Poll: Medical marijuana — legalize or not
Medical marijuana is used to help all sorts of people deal with their illnesses. People with end-stage HIV disease say it restores their appetites so they’re not so emaciated, people with cancer, joint pain, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and other chronic pains say it’s a painkiller more effective than anything on the market.
Still, antiquated lawmakers, as they sip their scotch or bourbon (believe me, I’ve smelled it), and puff their cigarettes, say even marijuana for clinical use must remain illegal. Municipalities across the country have tried to fight this, and often, they’re in bastions of liberal thought such as San Francisco. Still 13 states have made it legal on the books. But the feds always crunch anyone who tries to provide medical marijuana. the last confrontation was with Janet Reno, attorney general under Bill Clinton — who didn’t inhale.
But in this case, Cliff Village of Newton County in Southern Missouri has passed an ordinance allowing the use of medical marijuana. No one has accused anyone in Southwestern Missouri of being too liberal, and city officials admit the passage was symbolic. Still does it mean something that this came from the heartland rather than an urban center?
Incidentally, the feds have been studying medical marijuana. The National Institute of Drug Abuse operates a marijuana farm near the University of Mississippi in Oxford. It’s the place everyone thinks is a maximum security prison, considering its fortifications. A few snippets about people using medical marijuana pop up now and then. But nothing promising. At least they’re thinking about it.
Still, the issue has sparked more debate. The Kansas City Star, which first broke the story, has been inundated with letters, ranging from emotional to scientific.
So what do you think?
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I've written exclusively about health since the inception of the Health & Fitness section. I'm an off-road biker, altitude hiker and was into adventure sports until a fall down a Colorado mountain turned my lower back into abstract art. But I'm coming back. 
Unless you want to outlaw booze, and ciggs along with pot then I say you are just beating a dead cat. How can you tell people not to use one drug when you use another. Ciggs, and Alcohol are both drugs. Both of those drugs are more dangerous then marijuana, and neither of them doing any good for anyone. Marijuana is a helpful drug for people who are sick. I say legalize it, what is the worst that could happen???
Besides it might do our economy some good, the prez is all about creating new jobs right?? legalizing marijuana would create lots of jobs, and take away money and customers from the drug dealers.
the one big argument that people have against marijuana is it a gateway drug. the marijuana is not the gateway. The way you have to obtain it is. You have never done any other kind of drugs before. You go to the same dealer for some time. He gets to know you. One day he ask you if you would like any coke, meth, pills (that are legal if you have a prescription). Its on the house. If you like it i have plenty. Remember the dealer is trying to make as money as he can so he going to try to get you hooked on any thing he can to make more money off you. So remember marijuana is not the gateway the way you have to obtain it is (the dealer ). so take it out of there hands and have a safer place to get it like a drug store and stop the gateway.
RESIDENTS WORK TO DECRIMINALIZE MARIJUANA IN ST. LOUIS CITY
Replace Arrest, Incarceration with Fine, Community Service, and Counseling
Support to end the prohibition of this plant is growing - like a weed. Discussions about decriminalization, regulation, legalization, and taxation - of the hemp plant in general, and marijuana specifically - have become everyday occurrences across the media. Not just HBO or Showtime. We’re talking about KMOX, NPR, and others.
The Sensible Sentencing Initiative Petition, launched by St. Louis City residents in late February 2009, seeks to replace arrest and incarceration for the possession of marijuana with a fine (not to exceed $100), community service, and/or counseling.
Signature gathers attest that most folks they encounter support the idea. They agree that hemp is a useful plant, and its use as an intoxicant is a public health and safety issue, not a criminal issue.
More information about the Sensible Sentencing Initiative Petition, including how to sign the petition or volunteer, can be found at http://www.greenliberty.us.