O'Reilly on medical marijuana

[doublevision1]

Bill O'Reilly talked about the recent DEA ruling against medical marijuana tonight.  He said the DEA says medical marijuana is a "ruse."   One of the guest  lawyers agreed with him, when he asked if they support medical marijuana, say for glaucoma, and the one lawyer said "No, nope, it's baloney, zero tolerance on marijuana, its a gateway drug, the feds needs to stay strong on this."   O'Reilly teased "uh oh, Montel Williams isn't gonna like you" with a wag of the finger.  

The other lawyer disagreed, said she believed there are certain benefits of medical marijuana, acknowledged there is some abuse of the state laws by recreational users, but that can be dealt with.  They discussed the gap between federal and some state laws.

O'Reilly then said, and I quote: "We don't believe there is any medicinal thing here, you can always take other prescription drugs to do the same thing."  

Hmmm, I wonder what qualifies him to make this statement, I'm guessing not personal experience.

He said he thinks the states will prevail and will do what they want, though the feds could raid the clinics as it's a federal crime.  Then they all cackled and cracked jokes about 10 DEA agents tailing Willie Nelson's Cheech and Chong bus.  

Oh, he opened the segment by asking "Have either of you ladies' ever smoked pot?"  and they smiled and giggled and said Oh no, absolutely not, never.



Wow, ignorant on so many levels.  I sent an email to correct him and provide him with some facts, though I doubt he will air it.

The remark about Montel Williams, totally flippant and unnecessary

I find it interesting how he most often seems to have no confidence in your federal governement and thinks the states should have the balance of power, until it comes to this issue, and suddenly the DEA are the experts and the states are wrong.

You can be sure this is not about medicine; it is entirely a political issue for the U.S. government.

Thoughts, anyone?  I don't aim to start an argument here for or against, I'm just interested in how you think he handled the segment.

[metalbender]

I didn't know we were in a political forum....If so, I think I would be booted for what I have to say

[Starryeyes2]

Thanks for correcting me. I agree with the legalizing.

Hugs
Kristi

[jensequitur]

I don't know if I could get going in the morning without it.  I get up, and feel like crud.  I barely have enough energy to get a glass of tea and make it to the couch so I can take my morning meds.  Then I partake, and suddenly I feel like I can go to work.  So how is this a bad thing?  Just don't get it.

[doublevision1]

BTW O'Reilly makes an argument, unwittingly it seemed, in support of legalization.  

When they laughed about Willie Nelson's using pot, he joked "I understand there are like 10 federal agents following Willie Nelson's bus, but I don't have that confirmed.  While 80,000 iillegal aliens come through the border, we got 10 agents on Willie's bus."

Legalize marijuana and free up all these agents to work on the border issue.

[doublevision1]

He didn't call marijuana a 'narcotic,' he said 'other prescription drugs' could be taken instead.

[Starryeyes2]

I agree with you! So many people are running around acting like marijuana is so bad. It helps many people with disease. I think it should be legalized and treated the same as alcohol...you shouldn't drive while on it.. O'reilly said to find another "narcotic" instead? Marijuana is not a narcotic..it is habit-forming, not addictive. Cigarettes are addictive.

It's very irresponsible and ignorant to suggest we take narcotics over a natural plant. I don't need the marijuana at this time, but when or if that day comes, I would use it. It's NOT that big of a deal. If it was legalized that would get rid of all the drug smugglers and Mexican drug cartels. This country might actually close some of this deficit. Ok, I'm stepping down off my soapbox....

BTW- it's good to see you Red!!!

Kristi