Should marijuana be legal for medical purposes in Pennsylvania? Legalized period?

Thursday, 07 July 2011 14:30

Should marijuana be legal for medical purposes in Pennsylvania? Legalized period?

Written by Scott LaMar, Director of Radio Smart Talk

Radio Smart Talk for Friday, July 8:

Should marijuana be decriminalized (or legalized if you wish) to provide pain relief or soften the symptoms of certain illnesses or medical conditions? Fourteen states across the country are allowing cancer, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS and other patients to smoke marijuana to treat their diseases. Legislation is pending in Pennsylvania that would do just that.

There is research from reputable organizations to show that marijuana is useful in treating several conditions and making them more bearable for the patients.

Opponents say medical marijuana bills are nothing more than step one toward full legalization of marijuana and those opponents see pot as a gateway to other drugs and unhealthy to begin with.

Do the bills (one each in the House and Senate) stand a chance of passage?

What do you think? Should mariijuana be legalized for medicinal purposes?

Friday's Radio Smart Talk will feature Chris Goldstein of Pennsylvanians for Medical Marijuana and of Philly NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) and Cumberland County District Attorney David Freed.

LISTEN TO PROGRAM:

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comments

# crosay 2011-07-07 15:49

yes every state should have medical marijuana!

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# Faye Haering 2011-07-08 10:19

I strongly feel that we should legalize medical marijuana for medicinal purposes.

Faye Haering
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# not a smoker 2011-07-11 05:38

WITF did a great job of allowing both sides of the story. The prosecutors side is a sad tale that has been spoken over and over for the past couple of decades. The good people that spoke the truth have been clear about everything over and over again. I'm not sure who doesn't get it by now, unless they are paid to put people in jail for it. Marijuana is great for making THEM money. However, there are so many holes in the prosecuters case. I have met with many addicts and they will all tell you marijuana is a joke. It is NOTHING compared to the heroin, oxycotin, meth, crack, or alcohol addictions. This debate has gone on too long. Marijuana is not bad. I'm tired of this discussion. States like California and Colorado are speaking up. Stop the nonsense.

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# rawful 2011-07-08 07:33

"Opponents say medical marijuana bills are nothing more than step one toward full legalization of marijuana..."

I would hope so. Nobody has ever died from cannabis use, even the FBI admits this. It's the most useful plant in the world. It's legal status has nothing to do with it's health effects (which are harmless), it's simply the powerful industries not wanting to lose money.

Bottom line - the government does NOT own your body.

If you know someone who is suffering from cancer or other illnesses, search RICK SIMPSON RUN FROM THE CURE on YouTube. You will be amazed at what the real effects of cannabis are.

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# Rob Anderson 2011-07-08 09:56

Quoting rawful:

"Opponents say medical marijuana bills are nothing more than step one toward full legalization of marijuana..."

I would hope so. Nobody has ever died from cannabis use, even the FBI admits this. It's the most useful plant in the world. It's legal status has nothing to do with it's health effects (which are harmless), it's simply the powerful industries not wanting to lose money.

Bottom line - the government does NOT own your body.

If you know someone who is suffering from cancer or other illnesses, search RICK SIMPSON RUN FROM THE CURE on YouTube. You will be amazed at what the real effects of cannabis are.

rawful: it's all about taxes. If people can grow their own recreational substance the government gets no tax revenues.

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# Rob Anderson 2011-07-08 09:45

The reason for the continued push against legalization of marijuana is that if legal people could grow their own recreation drug, reducing the amount of alcohol consumed and taxes.

Both alcohol and marijuana alter the uses thinking and movements, so both should be considered a gateway drug. But because most alcohol consumed in this country are taxed people push to make marijuana illegal. It's all about money.

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# Jimmy J. 2011-07-08 16:13

I can agree with Rob that the legalization of marijuana is opposed out of the fear that it could potentially reduce taxes for alcohol. I would like to take it further that it would potentially reduce the sales of alcohol, many would choose a joint over a six pack any day. I can see that the prosecutor would not want the legalization either, because that would eliminate the need for police and prosecutors--government workers. Some would say that the extra support people are not necessary, a side effect of the drug war.

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# Robert Colgan 2011-07-08 09:54

Pleading with the "law" as personified by the DA Freed to allow people to do something is like children asking parents if they can do something......the authoritarian "We Know Better Than You" works when it is a parent/child relationship--- does NOT work when we are talking about he citizenry at large.

Bottled poison for sale legally in the form of alcohol yet we don't have legal non-toxic plants helpful in pain relief....?

Insanity.

The Law is the law ---- the same thing used to apply down South where dark-skinned people couldn't drink from the same water fountain as light-skinned people.
Laws are arbitrary, and often serve no purpose other than to maintain the status quo. Laws allow police and courts a basis for maintaining their control over the populace-------it is authoritarianis m to support the ruling hierarchy.

Decriminalizati on of all drugs would be a logical move if we are to become more adult and egalitarian in this country.

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# Michael 2011-07-08 09:57

Mr Goldstein, by far, has the more persuasive argument. Mr Freed is a prosecutor, he just wants to pursue, arrest and continue the madness of the "war on drugs"! The killings and driving deaths he attributes to marijuana are small, small, small compared to alcohol incidents. The" war on drugs" has and is an abject failure! Billions and billions of dollars tens of thousand lives destroyed by misguided prosecution and incarceration. How often do you see major drug dealers arrested and or jailed? What usually happens in PA counties is when it is getting close to DA elections there will be a round up and wide publicity of numerous small time street level users. We must confront some level of legalization very soon!

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# Jimmy J. 2011-07-08 16:34

I agree with Michael, and to a degree, the comments by the prosecutor were resentful in respect to fear mongering. This demonstrates the political nature of this debate. Michael's comment shows how many people are able to see through the round-ups and persecution that generally occurs in the poorest communities. In this way, the poorest and most vulnerable become pawns in the political games of elected officials. Thanks WITF for the program-- a serious discussion has been long overdue!!!! Perhaps it will lead to more dialogue.

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# Lisa 2011-07-08 10:02

Absolutely legalize! I have watched my husband get somewhat of a life back...and we were planning a funeral! Marijuana saved his life...bottom line.

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# Chris 2011-07-08 13:23

Yes they should legalize marijuana for medical purposes. The people that say that marijuana is bad ,harmful ,and can cause death. That is untrue most marijuana is laced with multiple chemical and/or other drugs and that is what gives marijuana a bad rap. People just went to talk bad about marijuana an not how bad cocain ,crystal meth ,heroina ,and ect.. They are very harmful and they kill people all the time. Mr Freed is the people who talk about the kids that smoke marijuana drive have an accdient and kill people even know that in there system is large amounts of chemicals and other illegal drug that is what kills not start real marijuana.

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# marian 2011-07-08 20:08

Statement "people using for medical use are not arrested". Son was arrested, prosecuted, etc. He has a congenital problem. Has been seen by medical specialists Erie to Hershey since childhood. Nothing can be done. Most recent specialist (Hershey Medical)told him to move where marijuana was legal for pain managment. Unfortunately with the current economy, he has not been able to find steady employment out of state. He is gainfully employed at a job which is extremely adverse to his medical condition. He does not use alcohol or "hard" drugs. The counselors in the program determined he was not an addictive personality, did not have a program to counsel him since he did not fit the "average" criteria of an alcoholic or street drugs. Niether parent has history of adkiction or use. Alcohol could be listed as a murder weapon. The only drug which can help my son is listed as illegal and he has a record because physicians cannot help him in this state. I see no logic in this.

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# rawful 2011-07-09 04:59

All drugs should be legal. It's called personal responsibility. You're free to go drink a glass of bleach if you want to.

You won't have to worry much longer though. The War on Drugs will end not because of legislation, but because the country is bankrupt and it'll be forced to end. I hope everyone has bought some gold and silver.

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# Dalton 2011-07-18 09:38

Yes!! PA needs to pass this bill.
I personally know so many prescribed very dangerous drugs like oxycotin, but if they could get medical weed from a reliable source they would not take the medication that the governemnt is giving them which is destroying their liver. There is no harm from marijuana use. I do not think PA should legalize it. I think we should only distribute medical facilities for patients.

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