Medical Marijuana and the National Reefer Madness Epidemic

(PORTLAND, OR) - Marijuana or medical marijuana is legal in 18 states and the District of Columbia. Why is it that the other 32 states are so rabidly (yes) against it? It must be an epidemic with such rabidly anti-marijuana diatribe.

None of those anti-marijuana advocates can show or prove ANY severe damage to any current medical marijuana user. In fact, there is currently a ground swell of the "other states" moving glacially towards legalization.

The New York Times on December 21 2012, printed, 'Marijuana: Not Yet Legal for Californians, But Might as Well Be'. The U.S. government says that about 10% of the population use marijuana as medicine. For California, that must be in excess of three million people. There are certainly many more without the physician-signed permits. In my state, Oregon, with about three million people, the government estimates 300,000 or 10% use marijuana. Only about 60,000 have legalizing permits.

The Oregonian newspaper has printed several articles recently which appear to be openly advertising marijuana, at least the users and advocates feel that way.

The major television stations, ABC, CBS, NBC and CNN, have also shown many programs openly discussing the benefits of marijuana as medicine with a wink, but also having amateur non-experts pontificating about how dangerous it is.

California's Lieutenant Governor, Gavin Newsom, states about the users, "These are incredibly upstanding citizens: leaders in our communities and exceptional people. Increasingly people are willing to share how they use it and not be ashamed of it". In many cities, the bluish perfume-like smoke is seen at the traditional cocktail hour as a pleasant diversion from alcohol.

Tobacco smoking is being banned from many public buildings and places which is a good idea. Tobacco kills a hundred thousand or more a year. Marijuana never killed anyone. Alcohol is also lethal to many. The choice should be evident.

Marijuana's perfumy smoke filled the air at the Hollywood Bowl in September. The place was packed full of these 'potheads' (excuse the pun). Even Governor Schwarzenegger, a known user said, "There are so many people smoking, one doesn't have to light up".

50% of Californians think marijuana should be legalized. The beer drinking and/or fundamentalist Christians are sticking with their Sacramento wine.

The DEA thugs are getting more thuggish in California, closing down the largest marijuana store in Oakland with 10,000 customers but for a change, the marijuana users are fighting back. The California Lt. Gov. had a final statement, "These laws just don't make sense anymore. It's time for the politicians to come out of the closet".

Dr. Phillip Leveque

Before any of that, Phil Leveque was a Combat Infantryman in the U.S. Army in WWII. He suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder more than 60 years after the war, and specialized in treating Veterans with PTSD during his years as a doctor in Molalla, Oregon. Do you have a question, comment or story to share with Dr. Leveque?
Email him: ASK DR. LEVEQUE

More information on the history of Dr. Leveque can be found in his book, General Patton's Dogface Soldier of WWII about his own experiences "from a foxhole". Order the book by mail by following this link: DOGFACE SOLDIER OF WWII If you are a World War II history buff, you don't want to miss it.

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Hugh Yonn December 27, 2012 10:31 am (Pacific time)

It's time to end this fiasco. Quit playing this stupid game. We are free Americans. Not some children to be coddled and told about 'the boogey man.' Anyone in the United States with half a brain sees what a horrible hoax has been carried on since 1937. Stop locking people up for a plant that could possibly save the US economy. Not to mention its medicinal values. We may be on the cusp of huge breakthroughs in the field of medicine ...completely unlike 'big pharma' who have been killing thousands of our citizens per year.

Hugh Yonn December 27, 2012 10:29 am (Pacific time)

All card-carrying members of the DEA need to read: Shoulda Robbed a Bank Here is one of its reviews: 5.0 out of 5 stars... If David Sedaris had written 'Catcher in the Rye'..this would be it, June 30, 2012 Amazon Verified Purchase This review is from: Shoulda Robbed a Bank (Kindle Edition) I have never smoked pot in my life...nor do I ever care to. I read about this book in numerous Huffington Post comments. Thought I would read it because I know nothing about marijuana or the people involved with it. I am ecstatic that I did. Funny, Funny, Funny!!! The chapters are like short stories. Stories about unloading boats with helicopters, close encounters with law enforcement, traveling through the jungles of South America. The chapter about the author's first time smoking marijuana made me feel like I was with him...coughing. All of the characters were just a group of loveable, nice guys and girls. Not what I had been raised to believe...hysterical maniacs high on pot bent on death and mayhem. They were nothing like that. If you have ever read any of David Sedaris' books, and like them...you will love Shoulda Robbed a Bank. And the crazy things happening reminded me of Holden Caufield in 'Catcher in the Rye' and the way he staggered through life. The way the words are put together are like nothing I have ever heard. I am sure I will use many of the sayings found in this book just to dazzle my friends. A terrific read. I love this book.

Malcolm Kyle December 27, 2012 4:48 am (Pacific time)

Legally regulated (manufacture, distribution and consumption) of marijuana is coming to a state near you in 2013:

CALIFORNIA

“These laws just don't make sense anymore. It’s shocking, from my perspective, the number of people that we all know who are recreational marijuana users… these are incredibly upstanding citizens: Leaders in our community, and exceptional people.”
—Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom (preparing the way for Governor Jerry Brown to initiate proceedings to legalize and regulate marijuana through the state legislature)

MAINE

Maine's legislature is moving on a legalization-and-regulation bill that could bring the state $8 million a year in new revenue.

''The people are far ahead of the politicians on this. Just in the past few weeks we've seen the culture shift dramatically.''
—Rep. Diane Russell of Portland, District 120 (Occupation: Public Relations Consultant)

NEVADA

"Thinking we're not going to have it is unrealistic. It's just a question of how and when"
—Assemblyman Richard (Tick) Segerblom of Las Vegas, elected to the Nevada State Senate in 2012

OREGON

"We have decades of evidence that says prohibition does not work and it's counterproductive. it's a matter of dollars and common sense. There's a source of revenue that's reasonable that is rational that is the right policy choice for our state. We are going to get there on legalization."
—Peter Buckley, co-chair of the Oregon state legislature's budget committee.

RHODE ISLAND

Rhode Island is also expected to legally regulate marijuana through the state legislature instead of a popular referendum.

''Our prohibition has failed, Legalizing and taxing it, just as we did to alcohol, is the way to do it.''
—Rep. Edith Ajello, chairs the House Committee on Judiciary and is a member of the House Oversight Committee.

VERMONT

In November 2012, the state's Democratic governor, Peter Shumlin, cruised to re-election while strongly backing marijuana decriminalization. And the city of Burlington passed a resolution in November 2012 calling for an end to prohibition – with 70 percent support.

ALASKA

Most Alaskans already have a clear view of things from their own back garden. Personal use and possession of Marijuana in Alaskan homes has been effectively legal since 1975.

Editor: Thanks Malcolm, that is fresh information, I know Alaska decriminalized back in the day but it changed after the so-called 'war on drugs' and had to be relaxed again in the late 90's, that is my understanding of it, best to you.

BA December 26, 2012 9:04 pm (Pacific time)

Gavin Newsom is California's Lt Gov

Editor: Our mistake, thank you.

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Medical Marijuana and the National Reefer Madness Epidemic

DENVER, LOS ANGELES AND SEATTLE, IT'S A THREE-WAY TIE

Dr. Phillip Leveque