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AIR DATE: Wednesday, August 20th 2008

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What's the best way to regulate medical marijuana usage?

In 1998, both Oregon and Washington passed legislation legalizing possession of marijuana for medical purposes. At present, 11 other states permit sufferers of certain illnesses to seek relief with cannabis. Medical marijuana patients can technically still be arrested under federal law for lighting up, but, as far as state law enforcement is concerned, they're in the green.

Here in the Northwest, as elsewhere, the details surrounding medical marijuana law are a bit hazy. Some Oregon patients' rights advocates complain that a few users are abusing the program and giving it a bad name. In Washington, law enforcement agents have encountered difficulty in determining how much constitutes "60 days' worth" of cannabis, the legal limit of possession for patients. Patients -- and their advocates -- aren't too pleased about the ambiguity, either.

This Monday, legislators will be holding a meeting in Tumwater, Washington to discuss where to place the cap for "60 days'" use. Washington's Department of Health has proposed an initial draft rule that would allow patients to keep 24 ounces, 6 plants, and 18 seedlings of marijuana ? the same amount that Oregon settled on in 2005.

How should a state -- or federal -- government determine how much weed is enough (or too much) for a patient? What can Washington learn from Oregon's example? Are you a resident of Oregon or Washington who uses marijuana for medical purposes? Have you been involved in the law enforcement side of medical marijuana?

GUESTS:

• Sandee Burbank: Executive Director of Mothers Against Misuse and Abuse
• Gregory Carter: Professor of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Washington
• Jerry Wade: Secretary and Director of Public Relations of the Stormy Ray Cardholders? Foundation

Tagged as: drugs · marijuana · medicine

The premise that marijuana use by adults for any reason is something that the state has any reasonable right to punish is as ridiculous as it is futile. Legalize use by adults and tax it reasonably enough to keep the black market at bay. This would render the false, hair splitting distinctions between medical and recreational usage moot. It's nobody's business if I simply want to get high, whether or not my back hurts when I desire to do so.

porsadgai — Tue Aug. 19th 11:20p.m.

i don't get the use of marijuana as true medical drug. certainly if i need codeine, i don't have plant poppies in the back yard to get it. so if marijuana has a valid medical use why isn't some drug company commercializing it by turning it in to a pill or an inhalant?

jaikenone — Wed Aug. 20th 12:05p.m.

they already have turned it into pills,(marinol) that don't work very well for some as well as the plant's flowers do. read Lester Grinspoon,MD's book Marijuana:The Forbidden Medicine,you'll learn a thing or two,or do a web search on all of the medical uses both now and those being researched for future uses. it actually has far more varied and effective (w/out the side effects of opioids)uses than morphine or codeine and as another said,there is evidence that it cures cancer (brain gliomas) and prevents others,(lung)...
it's all on the 'Net.it can be turned into a tincture, a spritz (as is being done in canada,patches,etc.) not to mention the 100's of uses of the non-THC Hemp plant for fiber,Bio-fuel,oils,food,on and on and on....!

dennis23 — Wed Aug. 20th 5:12p.m.

There are marijuana 'pills' that are called Marinol. However, as with ALL prescription meds., there are many other compounds that are used to make the pills. The ONLY true way for patients to get 100% of the benefit of the THC is to be able to grow it themselves. This is the only medication that I know of that is 100% pure. There are many ways in order to take the marijuana. It does NOT have to be smoked. There are candies, tintures, suppositories, butters, etc. Some people however, are not able to tolerate taking it 'internally'. I personally have witnessed a loved one that was close to death due to nausea, vomiting, and wt. loss. Once starting on this 'medication', the loved one has at least got some quality of life. They can eat more to gain wt., and take care of the nausea/vomiting with the same medication. It's really unfortunate that so many people are against this natural drug that has been around for how many years but are so ready to sign up for 'artifical drugs' and all their side affects!

Beach Bum — Thu Aug. 21st 11:32a.m.

As someone who has had two hip surgeries in the last year--and having suffered interminable and debilitating pain for five years--I feel compelled to advocate for medical marijuana. On the other hand, my own surreptitious use proved only to be a mild analgesic: It did not improve my overall ability to walk or sleep. I think it has its purpose, and certainly the federal government needs to relax: Marijuana is not Meth. I agree with the comments below; our governments could exploit marijuana for tax revenue to support health care, while eradicating the black market altogether.

eberg75 — Wed Aug. 20th 12:10p.m.

In Washington the law RCW.69.51A is totally egnored by law inforcement and the judges who are there to protect people like me but instead they take everything i own and treat me like a crimenal there is no help coming my way I have been papered up since 2001 and ihave been being proacuted since 2004,2005,2006,2007,2008,andnow i still am being prosacuted. just type my name i the peirce cuonty linxs page or any other medical marijuana recamendation carring person in washington there is were the truht sits.

michealbyers — Wed Aug. 20th 12:18p.m.

I am a new patient on the Oregon Medical Marijuana Plan and the medication has worked wonders for me. Years ago, I had a bad skiing accident where I fractured several vertebrae among other injuries. Since then I have had chronic pain and associated nausea.
I was prescribed several different opiates, specifically codeine and vicodin, but they did not properly treat my symptoms. Opiates are fantastic pain relievers, but they increase nausea levels, making them unsuitable for my needs. They are also highly addictive.
Medical marijuana is the best solution for me since it decreases my pain and my nausea. There is a debate among the pharmacology community as to whether marijuana can be considered physically addictive, but it is certainly a safer alternative to giving people opiates.

DoubleSuited — Wed Aug. 20th 12:29p.m.

My developmentally delayed, barely verbal adult daughter used medical marijuana for pain in a tincure form. She can dose herself. It's much safer than trusting her to safely use painkilling prescription drugs or OTC drugs.

She doesn't get it anymore though because all the legal hoops we had to jump through were too stressful.

Species8472 — Wed Aug. 20th 12:30p.m.

What if Cannabis can CURE Cancer? In 1974 our own Gov't suppressed findings that clearly demonstrated the Cancer fighting properties of Cannabis.

Here, in this recent documentary we seemingly have Proof that indeed it can treat Cancer but most likely can CURE cancer in the most gentle and non-toxic manner.

Please take a moment to view this video. Rick Simpson of Nova Scotia reports he has RE-discovered a Cure for Cancer using THC. He reports that he not only cured his own Cancer, but has saved the lives of a few others stricken by this disease. His own Dr. did not want to discuss it with him! BigPharma agrees they make a Lot of money from Cancer Drugs. I doubt they would want to see the healing properties of Cannabis enter mainstream Pharmacopeia again anytime soon.
http://www.youtube.com/chrychek


The Feds ALREADY isolated and RE-scheduled, part of the Cannabis Plant.

THC (the psychoactive property that has "everybody" up in arms) was "re-scheduled" For the BENEFIT of PharmaCo's to allow for the manufacture of Cessamet and Marinol type drugs.

The US Government has filed for patents For Cannabis based medicines. The Federal Government also Grows, processes and Mails Cannabis medicines to 3 remaining Federal Cannabis Patients. They receive nearly 7 # each year.

THC re-scheduled to a Fed schedule III drug, which allows it to be prescribed, while the WHOLE plant remains a Fed schedule I, the MOST dangerous and toxic of all drugs.

The Feds isolated THC away from the whole plant to allow BigPharmaCo's the rights to synthesize THC and make profitable medicines.

Yet, 106,000 people will die this year alone from properly using Prescribed Pharma drugs.

More than 600,000 Die each year from Legal drugs like tobacco and alcohol. Fatalities attributable to all Illegal Drug use combined is just 17,000.

Cannabis, Zero Deaths in more than 5000 years of use.

I have to wonder what the heck is going on. We tax payers are burdened with an expense of $7.5 Billion each and every year, for Just Cannabis eradication programs. Why?
They rescheduled THC, to allow for Synthetic Cannabis medicine to be made by BigPharma, they grow it and mail it to Federal Patients and they file Patents.
I must suggest they Agree that Cannabis is an effective alternative herbal medicine

Who Profits from Cannabis Prohibition? When will cannabis Medicine become a matter of Health Care and Not a Political Issue?

De-Schedule Cannabis and allow for Patients to determine with their Dr. what the appropriate dosage might be. Any Medicine is dosed relative to the Person and their ailments!

friedamae — Wed Aug. 20th 12:34p.m.

Medical marijuana saved my child's life. Literally. She tried it as a last resort after multiple hospitalizations over five years for the diagnosis of anorexia nervosa. Due to medical marijuana she is now a productive member of society and no longer needs the medicine.

linda paloma — Wed Aug. 20th 12:37p.m.

Excellent program!

I am long time care giver and proponent of legalizing marijuana. Growers work hard to provide medicine (for a multitude of ailments). IN the spirit of capitalism (could it be the pharmaceutical companies who deem it necesarry to be illegal as it would otherwise eat into their profit margin) - We should be compensated for our time and expenses. In return we will gladly pay an appropriate tax.

Furthermore - please do not refer to marijuana as 'weed' or 'pot'. It is a powerful herb that should be respected and appreciated. Appropriate and respectful terms include herb, ganja, canabis, and of course marijuana.

community stewardship — Wed Aug. 20th 12:53p.m.

I have a spinal cord injury that causes central pain and spasms, two of the targets of medical marijuana.

There are two reasons that stop me from trying medical marijana:
1. Federal agencies will still prosecute users as criminals
2. Being labeled as a "drug seeker" would stop me from being able to obtain "legal" pain medications that I need from day to day.

So, instead, I use Lyrica ($250/month), and an opiod ($100), and put up with the strong side effects of these medications.

It doesn't matter what state laws are as long as federal agencies are able and willing to prosecute users.

BondoMan — Wed Aug. 20th 12:56p.m.

My mother died of cancer years ago after suffering through pain that drugs like pot, hash, opium, and cocaine could have relieved. The British had something called something like a Broumpton Cocktail which if I recall correctly had heroin to relieve the pain and cocaine to keep the patient alert and not woozy.

I gave up any pretense that the US government had any rational and logical reason for keeping those drugs illegal. They certainly did not have my mothers best interests in mind.

I don't use any of those but I think they should be legalized and taxed. I think that anyone who wants to use any drug ought to be schooled in everything about that drug and then given a license wherein they acknowledge all of the dangers and benefits of that drug and take full responsibility for their actions while under that drug.

Tom D Ford — Wed Aug. 20th 12:58p.m.

Since medical marijuana users need medication constantly, are they always high? Can one function normally when using medical marijuana?

NathanderWeise — Wed Aug. 20th 12:58p.m.

no,they are not.two or three hits are all i need for me to take the edge of the spine pain that keeps me up at night.plus the C.indica/sativa crosses common now give more a body relaxing effect than a "head high" as the '60's and '70's C.Sativa strains did.

dennis23 — Wed Aug. 20th 5:15p.m.

What a misconception that people that use medical marijuana are 'always high'. Most patients take just a couple of small hits (if smoking) to take the edge off. If the patient is taking it internally (ie-tinctures, suppositories, etc.) than the patient has to take alot more, but again, they are not high!

Beach Bum — Thu Aug. 21st 11:45a.m.

The fact that we even have to have this discussion is absurd. First of all, The State has absolutely NO right to control a natural plant. Adding to that is the fact that alcohol, an extremely dangerous drug, is LEGAL, while safe and beneficial marijuana is not, makes the discussion even more absurd. But one aspect of the debate that has not been brought up in the discussion is the government's motivations for keeping this helpful herb illegal and controlled. Read "The Emperor wears No Clothes," and other books that re-count the history of cannabis prohibition for some of those reasons. But an obvious force behind illegalization is the pharmaceutical companies who pander their dangerous synthetic drugs incessantly on TV. How much would their profits fall if, for example, it was discovered that marijuana is far more effective than Viagra or Cialis?
Another point: Marijuana has been a recognized medicine for eons. I was reading a 600 year old pharmaceutical guidebook in Venice,Italy, and found a drawing and description of Cannabis as a very effective medicine for many ailments. In addition, on a tour of the Smithsonian Institution's Museum of Science and Industry in 1980, we saw an exhibition of an old-time U.S. pharmacy. On the shelf with other medicinal herbs was a large jar of "Cannabis Sativa." So, Cannabis was respected as a venerable and safe medicine long before our government started a vicious propaganda campaign to darken its reputation, and to convince the majority of people (who apparently don't apply critical thinking skills) to believe that marijuana was an evil weed.
Also, as a nation we have caused ourselves much economic harm by the war on marijuana, in the costs of enforcement, incarceration, and the excessive costs of pharmaceutical drugs that don't even work as well as marijuana.
Add to all this insanity the fact that we are cutting down trees to make paper when cannabis is a much safer and more renewal resource for that purpose. But our government has frightened the masses so much about "the evil weed" that large-scale cannabis farming is not an option.

Alexandra — Wed Aug. 20th 1:10p.m.

At least the Washington Law Enforcement Officials have the Right Idea.

Medical needs and limits should be set by Medical People.

Mr. Jerry Wade is right, In that he and his organization made a huge step backwards for patients. When they sat down with the police to discus this issue. "They" came up with new definitions as to what a mature plant is, that are not based on plant growth or science at all. They just picked a # and said if your Seedling/Start grows this tall "YOU GO TO JAIL".

I saw this law abused in a Marion County Courtroom this spring.

I say let the doctors and patients set their individual limits and let horticultural experts decide when a plant is mature.

Let Law Enforcement Officers enforce the law, how about you all go bust a tweaker or rapist and let the sick people heal.

Again KUDOS to the Washington Police for knowing their job or what it's not.

R.I.

Right Idea — Wed Aug. 20th 2:10p.m.

Hi,OBP People!
After not partaking of Cannabis for many years,I was desperate to find an effective pain reliever for chronic spinal pain from neck to tailbone caused by degenerative changes(aging),auto accidents,motorcycle jumps,sports,etc.etc.
I was presribed Tylenol#3 and Vicodin and oxycontin for short times,but the prescriptions were not renewed and Tylenol PM is not strong enough.
I am on anticoagulants and so cannot take stonger NSAIDS like Aleve,etc.
Those are also very bad for the liver and kidneys and cause stomach bleeding so obviously they are not an option for me.I am also on various meds for hypertension which can be hard on the kidneys,so that's another reason for not taking stuff like Aleve or too much Tylenol.i hope Cannabis can help my hypertension,also.
I tried Cannabis after thinking about it for a while...I stopped in the '80s
as I supposedly "grew out of it" after the '60's and '70's came and went.
I read a lot of material on the medical applications of Cannabis and have found that there are literally hundreds of them,both in research and in use w/ patients.
Some are traditional such as chemo-nausea and glaucoma relief,muscle spasm relief,etc. and then i read about people using it for chronic pain relief.
Mine is manageable w/out anything to relieve during the day;but at night,when i was trying to sleep,the pain kept me awake for hours.
I have found that Cannabis works very well for me to take the edge off the pain in my neck,mid and lower back/spine well enough for me to get to sleep and get a good 5 hours at least. i also take a melatonin tab w/ valerian and another herb (not kava-kava or hops or chamomille) to help,along with a benadryl and/or a tab of tylenol PM,if the pain is real bad.
I think it the hypocrisy,double-dealing and over all BS from the Feds,as cited by others on this thread, should stop,NOW. This herb is for the healing of the nations and the "authorities" who have rendered it illegal are just throwing God's gift to man back in His/Her's face. it is a true miracle "drug". (a "drug" is not what it is,it's more like a food.)
Read the following books: Marijuana the Forbidden Medicine by Dr. Grinspoon and The Benefits of Marijuana by Joan Bello.available on Amazon.com,or Powell's!
In about 10,000 years of use,there is not one documented case of death caused by it's toxicity (of which it has none),which cannot be said of "legal"tobacco,alcohol,many other "legal" drugs approved by Big Brother.
i believe that humans evolved w/ cannabis as an ally to us and that it is needed to maintain our balance and health,both in mind,body and spirit.without it,we become sick and out of balance,leading to all sorts of stress-related diseases as is evidenced by the state of our health as a whole in this day and age.(lousy,that is). i got a "card" to use it medically from washington state recently and am grateful for that.
hopefully,someday before i shuffle off this mortal coil,cannabis will be legalized,if not for "any" reason,at least for medical reasons by the hypocritical Feds.

dennis23 — Wed Aug. 20th 4:47p.m.

I respect Jerry Wade's position of trying to keep the issue of legalizing the medicinal aspects of cannabis apart from the legalization of marijuana. That is an uphill battle given the fact that marijuana is listed as a schedule one drug in Oregon and by the feds. As such, marijuana cannot, by law, even be made available as medicine; schedule one precludes marijuana to be prescribed by doctors.

Yes, THC is listed as schedule three which also leads to the conclusion that controlled substance laws, as applied to cannabis is illogical, irrational, and perhaps the most damaging laws to the rights, health, and general welfare of citizens (even deadly given the outgrowth of the militarization of law enforcement as a result). The controlled substance laws has damaged our constitutional republic almost as much as slavery laws. In fact, the history cannabis prohibition is directly founded upon racial discrimination, absurd lies, political repression.

One wonders about those who keep pushing these accute aburdities given the documentated history of prohibition. These prohibitionist must represent evil personified. I mean, the destruction of families, careers, reputations and incarcerating people over a relatively harmless plant is mean spirited, hateful, and downright evil.

TOL-Doug — Thu Aug. 21st 12:58a.m.

The point that I would like to focus on is recreation and the calculation that the host performed. She talked to the guest about her usage?about one ounce or 28 grams a week, that's 1,456 grams a year. The host did a rough calculation and determined that 1,456 grams would produced about 1,000 joints. This calculation demonstrates the lack of understanding people have about marijuana. That means if an individual is paying for it at street value, s/he would be paying roughly 20 dollars a joint (~1.4 grams)! For myself, I may roll .33 grams worth of marijuana to produce one oint and if I used 1,456 grams, I would be able to produce 4,412 joints a year. Furthermore, the guest was pretty accurate when she mentioned that smoking a joint is pretty primitive in comparison to other methods: water pipe, vaporizer, and etc.... Moreover, marijuana has been selectively bread to produce heavy resin flowers which becomes very tacky and unsuitable for rolling marijuana cigarettes, therefore, it is logical to turn to other more efficient methods to consume the substance.

I thought there needed to be another voice among the conversation and this is just that, one voice from one person based on experience?take it for what it is...

sims507 — Thu Aug. 21st 3:59p.m.

Are you a resident of Oregon or Washington who uses marijuana for medical purposes?

I am a resident of Oregon and have been a cardholder since 2003.
I am offended by your reference to ?pot? and ?weed? throughout your broadcast. It shows that you along with so many outside of the OMMP have no respect for those of us who ?know? the value of cannabis as medicine.
I use ?cannabis? as medicine for the pain and spasticity associated with my multiple sclerosis?..I use a ?pot? for cooking and if there is a ?weed? in my garden I pull it up.

How should a state -- or federal -- government determine how much weed cannabis is enough (or too much) for a patient?

First and foremost federal involvement in a ?states right? to have qualified citzens use cannabis as medicine should not be allowed. Currently the federal government tolerates our program here in Oregon with an unwritten ( at least I cant find it) policy that to my understanding says ?stay under 100 plants in any one garden and you will have no problem?.
So the question remains how should a state determine how much cannbis is enough?
In listening to your panel it seems the question should be ?enough for what?. Enough cannabis for those patients who smoke?...vape?...grow outdoors?...make edibles? ?hash?...or tinctures?.
In order to have the ?state? answer these questions you need to have state officials who believe in the program that is in place.
Currently here in Oregon the program is under the ?stewardship? of the DHS. The DHS has two rolls to play. First is to be the ?Ticketmaster? for those who qualify for the program?they take the money and keep the books.
The second roll is to be the ?gatekeeper?. Protect the other DHS programs that ?do? receive federal dollars from losing funding should the DHS expand or promote the OMMP. The DEA?s boot is definitely on the neck of the DHS. The state/DHS does not consider cannabis as medicine outside of the OMMP and they want to keep it that way as to not rock the federal money boat.
So who is left to help us here in Oregon to answer the question of ? how much is enough??
Oh Yeah?.we have the Advisory Committee on Medical Marijuana ( ACMM ).
Eleven members appointed by the director of the DHS to represent the patients of the OMMP. Some of who push their own agendas to create a ?marijuana industry? to better serve the number of patients flooding the program due to a questionable ?clinic industry?.
The infighting and mistrust these members have for each other does nothing for the patients of Oregon.
Perhaps the new ?Rules Advisory Committee? that is being formed will better focus on the needs of patients and less on agendas.
So the question will remain unanswered until they all turn to the same page?the page titled...?Hey remember us...we?re the patients?.

What can Washington learn from Oregon's example?

1)Reschedule cannabis on a state level and tell the feds to ?butt out?this state believes in cannabis as medicine and will fight for our citizens rights?
2)Form a governing body of the program that includes the DHS, DA?s office, legislators, State and local law enforcement and patients.
3)Consistent enforcement of the laws set forth by your program.

berserker101 — Thu Aug. 21st 6:23p.m.

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