I am writing to request that my congress people in the Senate and
House support the Truth in Trials Act.
The DEA has supervised an unprecedented level of paramilitary-style
enforcement raids against patients and providers who were in clear
compliance with their state medical marijuana. These raids are a
waste of resources and I think more needs to be done to resolve the
growing conflict between state and federal law.
Marijuana has often been depicted as a useless drug, and when I was in
school I was told it was worse than alcohol.
Marijuana contains an amazing chemical, beta-caryophyllene, and
scientists have thoroughly proven that it can be used to treat pain,
inflammation, atherosclerosis, and osteoporosis.
Jürg Gertsch, of ETH Zürich, and his collaborators from three other
universities learned that the natural molecule can activate a protein
called cannabinoid receptor type 2. When that biological button is
pushed, it soothes the immune system, increases bone mass, and blocks
pain signals — without causing euphoria or interfering with the
central nervous system. Gertsch and his team published their findings
on June 23 of 2010 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of
Sciences.They focused on the anti-inflammatory properties of the
impressive substance — testing it on immune cells called monocytes and
also in mice.
Investigators at London's Kings College reported that the
administration of doses of synthetic THC temporarily interfered with
activity in the inferior frontal cortex, a region of the brain
associated with paranoia, while administration of the non-psychoactive
compound cannanabanoid(CBD) stimulated relaxation. The reports go on
to suggest that chronic use of cannabis may precipitate various types
of mental illness and cite a separate unpublished study indicating
that cannabis use may exacerbate symptoms of schizophrenia.
Such clinical findings and suggestions are not new. Scientists have
known for decades that THC is psychoactive and that peak blood levels
of its primary active metabolite 11-OH-THC are occasionally associated
with temporary feelings of dysphoria, paranoia, and even panic
attacks. (These events, when documented, typically occur in cannabis
naïve users.)
Conversely, scientists have also been long aware of CBD's anxiolytic
and anti-psychotic effects. In fact, many experts speculate that it is
the lack of CBD in Marinol (the synthetic THC oral prescription pill)
that is responsible for the drug's enhanced psychoactivity. By
contrast, CBD occurs naturally in whole-plant cannabis, and is
believed to modify and/or diminish some of the psychoactivity
associated with THC when cannabis is inhaled.
Fears that chronic cannabis use may be positively associated with
various mental illnesses, particularly schizophrenia, are also
long-standing. However, a recent meta-analysis investigating the use
of cannabis use and its impact on mental health reported that those
who use cannabis in moderation, even long-term "will not suffer any
lasting physical or mental harm. ... Overall, by comparison with other
drugs used mainly for 'recreational' purposes, cannabis could be rated
to be a relatively safe drug. (Leslie Iverson. 2005. Long-term effects
of exposure to cannabis. Current Opinion in Pharmacology 5: 69-72.)
The phrase "relatively safe" is appropriate in any discussion
regarding cannabis and mental health. No substance is harmless and in
many cases, the relative dangers of a drug may be increased or
decreased depending on set and setting. Cannabis is no different.
There is limited data suggesting an association, albiet a minor one,
between chronic cannabis (primarily among adolescents and/or those
predisposed to mental illness) and increased symptoms of depression,
psychotic symptoms, and/or schizophrenia. However, interpretation of
this data is troublesome and, to date, this observation association is
not well understood. Identified as well as unidentified confounding
factors (such as poverty, family history, polydrug use, etc.) make it
difficult, if not impossible, for researchers to adequately determine
whether any cause-and-effect relationship exists between cannabis use
and mental illness. Also, many experts point out that this association
may be due to patients' self-medicating with cannabis, as survey data
and anecdotal reports of individuals finding therapeutic relief from
both clinical depression and schizotypal behavior are common within
medical lore, and clinical testing on the use of cannabinoids to treat
certain symptoms of mental illness has been recommended.
Most recently, a large-scale study by investigators at London's
Institute of Psychiatry reported that those patients diagnosed with
schizophrenia who had previously used cannabis did not demonstrate
exacerbated symptoms of the illness compared to age-adjusted controls
who had not used cannabis. "This [finding] argues against a distinct
schizophrenia-like psychosis caused by cannabis," they concluded.
In 2003, researchers at the University of Milan in Naples, Italy,
reported that non-psychoactive compounds in marijuana inhibited the
growth of glioma cells in a dose dependent manner and selectively
targeted and killed malignant cancer cells.
The following year, researchers reported in the journal of the
American Association for Cancer Research that marijuana's constituents
inhibited the spread of brain cancer in human tumor biopsies. In a
related development, a research team from the University of South
Florida further noted that THC can also selectively inhibit the
activation and replication of gamma herpes viruses. The viruses, which
can lie dormant for years within white blood cells before becoming
active and spreading to other cells, are thought to increase one's
chances of developing cancers such as Karposis Sarcoma, Burkitts
lymphoma, and Hodgkins disease.
Government experts now admit that pot doesn't kill brain cells. This
myth came from a handful of animal experiments in which structural
changes (not actual cell death, as is often alleged) were observed in
brain cells of animals exposed to high doses of pot. Many critics
still cite the notorious monkey studies of Dr. Robert G. Heath, which
purported to find brain damage in three monkeys that had been heavily
dosed with cannabis. This work was never replicated and has since been
discredited by a pair of better controlled, much larger monkey
studies, one by Dr. William Slikker of the National Center for
Toxicological Research and the other by Charles Rebert and Gordon
Pryor of SRI International. Neither found any evidence of physical
alteration in the brains of monkeys exposed to daily doses of pot for
up to a year. Human studies of heavy users in Jamaica and Costa Rica
found no evidence of abnormalities in brain physiology. Even though
there is no evidence that pot causes permanent brain damage, users
should be aware that persistent deficits in short-term memory have
been noted in chronic, heavy marijuana smokers after 6 to 12 weeks of
abstinence. It is worth noting that other drugs, including alcohol,
are known to cause brain damage.
There is no scientific evidence for the theory that marijuana is a
"gateway" drug. The cannabis-using cultures in Asia, the Middle East,
Africa and Latin America show no propensity for other drugs. The
gateway theory took hold in the sixties, when marijuana became the
leading new recreational drug. It was refuted by events in the
eighties, when cocaine abuse exploded at the same time marijuana use
declined.
As we have seen, there is evidence that cannabis may substitute for
alcohol and other "hard" drugs. A recent survey by Dr. Patricia Morgan
of the University of California at Berekeley found that a significant
number of pot smokers and dealers switched to methamphetamine "ice"
when Hawaii's marijuana eradication program created a shortage of pot.
Dr. Morgan noted a similar phenomenon in California, where cocaine use
soared in the wake of the CAMP helicopter eradication campaign.
The one way in which marijuana does lead to other drugs is through its
illegality: persons who deal in marijuana are likely to deal in other
illicit drugs as well.
Moderate smoking of marijuana appears to pose minimal danger to the
lungs. Like tobacco smoke, marijuana smoke contains a number of
irritants and carcinogens. But marijuana users typically smoke much
less often than tobacco smokers, and over time, inhale much less
smoke.
**On October 19th, Obama drug czar Gil Kerlikowske spoke out again in
opposition to Proposition 19, this time on a trip to Florida:
[Kerlikowske] mocked the claim from proponents of Proposition 19 that
legalization "solves every problem ... It's touted as some type of
answer. Legalizing drugs is not the answer to this nation's problems."
But what about medical marijuana, especially as a treatment for
chronic pain that harsh narcotics like Oxycodone are used to treat?
Sorry, Cheech:
"Marijuana is not medicine," Kerlikowske told New Times. "We have a
process in this country for developing medicines that's
world-renowned. The popular vote has never been a part of it.
Treatments should be determined by scientists and not by voters."**
"Marijuana is not medicine," Kerlikowske told New Times. "We have a
process in this country for developing medicines that's
world-renowned. The popular vote has never been a part of it.
Treatments should be determined by scientists and not by voters."
Scientists have determined that marijuana is a treatment for many
things. Scientists are the ones who conducted the studies referred to
in my opening argument.
Another example is its use in HIV/AIDS cases:
"Many people with HIV have low appetite. This can be due to fatigue or
drug side effects. Low appetite can lead to AIDS wasting. Marijuana
stimulates the appetite, preventing these problems.
Some people with HIV get nauseated when they take antiretroviral
medications. This can make it difficult to take all scheduled doses.
Marijuana can help control the nausea."
I personally know and there are many documented cases of HIV/AIDS
patients lives being saved because of wait gain after beginning the
use of marijuana.
The weight gain from the 'munchies' allows the users body to
essentially rebuild the immune system, especially if the persons diet
is consistent with recommendations from there doctor. (No junk food)
The process we have in this country for producing medicine is 'I
invented this so for ten years I will get loads of money for it' If
someone can grow their medicine in there backyard, who will pay the
lobbyists? Again marijuana has been determined as a treatment by
scientists for many things. Why else would they work so hard to invent
Marinol? And why isnt Marinol banned..? What are the side affects of
Marinol?
weakness
sudden warm feeling
stomach pain
nausea
vomiting
memory loss
anxiety
confusion
dizziness
unsteady walking
feeling like you are outside of your body
elevated mood (Sounds like 'high' to me)
hallucinations (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist)
sleepiness
strange or unusual thoughts
These are exactly the same effects as marijuana.
Marinol is derived from a substance in Marijuana. Marinol is a pill; a
pharmecutical version of Marijuana allowed by the FDA. Marijuana has
the substance Dronabinol (a cannabanoid, derived from the word
Cannabis, a synonym for Marijuana) naturally present in it, which is
the SCIENTIFIC cause behinds Canibinols effects.
So the government and regulatory bodies admit, through allowing
Marinol, that Dronabinol is beneficial in the treatment of nausea.
Dronabinol is naturally found in Marijuana, and no other place...
The active ingredient in Marinol is in fact FOUND in Marijuana,
therefore making it (Marijuana) a medicine; backed by the fact that
the FDA has endorsed the use of Marinol.
So is marijuana worse than alcohol?
I think not.
In October of 2009, the Obama Administration issued a memorandum to
U.S. Attorneys discouraging the use of federal resources to prosecute
individuals who are in “clear and unambiguous compliance” with their
state compassionate use law. Since then, ASA has tracked more than 30
federal enforcement raids in California, Colorado, Hawaii, and Nevada.
Despite these tactics, more states are adopting regulations to
authorize safe access to marijuana for medical purposes.
By supporting the Truth in Trial Act, you are supporting a positive
step in change for the American publics perception of the legislative
process.
Regardless of whether you agree or disagree with state medical
marijuana laws, we can agree that the status-quo is not sustainable
and requires change. The next DEA Administrator will be challenged
with negotiating this growing divide between state and federal law and
the situation will only get worse as more states adopt regulations to
control the cultivation and distribution of marijuana for medical
purposes. Please ask tough questions to ensure that the next DEA
Administrator possesses the leadership necessary to create a national
strategy that supports safe and legal access to marijuana for medical
purposes.
It is sad that Americans look at congress and think 'How can I get my
idea through the POLITICAL process?'... Shouldn't you as our governing
leaders, entrusted with our lives, our well being and the freedoms we
cherish, be ensuring that all american are able to express there
ideas in a society that is open because fundamental FREEDOM and
FAIRNESS are guaranteed.
We need a return back to the founders intentions of what our our
country should be.
Our society, the federal government, is often misunderstood.
I only began to comprehend this more clearly when I watched former
President Bushs' interview on Oprah. The truth is, by very definition
a 'state' is an independent authority. It is the role of the federal
government to be a catalyst for the success of the individuals states,
not to 'wow' the American public.
By very definition a 'Federal' Government is this:
Federal: of or relating to the central government of a federation; "a
federal district is one set aside as the seat of the national
government"
Government:
A government is the organization, machinery, or agency through which a
political unit exercises its authority, controls and administers
public policy, and directs and controls the actions of its members or
subjects.
So...
Resolved:
The Federal Government of the United States of America should be the
central governing body of our great federation/republic, through
administering public policy; it is to provide a conducive environment
for the members of society to be innovative, fueling progress.
Because the perception of the american public believes otherwise, I
would argue this is the most patriotic message you could send to the
American public.
Furthermore, if you do not ignore my call to action, I promise the
flame of the Statue of Liberty will then become, once again, a flame
of TRUE freedom to the world.
I have been feeling more and more like a 'subject' lately, and not a
'member' of our society, the most enlightened in the world, and that
is a sad thing.
I beg you to take this step to begin to restore my faith in American
society, and governments in general.
Here is the reply I received from a member of the judiciary committee:
November 15, 2010
Thank you for letting me know of your support for H.R. 3939, the Truth in Trials Act. You can be sure that I share your interest in this
regard and appreciate knowing your thoughts.
As you know, H.R. 3939 would amend the federal criminal code to: (1) allow any person on trial for a federal marijuana-related offense to
introduce evidence that the alleged marijuana-related activities were
performed in compliance with state law regarding the medical use of
marijuana; (2) allow an affirmative defense to a marijuana prosecution that the alleged marijuana-related activities complied with state law regarding the medical use of marijuana; (3) limit the criminal
liability of persons convicted of federal marijuana-related offenses;
(4) require the preservation and return (if a defendant is acquitted)
of property seized in connection with a marijuana prosecution; and (5)
prohibit the seizure of plants grown or stored under a physician's
recommendation or by order of a state or municipal agency in
accordance with state law regarding the medical use of marijuana.
H.R. 3939 has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee where it
awaits further consideration. Because of your interest in this
matter, and in an effort to be of all possible assistance to you, I
have taken the liberty of sharing your support for the Truth in Trials
Act matter with my colleagues on the committee. As they continue to
review this legislation, please know that they will keep your thoughts
in mind.
Again, thank you for taking the time to contact me regarding this
matter of mutual concern. It is my hope that you will continue to
keep me apprised of your interest in legislative issues important to
you.
With best wishes and personal regards, I am
Bill Young
Member of Congress
