Comments on: In the NYT, a judge who has cancer argues for the legalization of medical marijuana http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/in-the-nyt-a-judge-argues-for.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Tue, 18 Jun 2013 06:20:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Eric Rucker http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/in-the-nyt-a-judge-argues-for.html#comment-1428772 Eric Rucker Sun, 20 May 2012 22:31:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161482#comment-1428772 @Antinous_Moderator:disqus The problem I see with banning parties is twofold: The first problem is that it would go against the peaceable assembly clause of the First Amendment. The second problem is that even if you got rid of that, to prevent parties from forming anyway, you'd basically have to have a witch hunt against parties, which would be a horrible situation. I'd say, rather than ban parties, embrace them more, so that they can be controlled. And, rather than electing the House of Representatives by district, elect it by proportional representation from the entire country's votes - after all, the Senate is supposed to represent the states, the House is supposed to represent the people. @Antinous_Moderator:disqus The problem I see with banning parties is twofold:

The first problem is that it would go against the peaceable assembly clause of the First Amendment.
The second problem is that even if you got rid of that, to prevent parties from forming anyway, you’d basically have to have a witch hunt against parties, which would be a horrible situation.

I’d say, rather than ban parties, embrace them more, so that they can be controlled. And, rather than electing the House of Representatives by district, elect it by proportional representation from the entire country’s votes – after all, the Senate is supposed to represent the states, the House is supposed to represent the people.

]]> By: Ipo http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/in-the-nyt-a-judge-argues-for.html#comment-1428244 Ipo Sat, 19 May 2012 08:13:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161482#comment-1428244  Oh good.  Right on.   Oh good.  Right on. 

]]> By: Roman Berry http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/in-the-nyt-a-judge-argues-for.html#comment-1428028 Roman Berry Sat, 19 May 2012 01:14:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161482#comment-1428028  For those that believe it, the propaganda isn't obvious, it's truth. Take those that still believe that our president is, in his heart of hearts, a liberal for example. Or those <a HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBx2Y5HhplI" rel="nofollow">who believe that the rich are "job creators.</A>" Or people who believe that Social Security is going bankrupt, or that the path to prosperity is to bail out the banks. All of that is propaganda, and everyone who believes in those things believes that those things are true. (None are.)  For those that believe it, the propaganda isn’t obvious, it’s truth. Take those that still believe that our president is, in his heart of hearts, a liberal for example. Or those who believe that the rich are “job creators.” Or people who believe that Social Security is going bankrupt, or that the path to prosperity is to bail out the banks. All of that is propaganda, and everyone who believes in those things believes that those things are true. (None are.)

]]> By: Roman Berry http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/in-the-nyt-a-judge-argues-for.html#comment-1428023 Roman Berry Sat, 19 May 2012 01:09:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161482#comment-1428023  No, that's not what I meant at all. Hillary Clinton has never been president.  No, that’s not what I meant at all. Hillary Clinton has never been president.

]]> By: Ipo http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/in-the-nyt-a-judge-argues-for.html#comment-1427892 Ipo Fri, 18 May 2012 22:29:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161482#comment-1427892  Hillary was a war monger.  That's what you meant.  Right?    Hillary was a war monger. 
That’s what you meant.  Right?  

]]> By: Brian Richerson http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/in-the-nyt-a-judge-argues-for.html#comment-1427791 Brian Richerson Fri, 18 May 2012 20:33:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161482#comment-1427791 Have you tried it yet? It's pretty tasty and works well. It also has a decent CBD count at about 0.17%. It's not about the THC, but the CBD.  Have you tried it yet? It’s pretty tasty and works well. It also has a decent CBD count at about 0.17%. It’s not about the THC, but the CBD. 

]]> By: miasm http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/in-the-nyt-a-judge-argues-for.html#comment-1427276 miasm Fri, 18 May 2012 07:23:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161482#comment-1427276 being old does not excuse participation in obvious propaganda. being old does not excuse participation in obvious propaganda.

]]> By: gwailo_joe http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/in-the-nyt-a-judge-argues-for.html#comment-1427238 gwailo_joe Fri, 18 May 2012 05:50:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161482#comment-1427238 I will say this: I greatly respect this judge for speaking his truth.  And I emphasize with his plight. Though I have to wonder if he ever pronounced judgement on others who sold, possessed or partook of said weed...how many weeks, months, years wasted.  Of course it's just one person, I gotta give the guy a break: the system of criminalizing some drugs and the Puritanical subjugation of users thereof is generations old... If you are not aware of the historical connection between Hearst era yellow 'journalism';  that industries' fear of hemp combined with a convenient slam of Black people: ask Jello Biafra... I live in a Civilized Place (all things considered); or at least, where use of marijuana is concerned.  My parents smoked weed before I was born, they both turned 70 this year.  They both can touch their toes, sing a song, crack a joke, read books, talk history/sci-fi/spirituality... I may not see eye-to-eye with them at all times; but I can assure you their lifestyle is NOT CRIMINAL.  They are and have been as I've known them kind, smart, curious, virtuous people. The very thought that they could be charged, condemned and Imprisoned for choosing to smoke a plant makes me see kinda fuzzy with rage... Thank Goodness I have the sensimilla to calm me down. I will say this: I greatly respect this judge for speaking his truth.  And I emphasize with his plight.

Though I have to wonder if he ever pronounced judgement on others who sold, possessed or partook of said weed…how many weeks, months, years wasted.  Of course it’s just one person, I gotta give the guy a break: the system of criminalizing some drugs and the Puritanical subjugation of users thereof is generations old…

If you are not aware of the historical connection between Hearst era yellow ‘journalism’;  that industries’ fear of hemp combined with a convenient slam of Black people: ask Jello Biafra…

I live in a Civilized Place (all things considered); or at least, where use of marijuana is concerned.  My parents smoked weed before I was born, they both turned 70 this year.  They both can touch their toes, sing a song, crack a joke, read books, talk history/sci-fi/spirituality…

I may not see eye-to-eye with them at all times; but I can assure you their lifestyle is NOT CRIMINAL.  They are and have been as I’ve known them kind, smart, curious, virtuous people.

The very thought that they could be charged, condemned and Imprisoned for choosing to smoke a plant makes me see kinda fuzzy with rage…

Thank Goodness I have the sensimilla to calm me down.

]]> By: Roman Berry http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/in-the-nyt-a-judge-argues-for.html#comment-1427189 Roman Berry Fri, 18 May 2012 04:04:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161482#comment-1427189 <I>Half of the elderly fools who still stand for illegal marijuana are completely oblivious to the fact that it could help them live a more substantial and longer life. </I> If they're at all like my 78 year old dad, they still believe the propaganda about marijuana they were raised with, and regard those who use it as drug addicts bent on wreaking sociopathic criminal sexual deviant havoc. Hard to let go of things your government has drilled into you as the unvarnished and unquestionable truth, and that remains true in areas far removed from drugs. Take the "war on terror" and how it's completely necessary to destroy our freedom/civil liberties/fundamental rights in order to save them for example... Half of the elderly fools who still stand for illegal marijuana are completely oblivious to the fact that it could help them live a more substantial and longer life.

If they’re at all like my 78 year old dad, they still believe the propaganda about marijuana they were raised with, and regard those who use it as drug addicts bent on wreaking sociopathic criminal sexual deviant havoc. Hard to let go of things your government has drilled into you as the unvarnished and unquestionable truth, and that remains true in areas far removed from drugs. Take the “war on terror” and how it’s completely necessary to destroy our freedom/civil liberties/fundamental rights in order to save them for example…

]]> By: niktemadur http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/in-the-nyt-a-judge-argues-for.html#comment-1427190 niktemadur Fri, 18 May 2012 04:04:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161482#comment-1427190 Amen to that. Amen to that.

]]> By: niktemadur http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/in-the-nyt-a-judge-argues-for.html#comment-1427187 niktemadur Fri, 18 May 2012 04:03:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161482#comment-1427187 <i>Now I'm trying to post my way out.</i> FTFW! Now I’m trying to post my way out.

FTFW!

]]> By: niktemadur http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/in-the-nyt-a-judge-argues-for.html#comment-1427185 niktemadur Fri, 18 May 2012 03:59:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161482#comment-1427185 Maybe I should have elaborated a bit here, and yeah, it gets sticky when labels are thrown about, but here goes: The way I understand it, the term "Progressive" usually comes hand-in-hand with key liberal stances such as gun control and higher taxes for a social net, whereas the tea party people and Libertarians have more in common with each other on issues of that nature, the opposite stance to the progressive one. Maybe I should have elaborated a bit here, and yeah, it gets sticky when labels are thrown about, but here goes:

The way I understand it, the term “Progressive” usually comes hand-in-hand with key liberal stances such as gun control and higher taxes for a social net, whereas the tea party people and Libertarians have more in common with each other on issues of that nature, the opposite stance to the progressive one.

]]> By: Roman Berry http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/in-the-nyt-a-judge-argues-for.html#comment-1427184 Roman Berry Fri, 18 May 2012 03:58:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161482#comment-1427184  Romney is no more a sociopath than the current Droner in the White  House, or the war monger before him, or the wh*re and war monger before that. Open your eyes to what is, not what you wish there were.  Romney is no more a sociopath than the current Droner in the White  House, or the war monger before him, or the wh*re and war monger before that. Open your eyes to what is, not what you wish there were.

]]> By: flickerKuu http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/in-the-nyt-a-judge-argues-for.html#comment-1427145 flickerKuu Fri, 18 May 2012 02:47:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161482#comment-1427145 I like how he uses the word "barbaric".  It is barbaric to allow your personal beliefs to dictate whether someone has to be in pain or not. I like how he uses the word “barbaric”.  It is barbaric to allow your personal beliefs to dictate whether someone has to be in pain or not.

]]> By: elix http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/in-the-nyt-a-judge-argues-for.html#comment-1427084 elix Fri, 18 May 2012 01:39:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161482#comment-1427084 Well, MMAR was useless because, while you were supposed to be able to access medical marijuana if you had one or more qualifying conditions/etc., good luck finding a doctor who would be willing to sign off on it. In the appeal of <i>R v Mernagh</i>, the Crown addressed the point that patients were having to go to multiple doctors to find one who would sign off on their paperwork, stating that they should've just kept trying. Mernagh's team then presented case after case of transcripts from people who tried as many as 15 different doctors and still couldn't (and these are people suffering from chronic pain and debilitating conditions)... so, their argument went, how many is enough? Is 25 enough? Mernagh's team read a transcript submitted by a patient who was one of their case studies submitted as part of their side of the evidence. F. F., as he's known in court to protect his identity and medical privacy, admitted in his transcripts that he went to his neurologist and asked the doc to sever his spinal cord because he was in such awful pain below the waist and could not get medical marijuana to treat it. The state is giving these people a choice: Suffer or be criminals. We're criminalizing medical care. (P.S. I vape it theraputically -- and on occasion for entertainment, I admit, but not too much for fear of building too much of a tolerance.) Well, MMAR was useless because, while you were supposed to be able to access medical marijuana if you had one or more qualifying conditions/etc., good luck finding a doctor who would be willing to sign off on it. In the appeal of R v Mernagh, the Crown addressed the point that patients were having to go to multiple doctors to find one who would sign off on their paperwork, stating that they should’ve just kept trying.

Mernagh’s team then presented case after case of transcripts from people who tried as many as 15 different doctors and still couldn’t (and these are people suffering from chronic pain and debilitating conditions)… so, their argument went, how many is enough? Is 25 enough?

Mernagh’s team read a transcript submitted by a patient who was one of their case studies submitted as part of their side of the evidence. F. F., as he’s known in court to protect his identity and medical privacy, admitted in his transcripts that he went to his neurologist and asked the doc to sever his spinal cord because he was in such awful pain below the waist and could not get medical marijuana to treat it.

The state is giving these people a choice: Suffer or be criminals. We’re criminalizing medical care.

(P.S. I vape it theraputically — and on occasion for entertainment, I admit, but not too much for fear of building too much of a tolerance.)

]]> By: awjt http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/in-the-nyt-a-judge-argues-for.html#comment-1427027 awjt Fri, 18 May 2012 00:10:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161482#comment-1427027 I don't post drunkenly.  But I used to... that's how I got here.  Now I'm trying to post my way out. I don’t post drunkenly.  But I used to… that’s how I got here.  Now I’m trying to post my way out.

]]> By: awjt http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/in-the-nyt-a-judge-argues-for.html#comment-1427026 awjt Fri, 18 May 2012 00:07:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161482#comment-1427026 Aren't the Freemen in Texas & Montana considering themselves Libertarians?  Aren't Ed & Elaine Brown, the Tax Refusers from New Hampshire considering themselves Libertarians?  U get my drift.  It's what Antinous said...  we need to outlaw parties and force ourselves to start seeing similarities rather than differences and stand on our own merits.  I say... it's gonna take at least another 100 years for that... IF WE ARE LUCKY.  I bet we will have another civil war or some kind of mass secession and bloodshed before that, though... Aren’t the Freemen in Texas & Montana considering themselves Libertarians?  Aren’t Ed & Elaine Brown, the Tax Refusers from New Hampshire considering themselves Libertarians?  U get my drift.  It’s what Antinous said…  we need to outlaw parties and force ourselves to start seeing similarities rather than differences and stand on our own merits.  I say… it’s gonna take at least another 100 years for that… IF WE ARE LUCKY.  I bet we will have another civil war or some kind of mass secession and bloodshed before that, though…

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/in-the-nyt-a-judge-argues-for.html#comment-1426997 Antinous / Moderator Thu, 17 May 2012 23:32:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161482#comment-1426997 Well, that certainly convinces me. Well, that certainly convinces me.

]]> By: Andrew Singleton http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/in-the-nyt-a-judge-argues-for.html#comment-1426973 Andrew Singleton Thu, 17 May 2012 23:04:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161482#comment-1426973 Sounds like you're a few friends and food away from a grand evening. Sounds like you’re a few friends and food away from a grand evening.

]]> By: Nuno Zimas http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/in-the-nyt-a-judge-argues-for.html#comment-1426957 Nuno Zimas Thu, 17 May 2012 22:44:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161482#comment-1426957 I am also eager to know about his stance on the topic prior to the cancer diagnosis. Eventually that of serial killer before he's sent to the death row. I am also eager to know about his stance on the topic prior to the cancer diagnosis. Eventually that of serial killer before he’s sent to the death row.

]]> By: strangefriend http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/in-the-nyt-a-judge-argues-for.html#comment-1426947 strangefriend Thu, 17 May 2012 22:37:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161482#comment-1426947 Right, Libertarians really helped this country by pushing free market economics & fighting government regulations.  Look how the stimulus fell flat.  Oh, wait . . . (this is actually a reply to BongBong.) Right, Libertarians really helped this country by pushing free market economics & fighting government regulations.  Look how the stimulus fell flat.  Oh, wait . . . (this is actually a reply to BongBong.)

]]> By: D Wyatt http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/in-the-nyt-a-judge-argues-for.html#comment-1426929 D Wyatt Thu, 17 May 2012 22:21:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161482#comment-1426929 Half of the elderly fools who still stand for illegal marijuana are completely oblivious to the fact that it could help them live a more substantial and longer life.  They sit there pointing blame and shame with arthritic fingers all while taking a plethora of drugs designed to cost a lot and do a little with many bad side effects.  I call for a new definition of the word druggy.  Anyone who takes any hard drug, be it prescribed or not.  Maybe then judges will stop throwing people away for a Weed, while literally popping pills on the bench. Half of the elderly fools who still stand for illegal marijuana are completely oblivious to the fact that it could help them live a more substantial and longer life.  They sit there pointing blame and shame with arthritic fingers all while taking a plethora of drugs designed to cost a lot and do a little with many bad side effects. 

I call for a new definition of the word druggy.  Anyone who takes any hard drug, be it prescribed or not.  Maybe then judges will stop throwing people away for a Weed, while literally popping pills on the bench.

]]> By: BongBong http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/in-the-nyt-a-judge-argues-for.html#comment-1426918 BongBong Thu, 17 May 2012 22:10:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161482#comment-1426918 Society's view of whether or not something is worthless is all-pervasive, but ultimately irrelevant to individualists. Society’s view of whether or not something is worthless is all-pervasive, but ultimately irrelevant to individualists.

]]> By: BongBong http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/in-the-nyt-a-judge-argues-for.html#comment-1426916 BongBong Thu, 17 May 2012 22:09:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161482#comment-1426916 I consider the Bush and Obama reigns as successive dark ages. I consider the Bush and Obama reigns as successive dark ages.

]]> By: BongBong http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/in-the-nyt-a-judge-argues-for.html#comment-1426915 BongBong Thu, 17 May 2012 22:08:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161482#comment-1426915 Anyone who views Libertarians as insane should be avoided anyway. They will soon be screaming for your head. Anyone who views Libertarians as insane should be avoided anyway. They will soon be screaming for your head.

]]> By: Agile Cyborg http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/in-the-nyt-a-judge-argues-for.html#comment-1426914 Agile Cyborg Thu, 17 May 2012 22:07:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161482#comment-1426914 AA is for jesus, friend. AA is for jesus, friend.

]]> By: Agile Cyborg http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/in-the-nyt-a-judge-argues-for.html#comment-1426912 Agile Cyborg Thu, 17 May 2012 22:06:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161482#comment-1426912 Truth lies within... Life is short, brutha. May as well avoid crackers'n grandma.... Special sites become family, man. Truth lies within… Life is short, brutha. May as well avoid crackers’n grandma…. Special sites become family, man.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/in-the-nyt-a-judge-argues-for.html#comment-1426899 Antinous / Moderator Thu, 17 May 2012 21:44:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161482#comment-1426899 I'm really okay with people refusing to label themselves politically. If I could do one thing to fix politics, it would be to outlaw parties and force candidates to run on their own merits. I’m really okay with people refusing to label themselves politically. If I could do one thing to fix politics, it would be to outlaw parties and force candidates to run on their own merits.

]]> By: niktemadur http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/in-the-nyt-a-judge-argues-for.html#comment-1426860 niktemadur Thu, 17 May 2012 20:43:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161482#comment-1426860 Sounds like my martinis, two of 'em and I'm thoroughly fucking bombed. Then I start posting weird comments here on BB. Sounds like my martinis, two of ‘em and I’m thoroughly fucking bombed. Then I start posting weird comments here on BB.

]]> By: hymenopterid http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/in-the-nyt-a-judge-argues-for.html#comment-1426859 hymenopterid Thu, 17 May 2012 20:42:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161482#comment-1426859 I guess I qualify as a Libertarian, but I don't generally tell people that.  There seems to be a perception that Libertarians are insane.  Basically I'm fiscally conservative and socially liberal, and I don't mind being identified as either Progressive or Libertarian.  Is there a word for that? I guess I qualify as a Libertarian, but I don’t generally tell people that.  There seems to be a perception that Libertarians are insane.  Basically I’m fiscally conservative and socially liberal, and I don’t mind being identified as either Progressive or Libertarian.  Is there a word for that?

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