US Supreme Court outlaws 'medical marijuana'

Sadie04 · Jun 7, 2005

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The US Supreme Court refused to sanction the use of marijuana for medical purposes, dashing the hopes of thousands of US patients using the substance for pain relief.
By a vote of six to three, the US high court refused to allow residents in 10 states to use the drug with a doctor's permission and under highly regulated conditions.
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20050606/pl_afp/usjusticedrugs_050606214414
I really don't get what is the difference between using marijuana for medicinal reasons and using opiates or other CNS drugs.
I think our government has bigger fish to fry. Why pick on these chronic pain sufferers who have found something that works for them?

ITA Begalli. I work in an outpatient oncology clinic administering chemo to cancer patients. For some patients, the only effective means of stimulating their appetites and keeping chemo-induced N/V at bay is by using marijuana. Many of them have tried the whole spectrum of anti-emetics and appetite stimulants including marinol. It boggles my mind that Providers can legally prescribe Oxycontin and Methadone but patients with chronic N/V and/or pain that use marijuana must live in fear of being prosecuted

:rolleyes: . Nevermind the money and manpower wasted on investigating these poor souls. Go after the dealers, not people trying to live with a serious illness such as cancer and AIDS.

Kalico · Jun 7, 2005

ITA Begalli. I work in an outpatient oncology clinic administering chemo to cancer patients. For some patients, the only effective means of stimulating their appetites and keeping chemo-induced N/V at bay is by using marijuana. Many of them have tried the whole spectrum of anti-emetics and appetite stimulants including marinol. It boggles my mind that Providers can legally prescribe Oxycontin and Methadone but patients with chronic N/V and/or pain that use marijuana must live in fear of being prosecuted
. Nevermind the money and manpower wasted on investigating these poor souls. Go after the dealers, not people trying to live with a serious illness such as cancer and AIDS.

ITA. It goes along the same lines as insurance companies telling Drs what medicines they can prescribe for their patients IMO. The Supreme Court does not have medical training and neither do insurance companies so I find it very hard to agree with them being able to dictate certain aspects of medicine. Just my opinion though.

begalli · Jun 7, 2005

You know the powers that be complain that there is not enough research to prove the efficacy of this drug, yet there is tons of evidence from the mouths of the people who this drug actually helps. Even the AMA is on the fence due to lack of research. But you would think that the research on untreated pain and all of it's ill-effects would hold some weight and if something is working, then that's substantial. What do they want? They will never have concrete answers with such a subjective topic. I think the anecdotal evidence is beyond substantial.

One thing that is not good about smoking the stuff is that it is indeed being smoked. Terrible for the lungs. But there are other ways to take this drug in.

Will chronic pain sufferers ever be taken seriously? Will pain ever be given the priority it deserves without people raising an eyebrow suspicious that the sufferer is using for recreational purposes?

Such a shame.

Who actually opposses the use of medical marijuana and why? I need some enlightenment.

Mystery5 · Jun 7, 2005

I used to smoke marijuana in my youth. I don't see that it's really much worse than alcohol, opiates, etc. Why the big taboo do you think?

RainDreamer, BSN, RN · Jun 7, 2005

ITA with each of you.

I won't even get into the whole thing about how alcohol is legal, yet marijuana isn't. But to answer Mystery's question, I think it all has to do with the tobacco and alcohol companies ..... they don't want it legalized in fear of losing money for their own products. And unfortunately in this country, those companies hold A LOT of weight and are extremely influential, even to the lawmakers.

Hodge · Jun 7, 2005

The supreme court did its job in applying the law passed by congress and the president; the problem is with the law. Bush and his administration chose to bring this case up. This is another push by the religous right to dictate how we will live our lives according to their beleifs. Stem cell research and the promotion of denial of birth control to women were just the beginning. Remember, this is an administration that calls "global warming" bunk science yet promotes creationism. Whats next? Perhaps we should just practice the new testament ritual of "laying on of hands" and praying for our physical calamities to go away. Just think of how many more tax cuts for the wealthy we could fund if we closed down all our hospitals!!

Mystery5 · Jun 7, 2005

Well, I wouldn't go villifying religious people and becoming paranoid. A lot of religious people feel the same way about the liberal agenda of the media which they feel is eroding the moral fabric of society.

Personally, I'm paranoid about the drug companies and their desire to control American public by getting everyone hooked into all their products. Marijuana is a threat to profits, since it's a simple herb.

Mystery5 · Jun 7, 2005

Just think of the huge lobbies of these companies. They push Ritalin on kids, anti-depressants on anyone with the blues, Viagra paid for by the US taxpayer, ad nauseum... Our kids are being over-immunized, with little to no research on the effects of this many vaccines on the immune system. I've seen more honest research into the negative effects of over-vaccinating on dogs, leading to a huge increase in auto-immune diseases in people's precious pets.

Hodge · Jun 7, 2005

I have to admit with this administration I become more paranoid each day........... :rolleyes: . What disturbs me is the way the Bush administration ignores scientific research to push a cultural agenda. I have no problem with people living their lives as they see fit. What I do have a problem with is when a person's creed requires them to enforce their belief system onto me. If you are against abortion? Don't have one. Don't believe in birth control? Don't use it. Don't beleive in gay marriage? Don't go to one or have one. Don't want to smoke marijuana for medical reasons? Then don't. It's sad that we live in a country were people are more concerned about 2 people of the same sex marrying than they are about the millions who lack adequate health care.

RainDreamer, BSN, RN · Jun 7, 2005

Marijuana is a threat to profits, since it's a simple herb.

Exactly!

I'm a religious Christian, but I definitely don't think my beliefs have anything to do with the way other people in this country live their lives, and I don't vote based on that either.

Mystery5 · Jun 7, 2005

I have to admit with this administration I become more paranoid each day............ What disturbs me is the way the Bush administration ignores scientific research to push a cultural agenda. I have no problem with people living their lives as they see fit. What I do have a problem with is when a person's creed requires them to enforce their belief system onto me. If you are against abortion? Don't have one. Don't believe in birth control? Don't use it. Don't beleive in gay marriage? Don't go to one or have one. Don't want to smoke marijuana for medical reasons? Then don't. It's sad that we live in a country were people are more concerned about 2 people of the same sex marrying than they are about the millions who lack adequate health care.

Well, you could apply your arguement to lots of other things::)

You want to wear a seatbelt, go right ahead, just don't make me wear one!

You want to rent to black people, be my guest, but don't make me do it!

You don't want to smoke crack, then don't, but I like it and it's my right!

You don't want to smother your newborn, then don't. But, I wanted a boy, not a girl, and it's my right!

You don't want to have 5 wives, well it does sound like a headache on Valentines day, but different strokes for different folks. I want more than one wife!

See what I mean?:)