03/13/2009 01:08:38 PM EST

Proof that insanity isn't just for Republicans (Medical Marijuana)

posted by MedfordTim

First, this article appeared at Raw Story about a bill here in Oregon which would have the state take over growing Medical Marijuana...and adding a $98 per Ounce tax.

"Oregon's current medical cannabis program allows care providers and patients to grow their own supply, but both Republicans and Democrats in the state feel the system is not working. Their solution is to bankroll the bud on the public dime and charge a weighty tax -- $98 per ounce -- every time an approved patient makes a purchase."

They carefully neglect to say what that "purchase" price may be BEFORE the tax. My letter to the Democratic sponsor of the bill below.

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Dear Representative Harker,

I realize you aren't my state Rep, but since I live in the state, am a registered Democrat, and am a Medical Marijuana card holder, this legislation would affect me directly, I'd like to share my thoughts.

Are you insane?

Are you under the impression that card holders are wealthy people with vast resources? Most of us are on some form of Disability with fixed incomes. My source of income in VA Disability, $985 per month, and I am at the TOP end of the scale.

$98 per Ounce?? Are you also going to introduce legislation for pharmaceutical medicines to be taxed $1 per pill? Why not? If you want the state to get rich off sick people, why not tax hospital visits, too? Say, $500 per day? $1000?
How the hell did you arrive at the $98 figure? What is this tax based on? How much is the Ounce itself going to cost? Isn't this really Yet Another Plan to kill the Medical Marijuana program?

If your bill goes through and the state no longer allows me to legally grow my own medicine, I will be FORCED to become a "criminal." I can't afford your prices, so I will continue to grow my own and when the cops break down my door, I will go to jail. And there will be hundreds, if not thousands, of others just like me filling the court system. Will you sleep better at night knowing that people with chronic pain are safely put away in prisons where we won;t be a threat to society?

Rethink your position. Talk to some people who currently use the program instead of getting all your information from people opposed to it. Call me and let's talk about it.

Sincerely,
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Proof that insanity isn't just for Republicans (Medical Marijuana) | 24 comments (24 topical, 0 hidden)
that's impossible (none / 0)

but according to the "legalize drugs, now" crowd, having the government involved in the production, distribution, regulation, and sale of drugs will be nothing but good times for everyone.

in fact, "drug legalization, now" will magically reduce drug use to zero, while even more magically making quality drugs available to everyone (including those so poor that they have to steal to pay for their addiction), while yet more magically generate huge amounts of tax revenue that will bring this country out of its recession (even though drug use has gone to zero).

well, it is nice to see the law-makers doing the one thing they are good at---creating new taxes.

by neo on 03/13/2009 02:29:18 PM EST

why should the gov be involved? (none / 0)
Alcohol is a legal drug and the gov doesnt produce or distribute it. They do regulate and tax it however.

regardless if it reduces drug use to zero.. (which is a ridiculous statement on its face) a prohibition on majijuana use makes zero sense.

The old argument that its a "gateway drug" have been proven to be untrue.


by Chinese Democracy on 03/13/2009 03:27:43 PM EST

[ Parent ]
I'd like to know where (none / 0)

by nmaks on 03/13/2009 03:34:34 PM EST

[ Parent ]
try google (none / 0)


by Chinese Democracy on 03/13/2009 05:21:08 PM EST

[ Parent ]
care to link? (none / 0)

to anyone saying anything remotely like that?

Or do links to the fantasy land (Strawmanistan?) you exist in not work?

by richardshort2001 on 03/13/2009 11:27:53 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Two Thumbs Up (none / 0)
Great letter.

by Tom Hanc on 03/13/2009 02:34:19 PM EST

I'm not carzy about the letter (none / 0)
The fact that you are going to have to find dealers or break the law to get your weed implies that you are an addict and like getting high more than you respect the law. You also call him crazy before telling him what you don't like about it, and assume he only gets opinions from those opposed to the bill. The fact that you put "criminal" in quatations also makes you seem like a stoner, and moves the argument from the size of the tax, to decriminalization. I also don't like your false equivilancies of taxing hospital visits, as hospital visits often requre life saving medical care, while marijuana doesn't do that.

by nmaks on 03/13/2009 02:49:42 PM EST

complaining about high tax rates (none / 0)
be it on pot or anything else is common. Most "medical" marijuana card holders dont really need pot medically . So if they dont want to pay a tax on it  .. grow your own or buy it on the street like everyone else.


by Chinese Democracy on 03/13/2009 03:31:05 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Prove it. (none / 0)
"Most "medical" marijuana card holders dont really need pot medically"

That's a favorite talking point, unsubstantiated by the evidence. Come with me to my local support group and tell me how many you think are faking just to get stoned.

by MedfordTim on 03/13/2009 05:47:41 PM EST

[ Parent ]
how many HAVE to fake anything? (none / 0)
It is not hard to get medical marijuana

I have smoked pot since I was 14 yrs old

So I have been " in the culture"

You bet your ass people would fake whatever to get medical marijuana.. or oxycotin.. people do whatever they think they can get away with. But since it is so expensive compared to buying it down the street and since it is so easy to get that you dont have to fake anything. I dont feel a need to prove anything.

The states that allow "medical marijuana" know  that its a back door to legalization.

Prove me wrong

:)


by Chinese Democracy on 03/13/2009 06:09:22 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Which part DIDN'T you understand? (none / 0)
"Come with me to my local support group and tell me how many you think are faking just to get stoned"

It's on you.

by MedfordTim on 03/13/2009 08:50:59 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Knee jerk, much? (none / 0)

I am not an addict. Marijuana is not addictive. If you don;t understand THAT, you have a lot to learn before you enter the discussion.

If someone put a $98 per bottle tax on ASPIRIN, I would write the same letter. You seem to miss the point that the people they are attacking with this tax are MEDICAL PATIENTS. Would you feel the same if they taxed Alzheimer's patients $98 per ounce for THEIR medications?

Um...in MY world, even PROPOSING that large a tax on people with medical conditions is insane. If you're world is different, give me directions.

Right now, I am legal. I pay my fee and I grow my medicine. THIS I can afford. I could no longer afford medicine s hould his plan go through.

You got me on the fact that I prefer getting high to respecting the law. When it comes to the spasms and days of immobility, my thoughts turn to relief and as yet, law enforcement doesn't provide any relief whatsoever.

You are free to not like my letter, though. I don't mind.

by MedfordTim on 03/13/2009 05:44:47 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Of course Marijuana is addictive!!! (1.00 / 1)
Now, is it addictive like Meth or Coke? No - but it has the addictive qualities of cigarettes or alcohol, and to say otherwise is to be dishonest...

Now Tim, I am in agreement with you that Marijuana, nor any medical treatment, should be taxed in any regard. It is a crime to even consider such madness.

But really, what did you expect? You Medical Marijuanans have been screaming for years for the government to decriminalize it (which I agree with, BTW), but you didnt think they were going to consider it without getting a huge reward for it?

Just be thankful they are even considering legalizng it nationwide... Do you honestly think this could have ever happened 20 years ago? I think your cause has progressed a lot! The Pothead hippie types should be REJOICING at the sight!

Because really, Tim, medical marijuana is uneccessary when it comes right down to it - you can get the same THC effect in pill form now...

Most of you guys just want your stash - and thats OK, but just come clean with it, man...

:)

by bobo1 on 03/13/2009 06:16:27 PM EST

[ Parent ]
AS someone who has smoked both (none / 0)
cigarettes and marijuana I can tell you that cigarettes are one hundred times more addictive. Is marijuana addictive? Maybe, but I've never met someone who wanted to quit but couldn't because they couldn't function without it. 

by gotchange on 03/13/2009 06:31:33 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Marijuana is not addictive, period --- (none / 0)
to say otherwise is stating your opinion which is not based in fact.  It is habit forming like taking a certain route to work everyday, or waking the dog before you take your shower in the morning instead of after you eat breakfast, but it is NOT addictive  Addiction has physical withdrawal as a consequence of discontinuing use which marijuana does not cause.  Marinol, which is the synthetic form, must be taken orally which takes over an hour for its effects to be felt.  The pain and/or nausea relief from smoking or aerosolizing organic cannibis is almost instantaneous and doesn't require it be kept in the stomach which is the problem experienced by cancer or aids patients.  Chemotherapy and aids medication makes many patients naseous and keeping anything down without first smoking or aerosolizing it is not often possible.  It doesn't do any good to swallow a Marinol pill and puke it right back up, and Marinol doesn't do anything for glaucoma.  Researchers at the Univesity of FL have found over 215 cannabinols in the many different species they have investigated, and each plant contains an average of 13-18 different cannabinols.  The effect on each user depends on which combination is in the plant injested.  Additi onal research is necessary to determine which combinations of cannabinols have the best effects on each different malady.  Removal from the list of proscribed substances so proper research can be done is essential for truly understanding the many positive effects marijuana can provide for medicine, food, textile, and energy production.  Another positive effect of allowing each user to grow their own is the reduction in percentage of THC in the plant.  Most medical marijuana patient home growers aren't going to be so concerned with producing the most heavy duty stoner weed for the relief of pain and nausea.

by gatekeeper50 on 03/14/2009 12:02:56 AM EST

[ Parent ]
Of course Marijuana is addictive!!! (none / 0)
Now, is it addictive like Meth or Coke? No - but it has the addictive qualities of cigarettes or alcohol, and to say otherwise is to be dishonest...

Now Tim, I am in agreement with you that Marijuana, nor any medical treatment, should be taxed in any regard. It is a crime to even consider such madness.

But really, what did you expect? You Medical Marijuanans have been screaming for years for the government to decriminalize it (which I agree with, BTW), but you didnt think they were going to consider it without getting a huge reward for it?

Just be thankful they are even considering legalizng it nationwide... Do you honestly think this could have ever happened 20 years ago? I think your cause has progressed a lot! The Pothead hippie types should be REJOICING at the sight!

Because really, Tim, medical marijuana is uneccessary when it comes right down to it - you can get the same THC effect in pill form now...

Most of you guys just want your stash - and thats OK, but just come clean with it, man...

:)

by bobo1 on 03/13/2009 06:12:03 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Wrong again. (none / 0)

Tried the pill. Doesn't do the trick. Can't regulate intake as well either.

Try it yourself, Bobo. Smoke as much pot as you can for thirty days, then stop. You will NOT get the physical withdrawals or need for another joint (although you will WANT another because it's that damn good).

Now try the same thing with alcohol, cigarettes, Heroin, Valium, coffee, or Chocolate.


Then return and we can discuss the "addictive" qualities of Marijuana. Until then, you are repeating baseless and ill-informed lies.


by MedfordTim on 03/13/2009 08:59:52 PM EST

[ Parent ]
so there is NOTHING else you can do or take (none / 0)
to relieve the spasms and days of immobility.

When you post in the chat room

I rolled up a fatty and Im all set

That means that you are taking your "medicine" right?

You think everyone was born yesterday?


by Chinese Democracy on 03/13/2009 06:12:36 PM EST

[ Parent ]
And if YOU think (none / 0)

...everyone who SAYS they're toking up when they type something in a chat room actually are, I have a tip for you:

That 13 year old girl you've been chatting with? He's a fat 40 year old FBI agent. I wouldn't make that planned rendevous, if I were you...

For those who are unaware: The DEA has Doctors so spooked that they will NOT precribe pain medications. Maybe this is different for rich people who can Doctor shop, but I go to the VA and they have a policy that you are better off addicted to pain than to pain relievers. If a muscle relaxer won't do the trick, you're out of luck.

I spent a couple of decades eating 4 aspirin at a time, every four hours or so just to take the edge off enough to make it through the day. Since I got my MMJ card, I have reduced this to very occasional use only, and my stomach lining is extremely grateful.

by MedfordTim on 03/13/2009 09:10:27 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Fuck respecting the law. (none / 0)
When the law is widely understood to be wrong by anyone who thinks about it rationally, why should it be respected?

Law does not make right.  Right is SUPPOSED to make law.

by jarett on 03/14/2009 04:50:56 AM EST

[ Parent ]
Up In Smoke (none / 0)

 both Republicans and Democrats in the state feel the system is not working.

 

How so? Not enough patients?

There can't be that many medical users in Oregon to even bother with,  obviously the resistance is to the fact its perceived as "street" drug vice the efficacy of the treatment.

 

by MRFred on 03/13/2009 03:58:32 PM EST

Freedom is the answer. (none / 0)
Stop the wars people get hurt.

by Mickey Itchi on 03/14/2009 10:07:00 AM EST

OK (none / 1)
"Most "medical" marijuana card holders dont really need pot medically"

"That's a favorite talking point, unsubstantiated by the evidence."

And the numerous arrests of underage kids in California who falsely obtaining MM cards is unsubstantiated by the evidence?

"For those who are unaware: The DEA has Doctors so spooked that they will NOT precribe pain medications."

That would explain why Oxycontin over prescription and abuse is becoming a widespread problem?

"Most medical marijuana patient home growers aren't going to be so concerned with producing the most heavy duty stoner weed for the relief of pain and nausea."

Yet they refuse to make use of Marinol (a legal prescription drug). Interesting that Marinol doesn't get you high.

"When the law is widely understood to be wrong by anyone who thinks about it rationally, why should it be respected?"

Because it's the law. You don't ignore laws just because you don't agree with them. Just because you like driving fast and are good at it doesn't give you the right (morally or otherwise) to drive 60 in a school zone. You don't like a law, legislate a new one.

"No, you are a paid blogger assigned to counter anyone that posts something negative about the government or Obama." by Mcamelyne II on 05/17/2011

by Robrob on 03/14/2009 03:52:04 PM EST

A couple of responses (none / 0)

I live in Oregon. This article is about Oregon. California's program is very different from our program. I can only speak to what I have witnessed and that is that the majority of cardholders are on the + side of thirty.

I am not Rush Limbaugh. I have never had a prescription for Oxys. I have my own experience and the anecdotal evidence of other pain sufferers plus I've had Doctors come straight out and tell me. If you have a different experience, I'm happy for you. If you DON'T have chronic pain and haven't tried to get pain meds for something lasting longer than a toothache, you are just repeating what you heard on commercials.

Marinol is not what the Big Pharma Pushers would have you believe it is.

by MedfordTim on 03/14/2009 04:23:33 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Proof that insanity isn't just for Republicans (Medical Marijuana) | 24 comments (24 topical, 0 hidden)
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