News Story: Dying woman CAN be federally prosecuted for medicinal marijuana

[ErinENj]

Here's the link to a story about a woman, dying from numerous diseases and conditions, who can be brought up on federal drug charges. Medicinal marijuana is legal in California, but somehow illegal in the U.S. I'm not sure how the laws work, but she can and probably will be charged for marijuana use even though both her and her doctor(s) say that conventional medications won't help and that she needs the marijuana in order to both control her pain and give her at least a little appetite. Take a look at this story....They say that it'll probably go to the US Supreme court, but this court has a strong history of "ruling against the ill and dying." Gee, let's make sure that this and other chronically ill people have to suffer as much as possible because prescriptions don't work for them, and goodness forbid the federal government thinks outside the line and allow people to be treated with something else besides prescription meds, and actually break the prescription industry's monopoly over the treatment of illnesses, especially the chronic ones. That'd be a lot of money the prescription companies would stop making and make sure that even less money goes to the federal government's pockets....Anyway...check this article out...

http://news.aol.com/topnews/articles/_a/dying-woman-loses-marijuana-appeal/20070314133209990001?ncid=NWS00010000000001

[Pharmacist.steve]

This is a on-going battle between state's rights and when they are in conflict with Federal Law. Traditionally, when a state and fed law are in conflict the most strict law applies. There are some 12 states (I think) that have legalized MJ for medicinal use but the Feds have been raiding a number of the state licensed distribution outlets in CALF of late. Just another innocent victim and collateral damage from our "war on drugs"

[Sunshine2]

What gets me about this is have any of us ever heard of anyone dying from a merijuana overdose? Nope...but people die all the time from the pain meds and some cause ulcers, etc, also............I can't even take half the things I've been prescribed for pain because it tears up my stomache and the pain never truly goes away, I even wake up at night from pain....its ok for us to suffer like this and take narcotic pain relievers that could kill us....but be can go to prison for pharmecutial natural substances!!!

blah.

[curiousforever]

I thought medicinal use of it was legal in CA. I'm so confused about why she's being sued - since it is legal there.

[Pharmacist.steve]

I thought medicinal use of it was legal in CA. I'm so confused about why she's being sued - since it is legal there.

It is LEGAL by STATE LAW .. but it is ILLEGAL by FEDERAL LAW.. It is not the state authorities taking action it is the DEA

[lobelsteve]

Mrs Raich has been a very vocal antagonist in the case and essentially dared law enforcement to take action. She is very public and craves the media attention. The article from AP was so biased it was laughable. This lady smokes more pot than most grateful dead cover bands.

The use of THC for pain is experimental. The cannabinoid receptor can inhibit pain transmission at the spinal level. Opioids are far superior analgesics than THC in all experimental nociceptive models (dental pain, hot-plate, tail flick).
If this lady would just shut up and smoke her dope, the govt would leave her alone. She suffers from fatal scoliosis and nausea, as well as a brain tumor.
If it were a Glioblastoma multiforme, I'd be more inclined to say smoke away, but if it were a pituitary adenoma- I'd cut off her supply. But I'm not a drug dealer. I have zero patients on Marinol and Sativa. Yet, I do see a fair number of + Urine screens for THC.

[Bobbi]

Federal law takes precedent over state law. (Basically: though CA voters approved the use of marijuana for medicinial purposes, federal law still says it's a no-no.)

I thought medicinal use of it was legal in CA. I'm so confused about why she's being sued - since it is legal there.

[Matuboo]

Bolshevism at it's worst.:rolleyes: Even Stalin himself would probably cringe at this blatent display of cruelty.

[Mark N]

If you are going to advocate for the legal use of marijuana then come out for it and do your best to convince legislators to legalize it. People do die from the smoking effects of marijuana but it shows up under cancer and emphasyma and is not attributed to marijauna or a car accident. There have been many attempt to show the medical uses of marijauna and there just hasn't been much correlation that it works better than other meds.
Steve, thanks for adding the info about the lady being prosecuted. If you look it up you see the story isn't everything it is made out to be.

[Bobbi]

Mark, I, for one, would not take a stance on the forums. It's still in the realm of "political-judicial." (I ain't going to see myself banned for taking a stance.)

Medicinal marjiuna can be endorsed, approved, sanctioned... whatever at the state level throughout every state, but... that really matters not. Federal law over-rides state law.

It's also: states have their own Constitutions, but, those also do not surpass (and never will) the U.S. Constitution, which over-rides all-else. (Hence, the U.S. Supreme Court, the ultimate body of appeal.)

I've had room-mates with boyfriends whom toked away on weed (no medical basis for them doing so) and I've also dated a couple of guys whom seemed to think it a daily "staple." It smelled like sh*t, and will always smell like sh*t, as far as I know.

People do abuse, and also subject people to the stink of it when folks have said: "Don't use it around me." Been there, done that, and ... Well, people "push" to extremes without regard for those whom could very well fall within the scope of "state" statutes... and others being tested by their PM docs, and their bodies retaining the THC.

There are some with pain and ... they may do as they wish, but when they have been told, quite directly "Don't do it around me" and they do it anyway... that's selfish. It isn't only one person whom can lose treatment but anyone whom is tested and shows positive for THC.

Some people have no regard for others.

I can't stand the sh*t. It smells worse than dog poop.

[curiousforever]

I know NOTHING about it. Never done it. If someone was doing it I was outta there.

So I have no clue.

[Kevin Jackson]

I'm a veteran. Suffered a T B I in "98" non service conected. I gave their meds 5yrs. to help not only the T B I but the ressidue of their programing effects. No sex drive, so out of it, I can't accomplish much in a day,weight gain,water weight, got liver problems already. So you know the meds(pills) sho anite the way to go. What I have found is that cannibus helps depression,anxity,sleep,anger,mood swings.
I'm sure all of you know. Their has been no proof of addicting effect, mental or psysical damage cause by this, what is lable a drug. I ponder myself on the whys. But as long as we stick together their will be a change. Like a lot of you I hope I'm not deid before it happens.

[californiaDana]

Please dont judge till you have walked in the persons shoes


Dana

[Kevin Jackson]

What am I judging. If I gave that idea to you I am sorry:D

[californiaDana]

No Not you Kevin at all, I was just talking generally. Sorry if you thought it was you.

[Kevin Jackson]

Ya know what they say about asumpsion. My falt luv.:)