http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chris-weigant/war-on-weeds-end-in-sight_b_10934184.html
Even if the D.E.A. proves recalcitrant and the Obama administration isn’t bold enough to reschedule on their own, Congress may get involved. A bill which will remove all the needless red tape from medical research on marijuana is working its way through the House right now, and it is notable for who has sponsored it — not just pro-marijuana congressmen, but also some of the most avidly anti-marijuana congressmen as well. It is no longer a politically acceptable stance to deny doctors from even studying marijuana’s benefits anymore — another measure of how the War On Weed is winding down.
For years, marijuana research was only allowed if the hypothesis was some version of: “Marijuana’s bad for you... mmm-kay?” No science was permitted with the aim of proving any benefits at all — and then politicians and the medical establishment could sanctimoniously fight against legalizing medical marijuana with the Catch-22 excuse of “no solid research has been done, therefore marijuana can’t be considered a medicine.” As Doc Daneeka might have explained to Yossarian: “Doctors say medical marijuana isn’t a proven medicine until they see studies scientifically showing the benefits, but research showing any beneficial uses doesn’t actually exist — because any researcher who tries to prove beneficial uses is denied the permission to conduct such research by the government — so this scientific evidence will never actually be allowed to exist.” That was then, but now even the most strident anti-drug congressmen are working to remove this enormous Catch-22 situation, forever.
[Edited on 7/12/2016 by robslob]
🙂
The citizens of Maine vote on legalization this fall. Probably a few other states too.
Good news, especially if they discover benefits people claim are actually from the non-psychoactive compounds.
The citizens of Maine vote on legalization this fall. Probably a few other states too.
We here in California as well. Not to boast, but a Yes vote in California is probably bigger than any other state. California is the 6th largest economy in the entire world, which is a somewhat mind-boggling fact. The impact as far as legality at the Federal level could be huge.
[Edited on 7/13/2016 by robslob]
The citizens of Maine vote on legalization this fall. Probably a few other states too.
We here in California as well. Not to boast, but a Yes vote in California is probably bigger than any other state. California is the 6th largest economy in the entire world, which is a somewhat mind-boggling fact. The impact as far as legality at the Federal level could be huge.
[Edited on 7/13/2016 by robslob]
Agree, that would be huge. Is there an organized opposition?
Then there is this. Absolutely amazing to think it's the 21st century sometimes...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/medical-cannabis-gop-convention_us_578412f1e4b07c356cfe3c55
Medical Marijuana Fails To Make GOP Platform After Vigorous Debate.
"One delegate argued that people who commit mass murders are “all smoking pot.”
CLEVELAND ― Republican delegates meeting on Monday voted not to endorse medical cannabis in their party’s official platform. In the process, however, they managed to air some of the wildest unproven theories about marijuana.
Maine legislator and delegate Eric Brakey introduced the measure before the full GOP Platform Committee, prompting a vigorous debate over whether to support states that allow nonsmokable cannabis for medicinal purposes.
Medical cannabis has greatly improved the lives of patients with debilitating conditions, noted delegates in favor of the measure. They also said children “are being saved” by hemp products because their conditions often can’t be controlled with any other substance.
But a number of delegates rose in opposition to the measure. A member from Utah claimed scientists have a “long way to go with research” on marijuana and argued that studies, which she did not provide, showed a link between it and mental health issues.
Another delegate absurdly claimed that people who commit mass murders are “young boys from divorced families, and they’re all smoking pot.” Yet another delegate claimed marijuana triggered schizophrenia, and is funded nationally by Democrat and New York financier George Soros. “Let’s think a little bit what happens with Percocet, with OxyContin,” claimed a third delegate, who drew a connection between the ongoing heroin epidemic and teenagers smoking marijuana.
Pro-medical cannabis delegates pushed back, complaining their fellow committee members misunderstood the scope of the proposal.
“It’s not like we’re talking about Cheech and Chong here, folks. We’re talking about allowing people with debilitating conditions to ease their suffering,” Maryland delegate Ben Marchi said, referencing the comedy duo who support marijuana.
The attempt at clarification may have swayed some votes. Wyoming Sen. John Barasso, chair of the Platform Committee, couldn’t determine at the first attempt whether the measure passed by voice vote. The proposal was voted down on the second vote, however.
A member from Utah claimed scientists have a “long way to go with research” on marijuana and argued that studies, which she did not provide, showed a link between it and mental health issues.
See post #1 of this thread.
Another delegate absurdly claimed that people who commit mass murders are “young boys from divorced families, and they’re all smoking pot.” Yet another delegate claimed marijuana triggered schizophrenia, and is funded nationally by Democrat and New York financier George Soros. “Let’s think a little bit what happens with Percocet, with OxyContin,” claimed a third delegate, who drew a connection between the ongoing heroin epidemic and teenagers smoking marijuana.
Bloviating fools. 
The War on Weed is far from over, sadly.....Even if the feds get their act together, local jurisdictions in states where they choose to continue the for profit war will continue to do so. I'm inclined to believe a complete end to the madness will only come with a Supreme Court ruling in favor of legalization. Even then states could over regulate use to the point that it might as well be illegal. Similar to what some states do now with alcohol use.... 🙁
