Please stop calling it "Medical Marijuana"

[IzisviAziria]

Seriously. Stop doing it. You're not helping. You're not accomplishing anything. It does not fix any problem the body has, it does not fix any ailment, it is not a cure for anything. The number of people who have had diseases cured by pot is zero.

"Medical Marijuana" is a trend. It's a catchphrase, a hotword that people who support legalization are trying to use to get it legalized. They use touching stories of cancer patients who rode out their chemotherapy by toking up. I get that. But that doesn't make it medicine. It makes it a painkiller. It's medicine the same way Vicodin is, which is to say, not at all.

Now, I'm not ranting against legalization. I genuinely believe it should be legalized, regulated, and taxed. I'm ranting against the pretense on which people are trying to get it legalized. You want pot to be legal so that you can come home from work, kick back, and have a toke or two the same way you can come home from work, kick back, and have a beer or three right now. And there's nothing wrong with that. But if we're going to get anywhere with the argument, we have to first acknowledge that. We have to be mature, upfront, honest, and genuine with our case. Yes, pot is recreational. Yes, we want it legalized so that we can recreationally use it without having to deal with some shady scumbag, or be afraid of losing our jobs to drug tests or incarceration.

Prohibition of alcohol wasn't defeated by shouting it's medicinal value. Nobody used sob stories or half-truths. People just said they wanted to be able to have a fucking beer without getting it from the mob. If marijuana is going to be legalized, that's how it's going to happen. People are going to say that we, as free human beings, have the right to use it if we so choose.


This rant was inspired by the following video


Couple flame shields here:

-I'm sure this thread has a high likelihood to devolve into another legalize vs don't legalize argument, in which case I plead for both sides to be civil, thoughtful, and mature in their arguments. It won't happen, but by saying that, I can sleep better tonight.
-I understand that many people legitimately get through difficult pains and ailments with the aid of marijuana, and while I totally support that, it is NOT the majority of use, and it is NOT why the majority of people want it legalized. That is my point.

 

[GrandmaFunk]

-I understand that many people legitimately get through difficult pains and ailments with the aid of marijuana, and while I totally support that, it is NOT the majority of use, and it is NOT why the majority of people want it legalized. That is my point.

well see that's the problem right there. "medical marijuana", as a term, is used specifically to refers to this use of the drug.

not ALL marijuana is "medical marijuana", even if it is in fact the very same marijuana.

the "medical" prefix is used to separate both the motivation of it's use and it's legal status from every other usage of the term.

I guess we could start trying to use "recreational marijuana" vs "medical marijuana", but common use so far has lead us to distinguish medically used pot as differing from the norm.

---

Also, you seem to be under the impression that "medicine" implies "cure", which is simply not true. A huge portion of medicine is concerned solely with alleviating pain or reducing symptoms or side-effects of other treatments. The fact that a treatment or drug does not cure an illness does not mean it's not medicine.

 

[Greni]

-I understand that many people legitimately get through difficult pains and ailments with the aid of marijuana, and while I totally support that, it is NOT the majority of use, and it is NOT why the majority of people want it legalized. That is my point.

well see that's the problem right there. "medical marijuana", as a term, is used specifically to refers to this use of the drug.

not ALL marijuana is "medical marijuana", even if it is in fact the very same marijuana.

the "medical" prefix is used to separate both the motivation of it's use and it's legal status from every other usage of the term.

I guess we could start trying to use "recreational marijuana" vs "medical marijuana", but common use so far has lead us to distinguish medically used pot as differing from the norm.

Besides it can actually treat, (that is, fix, to a certain extent with repeated doses over a certain period) a few ailments, such as arthritis, migraines, insomnia and, to a lesser extent glaucoma. So the phrase in itself is not incorrect. Certainly misused in way to many instances but not inherently incorrect.

 

[ohnoitsabear]

I agree that potheads should just come out and say that they want to get high without worrying about legal issues.

Also, I think this is relevant: http://www.cracked.com/blog/5-pro-marijuana-arguments-that-arent-helping/

 

[IzisviAziria]

Not all medical drugs cure things. In fact most don't, most treat symptoms. That's why marijuana is good for.

Also, you seem to be under the impression that "medicine" implies "cure", which is simply not true. A huge portion of medicine is concerned solely with alleviating pain or reducing symptoms or side-effects of other treatments. The fact that a treatment or drug does not cure an illness does not mean it's not medicine.

med·i·cine/ˈmedisən/
Noun:

The science or practice of the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease (in technical use often taken to exclude surgery).
A drug or other preparation used for the treatment or prevention of disease.

Marijuana is a drug. Opiates are a drug. Penicillin is medicine. Pain relievers are not medicine, they are drugs.

 

[IzisviAziria]

You know someone's argument has failed when they start quoting the dictionary.

It's used for medical purposes in the treatment of a disease. Treating the symptoms is part of the treatment.

And btw I never called it a medicine, you had to insert that word yourself. I called it a "medical drug"

I'll concede that to you, you said medical drug and it's more accurate than calling it medicine is. I quote the dictionary because it is pertinent. Words have meanings, and arguments become skewed when those meanings are taken out of context. The whole point of my argument was that people have skewed ideas about the legalization movement because most pro-legalize people have taken up the "medical marijuana" banner.

 

[Greni]

I agree that potheads should just come out and say that they want to get high without worrying about legal issues.

Also, I think this is relevant: http://www.cracked.com/blog/5-pro-marijuana-arguments-that-arent-helping/

It's a hard call to make, governments are just unwilling to legalize recreational marijuana, they just won't touch it, it's almost like political suicide to them. I'm not very vocal about marijuana activism since it tends to get on people's nerves more than enlighten them, but this is a task we just can't accomplish by straight up admitting what we really want.

We ride on the medicinal marijuana movement because it serves to open loopholes and give us momentum, once medicinal marijuana is properly integrated and not controversial anymore, we can start working towards the next step.

We're very close to victory in Canada though, perhaps even closer than California was recently. In March there will be an appeal on a judge ruling last April, the government has been found guilty of violating the constitution with their marijuana regulations, failure to make amends during the appeal will result in nationwide legalization of all uses of marijuana.

The original deadline was going to be last July, but Harper managed to get an extension.

Just cause I want to tell ya: I went to Canada once, for six weeks, and boy! What a relief. Like stepping out of the crazy train to breath some fresh air and sensibility. People were open, sincere and enlightened on the issue. The people whose house I was staying at, let me, their daughter (who didn't partake) and her friends (who certainly did) toke on their lawn with a bonfire and it was all cozy and friendly. Gave me an insight on the world 'post-legalization', no more dark hiding places where you almost feel shameful indulging on the herb, just some friends together toking and enjoying life's finer moments. That is the future I'm hoping for, and a bright one it is.

 

[evilneko]

Well that fell apart fairly quickly, didn't it.

You should edit your OP to make your point without making incorrect claims about terminology.

 

[triggrhappy94]

I have a friend that claims that it pretty much "cured" his asthma.
And I'm sure people agree with me that it'll break up congested sinuses, encourages appetite, calms nausia, and helps sleep. This can be extremely helpful for people you suffer from illnesses that cause those--probably not so much congestion, but still.
My only gripe with the medical marijuana system (other than how canibus cards show up on you're records) is that anyone can get cards, at this point you might as well just legallize it.

It's also worth noting that the feds don't have shit on California. By that I mean: whenever someone is tried in federal court for the use or distribution of medical marijuana (federal not state) they, constitutionally, must be tried in the nearest federal court, which is in San Fransisco and their jurries must be taken from roughly 40 miles around. This means your jurrers are probably just as high as you are. I love California.

Look you don't have to smoke cigarettes, you don't even have to smoke pot, you don't have to watch porn, you don't even have to drink alcohol, but let other people. It's not going to cause the decline of civilization.

 

[IzisviAziria]

I agree that potheads should just come out and say that they want to get high without worrying about legal issues.

Also, I think this is relevant: http://www.cracked.com/blog/5-pro-marijuana-arguments-that-arent-helping/

It's a hard call to make, governments are just unwilling to legalize recreational marijuana, they just won't touch it, it's almost like political suicide to them. I'm not very vocal about marijuana activism since it tends to get on people's nerves more than enlighten them, but this is a task we just can't accomplish by straight up admitting what we really want.

We ride on the medicinal marijuana movement because it serves to open loopholes and give us momentum, once medicinal marijuana is properly integrated and not controversial anymore, we can start working towards the next step.

We're very close to victory in Canada though, perhaps even closer than California was recently. In March there will be an appeal on a judge ruling last April, the government has been found guilty of violating the constitution with their marijuana regulations, failure to make amends during the appeal will result in nationwide legalization of all uses of marijuana.

The original deadline was going to be last July, but Harper managed to get an extension.

Just cause I want to tell ya: I went to Canada once, for six weeks, and boy! What a relief. Like stepping out of the crazy train to breath some fresh air and sensibility. People were open, sincere and enlightened on the issue. The people whose house I was staying at, let me, their daughter (who didn't partake) and her friends (who certainly did) toke on their lawn with a bonfire and it was all cozy and friendly. Gave me an insight on the world 'post-legalization', no more dark hiding places where you almost feel shameful indulging on the herb, just some friends together toking and enjoying life's finer moments. That is the future I'm hoping for, and a bright one it is.

That sounds FANTASTIC.

 

[IzisviAziria]

You know someone's argument has failed when they start quoting the dictionary.

It's used for medical purposes in the treatment of a disease. Treating the symptoms is part of the treatment.

And btw I never called it a medicine, you had to insert that word yourself. I called it a "medical drug"

I'll concede that to you, you said medical drug and it's more accurate than calling it medicine is. I quote the dictionary because it is pertinent. Words have meanings, and arguments become skewed when those meanings are taken out of context. The whole point of my argument was that people have skewed ideas about the legalization movement because most pro-legalize people have taken up the "medical marijuana" banner.

Yes, words do have meaning, and I used them correctly. I also pointed out its a real issue that is separate from general legalization and that your terminology was wrong.

Basically withdraw your OP, you are wrong, completely.

there are an insanely high number of people that have green cards that have no real need of it. getting one is as simple as telling the right doctor you have back pain, or that you can't sleep at night. What started out as an avenue for people that need to to get it has turned into a loophole the general populace uses to circumvent the law.

The issue should be separate. It's not. It has bled over and now medicinal use is skewed. If you read my post, I completely legitimized people that use it as part of a regimen for chemotherapy, or other REAL problems that require use of a painkiller. But for every one person that uses it medically in a legitimate way, there are 15 guys that lied to a doctor about back pain so that they could smoke or acquire weed without being afraid of the police.

 

[ohnoitsabear]

snip

This is a good point, and one that I had not really thought about. I suppose this has to do with the fact that I never really thought about how one would go about getting a substance legalized for recreational use, because I don't feel particularly strongly about drug legalization one way or another.

Also, I will remember your point about Cracked for future reference.

 

[Greni]

You know someone's argument has failed when they start quoting the dictionary.

It's used for medical purposes in the treatment of a disease. Treating the symptoms is part of the treatment.

And btw I never called it a medicine, you had to insert that word yourself. I called it a "medical drug"

I'll concede that to you, you said medical drug and it's more accurate than calling it medicine is. I quote the dictionary because it is pertinent. Words have meanings, and arguments become skewed when those meanings are taken out of context. The whole point of my argument was that people have skewed ideas about the legalization movement because most pro-legalize people have taken up the "medical marijuana" banner.

Yes, words do have meaning, and I used them correctly. I also pointed out its a real issue that is separate from general legalization and that your terminology was wrong.

Basically withdraw your OP, you are wrong, completely.

there are an insanely high number of people that have green cards that have no real need of it. getting one is as simple as telling the right doctor you have back pain, or that you can't sleep at night. What started out as an avenue for people that need to to get it has turned into a loophole the general populace uses to circumvent the law.

The issue should be separate. It's not. It has bled over and now medicinal use is skewed. If you read my post, I completely legitimized people that use it as part of a regimen for chemotherapy, or other REAL problems that require use of a painkiller. But for every one person that uses it medically in a legitimate way, there are 15 guys that lied to a doctor about back pain so that they could smoke or acquire weed without being afraid of the police.

Which seems to me to be an inherit flaw in the system, not the terminology.

 

[Suicida1 Midget]

I think its fair to say the fun time pot is not just the plant but a combination of things like cough syrup, lsd, and other fun stuff.

Medical more so says this is just to give people the munchies cause they need to eat. Black coma blocks hunger.

Either way you cut it its a drug, hell they use herion in cases of exterme pain, or for certain people with a ressisstance to the standard drugs. There is good in any drug in the medical feild. Addiction just comes from overuse.

However there will always be that idiot who tries to abuse the system, its just not as high as companies tend to say.

I hope this covers enough of the subject.