Medical Marijuana: What It's About

If marijuana were taxed like cigarettes, it would erase the state and federal budgets financial shortfalls. We are making medical marijuana progress. About eleven states have now legalized medical marijuana.

(MOLALLA, Ore.) - Many people, medical cannabis users in particular, ask themselves and others, why is the use of cannabis illegal in the United States and other countries? The answer is not as complex as you might imagine. The illegality is based on several factors. Hempseed oil powered the first diesel engine. The powerful petroleum industry does not want farmers to grow their own fuel.

Hemp cloth is better in many ways than cotton. The powerful cotton industry does not want the competition. Hemp makes better paper and other wood substitutes. The powerful timber industry does not want that competition. Cannabis is an excellent medicine for many ailments. The pharmaceutical and medical professions do not want patients to grow their own medicine which is easily possible.

The final reason is really bizarre. It is well known that a person can get a euphoria high or stoned from an overdose of marijuana. This is somewhat like alcoholic inebriation but certainly not as dangerous.

In New Orleans, the rich white college students discovered jazz music by the black musicians, many of whom smoked marijuana. It was cheaper than booze and much easier to carry. The Hearst newspapers knew that listening to jazz music, dancing, and inhaling the marijuana fumes would drive the white kids crazy.

All of the above decided cannabis and marijuana were bad and any use of cannabis even for legitimate medical use must be made illegal and stopped. Well, surprise to nobody, this did not stop marijuana growing and use. It just produced a new industry--bootleg marijuana.

Now even the U.S. government reports that 70,000,000 Americans smoke marijuana and the non-taxable value of the industry is worth at least ten billion dollars per year. British Columbia grows at least that much and probably so does California.

It is not a harmful drug like morphine, alcohol or even aspirin, but highly beneficial. Keep reading, we’ll try to cover the whole nine yards.

Phillip Leveque has spent his life as a combat infantryman, Physician and Toxicologist.

*******************************************************
Phillip Leveque is a physician, toxicologist and WWII Combat Infantryman. Watch for his video question and answer segments about medical marijuana with Bonnie King.
You can email your questions to the doctor: newsroom@salem-news.com

Salem-News.com Marijuana Coverage

Where and How to Smoke Legal Marijuana without Fear of Arrest in the U.S.

Eulogy of a Great Warrior: Hoss Plourde

The Ripple Effect How Marijuana Laws Are Impacting Society

Audit the Audit

Welcome Home, Tom

Comments Leave a comment on this story.

All comments and messages are approved by people and self promotional links or unacceptable comments are denied.

Talon7461 July 18, 2008 2:55 pm (Pacific time)

This is the only thing that helps my chronic pain, insomnia, and migraines. I'd rather smoke something natural than take another pill full of who-knows-what.

mary jane June 4, 2008 8:23 am (Pacific time)

smoke blunts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

Pghpurplecity December 30, 2007 10:47 pm (Pacific time)

I love weed. Science proves that it reduces high blood pressure. Any of my fellow african americans, americans, hispanics, chinese etc. Weed is from the earth, god put this here for me and you, as Smoke Dogg once said.

Randy Codger June 17, 2007 12:01 pm (Pacific time)

"...just legalize and tax the damn stuff..."

Austin Brown June 12, 2007 9:17 am (Pacific time)

I think it should be legalized, since the facts in the article above prove it is illegal for stupid reasons.

Dale Jayne June 10, 2007 10:42 pm (Pacific time)

Has anyone noticed that it's not the Marijuana that's the problem, it's the stupid laws and the self-serving anti-drug industry.

Greg Patchick June 9, 2007 1:24 pm (Pacific time)

Did you know Brazil grows sugarcane, and they make enough ethanol from all that sugarcane to have made their country petroleum independent? They do not rely on oil anymore, and the US could accomplish the same thing if we grew hemp and utilized the cellulose to make ethanol too. Maybe we couldn't be totally independent, but I'll wager we could make enough biofuel that we wouldn't have to rely on oil from Iraq, or Saudi Arabia. Imagine all the new jobs that would be created, and hemp is renewable, and easy to grow. However, it sure was sad to see Arnold veto the most recent hemp bill in California. That just proves he is corrupt. What other reason could it be that he would stop a bill that would allow such a multi-beneficial plant from being farmed in California? He stated it was because it was in conflict with federal law. What a pusillanimous statement. How in the world are we ever going to change things without having conflict? Look at Oregon's assisted suicide law. That was in conflict with federal law, right? Now look what happened. Oregon fought for their rights, and won. California, or another state should vote for legal hemp, and show what great things can be done if we just make the effort! greg@marijuanaseeds.com

Jeff Lav. June 8, 2007 2:38 pm (Pacific time)

LEGALIZE IT!

Hastings RH June 8, 2007 12:49 pm (Pacific time)

Follow the money..The prison guard's union has been the biggest contributor to the last three govenors of Califonia.

Jeff June 8, 2007 1:47 am (Pacific time)

Marijuana should be made available to all. Especially in the last fact, that a marijuana high is not as debilitating as being drunk on alcohol. Marijuana doesn't change your personality like booze does. Booze makes one loose their inhibitions, marijuana makes you more aware of them, especially new user's. Most important it should be very easily accessed for medical purposes, I am on Marinol and can tell you the plant is more effective. LEGALIZE POT now! But even just Marinol is the best anti-nausea medication known to man, except the marijuana plant in it's naturay form. Here is another point, 90-2.5 mg Marinol pills cost $665.99 in Iowa, the plant is so much cheaper and effective. This is the fear of the drug companies, that this menicine is a weed and grows wild everywhere. It gets taller than the Iowa corn reaches it's peak, wild hemp plants tower over the corn. Vote for legalization! PLEASE!!! Peace out.

[Return to Top]