Marijuana.com

xxdr_zombiexx

NY rethinking its ban on medical marijuana
Newsday | BY DIONNE SEARCEY - ALBANY BUREAU | May 5, 2004

ALBANY - The Republican leader of the State Senate said yesterday he was warming to legalizing the use of medical marijuana, opening the door for movement on an issue that has been stalled here for years.

The new sentiment from Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno (R-Brunswick) came on a day when Assembly Democrats offered a measure that earned support from key medical and health associations and after TV personality Montel Williams met with legislative leaders.

Bruno said his change of heart may be in part due to his own bout with prostate cancer last year. "Your life experiences can add to how you legislate," Bruno said, adding that he would closely review the measure.

[zombienote: *ahem*]

The bill is more tightly defined than previous versions, and supporters said it would meet less resistance than in the past.

Gov. George Pataki said he would base his decision on the issue on whether science proves marijuana treatments to be effective. His health department was skeptical, he said, "but we'll continue to listen to evidence on both sides."

[zombienote: He wont listen until he is diagnoses with cancer.]

Nine states allow medical marijuana, and in October the U.S. Supreme Court let stand a ruling that bars federal officials from punishing doctors who recommend marijuana.

The new measure, which Assemb. Richard Gottfried (D-Manhattan) retooled after first introducing it in 1997, would limit eligibility to patients with serious, life-threatening illnesses. The marijuana would be allowed only after other drugs failed, and patients would be limited to possessing eight ounces. The law would expire in three years. "It's a medical issue that should be decided by doctors and patients," said Gottfried, chairman of the health committee.

At a news conference yesterday, Williams described the pain in his legs and feet from multiple sclerosis that only marijuana seems to soothe. "I'm breaking the law every day, and I'll continue to break the law every day," Williams said. "It's the only way I can stand here now."
Copyright © 2004, Newsday, Inc.

[zombienote: Montel....don't lose sleep over breaking that law. It's a stupid law that most Americans want changed. Marijuana is good, the law and it's supporters are bad. Smoke away.

Why is it that Republicans can't get with the medical marijuana scene until their lives are in jeopardy? Talk about irony....]

__________________
Alien Space Signal

There's no money for your issue so long as we're squandering $50 billion a year on the DrugWar. Ben Masel

Fear became the ultimate tool of this government - V.

 

Cassius

I know I'm going to sound like Niteshift (snicker), but...

It's not just Republicans. Almost all prohibitionists (democrats included) will probably never change their minds until/unless they or someone they personally know is afflicted with something and is denied the best (possibly only depending on the affliction) remedy available.

Average Joe

Medical Use is not the issue that should be fought.

We didn't get Alcohol prohibition lifted on medical grounds.

xxdr_zombiexx

I understand....

The technical wording would be that "people who viciously oppose marijuana reform until they get canser are overrepresented in the Republican party."

I am sure it is a mere coinidence without any sort of meaning......

The "Dems" that generally oppose it do a whole bunch of othr things that lend to the argument we only have one party anyway. Closet Republicans (Lieberman, Biden, Zell Miller, et al....)

Cassius

True dat, doc

 

OccultPizza

Bruno said his change of heart may be in part due to his own bout with prostate cancer last year. "Your life experiences can add to how you legislate," Bruno said, adding that he would closely review the measure.

This sounds like pure voting time bull**** too me, but I am willing to give the guy a chance and start tracking his voting record on Marijuana initiatives. I would love nothing more than having a politician with common sense that lacks the ability to bull****. That is why a world federation wrestler was voted in, they saw him as a no bull****ter that wanted to see us grow and mature as a race.

I love the zombie note *ahem* so simple and subtle, yet I found myself laughing my ass off at the undertones.

OccultPizza

Damn fine logic

I understand you perfectly? We should not be waging the war of Marijuana on the basis of its medical value. We should be fighting this war on the same principles that rednecks have, our freedom of choice granted too us by our American anscestors. We have the right to personal freedom, free will and free choice as long as it does not harm someone else's ability to seek liberty, justice and the persuit of happiness. If it keeps up we will not have to worry about free choice and accountability, they'll do it for us. We are having all our rights (not just pot) taken away from us slowly and surely because it makes better financial sense to someone else. They are inflicting their values and morales upon non violent people who just wish to persue hapiness. A house divided cannot stand!!!

Another point is, if they eventually found out that they could synthesize Marijuana (Marinol doesn't count. I speak of whole plant synthesis) and that it was no longer needed. Then we flat out loose the war because of underhanded (yet very intelligently made) techniques which have kept the movement rolling for almost thirty years now. Marijuana stands on the brink of total destruction. We can look now and laugh at the latter statement knowing how much damn pot there is in the world, but there use to be a lot of Indians too ~sighs~.

Higher Self

Bruno said his change of heart may be in part due to his own bout with prostate cancer last year. "Your life experiences can add to how you legislate," Bruno said, adding that he would closely review the measure.


I rest my case


I agree with occultpizza about attacking peaceful people.

What goverments/people resist, persists. Imagine for a moment all the negative karma(time, energy, and money) created over this insanity. If the government would embrace, instead of persecute it's cultural diversity, we could channel all that energy/karma into a more positive, creative flow for the public good.

To error is human, to continue to error is Manimal, tolerance and forgiveness for differences are attributes of the Divine...

Even Paul/Saul persecuted Christians (as a Jew) until Hey-Sues dropped him a line, and he saw the light.

The current government/paradigm wouldn't know a decent soul if it came up and bit them on the assk me if I care

smoking_joe_lee

What are the people of New York supposed to do if senate majority leader Bruno does get a medical marijuana bill passed? Reject it because good old Joe only got behind this issue because he came down with prostate cancer? If someone does something GOOD for the "WRONG REASON" or a self serving one should we reject them?
It looks like there is a chance for a lot of people in New York in need of relief to get help and if that happens Montel Williams AND Joseph Bruno shoud be congratulated!
I'm Smoking Joe and I approved this post!

xxdr_zombiexx

We have an opportunity to agree, and both be right ....

I remember you said he might warm up to the idea after meeting with Montel...and he did!

I have noticed - I didn't, nor couldn't make such a thing up - Repubs will change their minds when confronted with cancer and related severe medical conditions - them or a family member. Lo and Behold - Bruno came right out and said it.

I am sure you agree PEOPLE should not be so crosseyed brainwashed about reefer madness that it takes cancer to change their minds, more "proof" or "evidence" that it is entirely an irrational belief and it take severe emotional shake-ups to see the light.