As a drug policy activist, I found the results of the Nov. 2 elections both disappointing and informative. It was disappointing because, out of four major marijuana policy bills I hoped and expected to pass (Prop 19 in California, Prop 203 in Arizona, Measure 13 in South Dakota, and Measure 74 in Oregon), zero actually did. In light of these - for lack of a better term - sobering results, I have encountered many people, students and non-students, inside and outside of the movement, who take these results as a death knell for the marijuana law reform movement, especially for the effort here in Connecticut. [continues 685 words]
Only a week has passed and already there are rumblings about another vote on medicinal marijuana in 2012. Last week, South Dakotans overwhelmingly voted against legalizing medicinal marijuana, with 63 percent of voters saying they do not want it in our state. This comes after another medicinal marijuana issue was voted down by 53 percent of South Dakota voters in 2006. So after two votes in four years, we'll have to go through this same issue again in 2012? It's frustrating. [continues 178 words]
Freshman Anna Hyronimus, a first-time voter, chose to vote against Measure 13. "Knowing that South Dakota is a conservative state, I realized that there was a very slim chance that the use of medical cannabis would pass," Hyronimus said. In 2006, medical marijuana made its way onto the South Dakota ballot. Though a conservative state, the measure came close as medical marijuana only neglected to pass by a margin of 4 percent. Once again, medical cannabis was on the ballot for legalization. [continues 742 words]
After reading "PRO: Vote yes, stop reefer madness" by Thomas Emanuel and "CON: Yes Is Not A Stepping Stone" by Frank DePaula (Oct. 26, 2010) it's apparent DePaula doesn't know the truth about the issue. Historically even government studies discredit the "gateway" theory. Insinuating, "Yes will not work because the federal government does not recognize state laws on cannabis (marijuana)," isn't the truth; the laws work properly to protect sick citizens in the 14 states which have legalized the God-given plant. And they're not experiencing "gangs from Mexico." [continues 228 words]
To the Editor: Stop the reefer madness, Mr. Kaemingk, and let people educate themselves with facts instead of uninformed and misguided propaganda. Medical marijuana is not a gateway drug; alcohol is, as it lowers inhibitions to make rational choices. Denny Kaemingk's editorial on Oct. 9 gave absolutely no substantial reasoning as to why sick people with MS, Parkinson's, glaucoma, cancer, fibromyalgia, etc., should not have the right to ease ailments with medical marijuana, which has absolutely no known side effects and is compatible with prescription and non-prescription medicine, again without added side effects. [continues 298 words]
Medical marijuana is once again on the ballot for South Dakota voters after a narrow defeat in 2006; but this time community members think it's going to pass. Initiative Measure 13, which would allow the use and cultivation of marijuana by people with debilitating illnesses such as cancer or multiple sclerosis, was placed on the ballot in March after more than 30,000 people signed a ballot petition. Vermillion Police Chief Art Mabry, who also serves as the head of the South Dakota Police Chiefs' Association and is an opponent of the measure, said it is only a matter of time before medical marijuana becomes legal in South Dakota. [continues 530 words]
As I write this, I am listening to Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" - namely the song "Time." This is no coincidence. I figured if I'm going to write about pot, I should put myself in the proper frame of mind. Word choice is important here: "frame," not "state." I am not, in fact, high right now. Now that we have established that, South Dakota voters should vote yes on Measure 13 to legalize medicinal marijuana. Marijuana has been found to be an effective remedy for a number of medical conditions. It can be used as a painkiller, a relaxant and an appetite stimulant in conjunction with everything from Alzheimer's disease to breast cancer. [continues 571 words]
For conservatives: Nation, people do not know what is best. Some cannot be trusted to make their own decisions, especially about marijuana. Think of California. Medical marijuana is a slippery slope to full repeal of marijuana laws. Yes, freedom is important but at what cost. Think of the children. Marijuana is a gateway drug. If this measure passes, it won't be long before violent crimes, hard drugs and gangs from Mexico invade our neighborhoods. As former U.S. Commissioner of Narcotics Harry J. Anslinger uncovered, "Those who are accustomed to habitual use of the drug (marijuana) are said eventually to develop a delirious rage." [continues 503 words]
In 2009, Paul Walery was diagnosed with lymphoma and began the treatment process of chemotherapy and radiation. In 1995, Eric Kritzmire was in a diving accident and suffered from a spinal cord injury that made him a paraplegic. Walery remembers the loss of appetite, the nausea and cramps that came from the chemotherapy. Kritzmire suffers regularly from severe muscle spasms. Based on clinical definitions, both of these men know what it's like to experience a debilitating medical condition. The only difference is their way of treating the pain. [continues 843 words]
Bruce Price attended Tuesday's medical marijuana rally for his father. Price said his dad was diagnosed with melanoma in 1985, and the medical treatment for the cancer made him "so sick." A military man, Price's father initially rejected his son's suggestion to try medical marijuana for relief. "His mindset was totally against it," Price said. "But at the end he was open to it." Price believes the medical marijuana was the only thing that gave his dad relief at the end of his life, and he wants to see the drug legalized for medical purposes so others can be helped as well. [continues 412 words]
Supporters cite healing benefits; full legalization next, foes argue Supporters of a measure to legalize small amounts of marijuana for medicinal use Monday sought to assure the public that it would not create pot dispensaries or open the door to full legalization. "This is about ill people. It's only about ill people. It's not a free-for-all," said Tony Ryan, a retired police officer whose wife suffers from multiple sclerosis. The assurances are being made amid concerns among some Americans that marijuana legalization will lead to addicts. Monday's Sioux Falls rally also comes in the midst of a nationwide trend of states legalizing the drug for medicinal purposes. In some of the 14 states that have approved marijuana legalization laws, shops dispensing the drug already have popped up on city streets. [continues 330 words]
Voters will be deciding on a number of ground-breaking initiatives this Nov. 2. The most prominent is Proposition 19, to allow Californians 21 and over to tend a small cannabis garden, possess up to one ounce, and give state and local governments the authority to control its sale. Other states and communities are considering cannabis initiatives. Similarly to Prop 19, voters in Detroit, Michigan may decide whether to allow those 21 and older to legally possess less than an ounce on private property. However, as of this writing, the Detroit Election Commission has rejected this proposal, and the matter is back in Court. [continues 380 words]
In his letter in the Sept. 12 Argus Leader, Dr. Mick Vanden Bosch erroneously claims that marijuana is a "more dangerous drug" than cigarettes. Such a wildly inaccurate statement calls into question the merits of his opposition to the medical marijuana measure South Dakotans will be voting on this November. Almost 440,000 Americans die every year as a direct result of tobacco use, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 20,000 die from prescription drug overdose. [continues 145 words]
Vote yes for compassion. Vote yes on Initiated Measure 13. I was proud to sign the petition that circulated last year to place medical marijuana on the November ballot in South Dakota. Recently, I learned the group behind the petition, the Coalition for Compassion spearheaded by the former chairman of the South Dakota Multiple Sclerosis Society, collected twice as many signatures as was required for getting the measure on the ballot. I only can hope this is a true testament to the growth of support for patients' rights in South Dakota. [continues 133 words]
Here are some facts that substance abuse and prevention counselor Darcy Jensen overlooked in her April 19 Argus Leader column opposed to the legalization of medical marijuana. Medical marijuana is not the only drug being used in the workplace. Employers have the same liability with narcotics prescribed by physicians, which, by the way, have a long and proven history of addiction, accidents and deaths associated with their use. There are laws on the books for operating motor vehicles under the influence of drugs. If faced with the choice of meeting a driver or teacher under the influence of marijuana or prescription narcotics, I'd much rather be on the road or in the classroom with the person using marijuana. [continues 252 words]
Fear of Arrest Shouldn't Be Part of Care for Some As a retired police officer, I know well what it is like to work the front lines of keeping a community safe and secure. From this experience, and having relatives who have suffered from cancer, I have become a passionate supporter for safe access to medical marijuana. I am urging fellow South Dakotans to support the Safe Access Act (Initiated Measure 13) on the ballot this November. The therapeutic use of marijuana is supported by an ever-growing consensus in medical and scientific communities. To name a few: the American Nurses Association, American Public Health Association, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, American Academy of HIV Medicine, American Medical Students Association, Assembly of the American Psychiatric Association, American Pain Foundation, National Women's Health Network, several state medical associations and societies and the Federation of American Scientists. [continues 389 words]
The City Council is getting puffed up about marijuana. After sitting on the shelf for nearly a year, a resolution calling on the state to legalize the medical use of marijuana got its first airing yesterday at a Health Committee hearing. The measure had 13 sponsors before the session, but quickly picked up four more backers during the hearing. Ann Wilson of the Bronx tearfully testified that her brother, John Holmberg, had used marijuana to ease the side-effects of chemotherapy to combat pancreatic cancer before dying two years ago at the age of 40. [continues 187 words]
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - California voters have yet to focus on a Nov. 7 ballot measure that would divert thousands of drug offenders to rehabilitation programs, but more than half are inclined to support it, according to a new Field Poll released Tuesday. The drug treatment measure, Proposition 36, would require those convicted of non-violent drug possession offenses for the first or second time be sent to rehabilitation programs instead of state prison. The Field Poll found 55 percent in favor of the measure and 27 percent opposed with 18 percent undecided. The results reflect a drop in support from the June survey, when 64 percent were in support, with 20 percent opposed and 16 percent undecided. [continues 553 words]
Advocates for reforming Arkansas drug laws called in two homebound medical patients Sunday to champion a proposal to allow the chronically ill to smoke marijuana. Delbert Lewis and James Markes rolled to the podium in wheelchairs to give testimonials on their medicinal use of marijuana - Markes to combat drastic weight loss and Lewis to deal with a debilitating condition he called "post-polio syndrome." While both acknowledged smoking marijuana in the past, neither said he is currently using the drug, which is illegal in Arkansas even for medicinal use. [continues 800 words]
Advocates for reforming Arkansas drug laws called in two homebound medical patients Sunday to champion a proposal to allow the chronically ill to smoke marijuana. Delbert Lewis and James Markes rolled to the podium in wheelchairs to give testimonials on their medicinal use of marijuana -- Markes to combat drastic weight loss and Lewis to deal with a debilitating condition he called "post-polio syndrome." While both acknowledged smoking marijuana in the past, neither said he is currently using the drug, which is illegal in Arkansas even for medicinal use. [continues 800 words]
