Pubdate: Tue, 29 Apr 2014
Source: Kentucky Kernel (U of KY Edu)
Copyright: 2014sKernel Press, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.kykernel.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/790
Author: Greg Welch

MARIJUANA DOES NOT WARRANT SCHEDULE I CLASSIFICATION

I don't know about you, but I have a hard time believing that heroin
and marijuana should be lumped together in the same class of drug.

But that is exactly what the DEA does. They list them both as Schedule
I drugs, and that is the main reason marijuana is illegal. The DEA
website describes these types of drugs as having "no accepted medical
use" and having "a high potential for abuse."

It also calls them "the most dangerous drugs ... with potentially
severe psychological or physical dependence."

And yet according to Patent number 6630507 B1, which was invented by
Aidan J. Hampson, Julius Axelrod and Maurizio Grimaldi, "Cannabinoids
have been found to have antioxidant properties. This newfound property
makes cannabinoids useful in the treatment an prophylaxis of wide
variety of oxidation associated diseases, such as inflammatory and
autoimmune diseases."

This patent clearly states that despite the DEA claiming marijuana has
no medical value, it was pursued for the express purpose of medical
advancement and study.

I can't be the only one to take immediate notice of the direct
hypocrisy here.. I am also probably not the only one to take note of
the drugs listed alongside marijuana as a Schedule I drug,
specifically heroin.

This demands our utmost attention. It calls into question a very
unjust situation with the potential of advancing a medical measure
that could offer either remedy, or at the very least relief, for
millions who suffer from the various ailments.

I call into question the continued classification of marijuana as a
Schedule I drug. If its continued classification as Schedule I is
based upon "having no medical value," the pursuit of a U.S. Patent
exclusively for medical purposes renders the first statement void.

I stand behind marijuana advocates and support the cause of its
legality. I believe it can offer a healthy alternative to the
medicines currently being offered to millions suffering from
illnesses, or at the very least offer a non addictive alternative to
current pain relief medicines.

Additionally, marijuana legalization is proving beneficial to state
economies where it is legal. The Huffington Post cites a long list of
these benefits, but one of the most notable is the job growth.
"7,500-10,000 -- the estimated number of marijuana industry jobs that
currently exist in Colorado."

In a job hungry economy, that number should definitely grab a person's
attention.

The possibilities of either a state-to-state legalized industry
coordinated through cooperative measures, or better yet, a federal
legal marijuana industry, could lead to a tremendous job boom as well
as a major and progressive boost in our economy.

It's the change America needs, both for the health of the sick and
hurting, and the health of our nation's economy. It's a daring change,
and a progressive move toward a better balanced future.

Greg Welch is an English senior and is running for the U.S. Senate.
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MAP posted-by: Matt