Pantagraph.com | News | Sen. Durbin supports medical marijuana

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Stacie wrote on Sep 18, 2007 4:24 PM:

" I smoke it, and I work at your local hospital. "

To Prohibition? wrote on Sep 11, 2007 7:57 AM:

" Yeah, I would support that stance too! Seriously, I would! "

ridiculous!!! wrote on Sep 10, 2007 2:15 PM:

" Maybe I missed it but you guys are missing probably the #1 reason why weed is still illigal. If you look into the evolutiuon of drug related property forfieture, you would see that this is a major business for the cops. There are cases where they would seize property before a formal charge is filed and then after you never were charged with a crime it costs you roughly 80% of the seized property value to get back what was stolen from you. So there is a lot more going on with the "war on drugs" than our wonderful government looking out for the good of it's people. "

Nick wrote on Sep 10, 2007 10:18 AM:

" The only thing that does not impress me about Durbin is that he is not introducing that bill. This is an issue that deserves much more attention than it gets, because people are suffering needlessly. I am personally somewhat disgusted that the Pantagraph isn't hounding local state senator Bill Brady over this issue, because he is against positive change in this case, against helping sick people that he has the responsibility of representing. "

Gov't Opressed Mule wrote on Sep 10, 2007 9:11 AM:

" The AMA (American MEDICAL Assoc.) has petitioned Congress on 5 occasions to legalize Medical Marijuanna. But MORE importantly the 10th Amendment of The CONSTITUTION of The USA states all powers not directly expressed in the constitution is up to the STATES to decide. Why then when the 11 states have deemed Medical Marijuanna legal has the DEA (which is Federally run) arrested LAW ABIDING CITIZENS? "

good news wrote on Sep 9, 2007 4:24 PM:

" Every Democratic presidential candidate is now on record to stop the DEA raids on medical marijuana efforts in those states where they are allowed by state laws. On the Republican side, only Ron Paul has taken that position. So we have at least a chance that things will begin to change soon. "

Don wrote on Sep 9, 2007 10:01 AM:

" 1400 pounds were found in a drug bust in Chicago. now I am now a whiz in math but if this were divided into ounces at what $100. per ounce ........times if you were a medical marijuana user and paid a once per year user card that would let the police know you were a safer user , times how many people that would get one.........anyone get the revanew value how medical marijuana could fund say..........schools........amtrack........social security????? "

Gregg Brown wrote on Sep 8, 2007 2:39 PM:

" Here are quotes from the Illinois Nurses Association's official Position Paper on Providing Patients Safe Access to Therapeutic Marijuana/ Cannabis. " This position paper addresses the need to support patients who require safe access to therapeutic cannabis." " Cannabis is considered by the scientists directly involved with cannabinoid research to be one of the least toxic substances known that delivers a therapeutic response." Medical marijuana decreases "the suffering from the experience of chronic pain...". Please read the whole statement at the medicalcannabis.com website. "

Prohibition? wrote on Sep 7, 2007 10:33 PM:

" So Senator Durbin, who supports criminalization of smoking tobacco, supports legalzation of marijuana. These guys can't get any more weird. "

Daniel wrote on Sep 7, 2007 9:43 PM:

" I will address some common arguments against Medical Marijuana. 1. Marijuana is dangerous Marijuana has been proven safe. The health problems due to marijuana are similar to (but less than) those of smoking cigarettes. (-British Lung Foundation) The benefits of mmj are not dependent on smoking, as it can be consumed in many ways. Many prescription drugs have terrible side-effects and are less effective than mmj. “It is virtually impossible to overdose from marijuana, which sets it apart from most drugs." - Brown University 2. Marijuana is addictive. Clearly someone using marijuana will want to continue its use, as a merciful reduction in pain. "Unlike for nicotine, alcohol and hard drugs, there is no withdrawal syndrome, the hallmark of true addiction, when use is stopped." -Leslie Iversen,Ph.D 3. It will be misused. There is currently an epidemic of prescription drug abuse. As marijuana is already widely available, allowing mmj will have little effect on total availability. While drug companies have a clear interest in criminalizing a natural and effective palliative (evidence indicates it even cures some conditions), there is no logical reason to prevent legalization of medical marijuana. "

Ryan wrote on Sep 7, 2007 6:09 PM:

" It's about time are senators use their heads! "

hey Ginkgo wrote on Sep 7, 2007 5:19 PM:

" I dare you too take the pain for one day in my shoes...just one day. "

Ginkgo Biloba wrote on Sep 7, 2007 4:33 PM:

" Durbin said in the AP interview that a person prescribed to have marijuana for an appropriate medical purpose should not be viewed the same as “somebody hiding behind the bleachers smoking a reefer.’’ That is so true. "

Sox 05 wrote on Sep 7, 2007 3:29 PM:

" I am kind of bored with beer. I just have a doctor sign me up. "

Cynic wrote on Sep 7, 2007 3:16 PM:

" Did any of you read the whole article? Durbin said that he supports the use of medicanal mj. But he also said he will NOT propose any legeslation to legalize it. In other words I support you but I will not help you. Once again he is all talk and no action. "

felix wrote on Sep 7, 2007 2:16 PM:

" Now if he only cold give up his tolerance toward al qaeda. "

far worse wrote on Sep 7, 2007 1:58 PM:

" doctors perscribe drugs for our ailments with far worse side effects than marijuana. "

Old man wrote on Sep 7, 2007 1:49 PM:

" I am not sick. I am just old. Why shouldn't I have something that makes me feel good and has no bad side effects.I don't want to get drunk and puke or hurt somebody with my car or be sick. I just want to feel good and pay my taxes. "

Google it and look it up if you don't believe me wrote on Sep 7, 2007 1:42 PM:

" I have cholangiocarcinoma...it is incredibly painful and the drug fentanyl for pain makes me more sick than chemo or radiation. I have lost about 40 pounds so far. I would welcome the relief. But it is the incredibly powerful drug lobbies that keep this from those that need it. BTW there is a drug NV-18 that has tremendous promise for ovarian cancer, cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer), and pancreatic cancer. Why is it unavailable to us? It was researched and discovered in Australia and the U.S. drug companies and their partners in crime the FDA have fought to keep it from us. Profit over people. Yet we have lost a tremendous revenue stream from not being able to tax prescibed marijuana. "

George Pappas wrote on Sep 7, 2007 1:16 PM:

" This level of community support and understanding is phenomenal. This issue is less about pot than it is about compassion and medical science. I echo Gregg Brown's comments and hope that all of you who support this issue make that support known to your local officials. Illinois could very well be the 13th state with a medical cannabis law, but your lawmakers have to hear this kind of support from you. Thanks to all. www.idealreform.org "

Please wrote on Sep 7, 2007 1:10 PM:

" follow through on this one Dick! Legalization may be closer than one thinks as lawmakers continuously look for new ways to bring in more amd more $. "

to: Medical Marijuana & Watched a friend wrote on Sep 7, 2007 1:05 PM:

" My sympathies to both of you. It’s a shame that our country’s leaders are influenced, not by the pleas and cries of the American people, but by the drug and oil corporations who fill the politician’s pockets with campaign funds. People are forced to be criminals while the lobbyists peddle the synthetic, addictive drugs with more side effects than remedies, all the while whispering lies about how ‘dangerous’ marijuana is. Meanwhile the American sheep nod their heads and join the lynch mobs in condemning what they know nothing about other than, ‘it’s illegal, it’s illegal.’ Open your eyes you fools. The prohibition has failed in every aspect, accept financing illegal gangs and corrupt politicians, both within and outside of the border. "

Dude! wrote on Sep 7, 2007 1:04 PM:

" Get Sen. Dick a bong and some cheetohs! "

Gregg Brown wrote on Sep 7, 2007 12:15 PM:

" Thank you Senator Durbin. And thank you to all those who have sent in these remarkable statements of support. Please keep these comments coming. We can educate the public about this. The presidential candidates who would make a positive difference on this are Republican Ron Paul and Democrats Dennis Kucinich and Mike Gravel. The Illinois Nurses Association has released their official position paper supporting medical marijuana. Something you can do is let your state and national representatives know where you stand on this and direct their attention to these comments so that they know that you are not alone. It is time for this to change. "

Watched a friend die from cancer wrote on Sep 7, 2007 11:43 AM:

" He had all kinds of prescriptions (including marinol). But the only thing that made him feel better and gave him appetite was good ole MJ. I had to be a criminal to get it for him, I had to buy from criminals, he was a criminal for taking it. His family and friends were criminals for knowing about it and not reporting it. Time to get real. Focus on hard drugs like meth that our destroying the community. Get out of the 1950's America! "

Dr. Greenleaf wrote on Sep 7, 2007 11:41 AM:

" I prescibe happiness to all! "

Durban For President wrote on Sep 7, 2007 11:36 AM:

" Has my vote......... "

Area Resident wrote on Sep 7, 2007 11:24 AM:

" I agree with everything Sen. Durbin said! "

Medical Marijuana Supporter. wrote on Sep 7, 2007 10:53 AM:

" I have been trying to get prescribed medical marijuana in the pill form from my Dr and his exact words are the legality of the use of THC is the only reason why he will not prescribe it to me. I have severe seizures due to a brain injury that causes severe loss of appetite and the in ability to hold solid foods down, migraines, and loss of coordination. I am prescribed morphine and Valium, but neither can be used with out bad side effects nor address my appetite issue's. Durban's words are heaven sent just wish their would be action to allow millions who suffer, have relief that is affordable, safe and effective........ "

......... wrote on Sep 7, 2007 10:37 AM:

" Free the weed! Why can't we tax it like alachol an tobacco. Think of the money that will bring in! "

So where is Rod? wrote on Sep 7, 2007 10:32 AM:

" Democrat governor that could direct the department of public health to act on an already enacted law. He's too busy pandering to illegal immigrants and employing his flunkies to do any good. "

To: hmmm wrote on Sep 7, 2007 8:53 AM:

" I know you said "kinda" but these are two completely different issues. With marijuana, a child is not going to blow their head off. I'm not saying it should be laying around, it should be kept in a locked place, but it is not the same as putting child locks on hand guns. Also, the only time you are going to get in trouble for not having your firearms locked away is when a minor injurs/kills themself or another person. At that point, wouldn't a trigger lock have made sense? "

Emil - Chicago dude wrote on Sep 7, 2007 8:48 AM:

" Me and Ron have been known to toke a few when we gets our hands on a good joint. "

Blago wrote on Sep 7, 2007 8:45 AM:

" I agree with the Senator. I've always believed you should smoke 'em if you got 'em! It's those stinking cigarettes I can't stand. "

to hmmm wrote on Sep 7, 2007 8:42 AM:

" I was on a narcotic pain reliever after surgery. It had the potential for abuse... much worse than pot, I might add. I didn't have to do anything special with it. "

yo wrote on Sep 7, 2007 8:22 AM:

" Hekp me I am loosing my eyes and need a joint!! Oh ya !! "

Chong wrote on Sep 7, 2007 8:12 AM:

" like..far out dude...Sen. Durbin is a visionary ! "

Why not? wrote on Sep 7, 2007 8:08 AM:

" Pretty much every other abused drug is available medically..narcotics, painkillers, etc....which are more dangerous when abused than marijuana, which is less or non addictive...why not if it helps someone? "

here, here wrote on Sep 7, 2007 7:51 AM:

" and I, as well. "

heartwarming... wrote on Sep 7, 2007 7:40 AM:

" pass the bong... people w/ cronic diseases can see relief from this, what is wrong w/ it?!?!? if i had cancer, aids, (insert disease here)...i'd welcome the chance to garner some relief from a quick smoke...increase my appetite...and fight the symptoms... "

This should be about as offensive wrote on Sep 7, 2007 7:15 AM:

" as women wearing their skirts above their ankles. "

Fatso wrote on Sep 7, 2007 7:11 AM:

" I agree with Sen. Durbin also. Kinda'. As long as the chemical in MJ is injected. After all, given our Senator's well known hysteria about shs, we wouldn't want to enable the possibility that our patients may be breaking two laws at the same time. Especially if they're 'terminal' to begin with. I mean, ESPECIALLY if they're terminal to begin with. Oh, the humanity! "

Sen. Durbin supports wrote on Sep 7, 2007 6:58 AM:

" Industrial hemp. It is used to make rope,which can be made into fishing nets. Sen. Durbin brilliant move ! "

Meh wrote on Sep 7, 2007 6:55 AM:

" For some reason, I want to hate this guy, but when ever he speaks on an issue I find myself agreeing with him. Probably the same for a lot of people. He'll have my vote. "

Tammy wrote on Sep 7, 2007 6:54 AM:

" Me too. "

hmmm wrote on Sep 7, 2007 6:50 AM:

" If this is legalized, and i'm not saying it should not be, will the people with kids in the house be made to lock it up? How about this, you will need to lock up the pot in one area, and keep all matches/lighters in a seperate area, and turn the gas/electicity off on your stove unless you are cooking. Ya know, kind of the same thing Durbin wants gun owners to do with their firearms. To all of you non-readers out there, note I said KIND OF. "

Citizen wrote on Sep 7, 2007 6:48 AM:

" Aha!! I knew Durbin was a user... "

Poke, Poke wrote on Sep 7, 2007 6:16 AM:

" Just so long as it's done 15 feet from any public places! *jab* ;-D "

Todd wrote on Sep 7, 2007 12:43 AM:

" I agree with Senator Durbin. "

Ads by Yahoo!