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Helixx
Mood:Fragglerocked



Registered: 06/07/07
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Psychiatrists for medical marijuana
#7642312 - 11/15/07 10:58 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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The Assembly of the American Psychiatric Association, a legislative body composed of representatives from APA districts throughout the country, has unanimously approved an action paper that urges the federal government to stop interfering with the medical use of marijuana in states where it's legal. The paper, which won't be official until it receives approval from the APA's Board of Trustees in December, notes that 12 states allow patients to use marijuana for symptom relief with a doctor's recommendation, but there's a catch:
Quote:
The threat of arrest by federal agents, however, still exists. Seriously ill patients living in these states with medical marijuana recommendations from their doctors should not be subjected to the treat of punitive federal prosecution for merely attempting to alleviate the chronic pain, side effects, or symptoms associated with their conditions or resulting from their overall treatment regimens...[We] support protection for patients and physicians participating in state approved medical marijuana programs.
Abraham L. Halpern, professor emeritus of psychiatry at New York Medical College and past president of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, called the vote "a landmark," adding, "As physicians, we cannot abide our patients being subject to arrest and jail for using a physician-recommended treatment that clearly relieves suffering for many who are not helped by conventional treatments." Rob Kampia, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project, says the action paper's unanimous approval "shows the growing acceptance of medical marijuana by organized medicine."
Other medical organizations that support the therapeutic use of marijuana include the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Preventive Medical Association, and various state medical societies. (Medical marijuana also has been endorsed by groups such as the American Public Health Association, the Federation of American Scientists, and the Lymphoma Foundation of America.) The American Medical Association, like the APA in earlier votes, has called for more research on the medical utility of cannabis and has said that doctors and patients should be free to discuss all "treatment alternatives" without fear of "criminal sanctions." But it has not gone as far as the new APA action paper.
http://reason.com/blog/show/123417.html
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nk pakelika
Visual assassin



Registered: 04/02/07
Posts: 308
Loc: the mirror
Last seen: 15 years, 20 days
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Re: Psychiatrists for medical marijuana [Re: Helixx]
#7642393 - 11/15/07 11:31 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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it seams as if in the past few months there has been a push by alot of orgnizations and a politicion or 2 (ron paul). i hope this leads too the legilization of atleast medical marijuana.
-------------------- when i get up i wake-n-bake, take a pis and shake, my clock stops at 420 what you want me too say.
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archetype
Stranger



Registered: 03/16/07
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Re: Psychiatrists for medical marijuana [Re: nk pakelika]
#7642449 - 11/15/07 11:50 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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This article has made my day. I'm ecstatic and enthused to see that such a respected organization that i hope to one day be a part of is pushing so hard for those who truly need the healing effects of the cheeba. It makes me proud to see that there is such a great push as of late (especially with elections approaching) for the legalization of medical marijuana on the federal level. Even if our ignorant and lying government won't accept that there is medical value in the drug, they should still allow individual states that opt for the legalization of medical bud for patients to do so without interference.
The Hippocratic oath states that doctors should provide their patients with the best medicines available to treat their patients' conditions, and the government needs to realize that they simply aren't letting them do their jobs.
Great article, and i hope to see an even bigger push in the future.
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All keystrokes performed on this user's account are completely random and are not to be taken seriously.
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Seuss
Error: divide byzero



Registered: 04/27/01
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Re: Psychiatrists for medical marijuana [Re: archetype]
#7643043 - 11/16/07 05:47 AM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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I can't believe that board certified medical doctors would have the gall to question the federal government. The DEA has stated that they arrest medical marijuana users, and their drug dealing "caregivers", in order to protect these unfortunate addicts from their misguided state laws. Just because somebody is sick, or dying, does not mean that they should get special treatment or be allowed to use scheduled chemicals. Who cares if these patients are in pain. That is what aspirin is for. Doctors need to stick to healing patients rather than worrying about government regulations. (sarcasm for the impaired)
-------------------- Just another spore in the wind.
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RoosterCogburn
Fearless,one-eyed U.S.Marshall



Registered: 08/25/06
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Re: Psychiatrists for medical marijuana [Re: Seuss]
#7643054 - 11/16/07 06:01 AM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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I never heard the Devil's Advocate sound so silly, Seuss. 
This is good news indeed, but let's wait for the anti-drug media frenzy to follow... Maybe they'll whip out the ole '40% higher risk for mental problems' again.
The best part is alcohol has an 800% increase...
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