Do you think patients should have the right to use medical marijuana?

I'm really surprised (pleasantly so) that thus far, all have us have said yes.

a definite, unequivocal, whole-hearted YES.

Marijuana should be legal. It should have always been legal. It should not be government regulated or taxed.

I believe it was God who said "I have given you all the seed bearing plants on earth to use", but apparently "our" government doesn't see it that way. That strikes me as odd, because they seem to use some of God's other ideas pretty freely to get their point across. (gay marriage for one).


Why would we want the government to tax marijuana? Do you want them to tax trees and grass and the vegetables you grow in your garden? Why not AIR? I can grow veggies and tobacco in my garden tax free, so why not marijuana?

"Our" government will never legalize marijuana because THEY would lose a boatload of cash. You think that legalizing and taxing marijuana will generate more revenue than leaving it illegal does? HA. Not only does the government make money in fines and other penalties, but they make a killing in "drug" money and other asset seizures. (They take cars, boats, houses, land, and whatever else they can get their hands on). What percentage of that is being put toward the deficit now?











MEDICAL marijuana should be regulated so that the people using it can get the most benefit from it.

Yes. Many moons ago, when I was doing heme/onc/bmt nursing, I've had conversations with patients who testified that marijuana helped their appetite. Using it was most beneficial for them. Most had used that "THC in a Pill". (Don't remember the name. Marinal???)

Just as ETOH is legal, so should marijuana be legal. Interestingly, both have its "issues" or "risks" and both have its benefits. In my opinion the least problematic is marijuana (and probably the most beneficial).

Oh by the way, I do not drink nor do I smoke. . . anything. And know that I've never even TRIED marijuana! Not once! And I still think it's a crime that it remains illegal the way that it is today. How its viewed by so many in this country serves as a great example on how our society can be so hypocritical with what it considers to be "good" and "bad" for itself.

Oh, I've got to stop. This is a "Hot Button" issue for me.

Just my more than .

...you've always got the best ideas....

Marijuana should be completely legal for everyone! My house = my business!

Back on topic: Patients in pain, especially from cancer, should never be denied a drug to alleviate it.

Yes! Just like others said, make it legal all around and tax it! Just dont do it a few days before (due to clouded thinking) or during work!

Wow, thanks for the history lesson. I had heard that the criminalization of MJ was linked to generating fear the "Devil weed smoking n***ers" were going to rape and pillage the sacred women of the south. Seems like it was a weed that was easily available to the poor and reduced motivation to purchase booze, a taxible commodity. Geo. Washington, among others, grew it for it's many benefits. There was a Govmt. study in the 70's that proved it was less harmful than ETOH. Legalizing it, then taxing it like other substances seems a likely answer. Does anybody think that we are winning the war on drugs????

having worked as an oncology nurse for many years, i can attest to the benefits of medical marijuana to help control chemo-related side effects. of course, i believe there should be strict rules and regulations regarding the use, similar to ones for controlled substances. as with almost any other drug, there is a great potential for misuse, but why should we keep those patients who would benefit from the drug from using it (or make them resort to an illegal activity) just because the use of marijuana is currently illegal?

I thought I would be the only one with that view!!

Shouldn't even be an issue. As Hospice RN Case Mgr's we deal every day with issues of pain, nausea, poor intake etc. It should come as no surprise that Marinol is marginally effective at best. It is another case where the Pharmaceutical industry has taken a naturally occuring benefical substance
and manipulated it in the lab, removing many active ingredients, and compounded a product they can patent and distribute for profit, regardless of its efficacy in comparison with original. Likewise with Methadone, which is seeing increased use in our clinical practice as an extremely effective agent in pain control, especially with terminal patients. Many physicians have little experience with its use and can be reluctant to prescribe. This also can probably be in part attributed to the fact that it is a very inexpensive option, there is no financial incentive for the drug reps and companies to promote its use over Oxycontin etc. despite its effectiveness. While no drug is a panacea and all need to be tailored to the individual, you may find that Methadone warrants a second look as you attempt to provide maximum relief and comfort to your patients. As with any med, start low, go slow and assess. Do your own research and consult with MD, Pharmacist, colleague etc. for advice and support. Patrick Monk.RNCM. SF.Ca.