Now Playing at Reason.tv: Drew Carey Defends Medical Marijuana

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"I think it's clear by now that the federal government needs to reclassify marijuana. People who need it should be able to get it - safely and easily," says The Price Is Right and Power of 10 host Drew Carey in a new reason.tv video examining medical marijuana and the war on drugs.

One of the most outrageous consequences of the war on drugs is the federal crackdown on medical marijuana, which is used by patients to help treat the effects of cancer, glaucoma, HIV-AIDS, chronic pain and nausea, and other severe symptoms associated with serious illnesses. Medical marijuana prescribed by a physician is legal in 12 states, yet the federal agents are raiding state-approved dispensaries and preventing patients from having safe access to this drug.

In Episode 2 of reason.tv's Drew Carey Project, Drew takes a look at patients who need and use medical marijuana in California, and how the federal government is making their lives even worse.

reason on medical marijuana here.

Comments

M. Simon | November 1, 2007, 7:27am | #

Why do people leave out PTSD? Probably the most common reason for chronic marijuana use.

PTSD and the Endocannabinoid System

Abdul | November 1, 2007, 7:56am | #

He is so going to lose that Price is Right gig with his crazy talk about reefer.

Taktix® | November 1, 2007, 7:59am | #

He is so going to lose that Price is Right gig with his crazy talk about reefer.

Screw that! He should replace the "please spay and neuter your pets" line at the end with a "please stop arresting ill patients, support medical marijuana" message.

That would be sweet, although it may expand the pet population...

Taktix® | November 1, 2007, 8:00am | #

Oh, and I'm still drunk from last night :(

dr weed | November 1, 2007, 9:07am | #

No, Drew, people who want it should be able to get it - safely and easily

JLE | November 1, 2007, 9:29am | #

The fact that it's a Schedule I is just another reason to believe we live in an absurd world.

Juanita | November 1, 2007, 9:39am | #

The fact that it's a Schedule I is just another reason to believe we live in an absurd world.

No, that merely means that congress has scientifically determined that it has a high potential for abuse, has no currently accepted medical use, and cannot be used safely even under direct medical supervision. If new research changes that finding, it can be rescheduled, but that research has been determined to be too dangerous to do.

Juanita | November 1, 2007, 9:45am | #

This is really just about the govenment protecting people from bad state laws.

Alice Bowie | November 1, 2007, 9:49am | #

I think that the VAST MAJORITY of Medical Pot Supporters just want the thing legal for recreational use...Like Alcohol.

Alice Bowie | November 1, 2007, 9:52am | #

The US needs a new ammendment to the Constitution.

The It's Non of Your Business Ammendment.

This would settle many stupid issues like:
- gay rights
- personal use
- abortion

Mike Laursen | November 1, 2007, 9:57am | #

Agreed! Although, they might want to run the Non of Your Business Amendment through a spell checker before adding it to the Constitution.

Juanita | November 1, 2007, 10:16am | #

This would settle many stupid issues like:
- gay rights
- personal use
- abortion


Those are issues of morality and are most definitely the proper job of the govenmrnt to enforce.

J sub D | November 1, 2007, 10:19am | #

The Non of Your Business Ammendment.

I haven't even read your proposed amendment Alice. I support it anyway because of the title.

J sub D | November 1, 2007, 10:23am | #

SometimesI suspect that Juanita trolls waterfront bars looking for sailors to engage in no questions asked sex. Having done my time in waterfront bars, I've met her type. Hubba, Hubba!

VM | November 1, 2007, 10:24am | #

J Sub - you don't mean Steve Sailer, do you?

Agreed - great Amendment!

Taktix® | November 1, 2007, 10:26am | #

and cannot be used safely even under direct medical supervision.

The only thing unsafe about MJ use is the off chance you might burn your thumb a little if you hold the lighter the wrong way.

That's pretty much it...

Juanita | November 1, 2007, 10:35am | #

The only thing unsafe about MJ use is the off chance you might burn your thumb a little if you hold the lighter the wrong way.

Then why is it illegal.

| November 1, 2007, 11:00am | #

Because you touch yourself at night.

Marcvs | November 1, 2007, 11:04am | #

Juanita, you are trying to hard. You have to focus on being more subtle in your trolling or it is too easy to dismiss. If you come across more believable, you can draw people into responding to your posts (the content, not to you).

Keep trying! You'll be a good troller one day!

JW | November 1, 2007, 11:18am | #

The Non of Your Business Ammendment.

The Noun of Your Business Amendment?

Nun? Noon? Noonan? Non-determinism?

Ruthless | November 1, 2007, 11:23am | #

Marijuana is a trap we're (with the exception of Juanita) setting for ourselves. It's distracting us from pounding away at the idea that the Second Amendment should have protected our right to put what we wish into our bodies. (Seeing as how the First Amendment protected our right to put what we wish into our minds--which the Founders recognized as far more dangerous.)
The Right to Bear Arms should have been the Third Amendment.

J sub D | November 1, 2007, 11:25am | #

J Sub - you don't mean Steve Sailer, do you?

I always fancied myself the Popeye type.

J sub D | November 1, 2007, 11:26am | #

The only thing unsafe about MJ use is the off chance you might burn your thumb a little if you hold the lighter the wrong way.

And bong water stains. They're a bitch to get out.

de stijl | November 1, 2007, 11:29am | #

Yesterday, Nick Gillespie was disgusted to the point of nausea over someone who said poker was good for you because it makes your mind sharper hence we should lift the ban.

Ugh. Pinning any sort of vice activity--whether drugs, video games, or poker--to its uplift potential is not just generally a losing strategy but offensive to the intelligence of everyone involved.

Why is medical MJ different?

Is medical MJ a Trojan Horse for legalization / decriminalization or not?

The Widow White | November 1, 2007, 11:37am | #

"Is medical MJ a Trojan Horse for legalization / decriminalization or not?"

Who cares? Weed should be legal for private use by any adult that chooses to do so.

Ruthless | November 1, 2007, 11:44am | #

de stijl,
Are you joking?
Can you not see the difference between medicine and vice?

de stijl | November 1, 2007, 11:49am | #

Ruthless,

I wasn't joking. I favor legalization. But it seems to me that the medical MJ movement is in large part a Trojan Horse for legalization. Not that I'm against medical MJ as a precurser and a baby step in the right direction; it's probably necessary to get folks to see the lack of danger before going towards the larger goal.

But let's not fool ourselves that medical MJ is only about medicine.

J sub D | November 1, 2007, 11:50am | #

Can you not see the difference between medicine and vice?

Viagra. Nope, I can't. ;-)

R C Dean | November 1, 2007, 11:57am | #

The It's Non of Your Business Ammendment.

Like this?

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

Ruthless | November 1, 2007, 12:04pm | #

de stijl
Because medical marijuana appears to be a Trojan Horse for complete legalization is one reason why I'm saying, hey, let's focus instead on complete legalization.
I don't want to pussyfoot, or help some camel get his nose under the tent.

J sub D | November 1, 2007, 12:30pm | #

Ruthless, you can, and should, learn from your enemies. One thing I've learned from the nanny staters is to get a little (camel's nose under the tent) and proceed incrementally until your real, unspoken objective is accomplished. It's hard to argue with success.

Peter | November 1, 2007, 12:49pm | #

I think Marijuana as a substance is clouding the issue. This comes down to something broader. A lot of people forget that half the states that have legalized or decriminalized Cannabis are "Red States", and primarily in the west, i.e. ones that highly favor states' rights over the mandates of the federal government. Alaska, a Republican state, was the first to dare any such legislation. The onus that Marijuana carries as a choice drug of the counterculture is what prevents it today from being fully embraced under the tenets of the new federalism as the business of state legislation, much like alcohol is now.

danny | November 1, 2007, 1:04pm | #

Juanita, have you ever heard of separation of church and state? Majoritarian moral coercion has ever been a part of our govt- Laws must be reasonably related to legitimate governmental interests. What your church tells you to think is not a legitimate government interest, thank you founding fathers.

16.5% of the USA | November 1, 2007, 1:09pm | #

i am way to stoned to have an opinion

de stijl | November 1, 2007, 1:14pm | #

I want camel toes under my tent.

R C Dean | November 1, 2007, 1:49pm | #

Is medical MJ a Trojan Horse for legalization / decriminalization or not?

Man, if only slippery slopes ran toward increased freedom the way they do toward increased state control.

I'll have to remember, the next time someone accuses me of advancing a "slippery slope" argument, to ask them if they think medical marijuana laws are a Trojan Horse.

moo | November 1, 2007, 2:16pm | #

Juanita: There are a number of reasons that Marijuana is illegal. First off, we have William Hearst, who owned quite a few newspapers at the time prohibition started. He owned quite a bit of forests at the time that he planned to pull down and sell as paper. The problem is that hemp can be used to make paper and grows in months instead of years. It was in his papers it was first called Marijuana instead of hemp, playing to people's fear of Mexicans (pretty sad, huh?).

Next, was Harry Anslinger, the head of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics in the 1930s. He realized that with Alcohol Prohibition being lifted, he would be out of the job. So he actually lied in front of congress to help get Marijuana be illegal.

A number of other people and groups and companies were involved such as DuPont.

It was once said on the floor of congress that marijuana would make a black man look at a white woman twice.

There are some serious issues with the illegality of marijuana. If you want to do some more research, find the book "The Emperor Wears No Clothes" by Jack Herer. This book has everything from congressional testimonies to newspaper articles of the time.

Jason | November 1, 2007, 2:22pm | #

Except that there's no scientific evidence that marijuana does anything more than make sick people high. Of course being drugged out will make you feel better, especially if you're dying, but it doesn't make you well, it's bad for you.

No I don't drink, smoke or do drugs. Never have.

pe4rm | November 1, 2007, 2:39pm | #

abdul.

The only crazy talk is to dismiss it's positive properties. Don't be naive!

Ruthless | November 1, 2007, 2:41pm | #

Ratify a "None of your business amendment/ Especially not Juanita's business amendment."

'nuff said.

pe4rm | November 1, 2007, 2:46pm | #

Jason,

The only medicine people should be taking is the medicine you cant afford, and that somebody else is making a huge profit off of. My mother died of Cancer and I wish she had access to medicinal marijuana. I would rather see here "high" and in good spirits than sad.

So open your eyes, mind, and close your checkbook, because you are paying for all these drugs that people cant afford thanks to the USA's health care system.

Open you eyes.
Good job not drinking and not smoking.
I do neither as well, but im no simpleton.

I hope you never have to see anyone sucumb to cancer but if you do, trust me you'll do whatever it takes to make them comfortable. Morphine, Vicoden, Percoset, Maybe even god wont forbid weed you stupid douche bag.

Javon | November 1, 2007, 2:48pm | #

"marijuana would make a black man look at a white woman twice."

Otherwise it's thrice or more...

The Widow White | November 1, 2007, 2:49pm | #

"No I don't drink, smoke or do drugs. Never have."

Doesn't that make yours an unqualified opinion?

no$$$$$ | November 1, 2007, 2:49pm | #

Hard to make a buck off it when your neighbor is growing it in his basement!

Sincerly
Pfiser.

what the | November 1, 2007, 2:56pm | #

Juanita,

You are right! I actually had 7 friends OD on Marijuana last month, Luckily only 7892 of my friends killed themselve's or somebody else in the last 12 minutes.

You are like a child who wonders into the middle of a movie and want's to know what's going on.

Let the grown ups post, Please.

what the | November 1, 2007, 3:02pm | #

When i said 7892 i meant while drunk driving.

But Pete coors and Anheiser Busch make sweet nectar. Not to mention a ton of lobby bucks. Also oil companies, plastic companies, Pharmie companies, paper companies, and tobacco companies have nothing to lose from MJ being legalized for medicinal purposes.

Life is not what it seems.

what the | November 1, 2007, 3:04pm | #

Maybe Stalin or Hitler could tell us how we should live our lives. Oh wait we have the US goverment to do that for us.

Vote Ron Paul.

Alice Bowie | November 1, 2007, 3:14pm | #

Can't we ALL just get a BONG ?

Spacecowboy | November 1, 2007, 3:32pm | #

Marijuana should been seen as one of the greater natural resources and should be treated as such. All the benefits of hemp completely outweigh the negative. And it's true, you can't OD from marijuana. A person would have to consume somewhere over a hundred pounds to OD. It's true, and that means it's impossible. The most that is going to happen is your gonna pass out or get the munchies. And getting the munchies is a huge benefit for any person with Cancer in treatment because it increases their appetite and boosts higher metabolism. Legalize it, or make alcohol illegal. It's only fare, because the drug war is working so well.

Juanita | November 1, 2007, 4:12pm | #

Legalize it, or make alcohol illegal. It's only fare, because the drug war is working so well.

Life isn't fair, that is the way it is, get over it. Alcohol has a long history of safe use in western society, other drugs cannot be used safely and cause negative downstream effects on society.

mdnspacecowboy | November 1, 2007, 5:12pm | #

"Alcohol has a long history of safe use in western society, other drugs cannot be used safely and cause negative downstream effects on society."

HAHAHA.... You sure know your history don't you? What's the matter, your teachers never taught you the truth or is it that your eyes are only focused what "media-america" tells you?

And your right life's not fair, but maybe you should go back to school. Learn how to read, maybe even go to a library and find out what alcohol really does to people. Safe use, HAHAHA that cracks me up... better yet, why don't you smoke some weed, who knows you might like it.

Smokey | November 1, 2007, 6:11pm | #

"Alcohol has a long history of safe use in western society, other drugs cannot be used safely and cause negative downstream effects on society."

Safe use? Alcohol is THE most abused drug in the world (yes alcohol is a drug). How many victims of drunk driving do you think would tell you it is safe to drink?

truth | November 1, 2007, 6:36pm | #

Juanita,

You are a douche bag!

Sincerly,
Truth

what the | November 1, 2007, 6:47pm | #

Long history of safe use!!!?????
Are you kiding me??????!!!!!!!
Juanita you must work for a distributor or a brewer or somehow affiliated with a company that distributes alcohol.

If not what the f**k are you talking about.
Please stop posting you are making everyone else dumber from reading them!

everythinginmoderation | November 1, 2007, 7:00pm | #

Everythinginmoderation!!

Dan | November 1, 2007, 7:13pm | #

I agree with Drew. I am an Army veteran who sustained a severe injury to my back. I was taking a lot of meds that were killing my kidneys. Cannabis helped me not only with my chronic back pain but with my depression.
I am glad that people stand up for what they believe. If all the facts that N.O.R.M.L. provides still don't convince you then you are very narrow minded.

whit | November 1, 2007, 7:54pm | #

"Alcohol has a long history of safe use in western society, other drugs cannot be used safely and cause negative downstream effects on society."

you are kidding me right?

ask any cop. ask any ER doctor.

alcohol can be used safely. it can also be very unsafe if abused.

marijuana can be used safely. it is harder to use it UNsafely than alcohol. it's hardly the benign wonderdrug that many advocates will claim, but it has effectively no LD50, it is not physically addictive, and in most respects is as safe and in many far safer than alcohol.

get real.

frankly, i think mj is lame, but criminalizing it is dumb policy.

as for medical MJ being a slippery slope trojan horse for legal MJ. of course, for many, it is.

so what?

the issue is - is medical MJ a valid therapy, and more importantly - regardless of whether it is or isn't - it's a STATE RIGHTS ISSUE.

assume that medical mj is ineffective (for the sake of argument) and a trojan horse for legalized mj.

so what?

it's still a states rights issue. that's a principle that must be defended

as for NORML. NORML is just like any advocacy group. they stretch the truth to advocate for 'their side". however, the body of medical knowledge is there. mj is darn safe, effective, and regardless - a STATES RIGHT issue

J sub D | November 1, 2007, 8:05pm | #

No I don't drink, smoke or do drugs. Never have.

Jim Fixx didn't either. He's dead.
Keith Richards on the other hand, ...

Peter | November 1, 2007, 8:58pm | #

By the way people, I expect more on a libertarian blog. I hear enough of this Hearst/DuPont conspiracy bullshit from my socialist stoner friends. A huge overlooked fact of the hemp industry (fledgeling in the thirties among a group of small entrepreneurial non-subsidized farmers) is that it was to get a huge boost from the pocket book of Henry Ford who wanted to explore materials he could use to make fibrous car materials. He funded what was called then, chemurgy, to get out from the thumb of many of the unions which controlled much of the sources of his materials. Fearful that these independent farmers coupled with Ford would undermine the New Deal's massive plan of essentially making the farm business profit-proof, FDR made sure the hemp business never benefited from the private sector. The only time they ever saw any cash was from War subsidies during WWII from the government. Put that in your pipe and smoke it!

Homo hubris | November 2, 2007, 12:46am | #

Hemp was domesticated and redesigned by the Chinese over the last 8000 years. The seed supplies all human essential amino acids, hempseed is one of the most balanced sources of omega-3 and omega-6 Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) and the munchies supplies everything else. Anyway, if you read the article (please ignore the "distinction" between hemp and 'that other stuff'):

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16637630/

you will propagate it.

Thanks (LEAP lay member)