Monday, October 17, 2005

In your face, Karen Tandy Via Cannabis News, Marijuana less cancerous than tobacco. This United Press International article by Steve Mitchell, Senior Medical Correspondent, reports what we had a preview of before -- that this whole business of prohibitionists touting that marijuana has higher numbers of carcinogens is irrelevant. The truth is that marijuana use does not increase your risk of cancer at all. What made this article particularly interesting is that the UPI Senior Medical Correspondent, through a combination of analysis and reactions from others, called Karen Tandy what she is: a liar. Karen Tandy, the DEA's administrator, wrote in an article titled, "Marijuana: The Myths Are Killing Us," which appeared in the March issue of Police Chief magazine, that the drug is hazardous to health and does not help patients. [...] Tandy did not claim marijuana caused cancer, but she implied it by saying, "marijuana smoke ... contains 50 to 70 percent more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than tobacco smoke and produces high levels of an enzyme that converts certain hydrocarbons into malignant cells." She also said marijuana can cause anxiety and depression, particularly in teens. However, a study released last week from Canadian researchers found a synthesized version of a marijuana compound actually promotes development of new brain cells in rats, and this in turn was accompanied by a reduction in anxiety and depression. Other risks of marijuana cited by Tandy included impaired cognitive function, such as short-term problems with perception and memory. Allen St. Pierre, executive director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, told UPI that Tandy's assertions "run up against the known science," which indicate the toxicity of the drug is minimal. [...] He noted that Dr. Tod Mikuriya, a psychiatrist in El Cerrito, Calif., had conducted a study with medical-marijuana patients and did not find evidence they developed cognitive impairments, paranoia, anxiety or other mental problems after they began using the drug. "The government has insisted there are no pros and there are only cons of marijuana, but this is totally lacking in science and totally lacking in any realistic credibility," Melamede said. He predicted medical marijuana ultimately will be permitted in the United States. "It's unavoidable that it will eventually triumph because it works," he said. "The government is lying and it will eventually win out in the end. It's just a matter of how many people have to suffer between now and then." Good reporting UPI. Wait, did I just say "Good reporting UPI?" What's happening? 11:12:37 PM |  drug policy | Links | permalink | comment []

Lester Grinspoon at Mother Jones A very nice interview with Dr. Lester Grinspoon at Mother Jones today. He talks about Marinol, Sativex, medical marijuana and the contrary pressures from pharmaceutical companies and patients regarding the legalization of marijuana. One of the most interesting parts: he often talks with medical marijuana patients who are concerned about flunking work drug tests -- he tries to get their doctor to prescribe Marinol. Even though Marinol doesn't work as well as marijuana, the patient can continue to use marijuana and not worry about the drug test. The same will be true to a greater degree with Sativex, which will lead to a practical solution of legalization countered by the financial pressure of the pharmaceutical companies to push prohibition harder. Also interesting -- even though he's an ardent proponent of medical marijuana, he sees no way long term to legalize medical marijuana without legalizing it for recreational purposes. 11:03:03 PM |  drug policy | Links | permalink | comment []

Man tasered 19 times, medical examiner not sure of cause of death Link From what I can tell, 21 year old Patrick Lee was tasered up to 19 times, plus police used pepper spray and other "physical force." Two days later, he died of cardiac arrest. Blood testing at the hospital revealed the presence of both marijuana and LSD in Lee's system. "Mr. Lee's death is a tragedy we should all learn from," [medical examiner Bruce] Levy said. "Mr. Lee's death is also a sober reminder of the dangers of the abuse of illegal controlled drugs." Ah, yes, it was the "presence" (no idea how much) of drugs that caused Lee's excited delirium, which led to his death. Not the 19 tasers. I've also heard that aspirin will kill you if you take a couple and walk in front of a bus. [Thanks to scottp] 5:18:27 PM |  drug policy | Links | permalink | comment []

Marijuana Arrests at Record High Via NORML, Police arrested an estimated 771,608 persons for marijuana violations in 2004, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's annual Uniform Crime Report, released today. The total is the highest ever recorded by the FBI, and comprised 44.2 percent of all drug arrests in the United States. "These numbers belie the myth that police do not target and arrest minor marijuana offenders," said NORML Executive Director Allen St. Pierre, who noted that at current rates, a marijuana smoker is arrested every 41 seconds in America. "This effort is a tremendous waste of criminal justice resources that diverts law enforcement personnel away from focusing on serious and violent crime, including the war on terrorism." Of those charged with marijuana violations, 89 percent - some 684,319 Americans - were charged with possession only. The remaining 87,289 individuals were charged with "sale/manufacture," a category that includes all cultivation offenses - even those where the marijuana was being grown for personal or medical use. In past years, approximately 30 percent of those arrested were age 19 or younger. [...] The total number of marijuana arrests in the U.S. for 2004 far exceeded the total number of arrests in the U.S. for all violent crimes combined, including murder, manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery and aggravated assault. What a waste of resources, of lives, of integrity. 4:39:35 PM |  drug policy | Links | permalink | comment []

Conference in Hartford Trinity College in Hartford, CT is hosting a drug conference this Friday and Saturday, organized by City Councilman Robert Painter. (See article in the Hartford Courant.) While the blurb on the conference page... The conference is organized to bring law enforcement groups; state agencies; state and city representatives; and national experts with creative talent, to meet the drug scourge head on. ... would lead you to believe that this is the same old one-sided "How can we make prohibition work better" conference, the reality is much more interesting. Look at some of the people who they've invited to speak and lead sessions: Roger Goodman, Director, King County Bar Association (yes, that's the same bar association that came out with this amazing set of recommendations to eliminate the federal prohibition model) Eric Sterling, President of the Criminal Justice Foundation Jack Cole, Executive Director of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition Robert Rooks, Drug Policy Alliance Dr. Dale Gieringer, NORML Scarlett Swedlow, Executive Director, Students for Sensible Drug Policy There's also representatives from the Department of Justice, DEA, local police, a variety of social agencies, treatment centers, etc. This is an amazingly impressive job by one community to really hear all the sides. Could this be one more indication that, as a country, we're breaking through that block, and starting to allow the public discussion of prohibition alternatives? 9:40:35 AM |  drug policy | Links | permalink | comment []