AC360°
Is there a case for medical marijuana?
Tune in next week for an AC360° special, America's High: The Case For and Against Pot.
We’ll break down the debate over marijuana in the United States – from the cases for and against legalization, to whether it’s helped medical patients and why - or why not.
So what do you think? Is there a case for medical marijuana?
Anderson will talk with Melissa Etheridge, who says medical marijuana helped tremendously during her battle with cancer.
Do you have questions for her? What would you like Anderson to ask?
Let us know and Anderson may bring it up in the interview.
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I start my day at 5 30am until 7 or 8pm I am self employed an after a long day of work i go to the gym work out for an hour an than I go home an smoke marijuana so that i can relax an enjoy the rest of my evening. So not everybody that smokes is lazy
Question: Do you think the government used misleading propaganda to help support its prohibition on Marijuana? I'm thinking specifically of the cult classic 'Reefer Madness', financed by a church group and exploited by the government.
Hey Anderson! It's great to see something like this brought up, and it's about time the people were TRULY informed on the effects of marihuana. If medical patients are prescribed it to help themselves in the fight for their life, for then what reason can people not use it if it doesn't further enduse death? I've smoked pot now for 6 years, which I'm only 19 now, and I've already been accepted into college and am furthering my education in business studies. With that said, then what is the whole talk about it (pot) making people 'slower' or 'more dumb'? I'll admit that I may not always be the most serious when smoking, but when it comes down to it people can have some restraint over the 'high'. It's nowhere near as bad as tobacco, or alcohol, or other prescription drugs... so then why is it still illegal? lol
Please, if you get the chance, ask Sanja (I apologize if it's mis-spelt) if he has heard about a Harvard study and these 1,000's of scientists who are suggesting a re-classification of marihuana? I've been so eager to know what this is all about because I've been told on a few accounts of scientists, police officers and officials, and many doctor's that pot is (in lamen terms) 'not that bad' lol I really believe, and must admit, that the government in a way is taking away our rights. If they allow us to harm our bodies with alcohol and cigarettes, then what gives them the right to say we can't with pot? It's MUCH more harmless and not one recorded death from it, so answer me that lol
Long message, I know, but these is a HUGE concern with me and the rest of my country (I'm Canadian 'eh =) lol) and the fact the more than half of our nation has smoked at least once and most still continue to inhale. Politicians, officers, doctors, and many well educated folks smoke marihuana (I can admittngly say I know a few cops and doctors that do so) and it's very hypocritical the way they still say we can't smoke it? Either way, all-in-all, I'll be waiting for the day they do legalize this PLANT (?!!?) which will happen someday, so best get it over with now while they can combat the 'War On Drugs' (that's a joke), and make some money in doing so from taxes.
There's many other uses for the actual cannabis plant that the media fails to mention: as building materials, plastics, there's been a car built from hemp and hemo fuels... all of which are much less harmful and costly than the already in-use materials. Corporations are just afraid of losing business and billions because a simple plant could tear them down lol
To make a plant illegal, is like making a part of nature illegal, which doesn't make any sense... and in a way, unnatural lol
Yes I think marijuana should be legal for cancer patients as well as sufferers of other debilitating illnesses, but as a pot smoker, why would I want to make it legal and pay taxes on it? I understand the possible income for the state as well as the country but I pay enough now for good product and I'm not under any police scrutiny, why rock the boat?
The Majority of American voters want Marijuana legalized period, plain and simple. Why are we wasting our time,effort and money messing with medical marijuana when the Majority of voters want it fully legalized anyway? At this moment individuals are being arrested and jailed for laws no longer backed by the Majority of voters. This is a crime against Democracy and should be the main topic when discussing Marijuana Legalization.
Melissa
Thank you so much for taking on this cause. More celebrities like yourself should get into this fight and we are so grateful you are in it and expressing how you feel. My question is as a parent and an activist in so many ways, tell us how you would explain this to your children about the use of something right now that is still illegal but so helpful to get you through this terrible disease. I'm sure some parents are struggling with this issue not wanting to promote drug use but also suffering terrible symptoms from having cancer and other terrible diseases this may alleviate. I'm sure some parents have had to hide this not just from their children but from others in fear they might be judged and called an unfit parent because theyd had to use an illegal substance that shouldn't be illegal for this purpose. It's terrible that people who are suffering so can not get the use of this drug to help them their this terrible time. Thank you again for fighting for this cause and all the inspiration you give everyone through your music. Many times I've heard people say that your songs and music have helped them through very difficult times in their lives. Bless you!
Oh yeah, there is a big time case for medical marijuana!
Everyone should have the "choice" of Marinol or medical marijuana in the natural plant form.
Marinol only contains a pharmaceutical lab manufactured synthetic THC, which copycats therapeutical benefits of medical marijuana.
The states & feds continue to butt heads over controling medical marijuana laws...while 20 states have already set marijuana tax stamps.
Anderson, please kindly ask Melissa...what's her take on why would a drug be synthetically manufactured and approved under federal regulations, to create the same effects of medical marijuana occuring naturally in herb form?
Was Melissa'a belief to use medical marijuana more a spiritual decision than a medical reason? As was the original uses of the herb
thousands of years B.C, when it was considered a holy herb?
I would like to know if Melissa agrees that it is a religious belief more than a medical decision to aid in the healing of diseases.
Thanks!
American government needs to get their heads out of their ass and allow for medical marijuana. It is extremely beneficial for chronic pain sufferers as well as terminally ill and all forms of cancer patients.
Lasr year I read in the Economist, "If Cannabis were unknown, and bio-prospectors were suddenly to find it in some remote mountain crevice, its discovery would no doubt be hailed as a medical breakthrough. Scientists would praise its potential for treating everything from pain to cancer, and marvel at its rich pharmacopoeia – many of whose chemicals mimic vital molecules in the human body."
I believe it since it has helped me in so many different ways.
Yes, I think marijuana should be legalized. This would be better than the high potent pot that's being grown and given to youngsters. It needs to be a contolled substance.
Enough is enough leglise it less crime why dont you get it
Please THANK Melissa for taking on yet another cause. If being the poster child for breast cancer is not enough (Rockin Grammy Performance), she has also become the poster child for gay rights (living her life as open and honestly as she does and handling the disappoints of our laws so well, and hosting the first ever gay/lesbian presidential debate), the poster child for saving the earth (her bio-diesel french fry smelling tour buses and cars), the poster child for being the best female rock and roller ever...(OH YES SHE IS), and now being the poster child for promoting legalizing MM.
This woman is on target on so many levels and is a role model and champion to so many.
So please THANK Melissa for walking the walk and talking the talk.
And also thank her for touring this summer....SHE ROCKS.
How bad does the economy have to get before the government creates a revenue stream from the cultivation and distribution of cannabis?
I definitely think there is a place for medical marijuana. I heard you cant OD on pot.
My comment for Melissa would be: I'm glad you're doing so well and were so open and sharing with your journey.
My question: is medical marijuana better than street pot?
I'm not sure, but doesn't Montel Williams use med. mari. for pain also?
I would like to know if Melissa has any theories as to why there is such a taboo about marjuana in the U.S. , and not so much in other places (such as Canada ) ?
What is the most convincing argument against legalizing marijuana? I have yet to receive a well reasoned answer to this question. It is safer than both alcohol and tobacco and there is no potential for physical addiction or overdose. Additionally, if marijuana were legalized, farmers would have the ability to grow two new cash crops, marijuana for sale as an intoxicant, and hemp (one of the most useful and versatile natural substances). The government could make money taxing the drug, as well as save money by not wasting resources enforcing antiquated laws.
As a 40 year user of this substance, I feel I can say the only harm for me and my friends have been the laws and penalties that are associated with it.
After Melissa 's treatment was over did she suffer from withdrawls from this drug or did have side effrects of feeling high while taking this drug during her battle with cancer .I am so sorry for her pain she had i had heard her say that even listenign to music was painful during this time . Thanks for sharing your story Melissa stay well .
Michelle D.
If it works well in similar cases like Ms. Ethridge's sure. I'm all for it. But otherwise, no. Wouldn't it have to be managed much like a prescription drug? That's the way I see it anyway. But then kids manage to get hold of thier parent's prescription drugs too, don't they? Because I still don't see that it is any less harmless than any other drug. It is still a drug.
After the battle with cancer, does Melissa Etheridge miss pot ever?
If she does, how does she handle the need in America where you can find pot easily?
Also how Melissa thinks about the patients who are addicted to pot after using it as a medical treatment.
Any advice for such ex-patients?
I've suffered from depression along with anxiety all my life. I've been treated with several anti-depressants over the last 15 years with great success. However, as with any pharmaceutical drug, the side effects can be annoying and interfere with the quality of life that is desirable. I recently began using marijuana as an alternative to conventional oral anti-depressants. I now have a medical marijuana license and this goes a long way towards alleviating the legal anxieties. The marijuana has been working quite well to mostly alleviate and manage my depression and anxiety. I'm a believer now because this works and works very well. Anderson, you're doing great things, keep up the good work!
As I understand it, medical marijuana does not reduce the pain. Rather, it helps the patient cope with depression and nausea, which are often symptoms of chemotherapy. It improves the appetite. These are legitimate purposes for the medical use of marijuana.
There are really 2 issues on the table. First is medical marijuana. I know a number of people who use it for chronic illnesses and swear that it provides the best relief without the side effects of prescribed narcotics.
Legalizing and controlling marijuana would be the best route. Just like prohibition we would put many fewer people in jail. It could be heavily taxed like alcohol which is great for the economy, and would cut the legs off the revenue to the drug cartels which would be a major boon to Mexico's crime and US border violence. Its a win-win.
no big deal..should have happened a long time ago
We live in the best democratic/republic states ever created.
The reason why i saw that is because I feel if the country wanted Marijuana to be legal, our representative would have to act upon that request. The legalization makes complete sense... but as we have unfortunately learned from California, recently... the popular majority isn't always of the most...compassionate or knowledgeable ideology. and unfortunately naive morals can blind our thousands of years of creditable science... and this goes for a slew of topics.
I believe the lack of extreme support or aggressive push toward legalization is do to the current state of marijuana in the states. I live in New York and i am a occasional marijuana user. I am completely responsible about my "dealings" with Marijuana I have never had any issue with the law.
So... If i am going to support legislation or support any case for that matter, marijuana usually comes in 4th or 5th place
anyone who has had the kind of chemotherapy that nauseates you while toxically ridding your body of microscopic cancer cells can tell you that medical pot handles what none of the other anti-nausea medications can do. even marinol doesnt come close, and is much more dangerous with side-effects, etc.
this is from a person that only tried smoking pot one time before having chemo at age 42, and has never wanted to use it after chemo either.
medical marijuana, pot, cannibis, weed or whatever you want to call it, it works, gets the job done, and helps people survive. I came thisclose to giving up on chemo because its so awful....anything that helps people survive and get thru, is, as Martha would say, a good thing.
How about putting it in tablet form and then, let's see the rush on medical marijuana.
What level of THC do you think is appropriate to allow patients to use?
Does Melissa believe legalizing marijuana causes a great risk than it being sold on the streets?
Did you think of yourself as a "pot-head" while you used medical marijuana? Or did you view it as a pain management method?
Yes, marijuana has helped so many people, and the best part is that it does not come with the often dangerous "side affects" that the LEGAL drugs have. Watch any commercial for legal drugs and the side affects will make you dizzy, and afraid to take them. So many people have died or suffered serious injury behind the use of legal drugs that I would love to know if anyone has ever suffered any consequences from marijuana besides getting sleepy or getting the munchies....
I agree, my husband had cancer and could not eat, after a few hits he just kept eating. I was shocked by the change in just a half a hour. It was so much easier to buy it at the medical store. They are legal in California.
What is your response to people who say that marijuana should not be allowed, even for medical purposes, due to the risk of becoming addicted to it?
Lilibeth
Edmonds, Washington
Wouldn't it send conflicting messages to children to say that marijuana is bad for them and a medicine that is used to treat medical issues?
This Is For The Great Melissa Etheridge–
During your battle with cancer, I wonder, were more people acceptable of your marijuana use than you expected? And what about people who maybe disapproved of your usage? Do they feel the same way even after you have now successfully beaten cancer?
There is no case for medical marijuana. Our bodies are perfect the way we are; narcotics numb our nervous system and cause our intuition to be put off. Every day of smoking is a future day of laziness and confusion.
How did marijuana help you in your battle with cancer?
Did you at any point become addicted to marijuana while fighting cancer?
At what point in your battle with cancer did you stop using marijuana?
Do you think this is a strong case for legalizing marijuana?
Lilibeth
Edmonds, Washington
Is this bigger than just cannabis and drugs?
Should citizens be skeptical of a government that has, without remorse, tried to manipulate them through propagandist ad campaigns?
Hey Anderson, Please ask Melissa if she used marijuana during her cancer treatment, and I'd also like to know if she paid taxes last year, as she said she wouldn't in protest of bigoted laws. If she did not, then what happened with the IRS?
It's a done deal...we've been using them all along. Government can put a luxury tax on the marijuana...medically it's ah no brainer...
Sure, make it legal. Then the ATF can monitor and control it a little better.
What was her method of intake of medical marijuana?
There's an even better case for not shooting or threatening to shoot people for any action which doesn't initiate force on someone else. Drug legislation is nothing more than the government saying, "If we catch you using drugs, we'll kidnap you. If you resist the kidnapping, we'll shoot you."
Hey Anderson,
First, I want to thank you as a medical cannabis patient, it's so important for me to have this issue respectfully handled in the national media. Second, could you please ask Melissa Etheridge what she thinks of the Charles C. Lynch case. Charlie was featured on several news shows that Melissa was featured on.
Thanks,
Cheryl
AKA
Herbalicious
Are her kids around when she does it?
If medical marijuana was produced/distributed by the tobacco, pharmaceutical or alcohol industries, would there be fewer road blocks? My sister died of cervical cancer, and her last few months were spent in a morphine-induced 'sleep.' How is medical marijuana, which produces much-less side effects, worse than this?
how does mariguana help aleveate pain? I have MS and sometimes the pain stops me from sleeping or even getting around
If our nation continues its free fall, I'm sure we will see a dramatic increase in those requiring possible medicinal assistance.
Why yes! Every cancer patient should have the option of having whatever it takes to be comfortable. The same goes with other medical problems.
Why is it illegal to have marijuana when it is legal to drink alcohol? Tell me please! I have never heard of anyone overdosing or comitting violent crimes on pot.
Not to worry, everyone who wants it has it anyway ,so why not make it legal and tax it to help our country?
Got Pot?
XO