[Rags123]

Originally Posted by janmcn;96***2

And now you can add Alaska, Oregon and the District of Columbia to the list that voted to allow recreational marijuana, in addition to the 23 states that now allow medical marijuana. Fifty-seven percent voted in favor in Florida, unfortunately that fell just short of the sixty percent required.

Perhaps my old age speaking, but allowing a mind altering drug to be available to people, especially after our lecturing on cigarette smoking is patently unfair to our grandchildren. We applaud the warnings on cigarettes, and dismiss those on this drug. Makes very little sense to me.

Adding to that, as I said earlier , from my reading, there are already drugs to be prescribed to allow the same effects as medical marijuana. So it seems this is just a step to make young people even more dependent on ARTIFICIAL highs and become even more self absorbed.

[gerryann]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

I would like to see MM available, but only with a doctor's prescription.

I agree ! If it can improve the quality of life for folks and children in pain....seizure, etc. I don't think folks understand that the "bad stuff" that they all remember from the 60's is removed. It is a pill and far, far safer than OxyContin and other narcotics. I think folks are just frightened by what they remember from years ago.....it is different folks!!! And needed. Someone else said they don't want it to turn into what happened in Michigan. I hope they elaborate on what negatives can happen.

[gerryann]

Originally Posted by Rags123

Perhaps my old age speaking, but allowing a mind altering drug to be available to people, especially after our lecturing on cigarette smoking is patently unfair to our grandchildren. We applaud the warnings on cigarettes, and dismiss those on this drug. Makes very little sense to me.

Adding to that, as I said earlier , from my reading, there are already drugs to be prescribed to allow the same effects as medical marijuana. So it seems this is just a step to make young people even more dependent on ARTIFICIAL highs and become even more self absorbed.

This is NOT mind altering. The THC is removed!!!! We are NOT talking recreational Marijuana here!!

[Rags123]

Originally Posted by gerryann

This is NOT mind altering. The THC is removed!!!! We are NOT talking recreational Marijuana here!!

As I asked before, knowing I am not that smart...

1. If the THC is removed, then it is not marijuana any longer..correct, and why then call it that if not trying to make it more acceptable later.

2. I have read, and surely am open to anyone who know better.....that there are other drugs to be prescribed to give the same result, and in fact are THC based, so why this move

I am confuse...imagine the kids...do not smoke, but smoke pot to feel good.

And my comments for the most part were aimed at the post that seemed to be happy and support RECREATIONAL use.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by gerryann

This is NOT mind altering. The THC is removed!!!! We are NOT talking recreational Marijuana here!!

Don't think it is a pill. Think it is grass. Please show me proof.

[Indydealmaker]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Don't think it is a pill. Think it is grass. Please show me proof.

I have read where the plant has been modified to be non-hallucinogenic, but I suspect that it would be difficult to tell one from another.

Medical marijuana CAN be provided to legitimate patients but no agency in our state or federal governments is capable of minimizing abuses.

[manaboutown]

OK, I got curious. This John Morgan fellow has quite a history. It is a wonder he was allowed to continue practicing law after this 1997 little DUI, assaulting an officer episode. Orlandoweekly.com - NEWS+FEATURES: Attorney's arrest has battery included

He had a prior DUI in 1993 and of course being a trial attorney supports his financial interests politically. http://drrichswier.com/2014/09/03/kn...sts-alter-ego/

He appears to be a total sleaze ball.

[PennBF]

It is an old argument that alcohol is worst than pot. Usually only used by those that want a better high than alcohol. Who the heck ever said alcohol was good for you? Kind of an old stupid argument. I would vote tomorrow in favor of pot if there were serious consequences for Doctors who provide perscriptions to those who are not using for pain. Unfortunately there are allegedly too many doctors that have no understanding of this "gateway" [this should get some pot users upset] drug or care about the impact it actually has on society and the youth. Those who are so selfish they would destroy the lives of our youth in order to get a 1/2 hour high. Between those that want to escape reality through drugging their minds or those who just want more money and would prescribe this awful drug for a few dollars it should be voted down. What is needed are very strict and consequences for these people and then allow it for those that really need it for "medical purposes".

[graciegirl]

GerryAnn, we hardly ever disagree but I think this shows that it isn't a pill nor is it modified (the last part is Maybe).

Slideshow: Medical Marijuana

If

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by manaboutown

OK, I got curious. This John Morgan fellow has quite a history. It is a wonder he was allowed to continue practicing law after this 1997 little DUI, assaulting an officer episode. Orlandoweekly.com - NEWS+FEATURES: Attorney's arrest has battery included

He had a prior DUI in 1993 and of course being a trial attorney supports his financial interests politically. Exposed: Do you know the real John B. Morgan, Charlie Crist's alter ego? - Dr. Rich Swier

He appears to be a total sleaze ball.

Good research, manabouttown!

[sunnyatlast]

From National Institute on Drug Abuse:

"The term “medical marijuana” is generally used to refer to the whole unprocessed marijuana plant or its crude extracts, which are not recognized or approved as medicine by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

But scientific study of the active chemicals in marijuana, called cannabinoids, has led to the development of two FDA-approved medications already, and is leading to the development of new pharmaceuticals that harness the therapeutic benefits of cannabinoids while minimizing or eliminating the harmful side effects (including the “high”) produced by eating or smoking marijuana leaves….."

An FDA-approved drug called Dronabinol (Marinol�) contains THC and is used to treat nausea caused by chemotherapy and wasting disease (extreme weight loss) caused by AIDS. Another FDA-approved drug called Nabilone (Cesamet�) contains a synthetic cannabinoid similar to THC and is used for the same purposes.

A drug called Sativex�, which contains approximately equal parts THC and CBD, is currently approved in the UK and several European countries to treat spasticity caused by multiple sclerosis (MS), and it is now in Phase III clinical trials in the U.S. to establish its effectiveness and safety in treating cancer pain….."

DrugFacts: Is Marijuana Medicine? | National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Proponents of "medical marijuana" are NOT demanding prescriptions for the FDA approved prescription drugs listed above. They want the WEED…..as a back-door way of having it legal for recreational use!

[mulligan]

Originally Posted by manaboutown

Just another drugee tirade. Yawn. I'll bet he had a "medical" marijuana business all set up and ready to go and was already counting the millions of dollars that would roll in. Oh well...

My thought exactly !! If he was really all that concerned about his brother, move him to Colorado.

[Rags123]

Originally Posted by sunnyatlast

From National Institute on Drug Abuse:

"The term �medical marijuana� is generally used to refer to the whole unprocessed marijuana plant or its crude extracts, which are not recognized or approved as medicine by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

But scientific study of the active chemicals in marijuana, called cannabinoids, has led to the development of two FDA-approved medications already, and is leading to the development of new pharmaceuticals that harness the therapeutic benefits of cannabinoids while minimizing or eliminating the harmful side effects (including the �high�) produced by eating or smoking marijuana leaves�.."

An FDA-approved drug called Dronabinol (Marinol�) contains THC and is used to treat nausea caused by chemotherapy and wasting disease (extreme weight loss) caused by AIDS. Another FDA-approved drug called Nabilone (Cesamet�) contains a synthetic cannabinoid similar to THC and is used for the same purposes.

A drug called Sativex�, which contains approximately equal parts THC and CBD, is currently approved in the UK and several European countries to treat spasticity caused by multiple sclerosis (MS), and it is now in Phase III clinical trials in the U.S. to establish its effectiveness and safety in treating cancer pain�.."

DrugFacts: Is Marijuana Medicine? | National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Thank you.

So "medical marijuana" in a sense already exists.

Why then this move to make it available when the results are already available ?
It is very confusing to me, and I am cynical..rightfully or wrongly..that this is just another movement who climbed onto the moving train of movements in the last few years.

I am unconvinced, when speaking of recreational use of ANY positives on something that will alter your mind (different for every person I understand, which even makes it scarier) and has so many side things associated with it.

Creating artificial highs to knock down arrests or cut law enforcement costs makes no sense to me. We have a sufficient number of people who are absorbed in making themselves feel good. I still cannot fathom explaining this to kids at all. Do not you dare smoke...it is not good for you. But do light up that weed..it will make you forget...well, it will just make you forget.

[mickey100]

Originally Posted by tippyclubb

I'm relieved the pot bill did not pass. Driving the roundabouts is challenging enough for some sober people. I don't want to think about being on the road with people leaving the squares intoxicated AND SMOKING POT. It would be a disaster waiting to happen.

It was all about medical marijuana. Do you really think sick people are going to be smoking pot and then running down to the square to do some dancing and driving?

[PennBF]

If you want to avoid reality, put others at risk on the road, put the youth at risk with children who have multiple birth defects, pay for drug rehabs after 15-20% of pot users have become serious addict(s) of this and other drugs like meth, coke, etc.etc. embarrase yourself, act stupid, maybe get arrested, etc. then by all means move to a state that permits you these options and stay away from our fine and good community. Please don't bring any of these to The Villages and I only hope if you get caught the consequences are big and even cause you to move. I have no sympthy for anyone who put the kids at risk or others because they want to get high and avoid reality. I do have sympthy for those that are seriously ill and that pot may help them avoid some of the pain that goes with their illmess. One is a need and the other is a disgrace.