Pubdate: Sun, 5 Aug 2001 Source: Daily Herald (NC) Copyright: 2001 Daily Herald Contact: http://news.mywebpal.com/index.cfm?pnpid=778 Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1490 Cited: Common Sense for Drug Policy www.drugwarfacts.org IS POT GROWER EMMIT SCOTT REALLY A CRIMINAL? On July 27, Emmit Scott called his local law officers to report a crime. He suspected someone was stealing the marijuana he had grown for his own personal use. Emmit Scott was charged with two felonies. The man who stole from Scott was charged with nothing. Is Emmit Scott a criminal? Maybe and maybe not. Today, eight states have passed some form of legislation that legalizes marijuana for medical use Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, Washington state, Hawaii and Washington D.C. This spring, medical marijuana bills were debated by at least 25 other states. Stated in a 1999 report on medical marijuana from the Institute of Medicine, "accumulated data indicate a potential therapeutic value for cannabinoid (marijuana) drugs, particularly for symptoms such as pain relief, control of nausea and vomiting and appetite stimulation." On Sept. 6, 1988, the Drug Enforcement Administrations Chief Administrative Law Judge, Francis L. Young ruled: "Marijuana, in its natural form, is one of the safest therapeutically active substances known. The provisions of the [Controlled Substances] Act permit and require the transfer of marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule II. It would be unreasonable, arbitrary and capricious for the DEA to continue to stand between those sufferers and the benefits of this substance." Young concluded, "In strict medical terms marijuana is far safer than many foods we commonly consume. For example, eating 10 raw potatoes can result in a toxic response. By comparison, it is physically impossible to eat enough marijuana to induce death. Marijuana in its natural form is one of the safest therapeutically active substances known to man. By any measure of rational analysis marijuana can be safely used within the supervised routine of medical care." (Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Agency, "In the Matter of Marijuana Rescheduling Petition," [Docket #86-22], September 6, 1988), pg. 57.) Many organizations have endorsed medical access to marijuana including the Institute of Medicine, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the American Bar Association, the American Public Health Association and many other medical associations. Many organizations have taken favorable positions toward the issue including the American Cancer Society, American Medical Association and the National Academy of Sciences. Despite its criminalization between 1978 and 1997, 35 states and the District of Columbia passed legislation recognizing marijuana's medical value. Those states include Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and, yes, North Carolina. While there is much proof of the medical value of marijuana, it does remain illegal to possess, manufacture or use it in the majority of the country. Yet, doctors and dentists everywhere can legally prescribe cocaine and morphine. Most of today's pain medications on the market are opium derivatives. These three drugs have some of the highest addiction rates of all the drugs and herbs available to man. Alcohol and nicotine, both legal substances, contribute to more deaths in our country annually than marijuana ever has. Moreover, their addiction rates are incredibly higher. According to the 1998 Federal Household Survey on Drug Abuse conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the U.S. Department of Health and Human services there are more than 48 million Americans who use alcohol an average of one or more days per week. This is more than the combined total number of Americans who have ever tried cocaine, crack and heroine, and two and a half times the number of Americans who have used marijuana once the previous year. So, where does all this information, all these facts, and the cold, hard truth leave Emmit Scott? To date, he is still considered a criminal according to law. Perhaps not so in the eyes of the majority of Americans who support some form of medical use and control of marijuana? If only Scott were a resident of one of the eight states or the District of Columbia that recognizes his right to possess, use and grow marijuana for his own personal use, he probably wouldn't be the national celebrity he is quickly becoming. As well, he probably wouldn't be facing two felony drug charges either. Information from: "Drug War Facts" compiled and maintained by Common Sense for Drug Policy, March 2001, www.drugwarfacts.org The Daily and Sunday Herald editorial board includes: Publisher Ronnie Bell, Managing Editor Bill Lindstrom, News Editor Susan Shaw-Snow, Senior Editor Kathryn Bridges and reporter Lance Martin. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens