Legalization of Medical Marijuana and other drugs

greenspun.com : LUSENET : 1998 Guam Elections : One Thread

Interested in legalizing marijuana for medical use? Join C.A.L.M.M. Chamorro Association for the Legalization of Medical Marijuana. Needed: first hand accounts of how marijuana has helped you in the past or currently. Please respond with name and address and/or telephone #.

send to: C.A.L.M.M. 415 Chn. San Antonio Ste. 167 Tamuning, Guam 96911

Confidentiality will be strictly maintained.

If interested in information and knowledge for self and distribution, please send name and address to above.

Listen to the scientists, beware of politicians....

Dr. Chris Dombrowski

-- Dr. Chris Dombrowski (drchriss@kuentos.guam.net), October 03, 1998

Answers

Response to Legalization of Medical Marijuana

Dr. Dombrowski,

Thank you for participating in this forum. But I'd rather stick to debating issues and not have announcements and ads on this forum. If you want to debate the legalization of medical marijuana as an election-related issue, you're free to do so.

Thank you for respecting the intent of this forum. Please continue to participate.

-- Lighthouse Keeper (lighthousekeeper@my-dejanews.com), October 03, 1998.


Response to Legalization of Medical Marijuana

OK, let us debate whether the people should be entitled to be given a prescription by a physician for a plant, from God's own green pharmacy, to alleviate various ailments: pain, anxiety, stress, tension, glaucoma, muscle spasms secondary to multiple sclerosis or paraplegia, relief from vomiting secondary to cancer chemotherapy, epilepsy, asthma, migraine headaches, insomnia, arthritis...

Isn't it amazing how a bunch of pen-pushing, desk jockey beauracrats in Washington dictate what medicines I am allowed or forbidden to utilize? It's time to wake up from the gross stupidity and fear of the "war on drugs" and not allow it to keep medicine that has tremendous healing potential from being prescribed to individuals who would benefit from them. Dr. Chris Dombrowski

-- Dr. Chris Dombrowski (drchriss@kuentos.guam.net), October 03, 1998.


Response to Legalization of Medical Marijuana

Dr D in da Howse. Do you think GUam will ever see a candidate runnning on the "Legalize It" ticket? Where does GUam stand in terms of decrimilization i hear we only have a handful of arrestss a year.

-- (swing76@hotmail.com), October 03, 1998.

Response to Legalization of Medical Marijuana

I doubt that there are any politicians who have the intelligence or the balls to run on a "legalize it" ticket. Perhaps Sen. Ed Cruz would be the only one I believe would possibly introduce a referendum to legalize marijuana for medical use, I don't know. I intend for it to be put on the ballot for the 2000 election as an initiative. Let the people decide.

As for decriminalization, again, politicians are more concerned over making sure they get enough votes to be re-elected as opposed to doing something that requires knowledge and reasoning and from a certain perspective makes it appear that they are 'soft on crime'. Having said that, Sen. Mark Forbes should be congratulated for having introduced and passed bill736 which funnels some money to New Beginnings and the ' appointment and support" of a drug czar. A step in the right direction, but still just pissing in the ocean. Now I'll really be impressed if the drug czar that is appointed IS A PHYSICIAN and not a killing expert,as we are dealing with a medical problem, not a military one.

Marijuana has never killed anyone in the history of mankind. If anyone should have the right to prescribe it, it's me.

-- Dr. Chris Dombrowski (drchriss@kuentos.guam.net), October 03, 1998.


Response to Legalization of Medical Marijuana

Dr. Dombrowski, you have my vote!!! Finally, a medical professional willing to fight and go the extra mile for people who are afraid to talk about Medical Marijuana. I salute you Dr. Good-Luck!!

-- R.E.Ding (justreading@yahoo.com), October 04, 1998.


Response to Legalization of Medical Marijuana

Granted, funneling money to New Beginnings might be a good idea. But appointing a "Drug Czar"? No matter who gets appointed, they're bound to tow the line of the administration in charge. To date, all Drug Czars that I know of have merely been "Commanders" in these senseless, expensive, and ineffective Wars on Drugs. And for a politician to publicly endorse the legalization of any drug at all is tantamount to political suicide. Even respected professionals in established government positions are not secure (remember Dr. Joyce Elders?). Personally, I wouldn't mind locking all of our legislators in the session hall and just fumigating the place with some "homegrown" smoke. But to what avail? The hypocrites will probably decry such a despicable act. Just before they go lock themselves in their offices and start firing up their ICE pipes.

-- Robert Hess (rhess@ns.gov.gu), October 06, 1998.

Response to Legalization of Medical Marijuana

Instead of a drug czar we should have a sobriety czar. I agree it's only a political figurehead to give the people the impression that the politicians are 'getting tough' on drugs. But since the politicians have no training in basic medical sciences or pharmacology I believe they really shouldn't be directing drug policy. Look where we are right now, we haven't achieved a damn thing. Drug policy needs to be based on scientific knowledge, if it was, we would have the situation under control in 3-5 years. But the idea of unemployed lawyers, judges, and prison guards is just to much for the public to fathom.

Can you imagine going to a fiesta that didn't have beer? No wonder we have a problem. The problem is us, not the drugs. Drugs will always be around, whether you like it or not. We are a legally ordained drug culture/society. Until we break through the denial of that fact, we are just wasting our money. Our society itself is addicted to drugs, just watch TV. Listen to the scientists, beware the politician.

-- Dr. Chris Dombrowski (drchriss@kuentos.guam.net), October 07, 1998.


Response to Legalization of Medical Marijuana

Dr D, I believe mankind is a mood altering race, from the first cup of coffe in the morning, straight on through to the "nightcap" before bed, man has always sought ways to feel better, mellow out, wake up, go to sleep, through the use of certain substances that the good lord has provided for us. Some substances are "okay", while others "tear at the moral fiber of our society". Sure!! I really can't understand a society that will refuse a cancer patient a day with no nausea, a day with a decent appitite,if one at all,yet will allow a beer company to tells to know when to say when,while beer kills more people and destroys more families,and causes tremendous amounts of pain to much too many people, then tell us the DEVIL WEED will lead to harder drugs... Here's a thought; If asked, I wonder how many pot smokers stared smoking cigarettes before they altered their mood with marijuana? Could the case be made that cigarettes lead to harder drugs? I WONDER..........................

-- Keith Atwell (keithatwell@hotmail.com), October 08, 1998.

Response to Legalization of Medical Marijuana

We are definately a drug oriented and drug using society, just look in your medicine chest. Notice that we call legal drugs 'medicine' but illegal drugs 'drugs'. There are soft drugs and there are hard drugs. You bring up the blatant hypocrisy and stupidity of our drug policy: alcohol kills 250,000 people a year, destroys every organ system in the body, yet it is actively promoted. Yet marijuana, which has never killed anyone in the history of humankind is illegal. My 11 year old nephew can see through that BS! Is it any wonder we have people like Timothy McVeigh around? To the younger generation and others, the politicians come across like a bunch of morons when discussing this issue: I'm going to be tough on drugs, drugs are bad, come to my fund raiser with the 'no-host bar'..etc. As a physician, and speaking from a pathophysiological viewpoint, I'd rather see my patients consuming cannabis as opposed to beer. Listen to the scientists, beware the politician.

-- Dr. Chris Dombrowski (drchriss@kuentos.guam.net), October 09, 1998.

Response to Legalization of Medical Marijuana

If we legalize marijuana, how do we stop the move to legalize ice? We wouldn't mind the legalization of MJ for recreational use, but are afraid of other legalization attempts.

-- The Guam News (guamnews@hotmail.com), October 11, 1998.


Response to Legalization of Medical Marijuana

Our war against drugs is stupid, at best. It's basically a prohibition that hasn't worked, undertaken by a society that is itself addicted to drugs. We keep fighting the drug war for that reason: like any addict, we try to deflect attention away from our own use. The criminal underclass created by the profoundly stupid drug war costs America more in lives and $ and outright human tragedy than any straight-out use of the outlawed drugs ever would if they were legal. If the legality of alcohol can make everyone idiots to the fact that it kills 250,000 people a year, then why not legalize cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine? We can always start clubs for those drugs too: Mothers against cocaine drivers,etc. Prohibition is for infants. Obviously. prohibition has lead us to where we are today. But before we even talk about legalization of the hard drugs for personal use, we must have treatment upon demand, harm reduction at full force. The legalization of marijuana is for the ability of physicians to prescribe it to patients who need it, although I personally feel it should be as legal as those over-the-counter decongestants and antihistamines. By the way, methamphetamine is a legal medicine, it goes by the name of desoxyn. It is used to treat narcolepsy, ADD, and obesity. Personally, If the "hard" drugs were to be leaglized it should be done in a fashion similar to what we do with guns; registration, data base,etc. As for the soft drugs; marijuana, it should be treated like lettuce. If marijuana were legalized, the use of the hard drugs would decrease by 30-50%. The people obviously want their drugs, let's give them a safe one: Marijuana!!

-- Dr. Chris Dombrowski (drchriss@kuentos.guam.net), October 11, 1998.

Response to Legalization of Medical Marijuana

NOTE: some of the following posts were from a previous thread called "Intelligent, Responsible Recreational Drug Use??"

Is there such a thing as intelligent, responsible recreational drug use? Of course there is; "Drink Responsibly" can be found at the end of certain beer commercials. You know, the ones that make you think that you will not have a great time at the beach or fiesta unless you got some. I don't see anyone out there bemoaning the alcohol cartels. This is probably an issue that maybe is 10 or 20 years ahead of it's time as we still have people who think we can accomplish something in the "war on drugs", but it is an issue that I feel, as a physician, should be addressed. In my opinion, if you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs, it is your duty to be RESPONSIBLE. Which means not doing things which would endanger you, those around you, or the public as a whole. Driving is a perfect example of a stupid thing to do while your senses are altered. If you are going to experiment or recreationally use a substance, do it in the privacy of your or a friend's home. And only experiment or recreationally use ONE drug at a time, never mix. Be prepared, do your homework; know the possible side effects of what your dealing with. You may not want to try a substance if you knew the possibilities. Aslo be aware that you may be one of those individuals that has the "craving-response" syndrome(8-12% of the population)which will lead you on a path which you never wished to travel. As a physician, I do not condone recreational drug use, but an intelligent person knows that it is a fact of life and inherent in our human nature. Let us not be in denial of that fact.

-- Dr. Chris Dombrowski (drchriss@kuentos.guam.net), October 14, 1998.


Response to Legalization of Medical Marijuana

Know when to say when.....

-- beezer (gulp@hotmail.com), October 14, 1998.

Response to Legalization of Medical Marijuana

There are no simple solutions to the "problem" of drug abuse. I agree that there exists such a thing as responsible drug use. The illegality of a drug does not, per se, make its ingestion irresponsible. I realize there are some who would argue that point but that would take us into an entirely different discussion with a potentially myriad and interesting turns. I submit that the dedication of resources to continue the so called war against drugs is doomed to failure. I think it far easier and less costly to simply remove the mystique and profit incentive by decriminalizing the use of all drugs and re-directing resources to education that has as its final, secular goal the evolution of a critically enlightened individual.

-- Grover (guamguy9@hotmail.com), October 14, 1998.

Why don't we just have a "War on Stupidity" ??

-- beezer (gulp@hotmail.com), October 15, 1998.


medical marijuana is a farce, just a way for someone to tap into a need, and make some serious mula. Look at Cali's efforts. These attempts by the medical field, to have "medicinal Marjuana" is another way the rich get richer, by mandating that only they dispense weed. Open your eyes guys, and read between the lines. Marijuana should be decriminalized, so that everyone can grow their own, for their own use, sales illegal, and just like any of the legal drugs, put a limit on its use; 18 years old, not while operating equipment, not before you go to church or work, no exporting, and a limit on how much you grow. Any violations should be misdemeanors, with jail time for repeat abusers or violators. WHAT DO YOU THINK? The old arguement has always been, "Until the politicians (or doctors) figure out how to make sure their greedy little hands can profit from this endeavor, it will remain illegal". Marijuana does not lead to stronger drugs, people lead people to stronger drugs. Moderation in evrything is common to people with respect for others and their bodies.

-- zigzag (midnight@toker.com), November 05, 1998.

I think Marijuana should be legalized. Like the Dr. says it has never killed anyone and it has been proven to have helped patients that are terminally ill or other serious illnesses. How far will Guam go with this. We need a good scientist and a good politician that will go the extra mile for what they believe in and that is to legalize marijuana. Of course there should be certain restrictions and should not be sold or should not be used other than for medical purposes. The key thing here is that it would have to be prescribed and controlled.

-- real (real@yahoo.com), November 05, 1998.

$$$$$$$$ No Question about the 'serious moolah' business. No question at all. I just spent 4 days in Vancouver with a few cannabis activists who were all driving BMWs at the young age of 22!! Talk about raking it in!! They give new meaning to the term: free enterprise! The first organization with the best ideas that crosses the finish line first gets that big 5 bedroom house with six bathrooms, rec room with pool table and if you're really doin' good, a pinball machine! Two car garage filled by 2 him and hers silver Mercedes 4x4's. Oh, and don't forget the gym with steam room and whirlpool(hey....the President has one!)

But seriously...

I think everyone should be able to grow it. And it would be nice to give my patients " nothing but the best!!" by having well trained and well experienced Botanist or Agriculturist really grow some good stuff. Nothing But The Best!! Otherwise I agree with everything else you said. And I do believe that I have broken through that wall of denial of my technical materialism . My money doesn't talk...it screams! And as for Hillary, Jill, Nancy, and Sister Icee, if you're ever in British Columbia you gotta stop in Vancouver and check these 'vanguards to the species' out at the "Cannabis Cafe" or the Compassion Club. Later, Chris

-- Dr. Chris Dombrowski (drchriss@kuentos.guam.net), November 07, 1998.


A CALL FOR A DRUG WAR TRUCE WITH PEACE NEGOTIATIONS

Preamble: No civilized nation makes war on its own citizens. We, the people, did not declare war on our government nor do we wish to fight its Drug War. Hence, we now petition for redress of grievances, as follows:

Whereas any just government derives its authority from a respect of the People's rights and powers; and

Whereas the government has resorted to unilateral military force in the Drug War without any good faith effort to negotiate a peace settlement;

Therefore, we hereby call for a Drug War Truce during which to engage our communities and governments in peace negotiations, under the following terms:

Article 1: The United States shall withdraw from, repudiate, or amend any and all international Treaties or agreements limiting its ability to alter domestic drug policy.

Article 2: No patient shall be prosecuted nor any health care professional penalized for possession or use of any mutually agreed upon medications.

Article3: Drug policy shall henceforth protect all fundamental rights, as described below: 1. Each person retains all his inalienable Constitutional, and Human Rights, without exception. No drug regulation shall violate these rights. 2. The benefit of the doubt shall always be given to the accused and to any property or assets at risk. Courts shall allow the accused to present directly to the jury any defense based on these Rights, and explanation of motive, or any mitigating circumstances, such as religion, culture, or necessity. 3. No victim: no crime. The burden of proof and corroboration in all proceedings shall lie with the government. No secret witness nor paid testimony shall be permitted in court, including that of any government agent or informant who stands to materially gain through the disposition of a drug case or forfeited property. No civil asset forfeiture shall be levied against a family home or legitimate means of commercial livelihood. 4. Issues of entrapment, government motive, and official misconduct shall be heard by the jury in any drug case, civil or criminal. Government agents who violate the law are fully accountable and shall be prosecuted accordingly. 5. Mandatory minimum sentences undermine our system of justice. The jury shall be informed of all penalties attached to any offense before deliberating a verdict. Courts shall have the discretion to reduce penalties in the interest of justice.

Article 4. We propose a Drug War Truce and call for the immediate release of all non-violent and aside from drug charges involving adults only, law-abiding citizens.

Article 5. No non-violent drug charges involving adults only shall be enforced or prosecuted until all parties have agreed to, and implemented, a drug policy based on full respect for fundamental Rights and personal responsibility.

The above is simply a restatement of the rights that have been our heritage from the Magna Carta, British common law, and our own Constitution. Sounds like a good idea to me.

Dr. Chris Dombrowski

-- Dr. Chris Dombrowski (drchriss@kuentos.guam.net), January 28, 1999.


Dear Doc, I've just read your latest writing, pretty heavy duty stuff, I really don't think the powers to be will give a moments thought, I'm thinking maybe answer lies in the other benefits of hemp. The money spent on the "war", could be better used clothing the world through the hemp plant, I have'nt really researched it, my understanding is there are a lot of other uses for the hemp plant, maybe by getting rid of the stigma of the pot leaf,the Grateful Dead, and the sight of the giggling man in the chair getting hysterical after smoking a joint in the classic "Reefer Madness".Somebody will see the light. What do you think?

God Bless, Keith Atwell

-- Keith Atwell (keithatwell@mailcity.com), January 29, 1999.


Keith, As long as we allow these politicians, lawyers, and judges(who have NO training in clinical pharmacology and basic medical science)to dictate drug policy we are only worsening the human condition. Is it any wonder that we are breeding people like Timothy McVeigh? Profound stupidity at its best is the way to describe this imbecilic drug war. I guess the people will wake up when all their friends are in jail and a prison is about to be built in their backyard! Drug laws create criminals! Ooops....it's Miller time....gotta go! Later, Chris

-- Dr. Chris Dombrowski (drchriss@kuentos.guam.net), January 30, 1999.

"If people let the government decide what foods they eat and what drugs/medicines they take, their bodies will soon be a sorry state as are the souls of those who live under tyranny."

Thomas Jefferson, 3rd President of the U.S.

-- Dr. Chris Dombrowski (drchriss@kuentos.guam.net), January 31, 1999.


Hey Doc, I hear that the Ada/Camacho campaign is going to back the medical marijuana initiative. Do you think they would have the backbone?

-- Jerry (nunyr@bus.com), April 23, 1999.

I don't know where you heard that A/C is backing m.j. but I know T.G. sure loves those treats from saipan.

-- arck (stealdafunds@ns.gov.gu), April 23, 1999.

Let's make the candidates submit to a random urine and blood drug tests during the campaign and 2 or 3 times during their tenure!

-- Jimmy (love@oasis.com), April 24, 1999.

Marijuana prohibition is an attempth to enforce personal morality through criminal persecution.

-- John (beat4u@bea.com), April 24, 1999.

Dr Chris, what are the statistics on deaths resulting alcohol use,as compared to illegal drug use?

-- Keith Atwell (keithatwell@mailcity.com), September 12, 1999.

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