Cannabis prohibition is a “Draconian system where politics override science”
By Paul Armentano / NORML
CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta is “doubling down” in his advocacy for patients to have legal access to cannabis as a therapeutic agent.
In a commentary featured on the CNN website today, Gupta writes: “I am more convinced than ever that it is irresponsible to not provide the best care we can, care that often may involve marijuana. I am not backing down on medical marijuana; I am doubling down.”
Last August, Gupta authored a commentary apologizing for his past opposition to medical cannabis, stating, “We have been terribly and systematically misled for nearly 70 years in the United States (in regards to cannabis), and I apologize for my own role in that.”
In today’s editorial, Gupta acknowledges, “Marijuana is classified as a Schedule I substance, defined as (one of) the most dangerous drugs with no currently accepted medical use. Neither of those statements has ever been factual.”
He criticizes President Obama for acknowledging that cannabis poses less harm than alcohol while failing “to remove marijuana from the list of the most tightly controlled substances in the country.” Dr. Gupta also questions how the US government can possess a patent on the therapeutic application of cannabinoids yet still deny that the compounds possess medical utility.
Ultimately, cannabis prohibition is a “Draconian system where politics override science,” Gupta concludes.
Gupta’s forthcoming documentary on the plant, entitled “Weed 2: Cannabis Madness: Dr. Sanjay Gupta Reports,” at 10 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 11.
Paul Armentano is the deputy director of NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) and the co-author of Marijuana Is Safer: So Why Are We Driving People to Drink (Chelsea Green, 2009).
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I am a 62 yr. old male in Tx. have had 3 cervical fusions, complications aand countless injections. I also have arthritis , scoliosis,and sciatica. recently had a joint replacement on thumb. now I have severe, chronic pain in right arm. I am on clonazepam and fentanyl. I know that at night by myself I have a small amount of cannabis, using a vaporizer helps. but I live in Texas so availiability for cannabis is hit or miss. HELP!
mike tilton
Mike, I have similar issues. The oil from this plant would likely cure me. How dare they tell us we can’t use this God given plant to heal ourselves?
The Horrors of Cannabis- Currently in the United States we have 750,000 Non-Violent Cannabis users in the Prison System. The Cost for each detainee is on Average $41,000.00 per year. The cost on arresting and detaining these Non-Violent Offenders covers their Shelter, Food, Clothing, Medical Care, Possible Education. The negative aspect on the Non-Violent offender is Loss of Work (tax revenue) Loss of Family, Loss of the right to vote to change said law. The damage to our soceity and economy are far worse than the crime of growing enjoying or educating someone about a plant that my fore Fathers smoked and grew score after score. When a plants history is greater than that of a Government and has not killed someone who do we destroy lives for a personal choice. Colorado ENJOYED Nearly THREE MILLION DOLLARS IN TAX REVENUE FROM 30 DAYS OF LEGAL CANNABIS SALES. Again I bring just fact because Knowledge is the Weapon. I’m here all week!
I am a 56 yr. old female, in Md., with Fibromyalgia, severe nerve and muscle pain, for over 24 yrs. I’m in pain constantly! It never goes away! I’ve also had a discectomy at L2 & 3. There are multiple bulging discs in my spine. The only other ailments are, osteoarthritis in many of my joints, esp. my hands, shoulders,knees, etc., chronic tendinitis, in both arms, hips, etc. My point is, that the daily pain that I have can be unbearable! When I am able to obtain some medical marihuana, and smoke a small amount, my pain is tolerable! The weed also helps with my depression, and anxiety! When I discovered that the weed helped so much, I was incredibly thankful, to find something other than strong narcotics, that helps my intolerable pain! I was on a fentanyl patch of 150 McGee. every 48 hrs., and oxycodone 10-20 mg. every 4-6 hrs. After 12+ yrs. of driving 2 hrs., every month, to see my Dr. In Baltimore, I had Enough of it!! The narcotics stopped helping the pain! One year later, I’m not on fentanyl any longer, nor oxycodone! With some help, I was able to wean off these strong meds!! Problem is, that weed isn’t legal for medical use, in Md! I have to wait without it for months at a time, because I’m unable to get it! This weed, to me, is the difference between my sanity, vs. anxiety attacks, severe pain, and insane thinking! I pray that Dr. Gupta can put the facts, about weed, in the faces of our decision making public servants, in hopes that they will make informed decisions, and make weed available to people like me, who really benefit from it! I’m very angry about ignorance!!
We need a tough leader to put this effort on fast track somebody like Bill Gates to kick the bureaucracy you know where and legalize WEED and get it done. maybe Bill Gates or like him . GETTER DONE !!!!!!