the advantages of medicinal marijuana even while it holds a patent for individuals exact same benefits? People from the Fda rejected my repeated demands to have an interview.”  Although the marijuana community and Dr. Gupta departed to some rough start, it appears he’s seriously interested in as being a reliable ally now.

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Marijuana Remains Illegal as the Federal Government…

girl-scout-cookies-medical-marijuana-strain-2

Approves a terrifying new opiate based medication.

The federal government maintains that there are no known medical benefits to marijuana.  The actual evidence tells a different story as the FDA continues to choose financial bliss for big pharma over the safety of Americans.  While opiates (one of the main components of heroin) are highly addictive, both physically and mentally, they enjoy more legally friendly status when compared to marijuana.  Medications such as Oxycontin and Vicodin are costing America in both lives and tax dollars.  Emergency room visits related to overdoses cost billions per year, a bill that is picked up by working Americans.   The situation has become a known epidemic, with medical leaders calling for action.  Even the White House considers the current situation a pandemic.  This would lead one to believe that the FDA would never approve newer and more dangerous opiate based medications.  That would be false.  The FDA has recently approved Zohydro, a more potent opiate based pain killer.  CNN described this as “frightening” and Dr. Andrew Kolodny, president of the advocacy group Physicians for Responsible Opioid Prescribing said “It’s a whopping dose of hydrocodone packed in an easy-to-crush capsule…It will kill people as soon as it’s released.”  The FDA, of course, responds by saying the medical benefits outweigh the risks.  Of course marijuana’s virtually zero mortality rate could make a better argument for the “benefit outweighing the risk” argument.  Zohydro is said to be fives times more powerful than Vicodin.

Does not approve more funding for marijuana’s potential to treat Alzheimer’s.

Alzheimer’s impacts the lives of approximately 5.1 million Americans.  Since the symptoms can come on gradually, the disease can remain undetected for sometime.  This makes calculating definitive numbers difficult.  This condition cuts the quality of life short for many who physically are fine, but mentally suffer from dementia.  Gary Wenk, a longtime Alzheimer’s researcher has noticed a trend, especially as those who smoked marijuana in the 1960s are now at the vulnerable age.  “We found out that people who smoked dope in the 1960s were not getting Alzheimer’s.”  While his research is promising, it has unfortunately been brought to a halt.  He recently said “I am not funded to do marijuana research…It costed me about $100,000 to do a whole experiment, $10,000 just to buy the molecule and every old rat is $150. You can see how things add up and individuals can’t afford these things.”  It appears that their may be some promise for cananbinoids treating and preventing Alzheimer’s, but no one can be certain since the federal government will not open the door for more testing and research.  Besides the obvious financial benefits to reforming marijuana laws (marijuana.net has spoken about incarcerations, tax revenues, war on drugs, etc.) Mr. Wenk pointed out that money could be saved in medical treatment.  “If we can keep a person out of a nursing home for five years, we’ve saved that family and their insurance companies an awful lot of money… No matter how we spin this, old people are going to win.”

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Marijuana Enters New Age, While Propaganda Remains Stuck in Last Century

propaganda

Research into marijuana was almost non existent for the 20th century.  In the 21st century, clinical trials are finally being commissioned, trying to make up for decades of lost research time.  Blatant propaganda had previously been a staple for the criminalization crowd, those who wish to see our jails overcrowded with non violent criminals.  However, as positive patient testimonials, the realization that the war on drugs is a colossal failure, and a desire to regain some individual choices take hold on the American public, wreck less propaganda has begun to fade away.

 

The self righteous criminalization crowd now realizes they have to be more covert when trying to mislead.  They may troll the internet for vulnerable comment sections on blogs, or share exaggerated or factually incorrect articles on social media.  It came as a huge surprise to us to see vintage propaganda prominently featured on the Kansas City Star’s webpage.  Proving that so much deception could not be successfully crafted by one person, both Ravikumar Chockalingam and Dragan Svrakic needed to collaborate to complete a recent article titled “The risks of marijuana are many”.

The article starts with the following:

Imagine the public outrage if a toxic drug was approved without any regulation for “recreational” use in adults and children that suppresses the immune system, causes schizophrenia, mental illness, brain and lung disease including cancer and death. Also, many long-term and frequent users of this toxic drug have lowered IQs, impaired memory, poor judgment and diminished driving ability.

 

It does not exactly improve from there. The authors go on to cite marijuana as a “toxic drug” while ignoring obvious comparisons to legal opiates and alcohol’s “toxic” effect.  Even stranger, they try and scare readers regarding a fictional “nightmare health scenario” that other states outside of Kansas and Missouri are experiencing.  Driving and marijuana is actually a discussion that needs to occur, but there is conflicting evidence to suggest that it causes more accidents.  In fact, in certain states where medical marijuana is legal, DWIs and fatal crashes have actually gone down. The authors also claim there is no medical evidence to support marijuana’s medical efficacy.  That is incorrect as even the U.S. government has commissioned studies that highlight marijuana’s wide array of medical uses, including the potential to fight cancer.

 

Of course the article also uses the standard condescension, where patient testimonials are irrelevant and we should not trust people when they tell us about their improved quality of life and reduction in pain, nausea, PTSD, seizures… the list goes on.  Patients from different walks of life, politically, financially, and ethnically, all have gotten together during times where their health has deteriorated, to fake marijuana’s benefits.  At least this is what the article in the Kansas City Star implying.

 

While (psychiatry resident) and Dragan Svrakic (associate professor) are both part of the Washington University School of Medicine, they seem to be lagging behind the medical leaders in our country.  Even Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN contributor and President Obama’s choice for Surgeon General (Dr. Gupta turned down the offer) has reversed his opposition to medical marijuana, and admitted he was wrong.  When leading physicians, clinical trials, and patients all report the benefits of medical marijuana, we can only hope the two authors of the article will take notice.  We at marijuana.net noticed an unusual amount of blanket statements and a lack of evidence provided for these outrageous claims.  The American public does not seem to be buying the scare tactics of last century as the vast majority (85% according to a Fox News Poll) of residents here support medical marijuana.  It may be time for Ravikumar Chockalingam and Dragan Svrakic to abandon the propaganda, or at least utilize more subtle and modern techniques.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Marijuana Industry News August 23, 2013

white house

White House Trying to Create Distance from  Dr. Sanjay Gupta Marijuana
Reversal…

CNN’s chief medical correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, has created many
headlines and conversation since recently announcing he his previous
anti-marijuana stance was incorrect.  Dr. Gupta .  President Obama had
considered Gupta for Surgeon General in 2008.  Dr. Gupta, however did
not want to walk away from his surgical career and did not want to
lose time with his family.  Many have been wondering if Gupta’s
reversal will have policy impact.  So far it has not, but the White
House is answering questions it would rather not.  Deputy Press
Secretary, Josh Earnest was asked if a position flip by a well known
White House ally would have any impact on President Obama’s marijuana
policy.  Earnest said that President Obama ‘does not, at this point,
advocate a change in the law” and “The administration’s position on
this has been clear and consistent for some time now”  There are two
curious phrases in Josh Earnest’s quotes.  For one, they make sure to
say nothing will change “at this point”, perhaps opening the door to
future changes.  Additionally, many would disagree very much so
that President Obama has been “consistent” on his marijuana views.
The administration signaled a much different view on the 2008 campaign
trail and the early days of his first term.  However, a major change
appears to be on the horizon as it is becoming more difficult to
locate someone who will actually defend the current Schedule 1 status
of marijuana.

For more on this story click here

City of Washington D.C. May Create Program to Subsidize Poor Medical
Marijuana Patients…

Fiscal conservatives will likely have a field day criticizing a new
proposal by city government officials in D.C.  Others will praise a
proposal aimed at helping struggling patients who may not be able to
afford their medication.  D.C. city officials are considering a
program that would require dispensary operators to put aside 2% of
profits in order to subsidize lower income patients who may not be
able to afford their medication.  While there have been calls in many
municipalities across the nation to address access to the poor, there
has not been any initiative such as this one from any government
entity..  Arizona allows for a reduced registration fee for low income
patients and many dispensaries have taken it upon themselves to offer
discounted meds but there have yet to be significant laws requiring
this.  One issue in the medical marijuana world is that medicine is
often priced at the prohibition street prices.  Allen St. Pierre, of
NORML, said “The rule is totally unprecedented in the medical
marijuana community.”

For more on this story click here

National Marijuana Expert Suggests Fed Government Enter into a
Contract with Washington and Colorado on Medical Marijuana…

In an ideal world, the federal government would respect the laws and
wishes of state residents.  For decades many have tried to make this a
reality.  Marijuana reform activists have lobbied the federal
government to rethink their outdated position that marijuana is one of
the most dangerous substances on Earth, even more so than cocaine.  A
leading expert on marijuana law, and professor of public policy, Mark
Kleiman, is seeking to change this.  Mr. Kleinman is the lead
consultant for Washington state on their recently legalized medical
marijuana program.  The professor suggested that the Department of
Justice could enter into a contract with Colorado and Washington which
would have the states do everything in their power to prevent
marijuana from flooding other markets while the federal government
would vow not to prosecute the states who would be in violation of
federal law.  Earlier this week he told reporters “I think that
authorizes the (attorney general) to essentially enter into treaties
with Colorado and Washington… That’s messy, but I think it’s
workable.  It would prevent flooding the country with cheap pot.”  It
would also make it easier for businesses and patients to move forward,
as the battle of state vs. federal law has left everyone in limbo.

Click here for more on this story

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Celebrity Physician Sanjay Gupta Reverses Position on Medicinal Marijuana

sanjay gupta

An advanced of medical and scientific understanding, clearly separate physicians the from others, though character traits don’t.  Doctors could be persistent, and possibly even much more than an average joe at certain occasions.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta is showing is simply how much personality can infiltrate an expert opinion.  I personally enjoy a lot of what Dr. Gupta needs to say in the posts and looks as CNN’s chief medical correspondent.  However,  it have been apparent he had skipped the boat on medicinal marijuana.  In 2009, he notoriously authored an item for Time entitled Why I’d Election No on Pot.  In in he signifies that marijuana lacks medical effectiveness regardless of the considerable amount of evidence provided by his peers within the health care industry.  In another section he states “I’m constantly amazed that in the end these years–and all of the wars on drugs and all sorts of public-service announcements–nearly 15 million People in america still use marijuana at least one time per month.”  At that time, many were amazed he experienced no curiosity within an apparent culture change.

Dr.  Gupta has become altering his mind.  He accepted not to researching enough around the problem and lately told Piers Morgan “I’ve apologized for a few of the earlier confirming since i think, you realize, we have been terribly and methodically fooled within this country for many , and that i did a part of that misleading.”  That is really a candid admission and that we at marijuana.internet applaud him.  Also, he lately published “Why I transformed my thoughts on weed” on CNN.com However,  when one really wants to contain the layer of national television physician,  stubbornness and idleness( meaning of not doing the study) is unacceptable.  In a shorter period than he likely allocated to this year’s article,  Dr. Gupta might have found an abundance of information, research, and recommendations that highlight the medical advantages of marijuana. 

Dr. Gupta’s admission may highlight a much deeper problem than simply one man’s misjudgment.  Medical doctors frequently appear to achieve the least understanding on medicinal marijuana.  How will a physician know they’re against cure with no significant understanding from the problem?   It appears our training if doctors is missing and shuts out any remedies that aren’t considered conventional.  Administrators managing medical schools might have to consider training doctors to pay attention.  All from the levels on the planet don’t disqualify a lot of patient testimonies.  Did Dr. Gupta feel numerous patients was together in conspiracy all avenues of life to get hold of marijuana?  Hopefully his recent admission may even further accelerate the marijuana reform discussion and influence policy makers.

If our doctors would be the last to become up-to-date on modern remedies then just what performs this say about modern American medicine?  Doctors, typically, are highly intelligent people. Using the information age under way they are able to longer hide behind levels along with a fraternity of individuals knowledgable.  All people have access to to scientific information.  This does not necessarily mean we ought to visit WebMD and self identify, but it will mean doctors might have to leave their safe place and explain their rationale a little more.

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Victory For President Obama, Legal Marijuana In Colorado…

Obama Victory

The grueling 2012 election has finally come to an end.  Americans can now finally relax as the constant barrage of political ads will finally go away.  When including the GOP primary debates, this election got underway way back in the summer of 2011.  Last night President Barack Obama was victorious in what was a sweeping electoral victory but narrow popular vote advantage.  The other stories of the night were the Republicans taking a decisive lead in the House of Representatives while the Democrats won tough races to control the Senate.  Marijuana reformers had several stories to be pleased with including Colorado residents voting to legalize and regulate marijuana and Massachusetts passing legislation to start a medical marijuana program. Other big stories included the legalization of same sex marriage in several states including Minnesota. We will be breaking down the election and providing more updates and details from last night.

 

Click Here for CNN’s Up to Date Coverage of the 2012 Election results

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Rep. Barney Frank Says Supports Marijuana Reform and Personal Freedom

barney frank

Longtime supporter of marijuana reform, Representative Barney Frank, recently told CNN that he supports marijuana reform and believes in “personal freedom”.  When talking to Erin Burnett about individual freedom, Congressman Frank said  “I think is a great hypocrisy.  I think frankly it contributes to a good deal of the sense of unfairness you have among younger people who are told they shouldn’t do this because it’s got all these negative effects, but then older people are engaging in all kinds of things that have a greater impact on people.”  Mr. Frank also said he ate a marijuana brownie that made him “sleepy”.  The congressman said he prefers a cigar instead.  While he does  not smoke marijuana much or gamble, but that others do and it is their right to do so and it should not be the government’s priority to regulate these behaviors.  Barney Frank is also an outspoken supporter of same sex marriage and was wed to his partner, James Ready, in July of 2012.


For more on this and clip of the interview click here

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Victory for Romney in Florida, But could it be a Victory for Patients?

mitt romney

The GOP primaries have experienced intense debate and battles from the candidates.  Prior to the process even started, Mitt Romney was considered both your hands lower front runner.  When the process was going ahead the press was treated with a unforeseen surprises. First,  Bachmann Wanted won the very first official event from the election campaign, the Ames Iowa Hay Poll.  After that we had the fall and rise of Ron Perry and Herman Cain (due largely for their promoted mistakes).

Even while lately like a couple of days ago, Newt Gingrich might have been considered the leader for that GOP nomination, but his comments on The spanish language being “the word what from the ghetto” considered him lower in a condition having a large Hispanic population.  Furthermore, Gingrich was without his best debate performances prior to the Florida election.  He was removed message and elevated eye brows together with his comments regarding his desire to have a moon base.  Although Gingrich still obtained well with individuals who connect themselves as “very conservative”, many voters were worried about the perception that he’s not really a viable candidate for any national election.

With Tuesday’s victory, Mitt Romney has clearly established themself because the leader.  Mitt Romney cruised to victory by winning 46% from the election instead of Gingrich’s 32% (Ron Santorum finished 3rd with 13% and Ron Paul trailed within the 4th position with 7%) .  Following a reduction in Sc lately, team Romney was charged with being too soft and experts predicted the former Governor will have to intensify his attacks on Newt Gingrich.  This is just what happened as Romney considerably outspent the previous Speaker of the home through campaign contributions as well as with the aid of Super Pacs.

With patients already being disenfranchised with how Leader Obama has handled medicinal marijuana, many were wishing for any GOP candidate who’d enact true reform.  While Ron Paul might be that candidate, his performances within the primaries appear to become losing momentum with every passing condition primary (a number of this really is because of his supposed racist news letters).  Although an advocate of medicinal marijuana throughout the eighties, Newt Gingrich lately made very aggressive comments against medicinal marijuana as well as went so far as adoring Singapore’s criminal justice system (Singapore is renowned for its very violent and harsh legislation).

Mitt Romney has lengthy mentioned his opposition to medicinal marijuana.  Reviews have resurfaced about him leaving without responding to questions from the motorized wheel chair bound patient struggling with muscular dystrophy who found relief with cannabis.  Furthermore, battling patients won’t find encouragement using the statement Mitt Romney made yesterday.  Within an interview with CNN’s Soledad O’brien, Mitt Romney mentioned he “was not worried about the poor.”  He stated his focus was around the middle-class since the weakest within our nation “have a security net”.  Many experts and patients question precisely what back-up he’s mentioning too.  He clearly doesn’t have aim of marketing cheaper alternative treatment which may give a true back-up for America’s poor.

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