Medical marijuana advocate kills herself

[Newsjock]

Source: Missoulian

Robin Prosser, a Missoula woman who struggled for a quarter century to live with the pain of an immunosuppressive disorder, tried years ago to kill herself. Last week, she tried again. This time, she succeeded.

... She was a high-profile campaigner for the Montana Medical Marijuana Act, and like others, she was dismayed when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that drug agents could still arrest sick people using marijuana, even in states that legalized its use.

... Prosser suffered from an autoimmune disease that gave her allergic and dangerous reactions to most pharmaceutical painkillers. So she turned to marijuana. When that was no longer available she had no where else to turn.

“She just said she couldn't take it all anymore,” Byard said.

In her guest opinion, Prosser wrote that: “I'm 50 years old, low-income and sick. I spend most days in my apartment in bed, with no air conditioning, unable to go outside because I can't tolerate the sun.”

Read more: http://missoulian.com/articles/2007/10/27/news/local/news02.txt

[mike_c]

1. more from the conservative culture of death....

This is so sad. This woman died because cave dwelling politicians fear a weed.

[theaocp]

30. i hate ignorant politicians

The politicians do not fear a weed. They embrace it because they know it is all that stands between them and their oh-so-precious-War On some Drugs. It's the pharmaceutical companies that fear the weed. You can't patent a natural remedy - FTW. I'm so sorry this poor person could not find the remedy that so many xians say their god gave this planet. It wasn't a "mistake" or a "problem" but rather something to be embraced and used by the creatures of this planet for what it provided.

Oh, that's right ... and it doesn't have an LD50 within human consumption levels. My bad. And here i thought it might have been dangerous.

[Malidictus Maximus]

36. Sad to say

that even President Clinton didn't do a damn thing about it, indeed, it was in 1996 that the feds started to put the serious shutdown on the dispensaries in san francisco.
While I dislike the 'drug warriors' as much as anyone, our party is just as much in the grip of big pharma and the tobacco and booze companies.



http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A04E1DD1538F931A15750C0A96E958260&n=Top/Reference/Times%20Topics/People/C/Clinton,%20Bill

[bobbolink]

59. Thank you for the touch of reality. We won't get anywhere until we finally

look at the complicity with it all from our own party.

It's time!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. Oh, where's the compassionate conservative now?

This is horrifying...

The so-called war on drugs just took an innocent life...

I am sick with this...

K&R

Where's the sanity in regard to drugs? Where is it?

Safe passage to Robin...:cry:

[Gregorian]

74. Wow, that really says it all.

It's like you just pulled away the covers, and revealed a blatant truth about just how compassionate the "compassionate" ones really are. The juxtaposition of the Shiavo incident really puts this in perspective. Again.

I always thought that common sense won, hands down. I live in a world where letting people live their lives is up to them. Not me.

Sitting here on a fall morning, healthy, fairly happy, I have to wonder what makes people want to impede others and their lives. Just what. I have no interest in controlling anyone.

[AndyTiedye]

3. Very Kicked and Recommended

:kick::kick:

[aquart]

4. My sister says, "I know how she feels."

Except she can't feel anymore. But so many others are suffering from our sadistic medication policies.

[Warpy]

71. Chronic pain kills

and that should be the bottom line. People in chronic pain are socially isolated and depressed and the suicide statistics are staggering.

We have got to eliminate the nanny state that tries to outlaw sin.

[knitter4democracy]

82. It sure does. I've had bad pain before and know that depression.

I had appendicitis for ten years, and the only pain killer I could take was ibuprofen. When I woke up from my kidney surgery, I had almost no pain control, and I will never to my dying day forget that pain.

Chronic pain changes you. I know her frustration with painkillers and how hard it is to live with pain on that level. People who haven't lived with that kind of pain really don't get it, and you get awfully tired of explaining it to everyone.

I feel so bad for her.

[fed-up]

5. meth labs destroying people & property all over this f*cking nation so the DEA makes pot busts....nt

[superkia]

6. Too many crooked fucks make money from the drug business...

how dare anyone think of legalizing it. The government could make money off taxing it if it were legal but the government getting money doesnt equal the crooked politicians getting there cut so it will never be legalized. Any kind of new drug can be sold to us if a drug corporation makes it but god forbid a drug that people could grow themselves be legal, theres no money in it. I am happy that my candidate actually supports the legalization of it, go DK!

[w4rma]

19. Never say never. This has been done in Canada, other countries and is progressing in Britain. (nt)

[pattmarty]

41. Look, we're talking "USA" here. Ain't gonna happen.

[MADem]

76. It took a while for the miniskirt to get here, but it's here. It took awhile before

smart packaging, like juice boxes and those space-age envelopes, to get here (I was using them ten years before they came here, in southwest asia) but they got here, eventually. Medications go "OTC" in other parts of the world well before they ever do here.

The US is often not the first with the most. In fact, we're often the last with the least.

Frequently, we bring up the rear. It's our suspicious nature; we let those 'unwashed others' try the shit or idea out, and if it doesn't kill them, we adopt it and act like we invented it...

[Zhade]

100. Those things you just mentioned were only made available because they can be sold.

Marijuana, a plant with so many benefits, is very easy to grow - hence, not as lucrative.

[MADem]

104. Ahhhhh....but who ever thought, except in Europe, the Middle East, southwest Asia, and Asia,

that

WATER

--a once basic and free commodity--could be sold in bottles to people, once upon a time???

Believe me, when they finally get off their asses (and we'll be last, we always are) the government will find ways to help industry get a lock on the product--they'll either issue licenses, convert the tobacco making facilities to cigarettes of a different sort, come up with flavors, jazzy marketing...you name it. They'll make it JUST cheap enough so that the growing of it is more troublesome than it is worth. You'll pop down to the liquor store for a five pack of the product, nicely rolled and hermetically sealed.

Hell, if the Coca-cola company can sell you tap water and call it "Daisani" (what does that mean? Why nothing!! Sounds a bit Asian and Clean, though, dunnit?) then someday Phillip Morris will come up with Doobie Dudes, or Kite brand (as in high as a) filter tipped kings...

I am sure the people who could use the plant's medical benefits would be happier if this would happen sooner rather than later.

[Zhade]

110. As a patient myself - no. And yes.

It's incredibly depressing to think we will have innovation only for corporate control.

But it IS too damn expensive right now, that's for sure.

[pattmarty]

102. We only adopt it if there's money to be made. (a lot of money)

[MADem]

106. See post 104, just above. They can make money. They just have to figure out

their marketing plan.

[debbierlus]

90. I agree with you.

It will come.

[Turbineguy]

43. Drug economics is a boon

to this country.

Doper steals stereo from car. Owner buys nice new stereo. Window repair shop fixes window. Insurance company raises premium. Police employ more people. Contractors build more jails. Investors make money from owning stock in contractor.

As long as we ignore the suffering at the bottom of the chain, it's a wonderful thing.

[IsItJustMe]

79. To many people would grow it themselves, thats why the pharma and govt wont allow it.

[MADem]

111. Not if corporate America produces an affordable, well packaged product.

Sure, there will always be the "home made" types. Once upon a time, the ONLY pasta you could get was HOME MADE. Once upon a time, no one BOUGHT water, they turned on the tap.

Sure, you can grow your own, and no one will care in the future. Too many people will be at the store buying the Chocolate Flavored three pack, or the Jasmine scented five pack...

Once the rest of the world makes the big move and the sky doesn't fall, we'll bring up the rear, as we do...

[losthills]

7. This is sad...

for the lady....

But, all politics aside, Marijuana is not medicine. It should be legal, of course, but so-called "medical marijuana" is just stupid. It's a travesty really. Someone brought me some, recently, that they had purchased from one of these medical foofaraws. It was in a pill bottle, labled, "girly girl...."

I am not it favor of legalizing it, because I don't want to see what annheiser bush would do to it.

I like it better the way it is--- un-coopted-- and I do not believe it has any "medical" value whatsoever....

peace.

[angstlessk]

8. and what specialty is your doctorate in??? you say leaglize..then don't

what the hell are YOU smoking?

[Pastiche423]

13. You really should know what you're talking about

before making such uninformed comments.

In Oregon, where I live, Medical Marijuana cards are issued to the patient and to the caregiver. The caregiver grows the marijuana and gives the harvested marijuana to the patient. So it is up to the caregiver's skills, as to how good the marijuana is.

You are completely wrong in saying that marijuana has no medical value. People w/cancer, glaucoma, AIDS and a host of other pain inducing conditions find much needed relief from marijuana.

If I couldn't smoke marijuana for the severe spastic pain caused by paralysis, I would eat a bullet.

Living life in pain, is not living.

[gateley]

20. All of our "real medicine", the pharmaceuticals, have their genesis in natural

and herbal compounds. Morphine comes from the poppy, Valium comes from the valerian root, etc. What makes a compound from the poppy have more "medical" value for pain relief than one that comes from cannabis?

[lligrd]

21. Yep, And How In The Heck Did We Ever Give Up The Right

to medicate ourselves with god-given or nature-given medicines.

[Trillo]

34. It was inflamed by Hearst's newspapers

along with what would probably be called today brazen racism.

[Occulus]

52. WE didn't.

It was Congress. My understanding is, at the time of the debate, the head of the AMA at the time officially advised that Congress not make it illegal because there was no danger inherent in the plant, and the people who were set to use the AMA's words in the debate turned it around exactly 180 degrees, making black into white, up into down, and plant into pariah.

[bobbolink]

61. The way we've given up the rest of our rights... by being asleep,

and lulled by "wisdom" that isn't.

That ignorance affects MOST of our thinking.

[piesRsquare]

22. Not all of them...but your point is nonetheless valid...

:)

[Kajsa]

51. I had no idea!

"Valium comes from the valerian root".

No wonder Valerian root is used to treat anxiety
and insomnia.

Is there any reference I can use to find these origins?

Thanks.

;-) :hi:

[shanti]

67. neither did i

(val) but putting two and two together, valerian root is a natural sleep aid/sedative, so it makes sense.

[ForPeace]

72. Valium does not come from Valerian root

It is a synthetic substance.

[gateley]

81. You're right - I was wrong. This is a perfect example of me believeing

something someone has told me and accepting it as fact. And I've believed it for years!

Please don't tell me opium doesn't come from poppies - my world view would crumble! :-)

My apologizes - I didn't mean to steer you wrong - and thanks for letting me know. :blush:

[JTFrog]

23. So you're uneducated beliefs

should override the benefits to the sick? If you aren't dying and don't have chronic nausea and pain, then don't tread there or your ignorance will show. I can almost see your slip as it is.

[Popol Vuh]

24. **Sigh**

Try and guess how long throughout history its been used as a medicine.

But anyway here's a documentary for you: CBC's The Nature of Thing with David Suzuki

[bobbolink]

66. Not to mention, there are many doctors who have the temerity to actually RECOMMEND it to patients!

I know of several people who had cancer, and their doctor recommended pot to lessen the effects of chemo.

One, in particular, may not have made it otherwise, because the nausea kept him from eating.

But, of course, those doctors were probably all wrong, anyway. GAK.

[bobbolink]

69. zapped...

Joy is dupes in the morning. :)

[Bluebear]

25. Someone brought you medicinal marijuana, labeled "girly girl"?

And you are calling the MARIJUANA stupid?

[bobbolink]

62. .

:rofl:

:hi:

[H2O Man]

26. It's not

"medical marijuana" that is "just stupid."

[Cobalt Violet]

35. People who use it a 3 times more likely to be cured than those that don't.

But you see no medical value to it.

http://www.eurojgh.com/pt/re/ejgh/abstract.00042737-200610000-00005.htm;jsessionid=Hj1LvQKsNP05t4NL1h1PF1rgqTsvkQH3SGhBQ2vDwsjWydbMh4wr!1899110359!181195628!8091!-1

[bobbolink]

64. Please. Let us not confuddle people with facts.

:hi:

[Felinity]

39. Talk about blowing smoke

Your lack of foundation for your statements is staggering.

I see from your profile you're from "Weed" California, and a "songwriter." Judging from your comments and lyric sample, I suggest you don't quit your day job.

[f the letter]

95. wow, highly topical post.

way to go. This thread is definitely about that guy's songwriting.

[Felinity]

96. No you're wrong

It is about whether or not you approve of what other people have to say.

And welcome to DU, we need some more topic police.

Have you figured out what the red "X" is for? Feel free.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

47. There is no doubt in my mind that you have never cared for late stage HIV or cancer patients.

If you were attempting to come off as both ignorant and heartless, you succeeded. MKJ

[Kajsa]

50. Have you ever suffered from chronic, acute pain?

If you have, I am very surprised.

If you haven't, then you really aren't qualified
to speak on behalf of those who have suffered.

[High Plains]

54. You are totally clueless. Try the Journal of Cannabis Therapeutics.

Or ask the Canadian government or the Dutch government, both of which have medical marijuana programs.

Or ask GW Pharma, which has approval for its cannabis-based tinctures in Canada.

You like it better the way it is? 800,000 arrests a year?

[bobbolink]

65. When you find yourself dealing with fibromyalgia, then get back to us.

Try walking in the shoes of others.

[merci_me]

75. It is "medical" when it is being used

for medicinal purposes. OK, you friend bought you some "medicinal marijuana" in a bottle labeled "girly girl". Big deal. Vicodin is a controlled DRUG for pain. Guess what! It has an illegal street value for use for recreational purposes. I'd wager 2/3 of the prescription pain medication, plus a lot more prescription medication is sold illegally.

Personally, I take seven different prescription medications a day, some of them multiple times a day. I've been told by my brother-in-law, who is a chemist at a major pharma, that I have a gold-mine here, if I sold it. Though, with the lousy side effects, I don't know why anyone would take them, but they do. So, if marijuana is a natural substance that evidently is multi-purpose, why tell people suffering from pain that they can't have it? Oh yeah, because the pharmas can't play.

[knitter4democracy]

83. Peer-reviewed studies refute your claim.

I've read them in the New England Journal of Medicine--marijuana has medicinal uses, especially for chronic pain and/or nausea. Hubby's had patients admit to him that they're using, and he's looked the other way, knowing full well that, if they are functional on that when nothing else works, it's a good treatment plan.

Are you a doctor?

[rAVES]

86. Perhaps if big Pharm synthesized it and bottled it you might change your mind?

[debbierlus]

91. They have....it makes most people sick

Sytheshesized TCH

That is what Mitt Romney recommended to the MS patient who questioned him about making pot legal, then he turned his
back on her.

[lame54]

122. yep and

it is very expensive, I know my son's doctor prescribed it for my son and it made him sick and cost around $400 for a 2 week supply. I'd rather he smoked the herb. patty lame's wife

[Torn_Scorned_Ignored]

94. "medical" value

Marijuana as a Medicine - Links

http://mojo.calyx.net/~olsen/MEDICAL/links.html

[Webster Green]

97. You are totally clueless if you think it isn't medicine..

When I was doing my chemotherapy treatments, my doctors would suggest to the other patients waiting for chemo that they might want to go join me out on the fire escape where I was toking up.

My oncologists were well aware of the benefits of pot.

BTW, that was back in 1978.

You need to get up to speed on this stuff because you are utterly fucking CLUELESS!

Peace!:hippie:

[rucognizant]

115. In 1979

My Dad was in Chemotherapy and the HOSPITAL GAVE HIM Marijuana cigarettes to smoke. He DIDN"T lose his hair!

[Webster Green]

117. I didn't lose mine either. I couldn't believe it.

Other patients I knew who did the same drug combo were totally bald.

I can't say if it was the pot that kept my hair from falling out, but it was great for nausea. Without it, I would be puking my guts out. With pot, I would stop for a burger on the way home after my injections.

The fucking DEA and the other federal fascist fucking liars can kiss my ass in Macy's window!

[Zhade]

101. FUCKING. BULLSHIT.

I have seen FOUR separate doctors individually whose collective prognosis is that my medicine helps prevent me from going painfully blind.

You're so full of ignorant shit on this. Stop embarrassing yourself with your uninformed idiocy.

[crikkett]

112. 'girly girl' is a varietal name

like 'early girl' or 'big boy' -- those are names for types of tomatoes. Different varieties have different qualities and there are hundreds of varieties.

It may not have 'medical' value for you, but neither does codene if you don't have a cough.

[JeanGrey]

116. Oh, you don't? I just had five months chemotherapy and

I beg to differ with you. When you do, get back to me.

[lame54]

121. 15 Years ago I might of agreed but...

having a son with a severe autoimmune disease(dermatomyositis) has opened my eyes. He uses it to enable him to keep his food down (on cancer medication and a host of other drugs) and helps him tolerate his daily pain. Imagine your worst flu day and triple the pain and that is what every day is like for him. I don't know where you get your facts but it also helps glaucoma patients.
patty lame's wife

[everydayis911]

9. Very Sad

It's tragic that people vote to help people like her but the courts just say no. I enjoy smoking pot but I am not in a life or death situation. It's too bad she couldn't do what the voters gave her the right to do. But the pharmaceuticals won't allow pot to be legal or the liquor companies. They would rather you take their drug and get more problems or not get help at all. I would hope if I ever find myself in that situation I could move to a country that is free and allow me to do this.

[freefall]

38. Every once in a while I see, or hear, or read something that opens

a door of understanding in my mind. Often the basic data is something I already know but it is expressed in a way I hadn't thought of. You gave me such a "click" moment this morning, everydayis911. I know that marijuana is far less dangerous than nicotine and liquor and has far fewer side effects than many pharmaceuticals. For some time I have believed that marijuana should be legal and uncontrolled. However I had never put two and two together and realized that the corporate entities in the liquor and pharmaceutical industries (probably tobacco too, wouldn't you think?) would be against legalization. Unfortunately, now that I am aware I am also more pessimistic than ever about legalization as those are some pretty powerful entities with very deep pockets.

Another black mark on capitalism's slate.

Peace and I hope you never have to move,

freefall

[bobbolink]

107. If you were in her situation, you wouldn't have the $$$ to move ANYWHERE, and certainly NOT

to another country.

[everydayis911]

10. Yes

Marijuana does work for people who have illnesses. They have done studies that show MJ reduces cancerous tumors. It also helps people with diabetes so don't say it's not a medicine just because of the bottle it came in. And Budweiser can go fuck themselves they help pot to still be illegal. It's really a shame when they take down billboards with Joe Camel but 3 little frogs tell your childrenS how to say Bud-Weis-er. How cute. But that drug is ok it's full of fun and excitement and you meet girls. They even have a bud bowl. Nothing like getting the kids to like beer at an early age. I would rather if I had a kid that they smoke pot before EVER drinking.

[killbotfactory]

11. Another victory in the war of drugs.

And it won't stop until every poor person is either dead or in prison.

[Froward69]

12. damn tragedy

our government is run by pharmaceutical, Oil, liquor, Insurance and chemical companies. Time for real change.

[Divine Discontent]

14. wow....

I am deeply sorry to hear of this sad story. Her pain is over, yes, but to see that people who could use medical marijuana (someone very close to me) not being able to do so is tragic, and tragic things come from that unstoppable pain.

This makes me think of the video with Mitt turning away coldly, when asked about medical marijuana.

[Peace Patriot]

15. The phony, failed, murderous, corrupt "war on drugs" killed her. nt

[patpatriot]

16. Horrible

what is there to say? this is beyond words in its sadness.

[Mojambo]

17. Welcome to DU.

:hi:

[wicket]

18. It certainly is

:(

Welcome to DU :hug:

[theHandpuppet]

27. I've never understood this country's obsessive fear of marijuana

Is it fear? I don't know because I simply can't grasp what's going on here. How many thousands of folks die every year die at the hands of alcohol-impaired drivers? How many thousands more are victims of domestic violence were alcohol is involved? Just what are the statistics for other crimes where booze is a factor? Yet marijuana is illegal?? I just don't get it. We promote and pander alcohol to children yet people who are suffering can't get medical marijuana?

This country is so screwed up where our priorities are concerned. Caught between unfettered capitalism and fundamentalism, it's only a matter of time until this society totally implodes.

[Mend]

28. How sad this woman died and how sad she suffered so much. I think the

powers that be associate pot with the Sixties when we scared them to death with our
rebellion against their dictatorship and authoritarianism. They will never let "us" (I don't smoke) have it. They are still punishing us. We really got to them then and they can't get over it: Pot, free love, reproductive rights, anti-war and civil rights riots, anti-materialism.

[DarkTirade]

33. I don't think the common people believe the anti-pot crap.

If they did, just about everybody in the country wouldn't smoke it. It's just the politicians and the extreme kneejerk whackos who continually vote in every election.

[EST]

58. If you really want to know, it's racism.

There was a lot of movement of humans with more colorful skins from economically depressed areas, like New Orleans, a hundred years ago, to the north--Chicago, NY, etc.

The white ruling class viewed this with horror, especially since the influx of southern colorful people had a rather blase idea about the consumption of the dreaded weed and were singularly unimpressed with that attitude.

Couldn't have them there uppity colorful people laaughin and gigglin - they must be laughin at US!

The fear of everyone else, and especially the fear that everyone else had a bigger schwanse than did the locals and therefore had to be more attractive to white wimmen was more than they could bear.
This was not the only reason, but was a big one. Given the history of slavery, genocide and xenophobia that came natural to transplanted Europeans, it wasn't surprising.

[rAVES]

87. Cotton Farmers.

[tanyev]

29. So if a Dem takes the White House in 2008 and the Republicans

start screaming about "states' rights" again, would that help the medical marijuana issue?

[Warren Stupidity]

32. See Clinton, 92-2000. NO.

The Corporate Kleptocracy and War Party remains solidly in favor of 'lock 'em up and throw away the key'.

[Stardust]

126. Dennis Kucinich will de-criminalize marijuana. n/t

[Warren Stupidity]

31. At least she wasn't a marijuana addict.

I am really tired of the vicious stupidity of america after the Reagan Long March Right. We have become a nation of intolerant selfish arrogant bullies.

[rockybelt]

37. Shame

This is another example of the "compassionate conservatives" at work. Shame on them all!
Down with this regime!!!;(

[carly denise pt deux]

40. liquor, tobacco, prescription medications, addicting and expensive

why are these things legal, but someone cannot ease their pain with a natural plant...its sickening...I dont get it

The govt would be able to make some serious cash if they would legalize pot and tax it when they sold it, but nooo, the pharmaceutical companies would never hear of that..

The war on drugs is a losing battle, meth is now the drug of choice and one of the worst one I have ever seen, dangerous to make and quickly destroys the user.

It's really a shame for that poor woman.

[Dystopian]

42. K&R

Such a sad story....this is outrageous.
Last year my son was working at a diner. He told me about the two customers he supplied with marijuana while they were going through chemo for cancer. One of them had a brain tumor, and the other was elderly. I cried...I was so proud of him. He was outraged that they had to endure the side effects of the chemo but the marijuana helped them through...
The topic of him getting busted came up...he didn't care...he said it was his moral obligation. He watched my mother die from cancer.

I'm still so very proud of my son. Heart of gold.

peace~

[Bozita]

80. That's a great story.

I don't know him, but I'm proud of him too.

[Dystopian]

125. Thank you....

I'm getting misty with these responses.....

Thank you for making my day...


peace~

[knitter4democracy]

84. Good for him. Hubby's had cancer patients who've needed it.

They couldn't take the other meds available, and the marijuana helped them get through chemo. He just looked the other way, since he feels it should be prescribable.

[Dystopian]

124. Looking the other way...

for the love of humanity....
beautiful...

peace~

[Zhade]

103. Tell your son that another patient out in SoCal admires his integrity and compassion.

What a great kid!

[Dystopian]

123. Thank You....

I will tell him...
It warms my heart to hear that...
He's a kind and gentle soul...he'll appreciate the message..
I truly hope you are doing well...
Sending love....

peace~

[abq e streeter]

44. Yet another instance , also, of Democrats

falling all over themselves to get a slice of the knuckledragger vote. How many allegedly liberal Dems have come out against the drug war? Here in NM, it was right-wing/libertarian governor Gary Johnson who went on a one man crusade to stop the drug war madness and was universally derided by the state Democratic establishment, although Gov. Richardson has lately been a strong advocate of medicinal pot, and a buddy of mine, a very liberal retired judge, was the head of Gov. Johnson's commission that advocated legalizing it. But in most cases, you can't just blame this on the right wing; the Dems have been equally complicit in this madness. Letting people die for the sake of perceived political expediency is a bipartisan strategy when it comes to drug policy.

[NC_Nurse]

45. So sad.

That is absolutely terrible. :-(

[Fly by night]

46. Cannabis not only eases pain and nausea -- it attacks cancer cells and kills them.

Here is a recent news item worth reading:

"Pot Compound Should Be Evaluated As Brain Tumor Treatment, Study Says

"Ramat-Gan, Israel: The primary psychoactive agent in cannabis, THC, possesses anti-tumoral activity in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) cell lines and should be evaluated in clinical trials as a treatment for brain cancer, according to preclinical data to be published in the journal Acta Oncologica.

"Investigators at Bar-Ilan University in Israel report that the administration of THC significantly affects the viability of GBM cells. Glioblastoma multiforme, the most aggressive form of glioma (brain cancer), strikes some 7,000 Americans annually, and generally results in death within one to two years following diagnosis.

"'THC an essential mediator of cannabinoid antitumoral action,' investigators concluded. 'Administration of Delta(9)-THC to glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) cell lines results in a significant decrease in cell viability. … t is suggested that Delta(9)-THC and other cannabinoids be implemented in future clinical evaluation as a therapeutic for brain tumors.'

"In 2006, investigators at Complutense University in Spain reported that the intracranial administration of THC decreased recurrent GBM tumor growth in humans.

"Separate preclinical studies indicate that cannabinoids can inhibit the proliferation of various cancer cell lines, including breast carcinoma, prostate carcinoma, lung cancer, and lymphoma."

For more information, please contact Paul Armentano, NORML Senior Policy Analyst, at: [e-mail]. Full text of the study, "Delta9-Tetrahydrocannabinol inhibits cell cycle progression by downregulation of E2F1 in human glioblastoma multiforme cells," will appear in Acta Oncologica. Additional information on the anti-cancer properties of cannabis is available in NORML’s booklet, "Emerging Clinical Applications for Cannabis and Cannabinoids," available online at: http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=7002.
-----------------

So not only are we maintaining unnecessary levels of pain and suffering among people who could benefit from access to cannabis, but we are allowing some people to die needlessly because they cannot benefit from the anti-tumorogenic effects of cannabis components.

I am only sorry that some Montana cannabis grower didn't hook up with this woman and provide what she needed for free, the feds be damned. That is going on around the country, though the risks are REALLY real. Here's my experience:

www.nashvillescene.com/Stories/Cover_Story/2007/04/26/Marijuana_Martyr/index.shtml

Fortunately, states continue to pass medical marijuana laws despite the feds' jack-booted resistance and federal judges continue to signal that a change in cannabis policy would be very welcomed by the judiciary. I really appreciate Bill Richardson working hard to make sure that New Mexico became the thirteenth state to legalize medical cannabis. I also like that NM became the first state to authorize the production and distribution of cannabis by state-licensed contractors so that this medicine could be made available to people as soon as they need it, not five to seven months later (the time it would take them or their caregivers to grow cannabis for the approved patient's use). One of the reasons I like that idea is that I helped introduce it to Richardson's predecessor, Gary Johnson, a libertarian Republican who was very supportive of drug policy reform.

If America needs to be protected from any theocracy, it is our own home-grown version that takes money from all of the above-mentioned corporations to keep up the drumbeat that cannabis use a "sin" and a "moral failure" in the eyes of some Americans (fortunately, a group that is about the same size as the Smirking Chimp's support base.)

Cannabis use isn't a sin -- it's a sacrament. Peace out.

[nashville_brook]

60. wow -- thanks for these links, and your input.

[Da Forp]

48. :(

This sucks. Saying prayers for her and her loved ones.

[Bonobo]

49. Cannabis is one of the most all-purpose useful drugs. That is why it is kept from us.

It would put pharmaceutical companies out of business along with a whole lot of other "businesses" that destroy the environment like artificial fibers, fuel energy, etc.

Cannabis probably has been co-evolving with humans for a very long time. It has been used for hundreds of thousands of years and is mentioned in the bible as being used to anoint baby jesus (now mistranslated to cover up this fact -look it up!)

On edit: I didn't want to leave it on the baby Jesus note. The point is, folks, "legalize it, don't criticize it."

[graywarrior]

53. Politicians who pass and force everyone to abide by these laws act like an insane God.

Makes me sick WTF is marijuana but a plant.

[ladywnch]

55. she had no right to kill her self. She just proves what a culture of

death these liberals embrace......the quitters, the cut and runners.....she should have just sucked it up and gutted it out like a real American. And this is why republicans need to be in power forever......to protect America for these kind of people. :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm:


People who have never had catastrophic illness should not be allowed to have a say in the medical marijuana issue....EVER! As a cancer survivor I know the misery that only marijuana can relieve. All the crap they pumped me full of to help of set the side effects just made me sicker. Marijuana was the only thing that didn't cause more problems. I can't even imagine what her illness was like......may she finally have peace.

[Triana]

56. As far as I'm concerned, the US Supreme Court and the "war on drugs"

killed this woman unnecessarily. SO MUCH for their "culture of life"

BU$HIT!

:mad:

[Joey Liberal]

57. GOP prefers death over medical marijuana

The republicans want us to buy Prozac and Morphine, but not marijuana.

[abq e streeter]

63. Democrats are as much to blame as repubs on this issue...

seen any prominent Democrats boldly standing up and calling for an end to our insane "war on drugs" ?

[Joey Liberal]

88. I can't argue with that! n/t

[abq e streeter]

92. Pathetic isn't it---I wish you COULD argue with that

[Zhade]

105. Indeed - look at the ignorant motherfucker upthread.

NT!

[bagrman]

68. Follow the money, The Prohibition on Hemp crosses many industries.

To legalize medical marijuana would legitimize industrial hemp.
Big pharma doesn't want medical weed, for the obvious.
Chemical companies don't want industrial hemp because of all the chemicals needed to make cotton and paper white. When processed hemp comes out white.
Hemp fiber can be recycled more often then wood fiber.
Hemp just plain outlasts cotton.
Hemp can be squeezed for it's oil just like a canola seed.
Hemp oil can be burnt in your car, or synthesized into anything that petroleum oil can.
Hemp doesn't take a shit load of fertilizer to produce.
One acre of hemp can produce more fiber in a year then an acre of timber.

And sorry you can't get stoned smoking industrial hemp, I've tried, it grew all over my Dads farm from WW2 and it's pretty nasty.

I'm probably missing some things but hey, if you get some neocan that wants to give you shit about it ask them what I ask, "God made marijuana, man made alcohol, which one do you trust."

Latr

[MikeNearMcChord]

70. There was an author named Peter McWilliams

Who wrote an excellent book, Ain't Nobody's Business If You Do:The Absurdity of Consensual Crimes in Our Free Country, which talked about the stupidity of drug laws. He was an advocate for medical marijuana. He contracted AIDS and cancer and was using cannabis to help with the treatment. Needless to say the DEA went after him, and while out on bail, he would die caused by the reactions of the drugs he was taking, because he could not use cannabis, for fear of having his mother's house confiscated if the DEA went after him again. The war on drugs is America's homegrown version of Vietnam and Iraq.

[ooglymoogly]

73. Inflicting pain and suffering on others is a jealously guarded joy of the pugs

for power and profit, given to them by an ignorant lazy citizenry. The war on drugs was and is the precursor to war everlasting. They learned through the war on drugs that the people of "Murka" would docilely accept fascism if enough fear was provided. We have become nothing but glassy eyed Pavlovian dogs and the war on drugs was and is the catalyst that brought us to where we now find ourselves and it is not a good place. The same people who brought us the war on drugs have brought us the war on "tera" and the invasion of sovereign countries which will last ad nauseum killing and maiming millions of innocent men women and children.

[Uncle Joe]

77. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, Newsjock.

[wordpix]

78. I wonder what drug cartels are giving to US pols to stop the med mj bills from passing nt

:puke:

[RB TexLa]

85. It's her right to do so

[debbierlus]

89. The Marijuana laws in this country are positively Draconian -

And, it is all about protecting the corporate profits & keeping a dysfunctional, prehistoric criminal justice (HA!) system functioning.

Pot should be legal. Period.

This is very, very sad. I know a few people who use it to control anxiety disorders & it makes a tremendous difference in their
ability to work, function, & improve their quality of life.

As far as I am concerned, Pot should be in every medicine cabinet.

[Sukie1941]

93. My 94-yr old mother is terrified

She can't tolerate ANY painkillers other than aspirin.

She had a lung surgery without any painkillers when she was 85.

Recently she had a metal piece put into her spine, again without pain killers.

We never tried marijuana for anything, but had she asked for it, I would have found it.

I live on a So. Oregon river, and years ago boaters planted marijuana all along the river! Not sure if any of it is still growing.

I think here in Oregon, if people are quiet about it, they can use marijuana without any trouble from "authorities."

We have legal right-to-die laws here, thank god. I want to add that this measure passed twice, and the feds have tried and tried to kill it. Interestingly, Oregon tends to vote conservative, so some of them (alot of them) must have voted for it! Self-interest, of course!

[everydayis911]

98. I wonder

If marijuana could have helped Teri Schivo if they would still be so negative on it. Or would Jeb had gone down there with his daughters bong and helped out.

[crikkett]

114. He'd have brought his own maybe.

[Zhade]

99. Another person MURDERED by the war of lies and terrorism against a beneficial plant.

Sickening!

This one's for you, Robin.

[0rganism]

108. strongly disagree with those who don't think MJ can be marketed

There's an industry that already has the manufacturing, marketing and distribution systems in place that would love to get its hands on legalized marijuana: Big Tobacco.

The thing that surprises me most about it is they haven't already mounted a successful lobby to get marijuana legalized.

Can you even imagine the mindbending profits they could make from marketing tobacco-marijuana blend cigarettes? And the fact that RJR-Nabisco has a lion's share of the snack-cracker market can only be seen as added incentive. :shrug:

IMHO, the primary disincentive for BT has been the negative image associated with marijuana due to 8+ decades of sustained drug war agitprop. These guys are already walking a fine line with the carcinogens they market already, so they don't want to go too far out on the limb of vice lobbying.

But they stand to make BILLIONS.

[Bennyboy]

109. I think it would become like the wine industry....

everyone would grow differently and different strains. We wouls have regions that were known for their high quality pot.

Pot is not easy to grow. it takes a lot of care and knowlege to even grow mediocre weed.

[0rganism]

119. this is exactly the kind of situation where the tobacco industry thrives

Tobacco Giants have the facilities, the know-how, and the $$$ to not only grow pot well, but to grow it in 1000 variations of genetically-engineered flavor, strength, and color.

The major risk to the local "microgrower" and regional diversity would no longer be the DEA and its associated buzzkill fascists, but rather the sheer unprofitability of maintaining one's own temperature-controlled HPS-lit hydroponic growery for a product you can buy with a few bucks at the neighborhood Quick-E-Mart.

AFAIK, you can still grow your own tobacco, too, if you want... :smoke:

[Counciltucky]

113. Yeah but doing drugs is morally wrong.

Just ask the Republicans.

[Stump]

118. I just can't wrap my mind around...

The fact that it is illegal to possess a plant in this country. What kind of bullshit is this?

[janx]

120. Every time a state votes for med marijuana, the FEDS knock

that state's rights down.

This has happened over and over and over. Montana is the latest, or at least one of the latest.