Influence of what? Intelligence? Reality? I'll take that all day, everyday, over voting under the influence of willful ignorance and corporate influence.

What I'd like to know; will there be any recourse for those of us who told our doctors, of our own free will, to have the negative things said about us in medical reports, expunged?

I have been telling my doctors for 20 years that pot works 100% better than Ibuprofen - their response has been to write nasty things about me in medical reports, that follow you the rest of your life. Even now, years after I stopped smoking, they still put notations in my reports about pot use. Punished for being honest - nice system.

Do they put nasty remarks in medical reports for moderate booze consumption?

It would cost billions for professionals to retract their ignorant comments they have made about pot use, not to mention they would have to admit they were wrong.

Thankfully the new medical students don't share the opinions of their older colleagues, some things are just far past their time, and the time to be ignorant of pot is one of them.

I've proved doctors opinions to be wrong, over four times, all resulting in operations I should have had decades ago. Not once has any of them apologized... SNOBS.

After 12 operations, pot proved to be the only thing that helped me sleep - but because I need oxycodone during the day to fight pain, I'm not allowed to use pot. This ignorance does not build confidence in doctors who are supposed to be up on treatments that work.

I'm 100 percent against Medical Marijuana Dispensaries. What I'm am for is to legalize marijuana. Plain and simple. If marijuana is legal then you can use if for any thing that you wish. What ever turns you on. Medical Marijuana Dispensaries are more illegal the marijuana. 1. If you are going to use marijuana for Medical then it should pass all of FDA test. Like any other drug use for medical purposes. 2. It should be handed out by license pharmacist. It should be grown by a local farmer. Not grown in the back of the dispensary. If you use marijuana for so called medical purposes then let hospice give it to their dying clients. Other wise it joke. Your kid gets stress out because you yelled at your child to go to his or hers room. They get a life time prescription to use medical marijuana. JUST LEGALIZE MARIJUANA!!!!!!! Stop the games. If you get drug tested at work you will lose your job. If you caught driving using medical marijuana you will lose your driving license. What you have now is bunch of law enforcers. Who are running around confused. Why? Do it right or not at all.

The Feds are really "cracking down" on the dispensaries out here in California. I guess they prefer that the profits keep going to the Mexican Drug Cartels instead of injecting that money into the local economy and tax base. Dumb..

I wonder how long it'll be until we start hearing about Obama adminstration sanctioned dispensery raids there.

@Lyle Kellogg

Good luck with that. The FDA is bought and paid for by the pharmaceutical industry. It will never approve of a natural plant which would put up stiff competition against numerous presciption drugs.

@ Deville - Don't forget big tobacco. They don't want to deal with actual competition.

1. If you are going to use marijuana for Medical then it should pass all of FDA test. Like any other drug use for medical purposes.

Not so-- it is an herb and would therefore fall under the rules for herbal supplements, which are not reviewed by the FDA.

And this, from the article:

The United States attorney for Connecticut has said the federal government can prosecute those who grow pot.

"If the state Legislature is flying in the face of federal law, why are we having this discussion?" Sen. Michael McLachlan, R-Danbury asked.

Gov. Dannel Malloy commended the General Assembly for passing the bill. He said he will sign it into law. When he does, Connecticut will join 16 other states and the District of Columbia where medical marijuana is legal.

Is hypocrisy at its best. So, it's against federal law, yet it's f*cking legal in the CAPITAL OF OUR NATION WHERE ALL OF OUR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS HOUSED?????

Attention... Attention... Our country is cracked.

In Tennessee possession of any amount of marijuana — even as little as a single gram — can land you in prison for up to a year, with a mandatory fine of between $250 and $2,500

@ freedman1 - the only reason why that is in Tennessee is for that it cuts into there moonshine business!!!!

It's funny that so many on the right that are against laws regarding the use of marijuana for medical purposes that are legally voted on and approved in the individual states are the same ones that rant on and on about states rights. Will their heads eventually just spin off their necks?

@vwterry

I agree, many Republicans (read: neocons) are very anti-marijuana. But what about Obama? His adminstration has continued federal raids on state-approved dispenseries, ironically with very little backlash from the liberals. And in New York our liberal politicans are very left wing when it comes to gun control and illegal immigration but refuse to push for medical marijuana. In fact, one of the few Congressmen who is actually serious about ending the war on drugs is Ron Paul, a real Republican.

@lolfattynerdswhoknew

Yes, and big alcohol as well.

And in New York our liberal politicans are very left wing when it comes to gun control and illegal immigration but refuse to push for medical marijuana.

Deville223: You know why that is? Because in NY they know the crime rate will go up when everyone will suddenly be allowed to smoke it. Crime in NY is always up when drugs are in play.

So much for Republicans wanting to get government out of our lives. Looks like thats a crock.

Enjoy it while you can. What is legal today will be stripped away tomorrow. Look at what's happening in California. Colorado, stash your goods. District of Columbia, you'll probably be the last to go.

Pot is an herb and should be labeled under the rules for herbal supplements which aren't reviewed by the FDA. A Home Grower's advantage (that good ol' down-home natural herb) would be to keep it clean; to eliminate the use of lacing & cross-breeding, etc.

What really makes it ok to use marijuana was best said by Pres. Clinton... he didn't inhale.

And this, from the article:

The United States attorney for Connecticut has said the federal government can prosecute those who grow pot.

Unhappy-1583758

Deville223: You know why that is? Because in NY they know the crime rate will go up when everyone will suddenly be allowed to smoke it. Crime in NY is always up when drugs are in play.

How would legalizing marijuana push up the crime rate? It would actually help to push crime rates down. Take business out of the hands of street dealers and underground activity. Legalizing would allow law enforcement to concentrate on real crime rather than wasting time locking up nonviolent marijuana users.

I don't really know or care about the effects of medical Marijuana one way or the other. What I find interesting is the total lack of consideration these days for the Constitution. Obama's administration first passes a healthcare bill which contains a totally unconstitutional order for citizens. The Obama's attack man Holder sues Arizona for making an immigration law basically the same as the federal law. Then he sues states wanting to install voter I.D. requirements which is totally constitutional since it would guarentee that those voting are in deed citizens and eligible to vote. BUT, in California and so far in 17 states where they pass laws allowing sale of marijuana for medical purposes which is a less stringent law then the federal law banning sale of marijuana periodf but Obama's crew does nothing. Curious. Selective suing or just pushing Obama's agenda? Protecting Obama's voting block? Just saying.

But what about Obama? His adminstration has continued federal raids on state-approved dispenseries, ironically with very little backlash from the liberals.

In the eyes of his followers, Obama can do no wrong. Even if it wold be cause for massive criticism or even protest if done by another POTUS, if Obama does it everything is peachy.

As borrowed from another eloquent poster : "It was lobbying by William Randolph Hurst (Cornered the market on the wood pulp for paper industry) and DoW chemicals (Synthetic fiber, Nylon being one of them), that bankrolled the legislative push, with the assistance of Harry J Anslinger. (DoW and Hurst bankrolled Reefer Madness). In fact, the oil from hemp seeds, is actually more efficient than petroleum oil. Hemp presented a counter to all of the money makers for the industry, because of these qualities and many more. It's easier to process into fiber for clothing, and less polluting. It's a weed, so it grows virtually anywhere, which means crops could be cultivated anywhere rather than specific parts of the south where the cotton industry thrives. It is also easier to process hemp fiber into pulp for paper, also. And if you searched online, you'd see that they already produce Hemp paper."

I'm 100 percent against Medical Marijuana Dispensaries. What I'm am for is to legalize marijuana. Plain and simple. If marijuana is legal then you can use if for any thing that you wish. What ever turns you on. Medical Marijuana Dispensaries are more illegal the marijuana. 1. If you are going to use marijuana for Medical then it should pass all of FDA test. Like any other drug use for medical purposes. 2. It should be handed out by license pharmacist. It should be grown by a local farmer. Not grown in the back of the dispensary. If you use marijuana for so called medical purposes then let hospice give it to their dying clients. Other wise it joke. Your kid gets stress out because you yelled at your child to go to his or hers room. They get a life time prescription to use medical marijuana. JUST LEGALIZE MARIJUANA!!!!!!! Stop the games. If you get drug tested at work you will lose your job. If you caught driving using medical marijuana you will lose your driving license. What you have now is bunch of law enforcers. Who are running around confused. Why? Do it right or not at all.

Most people who are anti pot, base their reasoning on their own experimentation, back when they were 18 years old, they never were around it to see it used in moderation.

Follow the money; will always reveal the truth.

Lyle; that is the entire purpose of why the Government set it up the way they did - so it would fail. No way should pot from a dispensary have the same price it has out on the street.

All of those TV shows about pot on National Geographic - are anti weed. Look at who owns Nat Geo - Rupert Murdoch, do you really think old Rupert is going to present weed in a positive way? (followed the money trail and it led to Rupert Murdoch - no surprise there).

someone needs to smoke murdoch's dumbass out...

Jeez, John, it's William Randolph HEARST. As borrowed from a '60s quip: Are you stoned or just stupid?

littlechanges I have better things to do with my time than memorize anything from Hurst you little twit. The comment was a copy and paste from another vine member on a related issue. STFU meaningless lil troll.

Gosh, John, why don't you post for everyone to see the nasty private email (below) that you sent me? Guess Viagra doesn't fix everything, now does it - especially cowardice, a bad upbringing and ignorance?

"Hey jackass. The comment I posted was a copy and paste from another Newsvine member on a related subject. Apparently you're the only one with his nose buried in Hurst's butt. So maybe next time you open your mouth and remove all doubt you're clueless, you'll think for a moment. But chances are you're just a drunk redneck with absolutely no redeeming value."

Lyle Kellogg

I'm 100 percent against Medical Marijuana Dispensaries. What I'm am for is to legalize marijuana. Plain and simple. If marijuana is legal then you can use if for any thing that you wish. What ever turns you on. Medical Marijuana Dispensaries are more illegal the marijuana. 1. If you are going to use marijuana for Medical then it should pass all of FDA test. Like any other drug use for medical purposes. 2. It should be handed out by license pharmacist. It should be grown by a local farmer. Not grown in the back of the dispensary. If you use marijuana for so called medical purposes then let hospice give it to their dying clients. Other wise it joke. Your kid gets stress out because you yelled at your child to go to his or hers room. They get a life time prescription to use medical marijuana. JUST LEGALIZE MARIJUANA!!!!!!! Stop the games. If you get drug tested at work you will lose your job. If you caught driving using medical marijuana you will lose your driving license. What you have now is bunch of law enforcers. Who are running around confused. Why? Do it right or not at all.

Why does someone have to on their death bed to receive medical marijuana? Just because some people refuse to acknowledge that marijuana can be an effective low risk treatment for many ailments does not make it any less true. Especially when there is a wide assortment of opiates and other drugs prescribed that are much more dangerous, more addictive and more abused on a regular basis. If the problem is that you are worried about people driving under the influence then that is a valid point that should be considered but a better test will have to be developed than just finding the presence of THC markers in ones system that can linger for up to 30 days even though the effects have long wore off. But if you are going to start randomly or systematically checking people for THC then the same should be done for all prescription or non-prescription substances that may alter ones judgement with the same consequences. This entire argument against marijuana is reminiscent of the Salem Witch Trials. It utterly amazes me that we as a society that talks so much crap about how righteous we are continue to allow people to suffer when proved treatments are available. We stand by and remain silent as law enforcement agencies round up people that are otherwise law abiding citizens like Gestapo agents and ruin their lives. The consequnces of getting busted are exponentially greater than any potential harm of using marijuana.

Please.. Answer this... When the laws become more important than the people they are intended to serve then where does that leave us as a society?

Ummmmm no. If anything it was done in complete clarity and reality. They're probably also sick of spending money on a failed dogma.

I'm 100 percent against Medical Marijuana Dispensaries. What I'm am for is to legalize marijuana. Plain and simple. If marijuana is legal then you can use if for any thing that you wish. What ever turns you on. Medical Marijuana Dispensaries are more illegal the marijuana. 1. If you are going to use marijuana for Medical then it should pass all of FDA test. Like any other drug use for medical purposes. 2. It should be handed out by license pharmacist. It should be grown by a local farmer. Not grown in the back of the dispensary. If you use marijuana for so called medical purposes then let hospice give it to their dying clients. Other wise it joke. Your kid gets stress out because you yelled at your child to go to his or hers room. They get a life time prescription to use medical marijuana. JUST LEGALIZE MARIJUANA!!!!!!! Stop the games. If you get drug tested at work you will lose your job. If you caught driving using medical marijuana you will lose your driving license. What you have now is bunch of law enforcers. Who are running around confused. Why? Do it right or not at all.

I think we got this comment after the first two times you posted it Lyle. Thanks for the input though.

because if we all start smoking pot, we wont need to pay o outrageous prices for BIG PHARMS deadly chemical "inventions" at the drugstore. Just imagine what pot would do to the anti-anxiety/depressant industry?

Yeah, the war on drugs is destroying America's neighbors. Not the crackheads and meth labs that, in your world, would be legal and perfectly fine.

I would go a step further: use the money now being spent in the War on Drugs (which has been going on and failing since the early 70's) and use it to open up distribution centers in all major metropolitan areas and dispense all the currently illegal drugs free of charge. The thrill seekers and greed heads would be out since it would no longer be illegal or costly. The experimenters could satisfy their curiosity with controlled doses. And the self-destructive idiots could kill themselves off without having to steal my entertainment system in the process

Actually Cameron... You are correct..The price of the "war on Drugs" has been the imprisonment of many young fathers especially in the inner cities. When they do get out of prison for having that 1 or 2 joints. Their life is ruined and they cant get a job to pay child support. it is a viscous cycle indeed. I wont even mention the facts about violence and turf wars based SOLELY on illicit drug distribution. This has become a problem out in the suburbs and country as well. Heres a link with the FACTS. I hope you read it and give this issue more thought than knee jerk reaction of the "rich white guy".

http://shiplerreport.blogspot.com/2012/04/legalizing-drugs-would-bolster.html

Affects the heart? so has breathing the polluted freaking air as we sit in traffic! How about we outlaw all cars!!

Same thing isn't?

You can be fired now for being impaired by prescription drugs on the job. You need a better argument.

You can still be fired for using it for medical reasons in states that have it legal if the job prohibits it...it is still against the law by fed standards which trumps state laws. Have read about this several times now when the employee fails the drug test and gets fired even with a prescription.

Colorado has legal medical marijuana. The process for getting a prescription goes something like this:

Doctor: What condition do you have that would be treatable by medical marijuana?

Patient: I get nervous and irritable when I run out of marijuana.

Doctor: Here's your prescription.

Carly Dee- Didnt Doug Stanhope die from drug overdose?

@Urban Cowboy

Nope. He's still alive.

Sorry I think I confused him with Greg Giraldo.

I agree, imagine the BOOM to a states economy if they said Screw it, Marijuana is completely legal for anyone to use in our state just like Beer.

Tourism would explode

Small businesses would multiply

Local farms would flourish

It would be an amazing story of recovery in this economy...just imagine

I'm with you! But I'm not for medical marijuana dispensaries.

I let others do the research. I was content to work in the Quality Control Department.

You are just anti Republican. The same argument holds true for your Dumbocrats. Free yourself from both

HYPOCRITES!

I am still giggling about Toni Boucher's failed effort. I'll bet she had one too many martinis Friday night and beat her spouse.

Excuse me, but wtf is a legalized drug driver? Oh and did you mean impede or impaired vs impeded? I don't want to be on any road anywhere near you after you've had a cup of coffee!

Oh really? Don't you think you are already on the road with impaired drivers? Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is already illegal.

@AD-3350678: You should know that a study was released last year that may help alleviate your fears. "But, in many cases, the laws were linked with an increase in marijuana smoking among adults in their 20s; this rise was accompanied by a reduction in alcohol use by college age youth, suggesting that they were smoking weed instead...Comparing traffic deaths over time in states with and without medical marijuana law changes, the researchers found that fatal car wrecks dropped by 9% in states that legalized medical use — which was largely attributable to a decline in drunk driving " Source: Medical Marijuana Laws, Traffic Fatalities, and Alcohol Consumption by D. Mark Anderson, Daniel I. Rees (November 2011)

prescription drugs are now one of the leading causes of fatalities on our roads and highways...not drugs...not to mention prescription drugs are also now the leading cause of fatal overdoses in america now...