Dying can be charged for using marijuana

[Nailhead]

I didn't see this posted anywhere else on the board, but this is pretty fucked up. This only pushes me to become more involved with marijuana reform

Source Link (http://www.cnn.com/2007/LAW/03/14/med.marijuana.ap/index.html)

SAN FRANCISCO, California (AP) -- A California woman whose doctor says marijuana is the only medicine keeping her alive is not immune from federal prosecution on drug charges, a federal appeals court ruled Wednesday.

The case was brought by Angel Raich, an Oakland mother of two who suffers from scoliosis, a brain tumor, chronic nausea and other ailments. On her doctor's advice, she eats or smokes marijuana every couple of hours to ease her pain and bolster a nonexistent appetite as conventional drugs did not work.

The Supreme Court ruled against Raich two years ago, saying that medical marijuana users and their suppliers could be prosecuted for breaching federal drug laws even if they lived in a state such as California where medical pot is legal.

Because of that ruling, the issue before the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals was narrowed to the so-called right to life theory: that marijuana should be allowed if it is the only viable option to keep a patient alive.

Raich, 41, began sobbing when she was told of the decision and said she would continue using the drug.

"I'm sure not going to let them kill me," she said. "Oh my God."

[Matt the Funk]

I saw this on the news. Such BS. Fucked up how federal laws don't recognize medical cannabis, and how it's still schedule 1.

[TheAtomicPunk]

I've heard of this alot, it's sad and disgusting as hell. Because it is only illegal under federal law, feds don't normally be bothered by an old lady smoking in her house but instead bust the cannabis club where she gets her bud from, and forces patients like her to look on the street. I don't know how feds live with themselves....

[Breukelen advocaat]

I've heard of this alot, it's sad and disgusting as hell. Because it is only illegal under federal law, feds don't normally be bothered by an old lady smoking in her house but instead bust the cannabis club where she gets her bud from, and forces patients like her to look on the street. I don't know how feds live with themselves....
There's a few things that do not ring right about this story.

She "sued the government preemptively to avoid being arrested for using the drug." Now THAT is crazy.
washingtonpost.com - nation, world, technology and Washington area news and headlines (http://washingtonpost.com)

At 41 years old, she's not quite an "old lady". She's a "mother of two", and looks pretty good in her picture (below). I also doubt that she got that box of buds "in the street".

Who believes her doctor's statement that marijuana is the only medicine "keeping her alive"? Isn't that going a little overboard?



Angel Raich is seen with cannabis buds at her home Monday, June 6, 2005, in Oakland, Calif. Raich, the California woman whose doctor says marijuana is the only medicine keeping her alive, is not immune from federal prosecution on drug charges, a federal appeals court ruled Wednesday, March 14, 2007. (AP Photo/Ben Margot) (Ben Margot - AP)

[notransfer]

does she really need that much shit...

i find this story quirky too

that picture bothers me...and i cant pinpoint why...considering im pro use, but this story is quirk

[40oz]

I dont see why weed is still looked at as some devil drug. More than 3/4 of the people in the US have to know the truth about it, so why is it still illegal? This is bullshit. I think Im gonna organize a march on washington one day to legalize marijuana. Whose with me?

[notransfer]

im with you but i dont think it would work^^^


something about that picture...how many zips does she buy as a time...and the shit looks like thai-stick or somethin..

i thought you only recieve like...an 8th..if that...maybe 2.5 Gs in a little medicinal container..not fuckin tupperware ounces

[Matt the Funk]

im with you but i dont think it would work^^^


something about that picture...how many zips does she buy as a time...and the shit looks like thai-stick or somethin..

i thought you only recieve like...an 8th..if that...maybe 2.5 Gs in a little medicinal container..not fuckin tupperware ounces

You can get up to an O when you go to the clubs. The largest container contains a quad I believe.

[notransfer]

thanks for clearing that up mtf

haha i think jealousy is just oozing outta me lol

[Nailhead]

Who believes her doctor's statement that marijuana is the only medicine "keeping her alive"? Isn't that going a little overboard?

Looking at the conditions she has, I don't think it would be unreasonable to believe that the side effects from all the drugs she would normally be required to take would outweigh the benefits, meanwhile the side effects of weed are very minimal. I know from my own experience with just one condition (Crohn's) that most of the drugs available for treatment have severe long term side effects, and some can cause death in rare instances.

I only have one condition that isn't nearly as life threatening as what she has, so I don't think that statement that weed is keeping her alive is at all overboard when looking at what she suffers from. It's not like it's some pothead "claiming" they have back pain

[notransfer]

i wanna be a med pot patient lol

[Breukelen advocaat]

Looking at the conditions she has, I don't think it would be unreasonable to believe that the side effects from all the drugs she would normally be required to take would outweigh the benefits, meanwhile the side effects of weed are very minimal. I know from my own experience with just one condition (Crohn's) that most of the drugs available for treatment have severe long term side effects, and some can cause death in rare instances.

I only have one condition that isn't nearly as life threatening as what she has, so I don't think that statement that weed is keeping her alive is at all overboard when looking at what she suffers from. It's not like it's some pothead "claiming" they have back pain

Scoliosis, or curvature of the spine, can be painful, but not usually life-threatening. It's a common condition - some my relatives have it. She should have had corrective surgery when she was young. My cousin, who is in her 70's, has an implant that gives her measured doses of pain-killers for it.

The brain tumor could be causing pain - but often they do not.

She basically turned herself in - and still has not been actually charged with anything. If she is eventually prosecuted, it is only because she took it upon herself to sue the government on her own behalf. While I respect that sort of action, she knew what the risks were before the court's decision. I do not understand why she's crying now.

[Markass]

The conditions that she has gives her no choice but to consume marijuana every few hours I believe is the reason for her needing so much for those wondering.

[TheAtomicPunk]

There's a few things that do not ring right about this story.

She "sued the government preemptively to avoid being arrested for using the drug." Now THAT is crazy.
washingtonpost.com - nation, world, technology and Washington area news and headlines (http://washingtonpost.com)

At 41 years old, she's not quite an "old lady". She's a "mother of two", and looks pretty good in her picture (below). I also doubt that she got that box of buds "in the street".

Oh, I wasn't talking about anyone in particular, sorry about the confusion :X

[MirandaHart]

I have similar conditions and without MM I have no life. I've had a stroke and suffer from an as yet undiagnosed white matter disease (lesions though present aren't plentiful enough yet to make a positive one for MS). If I don't have any MM my voice becomes unintelligible, I lose my appetite, become incontinent, develop facial tics and body tremors, muscle spasticity & pain and the depression that comes with it is worse than I ever could have imagined.

If I smoke I can have a normal working life making a contribution to my family and society - without it I am unable to work because I'm in so much physical and emotional pain. During the times that I have run out all I can say is that it's like being in a living hell.

By the way if you saw me in the street (I only go out if I've smoked -too embarrassing otherwise) you'd think that I was a fairly attractive woman in her mid 50's with no problems whatsoever.

[rebgirl420]

thats freaking horrible

[harris7]

I dont see why weed is still looked at as some devil drug. More than 3/4 of the people in the US have to know the truth about it, so why is it still illegal? This is bullshit. I think Im gonna organize a march on washington one day to legalize marijuana. Whose with me?

one day when the time is right a march will be organized.
Supported by every pro cannabis person in the country and people will drive accross the country to get to it.

it might be the only way.

10 million person march