Legalizing Medical Marijuana

[Tilted]

Feds to Issue New Medical Marijuana Policy

Federal drug agents won't pursue pot-smoking patients or their sanctioned suppliers in states that allow medical marijuana, under new legal guidelines to be issued Monday by the Obama administration.

Two Justice Department officials described the new policy to The Associated Press, saying prosecutors will be told it is not a good use of their time to arrest people who use or provide medical marijuana in strict compliance with state law.

The guidelines to be issued by the department do, however, make it clear that agents will go after people whose marijuana distribution goes beyond what is permitted under state law or use medical marijuana as a cover for other crimes, the officials said.

The new policy is a significant departure from the Bush administration, which insisted it would continue to enforce federal anti-pot laws regardless of state codes.

[cmhurley1]

it absolutely should be, Salvia is legal and marijuana is not? the trip that salvia produces is FAR more intense then the high feeling from marijuana, and its not even a medical drug. Alcohol is legal, and marijuana is not? well you know where im going with that one. in the end it comes down to one thing, money, money, money. until our lovely government can find some way to fatten their wallets off of it, MJ will remain illegal. as far as what i think, marijuana is by far the safest "psychoactive drug" (though its a plant, not a drug) there is, it should be legalized, taxed and have restrictions similar to that of alcohol (i would not recommend driving super blazed, but thats just me) do it to it guys.

[libertytyranny]

Originally Posted by cmhurley1

it absolutely should be, Salvia is legal and marijuana is not? the trip that salvia produces is FAR more intense then the high feeling from marijuana, and its not even a medical drug. Alcohol is legal, and marijuana is not? well you know where im going with that one. in the end it comes down to one thing, money, money, money. until our lovely government can find some way to fatten their wallets off of it, MJ will remain illegal. as far as what i think, marijuana is by far the safest "psychoactive drug" (though its a plant, not a drug) there is, it should be legalized, taxed and have restrictions similar to that of alcohol (i would not recommend driving super blazed, but thats just me) do it to it guys.

Many states are taking steps to control the use of salvia for recreational purposes.

[softcrab]

Originally Posted by SoccerMom2

Do you think they should legalize marijuana for medical purposes?

Define medical.

[JoeMac]

Originally Posted by softcrab

Define medical.

Something you see a doctor for. Maryland law states that if you can PROVE in court that you have a medical condition that MJ helps the max fine they can give you is $100. So technically I would call it legal now. I also know people who have been stopped and had MJ on them and the cop gave them a ticket for it and sent them on their way.

I think in the next 3-5 years it will be legalized and taxed. I see industrial hemp being legalized before that. From what I have read hemp could be a great replacement crop for our local tobacco farmers who's buyout is expiring very soon.

[softcrab]

But what of the large contingent with out medical insurance, or just do'n;t go tho the doctor out of shame or whatever. I think a lot of pot use is self medicating. As well as other addictive substances.

[JoeMac]

That's a good point, people like me.

Maybe have some type of program where they can go to the doctor and get a doctors note. Not a prescription because that generally means they treated you for something. The fed pays the doctor with either the tax revenue or the money saved by the elimination of the war on drugs. I would think the cost would be pretty low for this. Another option might be a clinic, they are usually lower cost.

Then say you MUST have a note or a prescription for those with insurance.

From what I can tell only about 20% of the population don't have insurance. How many of those would use if it was illegal? I doubt it would be a major issue.

I might come up with a better response but that will do for now.

[softcrab]

Some insurance won,t cover psych anyway. Latest research points to brain chemical imbalance/genetic but for whatever cause; if a chemical/medicine helps for a better life experience vs harm ? Natural medicine is historic and I feel the use of cannabis falls there in that history.

[JoeMac]

My thoughts are that it should be treated more like alcohol than prescription medication. That solves the whole discussion. With medical use you run into the whole policing thing. If it's treated like alcohol, we already have somewhat functioning infrastructure to address it.