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.

[doublevision1]

more musings from Bill:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AKJ28geoJU

[anon07072023]

Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts on this.

Wow, so the federal gov't sent notice for the dispensaries to shut down in Spokane? We haven't had any sort of federal intervention here in Colorado (at least none that I've heard of). Maybe our legistature and police dept support the legalization, so they're not asking the federal gov't to step in to help.

I'd really rather the police to spend their efforts taking care of what I view as more important crimes, since I know most state & city gov'ts are hurting for money. I'd rather see them spend more time on murders, rapes, and other violent crimes.  

As to not having enough research on the long term medical costs of using marijuana - I can kind of see your point, but many prescription drugs carry all sorts of side effects with them as well, including death.  If they can figure out an optimal dosage for people and if they can use a vaporization method, then maybe it will cut down on the negative health hazards of the marijuana (ie lung cancer).

-Kelly    

[metalbender]

I don't agree with legalizing marijuana...I believe in legalizing for medical use only!...I don't believe that our government should interferre with state legislation because that is why states were created....And that's to prevent federal intervention and to prevent the federal government for becoming too strong...

BUT, there are too many people abusing the medical marijuana program and California is the most obvious example....

I have tried marijuana several times....It doesn't work like a charm with me....When I hurt it doesn't help me....I dwell on the pain more and I actually get anxiety attacks....I am not against marijuana..I think we don't know enough of the long term health care costs of using marijuana...I don't think the govt will make money legalizing because anyone can grow it so why buy it....And why would you promote people to become more stupid...

But if it works for someone and they have a condition that requires relief and marijuana helps-a doctor recommends it- then absolutely I agree with it....

But for now, the federal government is saying no to dispensing it...All dispensaries were shut down in Spokane a few months ago...

Now I ask all of you this:  Should the federal government intervene on a state using the DEA to shut down legal businesses created by that state?  In other words, couldn't they just cut federal money to the state....

And a pot card puts you on a list that I don't want to be associated with....

Michael

[Guitar_grrrl]

I, too, have a medical Pot card, and I find it indispensable for spasms/spasticity. Works like a charm!

I agree with all the comments on B O'R. I just don't even go there. One night I examined a patient in her room while sh watched Fox. I was really shocked!  Since then, I've asked pts to turn down the sound so I can hear the Doppler signals. :)

[anon07072023]

Hi metalbender,

I agree with Ess - several of the people on here are taking medical marijuana for their symptoms, and several people on here would like it to be legalized because they think it will help their symptoms.

As for me, I always welcome a difference of opinion and I would gladly listen to yours.  I feel that we can all learn from each other.  We all bring our own experiences to the table here.

-Kelly

[essdipity]

We never get into political discussions here just for the sake of politics. There are plenty of other places on the web for that, and plenty on MedHelp, for that matter.

But where health policy is concerned, that's a different story, because that affects us very personally. Certainly medical marijuana is a good issue for discussion here.

If you disagree with the pro-stance here, feel free to let us know. You will NOT get booted off :-)

ess