Prohibition of POT

My two favorite Governors!  Christine Gregoire of Washington, and Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island... trying to bring sense to the senseless!

 The Oregonian, "Governors Request Pot Sales"

In 1920 Congress passed the 18th Amendment to the Constitution which prohibited the, "...manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States..." Thirteen years later and who knows at what price to the government both in cost of enforcement and prosecutions, and in lost revenue, Congress ratified the 21st Amendment to the Constitution thus repealing the prohibition of alcohol.

How much longer does this have to go on? If we, the people of the United States, forget about the potential medical benefits of marijuana and focus on the industrial implications of this prohibited "weed," we just may be able to create another industry around this formerly accepted textile, which by the way, was a huge player in helping the US win World War II.

HEMP FOR VICTORY!

Thanks to YouTube, WikiPedia, the Oregonian, and the Tacoma News Tribune!

Campy Out!

Good News Bad News Chronicles

Bad News:

Yesterday, Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire vetoed most of the Bill that would update the current Washington State Medical Marijuana Law passed in 1998 that legalized medical marijuana for certain people.  The update to the law passed the Washington State legislature and would protect certified medical marijuana users and allow medical marijuana dispensaries.

Good News:
Governor Gregoire did allow other parts of the Bill to become law.  Up to 10 patients can pool together to grow a collective marijuana gardens containing up to 45 plants that yield up to 72 ounces of pot.  She also said that she would work with other state governors to downgrade marijuana to a legal category that would allow it to be prescribed by doctors and obtained at pharmacies.

Read more: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/04/30/1646933/gregoire-vetoes-most-of-pot-bill.html#ixzz1L1NjnnZF

Campy's Comments:
This is good news and bad news, however even if "pot" is downgraded to a legal category allowing it to be prescribed by doctors and obtained at pharmacies, who is going to grow it and who is to set and certify the quality standards to be "medicinal grade."  For instance, I'd worry about who grows it, if any fertilizers are used, if any other chemicals being used, and do the growers let their dog or cat enter the "grow" area?  Imagine vaporizing or ingesting animal urine or poison.   Man... how things change!

Medical Marijuana

This is such an historically emotional issue. 

Lets face it, present day gang activity in drug trafficking and drug murders is terrible and such a waste. Our jails are filled with repeat marijuana users costing the tax payers millions each year.  Images of "Pot" being used to "party" at Woodstock, coupled with Cheech and Chong evoke a certain madness about 60's and 70's and the use of "dope" to get "high".  Even our beloved Presidents Clinton, Bush, and Obama, the actual protectors of that very bedrock document of Democracy on which we have chosen to base our freedom, have used marijuana to get "high".  Prohibition in the 1920's and the ensuing government campaign against marijuana have been pretty successful at getting the word out... "Marijuana is Bad for Americans!"

My issue and biggest concern is "where" the "medical marijuana" comes from.  At the age of 48, I have been dealing with Parkinson's Disease for nearly 15 years and Dysautonomia for the past two.  I don't take medical treatments lightly, as "my" routine is particular to "my" disease process and whether or not I will have a day spent on the couch or a day spent among people enjoying life. 

I have spent a fair amount of time legitimately and aggressively seeking medication based and surgical (brain surgery) treatments, as well as Prayer, laying on of hands, massage, Reiki, Yoga, and diet modifications to mention a few, in an effort to relieve, not cure, my daily experience with the symptoms of Parkinson's and Dysautonomia.

I hope that some day I will get a legitimate chance to try safe, medical grade, and guilt free marijuana, in an attempt to relieve at least one of my many physical symptoms that are not only a result of the unstoppable neurological deterioration of Parkinson's disease and Dysautonomia, but also are the result of side effects of Deep Brain Stimulation surgery and the medicines I and others like me dependent on daily.

Some days, "Hope" is the only line I have in the water of life at the age of 48.  I "hope" that compassion, kindness, generosity, and clear minds, prevail over a long standing history of misinformed however well intentioned law makers in my future.

Peace to you all.

Campy