MMJ Lawsuit Reviewing Scientific Evidence Reaches Federal Court

[Truth Seeker]

For the first time in nearly 20 years, a United States Court of Appeals is set to hear oral arguments in a lawsuit challenging the federal government's classification of marijuana as a dangerous drug with no medicinal value: Americans for Safe Access v. Drug Enforcement Administration. This historic case will force a federal court to finally review the scientific evidence regarding the therapeutic efficacy of marijuana.

During a press briefing Thursday, plaintiffs in the case, along with leading medical researchers and clinicians, spoke about the necessity of the federal government recognizing current scientific data supporting marijuana rescheduling. Marijuana is currently classified in the same category as heroin despite calls from scientists, medical professionals, and policy makers to reschedule marijuana for medical use.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit will hear opening arguments on the case the morning of October 16, 2012. "Medical marijuana patients are finally getting their day in court," said Joe Elford, Chief Counsel with Americans for Safe Access (ASA), who will be arguing the case before the D.C. Circuit. "What's at stake in this case is nothing less than our country's scientific integrity and the imminent needs of millions of patients."

On the call, Dr. Donald Abrams, Director of Clinical Programs at San Francisco General Hospital, described the effectiveness of medical marijuana in the treatment regimens of cancer and HIV/AIDS patients. "In my practice every day as a cancer specialist I see patients who have loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting from their chemotherapy, pain on and off of opiates, anxiety, depression, and insomnia," conditions which Dr. Abrams said can be alleviated by medical marijuana.

Dr. Igor Grant, Executive Vice-Chair, Department of Psychiatry, University of California-San Diego School of Medicine, and director of the Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research, stated that multiple California state-supported studies have resulted in "very good evidence" that medical marijuana "is effective in treating muscle spasticity," which is often experienced by patients with Multiple sclerosis and other painful disorders. He added that it is critical to separate out patients' legitimate medical needs from other issues surrounding marijuana's distribution and usage. Dr. Grant recently published a study in Open Neurology Journal concluding that marijuana's current classification is "untenable."

Plaintiff Michael Krawitz, a Gulf War veteran and medical marijuana patient, conveyed his struggle in managing his combat-related pain without relinquishing federally-mandated VA benefits under marijuana's current classification. Without access to medical marijuana, he stated he is in danger of destabilizing his overall health condition, a situation Krawitz has faced multiple times due to federal policy.

Steph Sherer, ASA's Executive Director, ended the call by noting that the rescheduling case coincides with the organization's 10th anniversary of its founding, which will be marked by an event the night of October 16th honoring individuals, including numerous elected officials, who have led the fight for patient access.

"The time has come to address medical marijuana as a public health issue and for the federal government to prioritize science over politics," Sherer said.

News Hawk- TruthSeekr420 420 MAGAZINE
Source: enewspf.com
Author: enewspf.com
Contact: Contact
Website: Medical Marijuana Lawsuit Reviewing Scientific Evidence Reaches Federal Court for First Time in Nearly 20 Years

 

[JJ Bones]

Very good stuff, I am going to share this.

 

[Propa Gator]

This is big time, and must happen. DEA will not give it up easy, but Federal Court is the only entity that has a chance. Huge entrenched interests stand to lose their blood money, so lets tune in for the weeping, moaning, and the lies. Perjury will be committed.

 

[Jimmycricket]

This is big time, and must happen. DEA will not give it up easy, but Federal Court is the only entity that has a chance. Huge entrenched interests stand to lose their blood money, so lets tune in for the weeping, moaning, and the lies. Perjury will be committed.

It used to be the paper companies who stood to lose a lot. They were the force behind the reefer madness craze and subsequently got it classified to illegal substance. Nowdays its the pharmaceutical companies that stand to lose the most. As we all know drug companies have billions of dollars to spend and there are always judges, politicians, federal workers (DEA), state/city/county workers (police/sheriffs/troopers) and other people in power who can be bought. Even those that have unwavering morality when it comes to being paid off can sometimes still be made to succumb to anothers wishes through means of blackmail, violence, or other strong arm tactics.

This is a case worthy of being heard in a Federal Court. However when billions of dollars are thrown at it in favor of continued suppression. There becomes a lopsided probability of a positive outcome. Its a flaw of the justice system and moreover human nature.

 

[JJ Bones]

Funny how the paper companies got their bad karma when you think about it. Fucked us all with marijuana laws then the digital age came and fucked them right back. (ipods, kindles, ipads, the internet etc)

 

[Jimmycricket]

Haha I never thought of it like that .

 

[Propa Gator]

Don't run over your dogma with your Karma.
the digital age came and fucked them right back

This may even go to SCOTUS, who've pissed me off recently, but
Scalia got ticketed by Philadelphia Parking Authority

 

[J9BLACK]

Some have attacked the religeous right for the reason we have prohibition. I've also read about paper interests and even racism-the last of which seems likely contributive given the time.

For that time ('30s), racism was more easily accommodated than outlawing a competitive industry. That is, Marijuana being a dirty Mexican thing that forces white girls to get tattoos and join gangs.

For that reason, I refuse to use the term marijuana as it as much a racial epithet as 'beaner'. If cannabis had a friendly name like St. John's Wort, it might have had a different future. It is ironic that at the time, Mexicans were allowed to eat with the whites while our black brothers were REALLY repressed. Now Mexicans are a different racial group completely. Go figure.

 

[JJ Bones]

Some have attacked the religeous right for the reason we have prohibition. I've also read about paper interests and even racism-the last of which seems likely contributive given the time.

For that time ('30s), racism was more easily accommodated than outlawing a competitive industry. That is, Marijuana being a dirty Mexican thing that forces white girls to get tattoos and join gangs.

For that reason, I refuse to use the term marijuana as it as much a racial epithet as 'beaner'. If cannabis had a friendly name like St. John's Wort, it might have had a different future. It is ironic that at the time, Mexicans were allowed to eat with the whites while our black brothers were REALLY repressed. Now Mexicans are a different racial group completely. Go figure.

I always practice using the word 'cannabis' as well. Rarely use marijuana in conversation unless the person I'm talking to is very ignorant, then I start with marijuana to know they'll understand.

 

[J9BLACK]

I checked out your site. Hopefully, I'll need a bowl trimmer someday. I'll check it out then if not before.

 

[00blaze]

I have a heart condition called afib. My kaiser Dr has me taking 100Mg of metropolol it only goes up to 125Mg. with a asprin tab daily. The next step is a more potent med. I have had blood in my urine from the meds. I smoked some purple Kush with a family member and all my heart palps and irithmia has gone away. I stopped taking the meds and there is no more blood in my urine. I was 28 when i had my heart attack. Im a father of 2 little girls. I belive everyone should have a right to this plant/meds.

 

[Propa Gator]

Congrats 00blaze on finding health. Can you imagine Big Pharm willingly giving up your account and 10,000 more? Or that cops will give up their easy theft asset forfeiture? I can't

 

[Jimmycricket]

I always practice using the word 'cannabis' as well. Rarely use marijuana in conversation unless the person I'm talking to is very ignorant, then I start with marijuana to know they'll understand.

I always find myself saying weed or bud. Or when I think ears may be listening to my conversation that I dont want hearing I say flowers .

Sometimes when I am at home depot talking with my horiculture buddies I say flowers. I swear they grow weed too though lol.

Really though besides a few family members you peeps are the only ones who know of my little hobby. Its nice to have a place where we can all get together and talk about our love. I especially like talking to other growers.

 

[J9BLACK]

00Blaze, outstanding.

Here is a great quote from this article: Op-ed: Buying marijuana for my 70-something immigrant parents | Opinion | The Seattle Times

"IF you think marijuana is something other people do, then you’re in the same boat I was a year and a half ago."

There's a WW II vet on this board who is finding it helps as well.

That is why I am so passionate about the *legality* of cannabis more than the plant itself. Once it is free, cannabis will more than speak for itself.

 

[J9BLACK]

@Propa,

I can imagine.

I grew up in a world that was going to end in nuclear holocaust during the Reagan administration. NBC terrorist attacks during both Bush administrations, and a Wall St. Collapse during the Obama administration. Our black brothers were less free. My Lord, as a child I remember some poor man (I think in the school system) in a press conference denying in tears, that he was *gay*.

You know that as a child of God or as a human being, that is wrong. That gay lynch mobbing just wouldn't happen today.

Under Obama, I think we have a rational middle east policy.

I think in so many ways, the world *is* getting better. I think the end of prohibition is near.

 

[J9BLACK]

Jimmy, nice post. I agree.

I assume they drug test at HD/Lowes, but wow...for a caregiver grower, I can't imagine a better day job.

I have no friends nor family who partake. Seriously.

I sometimes wonder...Why am I hiding?

 

[Propa Gator]

@Propa,

I can imagine.

I grew up in a world that was going to end in nuclear holocaust during the Reagan administration. NBC terrorist attacks during both Bush administrations, and a Wall St. Collapse during the Obama administration. Our black brothers were less free. My Lord, as a child I remember some poor man (I think in the school system) in a press conference denying in tears, that he was *gay*.

You know that as a child of God or as a human being, that is wrong. That gay lynch mobbing just wouldn't happen today.

Under Obama, I think we have a rational middle east policy.

I think in so many ways, the world *is* getting better. I think the end of prohibition is near.

I learned in school how to 'duck and cover' for nuclear attack survival. That was when Regan was a B-movie cowboy and Nancy was still cute. General Eisenhower was President, our last peace-time president. JFK was next, but didn't last a full term. He sent troops to Vietnam, and we've had warriors in many countries since. Constantly. I don't know how world affairs can ever get better for poor people. US is totally immersed in the world, and gives me no urge to join the Optimist Club.

 

[00blaze]

@Gator. Wow you guys have seen the world change into what it has become today. My wife was pregnant with our first little girl when 9-11 happened. I had 8friends go over there and there still there. The world as we know it is still changing
and always will. I look to a better day when my kids or grand kids will have peace. And talk about
This time now as if it was a long ago memory. but we have this socaled war at home. The war on drugs.

 

[Propa Gator]

We only see pieces, 00. News bits, speeches, and the linear path our eyes see. In 40 years, today will seem ancient history. Keep yourself fit and in place to guide and aide your children with the life that they will live. I'm sure that many serious changes will happen; pace of change is increasing IMO.
Well, to my aging eyes it seems so

 

[00blaze]

@Gator: i do all i can. It's funny how one person can shape the a whole time line. The issue i have at the present time is my oldest daughter is studying drugs and how they affect people in there daily lives. Everything she has shown me is marijuana. And its ALL BS. The whole text book on it. I dont exactly know what to tell her.i gave her some websites. And Netflix has some really doc's on mmj.