While the Pennsylvania lawmakers are loosening the regulations on beer sales, and gambling, John Corzine, the Governor of New Jersey, signed a bill into law that makes medical marijuana legal for the chronically ill.
According to the National Academy Of Sciences Institute, marijuana can help those suffering from the effects of AIDS, glaucoma, and MS, in pain and depression management. The normally very conservative American Medical Association tends to agree with this. They have called for more research and development of marijuana related medications.
In contrast to California’s liberal marijuana laws this would allow the possession, and use of medical marijuana only by people who have a special ID, and the drug must come from a state operated dispensary. This eased the concerns over teen abuse, and illegal sales.
New Jersey is the fourteenth state to legalize medical marijuana, and there are more expected to follow this example. By the end of the year it is expected that four more states, and the District of Columbia will follow their example.
In a recent poll taken by the Washington Post, and ABC News eight out of ten American believe that marijuana should be legalized for medical use. Amazingly, at least half of those polled believe that marijuana should be legalized, in small amounts for anyone, not just the terminally ill.
“. Amazingly, at least half of those polled believe that marijuana should be legalized”
Not ‘Amazingly,’ rather common-sense in fact. We spend close to $100 BILLION/year on putting people in jail for drugs, or housing those involved in drugs, or sending that money to 3rd world countries, where they are SUPPOSED to use that money to ‘fight drugs.’
The Netherlands and Portugal have legalized or decriminalized MOST drugs, and their usage rates have DROPPED!
Putting folks in jail for a drug crime only makes them better criminals. Legalize their pastimes, and force them to earn an honest living like the rest of us! Furthermore, cannabis is LESS ADDICTIVE than caffeine, and LESS DEADLY than aspirin! WHY is it illegal again?
Google Harry Anslinger, and you’ll know why.
@ Fred Evil: Thank you for bringing up that fact about Harry Anslinger… you’re exactly right… Dupont lined Anslinger’s pockets and lobbied to criminalize marijuana, as well.