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Marijuana Rx

March 6, 2009 9:10 AM

Has medical marijuana gotten a bad rap? Dr. Jon LaPook talks with Dr. Herbert Kleber and Dr. Mitch Earleywine on the pros and cons of using medical marijuana for your health.

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by dragon8me November 30, 2009 12:17 AM EST
Send the prohibitionist to Iran. They would love it there. A country run by religious nuts is just the place for the wackos. After all it's a very conservitive country.
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by dragon8me November 30, 2009 12:14 AM EST
If prohibitionist had to spend 1 day in jail, maybe they would realize the injustice of their views.
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by MatterofLiberty November 29, 2009 11:56 AM EST
Simply changing Cannabis to a Schedule 3 controlled substance (instead the Schedule 1 that it is now) would simply be keeping consistant with information gathered on THC (dronabinol marketed as marinol)does have a legitimate medical value. Simply allowing a person to use a Vaporizor as a means of quick, controlable consumption is not so different than using current inhalor technology. The reason most people haven't run out to get a Vaporizor, is that a good one is going to cost about $500. This is a big cost for already cash strapped sick people. Bringing down the prices is highly feasible. Having Authorized Medical Cannabis does not mean people will be able to grow their own if they are mandated to get it from a pharmacy with a labeled breakdown of potency, canabinoids, and recomended temprature at which optimal Vaporization occurs. When it comes to potental dangers of Medical Cannabis, it is clearly safer than all these opiate-based medicines that can lead to actual CHEMICAL DEPENDANCE and potential LETHAL overdose if abused, not just the infrequent psychological addiction that only 7% of even casual users of Cannabis experience. And as far as overdose on Cannabis the only real side effect is drowsiness. (This side effect alone should be evidence that Medical Cannabis is good for at least one ailment... Insomnia.)
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by breeziehall November 28, 2009 4:05 PM EST
I wish we could take away alcohol and put marijuana in its place. I agree, if you want other drugs or are that curious about them you will do them no matter what, so to say marijuana is a gateway drug- thats just an observation of the fact that as a kid- thats the easiest drug to come across first, at one time it was alcohol, then it was tabacco, then it was marijuana, now it is your parents perscriptions, so no its not the gateway. I bet Dr. kleber goes home at night and drinks and to me thats soooooooo much worse!
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by rfague November 27, 2009 11:10 PM EST
Legalize it already, fer cryin' out loud.
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by Big-Jim-bob November 27, 2009 7:13 PM EST
Marijuana is the third most popular recreational drug in America (behind only alcohol and tobacco), and has been used by nearly 100 million Americans. According to government surveys, some 25 million Americans have smoked marijuana in the past year, and more than 14 million do so regularly despite harsh laws against its use. Our public policies should reflect this reality, not deny it.

Marijuana is far less dangerous than alcohol or tobacco. Around 50,000 people die each year from alcohol poisoning. Similarly, more than 400,000 deaths each year are attributed to tobacco smoking. By comparison, marijuana is nontoxic and cannot cause death by overdose. According to the prestigious European medical journal, The Lancet, "The smoking of cannabis, even long-term, is not harmful to health. ... It would be reasonable to judge cannabis as less of a threat ... than alcohol or tobacco." from NORML

It's time to change the laws...
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by hereticzero November 27, 2009 2:35 PM EST
It is wrong to deny a person the right to choose for one's self, even if that choice is unwise. Evidence has shown marijuana does not pose a public health threat and yet the Federal government insists on prohibition of the plant and its use. My last job was with the Federal govt. processing Death Certificates. I never found one that was due to the result of marijuana use. When used in a responsible manner, marijuana is the safest alternative to tobacco and alcohol and illegal street drugs. Marijuana has killed no one although our government and its supporters are responsible for the deaths of unsuspecting homeowners during no-knock raids at the wrong address. I fear my local police more than the drug user that may live next door.
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by dragon8me November 27, 2009 11:27 AM EST
Prohibition is insanity.
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by excoachken November 27, 2009 9:28 AM EST
With Doctors able to dispense opiates via prescription, why, in 2009, are we still arguing about this?
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by clauneck November 27, 2009 4:32 AM EST
Guess this has been going for ages, Marijuana does not lead you to other drugs NO NO NO NO, u go for other drugs only if u want to, now a day's life has became so stressful and every person needs to dedicate some time for himself, the human cannot live for work only, we need to enjoy yourself and have fun without disturbing other people and keeping peace, some turn to alcohol and some turn to Marijuana some turn to other drugs which is worse, the worst thing is that the government agrees with alcohol which is much worse than Marijuana, and alcohol kills so much people but of course the government is making so much profit from alcohol that it is worth it to keep it legal and keep things low on the media, so the media never speaks bad about it, I wish there was a true program that says all the aspects on things, and why we have things that are worse than Marijuana and are legal.
It seems that the government scares our families that if we use Marijuana we will start using having drugs. Now a day's live become over controlled by the government media bombarding us with what they want us to know, everywhere you go is with cameras and security, and all we just want to do is go to work, after works smoke some Marijuana with our friends have a good time maybe watch a movies, than wake up for work again and start a new day I do not see anything bad in this. And I can assure you that Marijuana does not hold u back from your career I have an amazing career it just depends on the person and to keep a balance in life. Everything in life can be used bad a wrong, but why always the bad is mentioned in the media, guess people love more to watch bad things in the media now a day life's, every were u turn on the news, u see WAR, ACCIDENTS, BAD NEWS always negative things, I think these things need to be more controlled and more balanced because there are some good people out there that are making amazing things but it is not important for the media anymore.
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by culturechang November 26, 2009 7:11 PM EST
All marijuana got a bad rap when legislators blatently lied about its effects to Congress in the 1930s. Much of our policy is based on willfully invited and willfully accepted Washington lies.
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by rwsmith29456 November 26, 2009 3:38 PM EST
It helped my brother get through chemo and I've never heard of it hurting anybody that didn't overindulge. Don't work or drive drunk or stoned is a sensible rule. And people say it has more tar than cigarettes. I've never seen anybody smoke pot as much as people chain smoke cigarettes. If it makes people fell better I'm I'm all for it. BTW, I don't use it myself. It just doesn't make sense to keep such a stigma aoubt it. Get rid of junk, meth, coke etc. and leave pot alone.
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by BeachBuzz November 26, 2009 3:32 PM EST
I wonder if Dr Kleber is a member of the AMA ? Guess he hasn't got the memo. It is unfortunate that we still have so call authorities that are willing to spew such nonsense for their 15 minutes of fame.
The only people left to scare are those over 70. I know of no rational individual that can make an honest argument for the continued prohibition of Cannabis. The cost on the American tax payer alone is reason to repeal prohibition. Factor in the cost on the American family, 850,000 Cannabis arrest last year. 89% for simple possesion. Men,women and children placed in jail. The corruption that is caused from the Black Market reaches all over the world, it taints all Law enforcement and all Governments. America, you need to wake up ! Dr. Kleber, you should be ashamed!
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by westernkypika November 26, 2009 12:40 PM EST
People are finally speaking out and supporting the legalization of marijuana movement. Dr. Herbert Kleber has several flaws in his argument both on the dependency and the gateway drug theory. There is a proven mental dependency of marijuana but clearly the physical is nonexistent and far more damaging. That argument goes out the window when you think of the more powerful, more addictive pharmaceutical drugs and the use of tobacco. So marijuana is far less damaging in that regard. The gateway drug theory only strengthens the argument that marijuana should be legalized. If your dealer says has been supplying your marijuana and says he has no inventory but has cocaine or heroin. The war on drugs is the problem the has ruined far more lives then the simple recreational use of marijuana. Far be it we should certainly not let any of our kids use pot but do you think a drug dealer would care the age of your child? Please take action and write to your representatives on making your voice heard that marijuana should be legalized.
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by wow_loll October 21, 2009 6:24 PM EDT
Wow. Seriously Guys. Weed I Must Say Is Really Nice And Just About Everyone Does It. I Think That It Shud Be At Drug Stores Or Hospitals Which It Is. And Just Sell It By Dubs. Or Something.
People Would Be Coming In And Outta That Store Or Hospital Like Crazy. Think Of How Much Money You Would Be Makeing Buy Growing And Selling Weed To People That Love It Or Need It For Their Body.?
I Vote Yes To Legalizing It(:
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by naught89 October 12, 2009 10:56 PM EDT
Its wonderful to know that they can put out drugs such as Oxycontin xanax paxil ext. that your hear people doing crazy things on like killing there kids and addiction so far out they could die from and they say that extended use of marijuana could not be good, these other drugs it takes weeks all you morons who do not think it should at least be given a try need to go to bed or something because you cant say anything, if you compare it to the other medical legal drugs that you F*** give us. get outta here you do not deserve a say an anything.
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by urimeshi14 September 17, 2009 7:58 PM EDT
i agree with everyone who favors it!!! lets face it. PEOPLE LIKE SMOKING WEED!!!! it makes angry people happy, it makes u eat, it makes u sleep better. theres no addiction issuse watso ever like ppl below said. its just a lie. and the fact that its a drug makes people think its harmfull which is crap its not harmfull at all. it relaxes your brain and muscles. also, the sperm count and fretility issuses are only if you eat weed. not smoke it. u cant expect t keep weed legal and hope ppl will stop smoking it. its gods gift to the world. its not a gateway either. if they wanted to do crack or lsd they would of already. MAKE IT LEGAL!!! TAX IT!!! GET US OUT OF DEBT!!!! the US especially tenns to late 20's love weed. its just a fact. it makes life in general better. u cant honestly say it kills because it doesnt. if you can make alcohol and tabacco legal which have EXTREAM health hazzards and kill millions a year im POSSITIVE you can make marijuana legal. face it our parents and grandparents smoked weed when they were teens. its NEVER GONNA CHANGE!!! ppl will continue to smoke weed legal or not until it runs dry of the planet!!
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by urimeshi14 September 17, 2009 7:55 PM EDT
i agree with everyone who favors it!!! lets face it. PEOPLE LIKE SMOKING WEED!!!! it makes angry people happy, it makes u eat, it makes u sleep better. theres no addiction issuse watso ever like ppl below said. its just a lie. and the fact that its a drug makes people think its harmfull which is crap its not harmfull at all. it relaxes your brain and muscles. also, the sperm count and fretility issuses are only if you eat weed. not smoke it. u cant expect t keep weed legal and hope ppl will stop smoking it. its gods gift to the world. its not a gateway either. if they wanted to do crack or lsd they would of already. MAKE IT LEGAL!!! TAX IT!!! GET US OUT OF DEBT!!!! the US especially tenns to late 20's love weed. its just a fact. it makes life in general better. u cant honestly say it kills because it doesnt. if you can make alcohol and tabacco legal which have EXTREAM health hazzards and kill millions a year im POSSITIVE you can make marijuana legal. face it our parents and grandparents smoked weed when they were teens. its NEVER GONNA CHANGE!!! ppl will continue to smoke weed legal or not until it runs dry of the planet!!
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by mark_in_LA September 16, 2009 5:02 AM EDT
p.s. Great to hear talk about vaporizing. I use my through-water vaporizer daily and am so thankful it was invented. The only problem with vaporizing is, that there is no problem! oh well :)
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by mark_in_LA September 16, 2009 4:44 AM EDT
Thanks Dr. LaPook! I hope I live to see full legalization of the sacred herb. Praise God, and down with tyranny!
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