*** Quoting WAYNE SEGUIN from a message to AL ***
WS> I got to ask a question, The feds just said no to medical use of mj. 
WS> Even though two states have approved it. Are things so different in 
WS> the US that the feds can override the democratic decision of a 
WS> state???
All state and local laws are superceded by the authority of the federal 
government if I understand it correctly.  In order for the federal laws to be 
enforced would require the use of federal agents, hypothetically in this case 
without the aid of state/local authorities.  It's going to be very expensive 
for the government to enforce these laws on a local level without the aid of 
the local police, not that high costs for low returns ever deterred the 
escalation of the WOD.
It is reprihensible that the president and others in power would threaten 
doctors and nurses for reccomending, much less prescribing, an illegal drug 
to patients who have a legitimate need for it.  The anti-pot taboo's are so 
strong as to throw logic and compassion to the wind in most americans I 
think, and re-educating them without coming off as freaks and stoners is next 
to impossible.  I think what we need is more local initiatives to pass more 
medical marijuana bills and referendums to try and put pressure on the feds 
to either put up or shut up.
WS> Next the thing I keep hearing is that it can't be legalized because 
WS> of the fact that more teens will use it. Question what percentage of 
WS> teens have not tried smoking (cigs), alcohol or other drugs because 
WS> they are illegal or age restricted.
I have no answer to your question but agree with your reasoning completely.  
What CA and AZ are doing is in no way advocating or encouraging the 
recreational use of marijuana, but only the compassionate use of a drug that 
many believe has a legitimate beneficial affect on some patients.
Legalizing medical MJ would no more advocate illicit use than the 
rescheduling of such drugs as ibuprofin and RU486.  People have got to find 
out that there really are LEGIT uses of MJ without having footage of teens at 
concerts toking fatties every time it is mentioned on the TV news.  
WS> to realize that a new approach has to be made. Legalize it then use 
WS> the billions to educate and treat users that become addicted. Our 
I don't think an across the board legalization movement is the way to go....  
too many people associate cannabis with one thing and one thing only, 
stoners.  We've got to push the medicinal uses first, then the 
textile/industrial benefits second.  MAYBE recreation could come third, if 
only through decriminalization instead of legalization.  Win the easiest 
battles first and then we can use the momentum gained through education and 
by our own good examples to make the final push, otherwise we'll be as bogged 
down in the future as we have been for the past 25 or so years.
WS> Teens were warned about the wild and absurd effects of mj. 
WS> Unfortuately they hang around with other freinds that use the stuff, 
WS> see the children (non-deformed) of parents that use or used it. once 
WS> they come face to face with lies that they have been told regarding 
WS> mj, they suddenly beganto doubt the dangers of the real killers out 
WS> there. hence they are more then likely to try or use these dangerous 
WS> drugs.
EXACTLY!!!!!  The anti-druggies are their own worst enemies, not us 
hemp-heads.  
The Normalizer, B.A.N./King Rat #43
Airheads Beemer Club #1983,  BMW-MOA #75866,   "The Filthy Whore" - 1971 
75/5
The Northern Lights BBS   (615) 353-9325   (615) 353-9367 
HTTP://WWW.NASHVILLE.COM/~JEFF.JENKINS/tnlbbs.htm
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