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"I am going to be an activist. It is up
to us to change these laws. And it is going to take money, because if
we don't put in the money we aren't going to win. That is the bottom
line." Former Oklahoman Will Foster after his
release from prison. He was convicted of cultivating marijuana, used
for his own medical purposes.
"Every human being whose life is disrupted because of the marijuana laws deserves our attention, but Will's case is important first because people already know about the terrible injustice done to him back in Oklahoma, and second because it's just so weird and egregious. People just shake their heads and say this shouldn't be happening. We're trying to get him out, and we're trying to bring this injustice to the attention of people who don't already know about it. Apparently, Oklahoma has a lot of money to burn on this vindictiveness. This is a sad and stupid case."
Ed Rosenthal, Foster's friend
Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Activism Alert: Serious consideration is being placed in holding a Day at the Capitol with Marijuana Patients this fall at the State Capitol. If you are interesting in participating, please email here.
U. S. Supreme Court Declines Reviewing Police Ordered Return of Medical Marijuana. Details here.
"Marijuana is Medicine" Forum Held in Edmond.
On April 19, we had an opportunity to learn about the medical aspects of marijuana (cannabis) at a pubic meeting in Edmond sponsored by the Drug Policy Forum of Oklahoma. Two health care professionals gave informative talks and two potential candidates for medical use (if it were legal) discussed their points of view.
Dr. Morton Skorodin discussed for a lay audience the scientific background regarding benefits, risks and side effects of Cannabis. Bill Humphries, R. N., who specializes as a hospice nurse, discussed the clinical condition for which it its indicated (in those states in which it is legal[12 states]). He also discussed some of the legal intricacies involved.
Some of the scientific findings are amazing, and it seems likely that cannabis and its derivatives will be used extensively as medicine in the future. It has been used since Bible times for symptoms such as nausea and pain. Many people are aware that cancer patients use it to relieve nausea from chemotherapy. What was really surprising was to learn that it actually can fight cancer itself, as has been shown in lab animals with a wide variety of cancer types. In Spain they put the major compound, THC, in the actual brain tumors of people with the highly malignant glioblastoma.
Another recent finding is that cannabis blocks the same enzyme that standard Alzheimer's drugs do, but more efficiently. In the next few years, we may find out that those aging hippies unknowingly protected themselves from dementia by smoking pot.
There are many other illnesses for which cannabis may be helpful; this subject can not be fully discussed in a brief letter. Although remarkably safe as medications go, with no reported fatalities, smoking it promotes chronic bronchitis and it is habit-forming. Not to be forgotten, the drug war vastly increases the danger of cannabis. It is illegal under federal law even where specifically legal for medical use under state law.
A Federal Medical Marijuana Bill (HR-5842 has been introduced by Rep. Ron. Paul. This Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act would make federal authorities respect states' current laws on medical cannabis and end DEA raids on facilities distributing medical marijuana legally under state law. Please call you representative to ask him to support this bill.
A look at proposed legislation for legalized medical marijuana in Oklahoma available here.
Please Help the
Oklahoma Compassionate Care Campaign Raise Funds! Go here.
FOR MEDICAL
MARIJUANA
Federal law prohibits any use of marijuana, but
Maine, Vermont, Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Montana,
Nevada, Oregon, Washington, New Mexico, Michigan and Rhode Island allow it to be grown
and used for medicinal purposes.
Legal medical marijuana is not
available in Oklahoma. Sick Oklahomans need your help to allow them
to seek medical marijuana treatment. It has been found to
aid those suffering from chronic pain, glaucoma, neurologic
disorders, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, AIDS-wasting syndrome, and
nausea and vomiting associated with cancer
chemotherapy.
Doctors and patients in 12 states can freely decide if marijuana
is the best medicine. Unfortunately in Oklahoma, citizens who need
marijuana are treated like common criminals. They are locked up in
our very overcrowded prisons and then we have to pay for their
medical care. Our law provides no defense based on a medical
necessity, even when a person cannot afford drug store
medicines.
DPRNOK
Needs Your Support!
We are seeking endorsements from Oklahoma doctors, patients, and
prominent organizations.
We need Oklahomans who could benefit from medical
marijuana to tell their stories and/or even testify to
legislators about those who are either sick or in pain and who want
or need medical marijuana. All interviews will be kept
private unless we have your permission to tell your story.
Please use this online form to tell your
story, or phone (405)714-1236.
Mail to: DPRNOK, P O BOX 73140, Midwest City, OK 73140 Our
web site: Drug Policy Forum
of Oklahoma
Please call your OK senator and representative and tell them to
sponsor, or support, the Oklahoma Compassionate Care Medical
Marijuana bill. Find your legislators here, or at the Oklahoma
Election Board (405)521-2391, or contact your county election
board.
ARE YOU A PATIENT WHO COULD BENEFIT FROM USING MARIJUANA AS A
MEDICINE? ARE YOU A HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL WHO IS AWARE OF ITS
THERAPEUTIC BENEFITS? PLEASE CONTACT US NOW!!
Medical marijuana is "...one of the
safest therapeutically active substances known to man."
by the Honorable Francis Young, Administrative Law Judge Drug Enforcement
Agency - 1989
Why is Marijuana Illegal?
