Comments on: Raich’s Options: Die or Go to Jail http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/03/15/raich%e2%80%99s-options-die-or-go-to-jail/ Life. Liberty. Property. Defending individual freedom and liberty, one post at a time. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:11:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: js290 http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/03/15/raich%e2%80%99s-options-die-or-go-to-jail/#comment-19885 js290 Wed, 21 Mar 2007 06:18:36 +0000 http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/03/15/raich%e2%80%99s-options-die-or-go-to-jail/#comment-19885 http://www.autodogmatic.com/index.php/sst/2007/03/15/stalinist_police_state_gone_wild#c3862 http://www.autodogmatic.com/index.php/sst/2007/03/15/stalinist_police_state_gone_wild#c3862

]]> By: Hal Ferguson http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/03/15/raich%e2%80%99s-options-die-or-go-to-jail/#comment-18265 Hal Ferguson Sat, 17 Mar 2007 22:21:19 +0000 http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/03/15/raich%e2%80%99s-options-die-or-go-to-jail/#comment-18265 test test

]]> By: charles http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/03/15/raich%e2%80%99s-options-die-or-go-to-jail/#comment-17389 charles Fri, 16 Mar 2007 12:13:09 +0000 http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/03/15/raich%e2%80%99s-options-die-or-go-to-jail/#comment-17389 Anslinger, and the congress completely ignored the scientific evidence when first developing the legal machinery of drug prohibition. And it is a fact that the first drug prohibitions were aimed at Mexican and Chinese immigrants. The newspapers,with the help of William Randolph Hearst, contributed to the public hysteria. But now, drug laws are so ingrained in law and public perception, with vast bureaucracies instituted for their perpetuation, no amount of contradictory scientific evidence will induce change. This is especially true with regard to marijuana. Anslinger, and the congress completely ignored the scientific evidence when first developing the legal machinery of drug prohibition. And it is a fact that the first drug prohibitions were aimed at Mexican and Chinese immigrants. The newspapers,with the help of William Randolph Hearst, contributed to the public hysteria. But now, drug laws are so ingrained in law and public perception, with vast bureaucracies instituted for their perpetuation, no amount of contradictory scientific evidence will induce change. This is especially true with regard to marijuana.

]]> By: Tony LaRocca http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/03/15/raich%e2%80%99s-options-die-or-go-to-jail/#comment-17378 Tony LaRocca Fri, 16 Mar 2007 11:30:16 +0000 http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/03/15/raich%e2%80%99s-options-die-or-go-to-jail/#comment-17378 The only reason marijuana is not legal in this country is because you can easily grow it yourself. There is no way for the government to put a hefty tax on it, no way for the pharmaceutical lobbies to make a killing. The only reason marijuana is not legal in this country is because you can easily grow it yourself. There is no way for the government to put a hefty tax on it, no way for the pharmaceutical lobbies to make a killing.

]]> By: joe schmoe http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/03/15/raich%e2%80%99s-options-die-or-go-to-jail/#comment-17364 joe schmoe Fri, 16 Mar 2007 07:45:15 +0000 http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/03/15/raich%e2%80%99s-options-die-or-go-to-jail/#comment-17364 Everyone should look at the events surrounding the criminalization of marijuana. Drug cZar Anslinger used racial bigotry and total disregard for medical professionals in a quest to make the herb illegal. Everyone should look at the events surrounding the criminalization of marijuana. Drug cZar Anslinger used racial bigotry and total disregard for medical professionals in a quest to make the herb illegal.

]]> By: Just another casualty of the war on (some) drugs « Blunt Object http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/03/15/raich%e2%80%99s-options-die-or-go-to-jail/#comment-17363 Just another casualty of the war on (some) drugs « Blunt Object Fri, 16 Mar 2007 06:52:17 +0000 http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/03/15/raich%e2%80%99s-options-die-or-go-to-jail/#comment-17363 [...] Die or Go to Jail (The Liberty Papers) [...] [...] Die or Go to Jail (The Liberty Papers) [...]

]]> By: Stephen Littau http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/03/15/raich%e2%80%99s-options-die-or-go-to-jail/#comment-17359 Stephen Littau Fri, 16 Mar 2007 05:43:28 +0000 http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/03/15/raich%e2%80%99s-options-die-or-go-to-jail/#comment-17359 Good point Matt. I challenge anyone to find me one documented case where someone has overdosed and died as a result of smoking pot. I assure you, you will not find one. Good point Matt. I challenge anyone to find me one documented case where someone has overdosed and died as a result of smoking pot. I assure you, you will not find one.

]]> By: k_the_c http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/03/15/raich%e2%80%99s-options-die-or-go-to-jail/#comment-17357 k_the_c Fri, 16 Mar 2007 05:40:21 +0000 http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/03/15/raich%e2%80%99s-options-die-or-go-to-jail/#comment-17357 Theus: Cannabis forests were found growing 10ft tall in Afghanistan. You know what else grows in Afghanistan? Rocks. If people can get relief from pain, or even benefits (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4286435.stm) from something they can grow and cultivate in their back yard, what is the economic motivation, especially for lower income people, to buy expensive synthetic drugs? Tom Blanton: Somehow I doubt Boortz is a "libertarian" in the laissez-faire, non-coercive sense. amused physician: Simply decriminalizing would suffice. Plus, it doesn't have to be about "curing." What if marijuana relieves her pain economically? I mean, do you propose prescribing her more expensive, possibly more addictive, medication? MonsterMatt: All the potent "legal" pain killers are opium based... To Arne's point, simply follow the money. Things are "illegal" because someone else is benefiting from such coercive government intervention to keep it so. Theus: Cannabis forests were found growing 10ft tall in Afghanistan. You know what else grows in Afghanistan? Rocks. If people can get relief from pain, or even benefits (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4286435.stm) from something they can grow and cultivate in their back yard, what is the economic motivation, especially for lower income people, to buy expensive synthetic drugs?

Tom Blanton: Somehow I doubt Boortz is a “libertarian” in the laissez-faire, non-coercive sense.

amused physician: Simply decriminalizing would suffice. Plus, it doesn’t have to be about “curing.” What if marijuana relieves her pain economically? I mean, do you propose prescribing her more expensive, possibly more addictive, medication?

MonsterMatt: All the potent “legal” pain killers are opium based…

To Arne’s point, simply follow the money. Things are “illegal” because someone else is benefiting from such coercive government intervention to keep it so.

]]> By: MonsterMatt http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/03/15/raich%e2%80%99s-options-die-or-go-to-jail/#comment-17356 MonsterMatt Fri, 16 Mar 2007 05:31:20 +0000 http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/03/15/raich%e2%80%99s-options-die-or-go-to-jail/#comment-17356 Fascinating thread...just one more thing to consider... The federal government (and probably several big companies - like pharmacutical and chemical companies - has repeatedly suppressed legitimate scientific research into the medical benefits and risks of marijuana. They have not been so controlling with "hard" drugs such as heroin and cocaine, simply because those "hard" drugs are CLEARLY dangerous. Marijuana isn't, and so they suppress research on it. They are afraid that if enough research is done, the scientific community, as well as the average Earth-citizen, will realize it is not dangerous. You can check this out yourself. Do a search in the various medical journals comparing marijuana-articles to alcohol- or tobacco-articles. The powers that be suppress this research because they fear people will see the "emperor has no clothes on". If everyone came to realize that it is FAR LESS DANGEROUS than alcohol, lots of people would put away that 40oz and light up a joint. Comments are welcome at monstermattxl@yahoo.com Fascinating thread…just one more thing to consider…

The federal government (and probably several big companies – like pharmacutical and chemical companies – has repeatedly suppressed legitimate scientific research into the medical benefits and risks of marijuana. They have not been so controlling with “hard” drugs such as heroin and cocaine, simply because those “hard” drugs are CLEARLY dangerous. Marijuana isn’t, and so they suppress research on it. They are afraid that if enough research is done, the scientific community, as well as the average Earth-citizen, will realize it is not dangerous. You can check this out yourself. Do a search in the various medical journals comparing marijuana-articles to alcohol- or tobacco-articles. The powers that be suppress this research because they fear people will see the “emperor has no clothes on”. If everyone came to realize that it is FAR LESS DANGEROUS than alcohol, lots of people would put away that 40oz and light up a joint.

Comments are welcome at monstermattxl@yahoo.com

]]> By: Stephen Littau http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/03/15/raich%e2%80%99s-options-die-or-go-to-jail/#comment-17355 Stephen Littau Fri, 16 Mar 2007 05:26:32 +0000 http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/03/15/raich%e2%80%99s-options-die-or-go-to-jail/#comment-17355 For what its worth, I did find this article on The Boston Globe website: http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2007/03/01/marijuana_as_wonder_drug/ I found this paragraph particularly compelling: "The study, from the University of California at San Francisco, found smoked marijuana to be effective at relieving the extreme pain of a debilitating condition known as peripheral neuropathy. It was a study of HIV patients, but a similar type of pain caused by damage to nerves afflicts people with many other illnesses including diabetes and multiple sclerosis. Neuropathic pain is notoriously resistant to treatment with conventional pain drugs. Even powerful and addictive narcotics like morphine and OxyContin often provide little relief. This study leaves no doubt that marijuana can safely ease this type of pain." Never in this post did I say anything about marijuana curing cancer or curing any condition for that matter. What medical marijuana does do is allow people who are suffering to have some relief. As Raich's doctor pointed out, if she were to be taken off this regimen, she could die of malnutrition or starvation. If you still think this is far fetched, take a look at what happened to Peter McWilliams whenever he was denied his right to use medical marijuana for his conditions: http://www.petermcwilliams.org/articles/WhyWasPeterMurdered.html He would still be alive today if not for the arrogance of our government. For what its worth, I did find this article on The Boston Globe website: http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2007/03/01/marijuana_as_wonder_drug/

I found this paragraph particularly compelling:

“The study, from the University of California at San Francisco, found smoked marijuana to be effective at relieving the extreme pain of a debilitating condition known as peripheral neuropathy. It was a study of HIV patients, but a similar type of pain caused by damage to nerves afflicts people with many other illnesses including diabetes and multiple sclerosis. Neuropathic pain is notoriously resistant to treatment with conventional pain drugs. Even powerful and addictive narcotics like morphine and OxyContin often provide little relief. This study leaves no doubt that marijuana can safely ease this type of pain.”

Never in this post did I say anything about marijuana curing cancer or curing any condition for that matter. What medical marijuana does do is allow people who are suffering to have some relief. As Raich’s doctor pointed out, if she were to be taken off this regimen, she could die of malnutrition or starvation.

If you still think this is far fetched, take a look at what happened to Peter McWilliams whenever he was denied his right to use medical marijuana for his conditions: http://www.petermcwilliams.org/articles/WhyWasPeterMurdered.html

He would still be alive today if not for the arrogance of our government.

]]> By: LocDogg http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/03/15/raich%e2%80%99s-options-die-or-go-to-jail/#comment-17352 LocDogg Fri, 16 Mar 2007 05:00:54 +0000 http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/03/15/raich%e2%80%99s-options-die-or-go-to-jail/#comment-17352 Well, if she is terminal and definetly going to die, then she should say F-it and smoke anyway. And when the FEDS show up, blast'em outta their shoes, and go down with a fight, taking out some mindless Stormtroopers. If our government is permitted to control our lives all the way down to where it affects our personal health are we really free? We have to accept the fact that they do not have our best interests in mind and sometimes that will conflict with what is right for you or your family. If a government mandate is passed and it puts your children in harms way will you obey or will you fight? Well, if she is terminal and definetly going to die, then she should say F-it and smoke anyway. And when the FEDS show up, blast’em outta their shoes, and go down with a fight, taking out some mindless Stormtroopers. If our government is permitted to control our lives all the way down to where it affects our personal health are we really free? We have to accept the fact that they do not have our best interests in mind and sometimes that will conflict with what is right for you or your family. If a government mandate is passed and it puts your children in harms way will you obey or will you fight?

]]> By: an amused physician http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/03/15/raich%e2%80%99s-options-die-or-go-to-jail/#comment-17351 an amused physician Fri, 16 Mar 2007 04:34:34 +0000 http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/03/15/raich%e2%80%99s-options-die-or-go-to-jail/#comment-17351 I'm not commenting on whether marijuana should be legal or not, just on the medical statements made. No where is a terminal condition mentioned. They do not state she has cancer, but a tumor. Tumors can be benign. In any case, marijuana does not cure brain tumors, period. Nor does it cure or improved seizures. TMJ and scoliosis are extremely common, non-lethal conditions---jaw ache and a curve to the spine. Probably a majority of those reading this have a little of both. those trying to push for legalization should choose a better poster child, this woman is essentially saying she needs marijuana for a sore jaw, usually treated quite easily with motrin and/or a mouth piece. I’m not commenting on whether marijuana should be legal or not, just on the medical statements made. No where is a terminal condition mentioned. They do not state she has cancer, but a tumor. Tumors can be benign. In any case, marijuana does not cure brain tumors, period. Nor does it cure or improved seizures. TMJ and scoliosis are extremely common, non-lethal conditions—jaw ache and a curve to the spine. Probably a majority of those reading this have a little of both.

those trying to push for legalization should choose a better poster child, this woman is essentially saying she needs marijuana for a sore jaw, usually treated quite easily with motrin and/or a mouth piece.

]]> By: Tom Blanton http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/03/15/raich%e2%80%99s-options-die-or-go-to-jail/#comment-17350 Tom Blanton Fri, 16 Mar 2007 03:53:16 +0000 http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/03/15/raich%e2%80%99s-options-die-or-go-to-jail/#comment-17350 There was a time in the libertarian movement when legalizing drugs was advocated with vigor. Then came the mainstreaming. All of a sudden a lot of moderate libertarians decided that people just weren't ready for ending drug prohibition and it might alienate the law and order fascists. Guys like Neal Boortz ridiculed libertarians for advocating marijuana legalization, claiming they were hemp jacket wearing hippies that were destroying the LP. Presidential candidate Steve Kubby is currently being marginalized because of the marijuana issue - hardly his only issue. Maybe it is time for libertarians and conservatives pretending to be libertarians to re-examine this strategy regarding drug prohibition - especially in light of the fact that America is now the world's largest jailer. How can conservatives claim that America is the beacon of freedom when it has more prisoners than any other nation in the world? Marijuana should have been legalized over 30 years ago! There was a time in the libertarian movement when legalizing drugs was advocated with vigor. Then came the mainstreaming. All of a sudden a lot of moderate libertarians decided that people just weren’t ready for ending drug prohibition and it might alienate the law and order fascists.

Guys like Neal Boortz ridiculed libertarians for advocating marijuana legalization, claiming they were hemp jacket wearing hippies that were destroying the LP. Presidential candidate Steve Kubby is currently being marginalized because of the marijuana issue – hardly his only issue.

Maybe it is time for libertarians and conservatives pretending to be libertarians to re-examine this strategy regarding drug prohibition – especially in light of the fact that America is now the world’s largest jailer. How can conservatives claim that America is the beacon of freedom when it has more prisoners than any other nation in the world?

Marijuana should have been legalized over 30 years ago!

]]> By: BEP http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/03/15/raich%e2%80%99s-options-die-or-go-to-jail/#comment-17349 BEP Fri, 16 Mar 2007 03:40:25 +0000 http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/03/15/raich%e2%80%99s-options-die-or-go-to-jail/#comment-17349 My Mom has osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. She takes an unbelievable amount of pills and it's only an amount of time until this gets her organs (unless a miracle happens-- like finding a cure). I'm talking maybe 20 pills of all different sorts a day just so she can take care of herself (like washing). She is in a wheelchair more often nowadays. I spoke with a doctor who said it's a shame that she can't use pot. Not all, but most of those pills could be replaced. When she 'comes down' from those pills, it's not like she's just a little tired, she's down until the next pill. I should also mention that her generation believes pot is equal to heroin or cocaine though, and she'd only take it if a doctor she respected prescribed it to her. My Mom has osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. She takes an unbelievable amount of pills and it’s only an amount of time until this gets her organs (unless a miracle happens– like finding a cure). I’m talking maybe 20 pills of all different sorts a day just so she can take care of herself (like washing). She is in a wheelchair more often nowadays. I spoke with a doctor who said it’s a shame that she can’t use pot. Not all, but most of those pills could be replaced. When she ‘comes down’ from those pills, it’s not like she’s just a little tired, she’s down until the next pill. I should also mention that her generation believes pot is equal to heroin or cocaine though, and she’d only take it if a doctor she respected prescribed it to her.

]]> By: VRB http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/03/15/raich%e2%80%99s-options-die-or-go-to-jail/#comment-17348 VRB Fri, 16 Mar 2007 03:18:45 +0000 http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/03/15/raich%e2%80%99s-options-die-or-go-to-jail/#comment-17348 TheKing, Even if the marijuana has no physical effect on her illness, placebos can be powerful. It what works. There is no virtue in suffering. TheKing,
Even if the marijuana has no physical effect on her illness, placebos can be powerful. It what works. There is no virtue in suffering.

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