Medical Pot a Political Ploy, Bush Drug Czar Says

The Associated Press ^ | August 15, 2003

[robertpaulsen]

PORTLAND -- Drug czar John Walters said Thursday that medical marijuana is being used as a political ploy to support efforts to legalize marijuana in a state where it already poses the most serious drug abuse problem for teenagers.

Walters said about 25 percent of teens in the metro area who report drug abuse problems say they are dependent on marijuana, compared with 15 percent who report alcohol abuse.

[robertpaulsen]

Hey, feel free to point out all the hidden agendas of all the programs and legislation you want. I would prefer you do that, however, on a different thread.

On this thread, I'm pointing out that medical marijuana is nothing but a ploy to legalize marijuana.

[bassmaner]

I don't understand why you repeatedly insist on restricting your comments to marijuana when you mean all crimes.

One of the contributing factors that encourage prison rape is prison overcrowding. Much of the prison overcrowding problem is due to mandatory minimum sentences imposed for drug-related "crimes", mandated by pro-WOD politicians.

The WOD itself is an abomination, and the incarceration of people for pot is one of its most abominable facets. That's why I emphasize marijuana "offenders" when discussing the really insidious crime of prison rape. If that 19-year old kid in Florida that was victimized by a prison rapist a few months back was your son, you'd no doubt feel the same way.

[jmc813]

On this thread, I'm pointing out that medical marijuana is nothing but a ploy to legalize marijuana.

Do you agree that the original intent of marijuana prohibition was a ploy to accomplish other goals?

[MrLeRoy]

Are we to believe that Walters intended no larger point in citing the Portland numbers?

the only way you can justify your cite it is to try to find some hidden meaning in Walters' words. That's stupid

I've got a bridge I need to sell. Interested?

[mr.pink]

Political ploy? Ignorance! It has been a medicinal herb since the beginning of time and will always be a medicinal herb whether or not the medical community dictates.

First off....I did not deny that it had medical benefits, I belive it has some benefits, but I would wager to guess those benefits are not nearly as impressive medicinaly as say, the medical benefits of heroin.

And I'll stand by my agrument that a great deal of those lobbying pro-Medi-mari are really just moving the ball towards complete legalization but don't have the stones to argue for that upfront and outright.

And again, I'm not against legalization, but I don't appreciate folks who don't have the balls to argue their true goals publicly.

It's somewhat similar to Chuck Schumer arguing for gun registration, only dopes don't realize the end game is confiscation and the registration will at that point serve as a "to do" list.

My critique is with the nancy-like style of prusuit of a goal, not necessarily the goal itself.

[robertpaulsen]

"If that 19-year old kid"

As you well know, that 19-year-old DRUG DEALER was not imprisoned "due to mandatory minimum sentences imposed for drug-related "crimes", mandated by pro-WOD politicians."

He was placed in week-end JAIL because he violated the conditions of his release after arrest. He put himself in jail, not the "pro-WOD politicians".

At least get that part of the story correct.

[dljordan]

Why should I pay attention to ANYONE from Washington talking about political ploys?

[robertpaulsen]

"Do you agree that the original intent of marijuana prohibition was a ploy to accomplish other goals?"

That's a terrific subject for another thread. Maybe you can start one with the subject, "Things that happened in the early 1900's".

On this thread, I'm pointing out that medical marijuana is nothing but a ploy to legalize marijuana.

[Skooz]

jack-booted thug named Harry Anslinger

Alright! A "jack-booted thug" blast. Very nice.

[jmc813]

Alright! A "jack-booted thug" blast. Very nice.

Please don't tell me you're defending Henry Anslinger.

[Skooz]

Of course not. I just enjoy the term "jack-booted thug" and gave it props.

[MrLeRoy]

Why should I pay attention to ANYONE from Washington talking about political ploys?

He's from the government and he's here to help you.

[Britton J Wingfield]

As far as the Med MJ being a scam, tell that to someone who can't keep med's down because they puke it Up

I've seen that with my own eyes. Smoked mj worked quite well, and I don't think i deserve jail for providing it.

[MrLeRoy]

Druggie!

[Britton J Wingfield]

Nah, I was just the distributor.

[MrLeRoy]

Even worse---you're one of the people WODdies want to execute.

[vin-one]

wish I had done the same, but the person had a previous addiction problem with booze we
thought all along he would make it
kicking myself for three years that we did not relieve some of his pain
and trust me there was plenty MJ around at the time to help.

[Britton J Wingfield]

Well, with all the morphine he was taking, addiction was the last thing I was worried about.

He did start smoking cigarettes again once he got cancer.

[philman_36]

Is that stupid outdated report...
Seems to me, Bob, that you were using that very same "stupid outdated report" not to long ago yourself in defending your position. Whassup?

Drug czar John Walters must be a lurker/poster with a bevy of like minded sychophants. I've seen every single "argument" in this article used on FR, especially the "medical pot is a political ploy" routine.
Some coaching...

[philman_36]

On this thread, I'm pointing out that medical marijuana is nothing but a ploy to legalize marijuana.
You aren't "pointing out" anything. You, and Walters, are merely implying things.
And a few quotes (come on, Bob, speaking of old...got anything newer than 1979?) by a few people isn't cutting the mustard...
Surely you can do better than that! All those resources, all that time...