Marijuana Blog

As health department officials in Arizona consider adding more ailments to the list of those qualified for medical marijuana (http://www.thcfinder.com), a new study from researchers at the University of Arizona are saying that there is little or no evidence that marijuana helps with the new conditions to be added.

The researchers, working for the state Department of Health Services, which oversees the state's medical-marijuana program, reviewed dozens of scientific studies related to marijuana use for the four medical conditions - anxiety, migraines, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder - and determined that most of the research was of little value in deducing the medicinal risks and benefits.

"The key question for us is: Do the benefits outweigh the risks?" said Will Humble, state health director. "And there's just not that much research in this area to help form our policy decisions."

It’s true that research is important, but we must always remember that these decisions affect real people, and aren’t just a bunch of lab results. Will Humble will be making the decision on adding the four ailments, and it seems as though he is taking all things into account, including personal testimony and reviews of documents submitted by people who want to expand the medical-marijuana program.

It is very accurate to say that more research needs to be done on marijuana and its medical properties; there is likely so much more the cannabis plant can do. But while the federal government drags its feet and delays such research, real people are suffering from real ailments and they get real relief from marijuana.

Beyond that, you have to wonder what studies these researchers were looking at, because there are many studies that point to marijuana’s efficacy with these ailments that can be found with a simple Google search.

Source: http://www.azcentral.com

A couple months back, conservative TV evangelist Pat Robertson made headlines across the nation when he said on his TV show that he favors keeping marijuana users out of the criminal justice system and told The New York Times that he supports Amendment 64, the ballot issue to legalize and regulate marijuana like alcohol in Colorado.

Now the campaign behind Amendment 64 has put up a billboard in Grand Junction, Colorado, a more conservative area of the state; a more Christian area as well, featuring Robertson’s face and asking the question, ”Pat Robertson would vote YES on 64. Will you?“

In the video Robertson makes a great point about putting young marijuana users in jail and churning out hardened criminals. Do we need more criminals?

You would have to think the billboard will have some impact among those who see it, a good many of whom probably consider Pat Robertson a spiritual authority figure, despite his penchant for saying incredibly offensive things after tragedies have occurred.

In the end it will be impossible not to gain some votes from the billboard; marijuana smokers who hate Robertson aren’t going to vote against Amendment 64 because he is for it, and at least some Republicans will take a closer look at the issue.