[JerryLove]

But on the other hand, Marijuana isn't a good thing, and the state laws allowing it for medical purposes has been abused in a lot of cases.

That risks its own debate, on how painkillers and narcotics and sleep aids are abused and how alcholol is more abused (and worse in effect).

Then there's the idea of starving one man to death because another was a glutten. I've been through a bone-marrow transplant, and I don't discredit someone having one anything that will make it more bearable (though I understand there are other conditions more appropriate yet (MS?)).

[GORP006]

Originally Posted by JerryLove

That risks its own debate, on how painkillers and narcotics and sleep aids are abused and how alcholol is more abused (and worse in effect).

Then there's the idea of starving one man to death because another was a glutten. I've been through a bone-marrow transplant, and I don't discredit someone having one anything that will make it more bearable (though I understand there are other conditions more appropriate yet (MS?)).

Yeah, I can't say I totally disagree with you on that count. But I think If we are going to go down that road, it should be done properly, through FDA approval, and moving Marijuana from Section I controlled substances list (Illegal in all situations) to the Section II controlled substances list (Illegal except with prescription). It would allow doctors to prescribe marijuana, and would allow for monitoring, oversight and regulation of the prescribing/filling of prescriptions, to at least attempt to stop abuse.

Of course, this leads to the question of whether Marijuana is the best way to relieve the pain that the people in question are facing. Are there other ways to relieve the pain through currently legal drugs? Or is there a way to get the drug-effects of Marijuana into a pill/inhaler/liquid format that would be easier to track?

[JerryLove]

Of course, this leads to the question of whether Marijuana is the best way to relieve the pain that the people in question are facing. Are there other ways to relieve the pain through currently legal drugs? Or is there a way to get the drug-effects of Marijuana into a pill/inhaler/liquid format that would be easier to track?

Gah! I'm gonna follow down this trail one more step then drop it (shy of a new thread), because I have a fast-easy answer for you here.

Marijuana can and is produced in pill form, though pills can be a problem in an anti-nauesa medication, I suppose we could supress nausea with another drug first.

To answer your second question: There are many other pain medications, though for many ailments finding an effective one can be difficult or impossable. There are a couple other anti-nausea medications which have popped up in the past 15 years, though as with anything, they effect differentpeople differently (IOW, they work for most, there will be exceptions). I'm not aware of anything else which counters the appitite supression of a BMT.

So, marijuanna is only needed in a few diseases to begin with, and for many there are alternatives (though whether compazine and morphine is better than the active element in marijuana for you, I have no idea). For some there are not effective alternatives at present.

[Bryan]

Originally Posted by GORP006

From a June 7 CNN story:

The Drug Enforcement Agency began raids in 2001 against patients using the drug and their caregivers in California, one of 11 states that legalized the use of marijuana for patients under a doctor's care. Among those arrested was Angel Raich, who has brain cancer, and Diane Monson, who grew cannabis in her garden to help alleviate chronic back pain.

Source

That being said. I agree, there have been several statements by the DEA saying they aren't going to TARGET users, just mostly trafickers and major clubs. However, they will indeed PROSECUTE users if they are caught. If the DEA weren't going to prosecute users of medical marijuana, then there would be no need for this ruling.

well I guess prosecuting and targeting are different things.