Some Illinois Republicans Are High On Medical Marijuana

• LEGALIZE IT, TAX IT, SOLVE THE BUDGET CRISIS!

• My name is Carol Kerr and I am the founder of the Southern IL Cannabis Advocates. Our purpose is to help the people of So IL support he decriminalization and legalization of the compaasionate us of cannabis. We have a plan, along with the resources and support you need to get started in promoting the cause in YOUR district!!! PLEASE STAND UP AND FIGHT WITH US!!! Join SICA today, because we are sica prohibition and want things to change!!!!

• I'm a legal MMJ user and I medicate out in the open using a portable vaporizer. It's discreet and since it's smokeless, does not attract attention. It'd only get noticed in a closed space where everyone's inert - like a subway. Anyways the article obviously is tongue in cheek. Humor and MMJ are a good synergy for healing IMO. my review of the portable vaporizer: http://www.squidoo.com/iolitevaporizerreview

• Cannabis is an HERB(plant) and NOT a drug! It has not resulted in one death from overdose! It is beneficial if used properly. And it has so many other beneficial uses such as clothing, fuel, pharmaceuticals, paper, food for both humans and animals, and even building materials. Plus, it is good for the environment and is a renewable resource. C'mon, what is not to like unless you are heavily invested in those other industries, as Cannabis/Hemp produces superior products, heck, even Henry Ford used it in early automobile production!

• JS, you are a moron. If it help's people with their problems, then let people use it. I have severe chronic insomnia, and it is the only thing that puts me to sleep. Stop being a f**ktard and don't talk about things you don't know about. Thanks, MJ :)

• JS, Take a toke and calm your seething rage. I for one am glad the earth evolved the cannabis plant. It's helped relieve my chronic nausea from a serious digestive disease as well as PTSD acquired in combat. Controlling others is not the answer to the world's problems. It is understanding.

• 17,000 "peer-reviewed double bind studies"? WOW. And, I'll bet you've read everyone being the epidemiologist you obviously seem to be. Frankly, the substance of your remark makes me think you don't know what what a peer-review trial is, let alone what constitutes a well structured clinical trial. How about telling people about that. I mentioned, for the sake of brevity, three major associations - the ones who deal with the issues wacky weed advocates say the blunt will most benefit. Guess they didn't read the 17,000 "peer reviewed" double bind studies you did. Guess they are fools too? The other comments are from the Washington Post and LA Times. Guess they didn't read the 17,000 "peer reviewed" double bind studies you did. Guess they are fools too? The difference between my comments and yours (such as they are) is you can verify and examine mine. Yours are merely fantastic, baseless, bombastic conclusions and as a local activistic I have no reason and do not take your word for it. Guess everyones a fool but you.

• "The AP recently surveyed the GOP candidates for Illinois governor and found out something, like, totally awesome dude:" No respectable weed smoker over the age of 20 talks like that. Serious marijuana legislation will never move forward nationally with the media portraying the average smoker as a demented juvenile. We need to remove the duuudde's, brah's, and uhhh I forget what I was saying's from media reports and shift towards depicting marijuana users as the hard working, taxpaying, responsible people we are. When you surround all the dialogue and reporting with stereotypical "stoner speak," it's not helping!!

• People are afraid of change. Politicians are afraid of making change. Think about video games for example. My 1993 Sega Genesis had a port for networking but it wasnt until 2005 when networking game consoles became a reality. Why so long? Because the game companies were slow to put their toe in the water for fear of drowning if people didnt buy in. Politicians dont want to drown. People in general are afraid of change. When enough people buy in, it will be legal. and so it goes...

• Hello from NH, a state also being run by last-century Prohibitionists. They are going to lose big this year, and not because stoners are screaming legalize it. As this article points out, reform is being fueled by the realization that marijuana, Anslinger's so-called recreational drug is actually cannabis sativa, a safe cheap and effective medicine that can be administrered in many ways other than smoking. Musicians in MO check out my songwriting project at YouTube/thefinestgreen. Let's get this done. Vive La Revolution!

• Hello from NH, a state also being run by last-century Prohibitionists. They are going to lose big this year, and not because stoners are screaming legalize it. As this article points out, reform is being fueled by the realization that marijuana, Anslinger's so-called recreational drug is actually cannabis sativa, a safe cheap and effective medicine that can be administrered in many ways other than smoking. Musicians in MO check out my songwriting project at YouTube/thefinestgreen. Let's get this done. Vive Revolution!

• Here is a recent letter printed in my local paper. People really need to get the FACTS about marijuana. http://www.ocregister.com/articles/marijuana-224741-medical-drug.html

• i agree..if you are ill you should have the option to choose the experimental cure of your choice.. ...and forget bogarting the bill.. ...JUST DONT BOGART THE BLUNT !

• What's good for Arnold is good for the rest of us? I don't smoke it, but don't really think it's any worse than alcohol (which I don't drink either)

• taking a pill doesn't make it medicine. Drinking a drink doesn't make it alcohol so js you need to have a family member not get their medicine and you should go to jail for talking thats the kind of world you are asking for. fuck you your time will come and we will all see you fall

• Here's the point that should be made . . It's my body, i'm an adult, I can do whatever I want to my body. Meaning I can choose to medicate however I see fit, regardless of what the half wits in the gov't or anyother institute thinks . .

• OK, this looks like it might actually be fun! RT www.total-anonymity.at.tc

• http://www.mcwilliams.com/books/books/aint/toc.htm For the legalization of all "consensual crimes." Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

• First of all, the AMA is a completely corrupt cartel that has used governent lobbying to manipulate the supply of doctors. See this link for evidence: http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2005-03-02-doctor-shortage_x.htm The AMA doesn't care about the health of people. All they care about is making doctors richer. More medical marijuana would result in people feeling good and going to the doctor less, so of course the AMA doesn't support this. Open your eyes people. The entire medical industry in the US is based on financially raping the sick and injured.

• Check it out for free psn points! http://gifts4points.com/home?ref=wileymiester

• in one year, alcohol and tobacco have accumulated roughly 5.4 million deaths. yearly mind you. cannabis? 0. does it seem logical that the latter is illegal and the others are easily accessible? I'd rather have an extremely stoned driver driving 10MPHs in a 25 as opposed to an extremely drunk driver going 95 down a side steet.

• Sorry for the double post... just saw a typo. Stupid laptop keyboard. "It is not the drug itself that causes crime --- but the desire for it that has been amplified by a society and government who have forbidden it and waste resources trying to fight something beneficial almost across the board."

• Cannabis SHOULD be legalized for both recreational and medical usage. It is human nature that we are attracted to many things that are taboo and, in some cases, we will fight tooth and nail and spit in the face of authority for it --- just look at the U.S. Prohibition in the early 20th century. As stated above, any "negative" effects (if any) are blown highly out of proportion and misclassified above anything else. it is not the drug itself that causes crime --- but the desire for it that has been amplified by a society and government who The forbidding of cannabis also goes against the idea of any Republican who pride themselves on giving the citizens personal responsibility and shrinking the size of government. Alcohol is legal and yet many people suffer from its effects while others are more cautious and limit when and how much they consume --- it is the same case with cannabis. Personal responsibility, intelligence, and common sense (which American citizens at large seem to be lacking these days) are applied when it comes to drinking (e.g., not smoking on the job [possibly before, depending on occupation], before driving, etc.). "Drink responsibly" is the message companies use when they advertise -- it's the same here, "Smoke Responsibly". And for those who do have addictions, we can offer the same services that we do for alcohol and cigarettes --- or is that too much for the supposedly caring country to offer who also turns around and campaigns/lobbies for these things to be put into our lives? As for the actual affects of cannabis, it is a much better way to relax in my honest opinion than drinking or smoking a cigar(ette) could ever be. And effects on one's body are a lot less detrimental than either of the two substances that we have legalized and sell in every corner store. There are also alternatives in the method of usage besides smoking (vaporizing is the term) that help to avoid most, if not all, of the "harumful" damage that may be done with smoking. If a nice, calming, sometimes mind-opening buzz/high while staying at home munching on things is your idea of a threat, then please go visit some families that are stricken with alcoholism that has torn many families apart in the past decades and centuries. From a fiscal point of view, cannabis would help greatly diminish a deficit much more effectively than raising sin taxes on alcohol and cigarettes could ever possibly hope to accomplish. Many states like Colorado (or more specifically Denver, I'd have to check again) have legalized it for medicinal purposes. To use an example, a household can invest $2,100 --- $100 for a licensing fee, $2,000 for the equipment necessary for growing --- and start reeling in almost $30,000 a month with a 12% tax rate. Background checks are, of course, performed to avoid those who would peddle it for ill purposes. And for those that do try to go around the system, they serve 100 hours of community service where they help clean/fix up the parks and other locations. In turn, Denver's infrastructure --- roads, for example --- are completely intact, crime is down considerably, and who knows how many other unseen positive effects. In short, regardless of whatever negative affects you think cannabis may have, I assure you they're minor inconveniences when put side-by-side with those of alcohol and cigarettes. The benefits in this case far outweigh any of the costs when it comes to health and finances. It is a much healthier alternative to what we currently have circulating around the country. However, I believe the biggest thing, again, is that people MUST take personal responsibility in usage rather than relying on others to tell them what is good and what is bad. Make up your own choices, but not before at the very least thoroughly and objectively researching the matter if you're not willing to try and see for yourself firsthand.

• Chasley, I think it's pretty obvious that her blog is a joke. Read some other articles and peoples responses. What she is writing is not meant to be taken seriously.

• EVERYONE, CLICK ON GRUNTY CAKESHYTE's link. Absolutely the CRAZIEST thing I have ever witnessed. Grunty, or Jocelyn, from reading some of your link, I have to assume this is the messing with people you refer to. If not this whole world is in serious trouble. I always desensitize the crazy news passing through our world today, but your argument to keep cannabis illegal is earth shatteringly repulsive. Quote "Think about how illegal drugs give our law enforcement a valuable tool in arresting minorities when need be." (Not even going to comment. Funny thing is you probably don't think you are racist) We are screwed, we are so screwed, I can't believe these people exist, I just can't process this. As for changing legislation on cannabis, no brainer. The likelihood of marijuana reformation, whether it be decriminalization, medical, or federal legalization being a benefit to American Society is high.

• Keep it illegal! = http://bit.ly/19M7uh

• Instead of arguing about the 'science'- how about everyone agrees on a few things. Marijuana is one of the most commonly used recreational drugs. People (including medical patients) use it for all sorts of reasons. Probably the best use of it would be that it relaxes most people and gives them a euphoric buzz after a hard day of work, and that it stimulates hunger for those that would otherwise not be able to eat. It also relieves some symptoms of pain for people who suffer with pain. Are there some down sides? Of course, but to the vast majority of people whom CHOOSE to use it- obviously they enjoy the effects on their lives. Marijuana is incorrectly classified in the same tier as COCAINE and other hard drugs. Yes, marijuana is a drug- but it is not going to kill you to use it, you are not going to overdose on marijuana (the same can't be said about alcohol or other drugs). The citizens of this country pride themselves on being free, yet they are held prisoner to archaic laws and pseudo-science and pseudo-politics at every corner. De-criminalizing marijuana is smart for our country. This is not a right or left issue, it's an issue as to whether or not we are actually going to let the people be free.

• JS you really need to do your research and stop cherry picking "facts" as there are more than 17000 peer reviewed double blind studies world wide as to the efficacy of medicinal CANNABIS (youd known if youd done the research that "marijuana" is a slang term and not the correct name of this plant). As to the 2 groups you listed, you are correct they are the 2 largest groups that still opose this course of action. You would be very hard press to find many more as the vast majority of medical groups out there DO support the medical use of cannabis. Talk to soon and look the fool my friend.

• Smoking a joint does not make marijuana medicinal. Neither the MS Society or American Cancer society advocates its use. The November 21, 2009 LA Times Editorial "The AMA's Reversal on Marijuana" specifically notes: For all the debate over whether marijuana has medicinal value, arguments that the drug has significant palliative properties or that it has none suffer from the same flaw: There's little scientific proof either way." And, the Wash. Post editors write "More information -- good old-fashioned scientific information -- is needed before the federal government or more states formally endorse marijuana smoking for medicinal use." Finally, the AMA is calling "for further adequate and well-controlled studies of marijuana and related cannabinoids in patients who have serious conditions for which preclinical, anecdotal, or controlled evidence suggests possible efficacy and the application of such results to the understanding and treatment of disease."

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