Post by Del Snavely on Nov 13, 2009 12:05:39 GMT -6
I sent this LTE to all the major ND newspapers today.
AMA Says Reschedule Marijuana!
On November 11th the American Medical Association urged the federal government to reschedule cannabis (marijuana) from a schedule one drug down to a schedule two status. Schedule one is reserved for “dangerous drugs with no accepted medical use” and includes drugs such as heroin, LSD and PCP and doesn’t allow for research. Obviously marijuana doesn’t belong in this group, but this is the first time since 1937 that the AMA has spoken out in favor of cannabis.
Prior to the Marijuana Tax Act in 1937 over 50 percent of pharmaceuticals contained cannabis. When Harry J. Anslinger (the first Drug Czar) testified to Congress about the dangers of marijuana, he used newspaper articles written solely by William Randolph Hurst. All of which were overblown or completely fabricated. At that time, the only support for cannabis to Congress was the American Medical Association.
In 1970 Richard Nixon commissioned the Schafer Report on marijuana. That report took two years by non-biased researchers, chosen by Richard Nixon himself. The report stated that “the use of marijuana should not constitute criminalizing the American public”. In 1972 Mr. Nixon set up the drug scheduling program, and contrary to what the Schafer report advised, marijuana was added to the Schedule one group. Since then more than 25 Million Americans have been jail for their use of cannabis. There were more than 800,000 arrests last year alone.
Now finally in 2009 we have a President who recognizes the rights of the States to set laws regarding the medical use of cannabis and the AMA has come full circle to again support the rescheduling and research of marijuana for its pharmaceutical properties. Rescheduling is the only possible way for research to happen in the US.
With North Dakotans suffering many illness’ which cannabis is able to help, it’s time we enact medical marijuana laws. People here are afraid to try a medicine which may help them and is safer than pharmaceuticals they already use, for fear of prosecution, and many others use cannabis medicinally because it helps them, regardless of the law, hoping to never be caught. It’s time we understand the science, admit cannabis DOES have medicinal value for many people, and enact medical marijuana laws in North Dakota! Now with the backing of the American Medical Association! We are responsible to those who suffer, to make laws that make sense, and in my opinion, persecuting the sick is not the North Dakota way.
Del Snavely
AMA Says Reschedule Marijuana!
On November 11th the American Medical Association urged the federal government to reschedule cannabis (marijuana) from a schedule one drug down to a schedule two status. Schedule one is reserved for “dangerous drugs with no accepted medical use” and includes drugs such as heroin, LSD and PCP and doesn’t allow for research. Obviously marijuana doesn’t belong in this group, but this is the first time since 1937 that the AMA has spoken out in favor of cannabis.
Prior to the Marijuana Tax Act in 1937 over 50 percent of pharmaceuticals contained cannabis. When Harry J. Anslinger (the first Drug Czar) testified to Congress about the dangers of marijuana, he used newspaper articles written solely by William Randolph Hurst. All of which were overblown or completely fabricated. At that time, the only support for cannabis to Congress was the American Medical Association.
In 1970 Richard Nixon commissioned the Schafer Report on marijuana. That report took two years by non-biased researchers, chosen by Richard Nixon himself. The report stated that “the use of marijuana should not constitute criminalizing the American public”. In 1972 Mr. Nixon set up the drug scheduling program, and contrary to what the Schafer report advised, marijuana was added to the Schedule one group. Since then more than 25 Million Americans have been jail for their use of cannabis. There were more than 800,000 arrests last year alone.
Now finally in 2009 we have a President who recognizes the rights of the States to set laws regarding the medical use of cannabis and the AMA has come full circle to again support the rescheduling and research of marijuana for its pharmaceutical properties. Rescheduling is the only possible way for research to happen in the US.
With North Dakotans suffering many illness’ which cannabis is able to help, it’s time we enact medical marijuana laws. People here are afraid to try a medicine which may help them and is safer than pharmaceuticals they already use, for fear of prosecution, and many others use cannabis medicinally because it helps them, regardless of the law, hoping to never be caught. It’s time we understand the science, admit cannabis DOES have medicinal value for many people, and enact medical marijuana laws in North Dakota! Now with the backing of the American Medical Association! We are responsible to those who suffer, to make laws that make sense, and in my opinion, persecuting the sick is not the North Dakota way.
Del Snavely
