The Epilepsy Foundation has announced support for those that have epilepsy to have access to medical marijuana, and also called for an end of restrictions on research caused by it being listed as a Schedule 1 drug. In Epilepsy Group Announces Support For Medical Marijuana. we learn:
"The Epilepsy Foundation supports the rights of patients and families living with seizures and epilepsy to access physician directed care, including medical marijuana," said Philip Gattone, CEO and president of the Epilepsy Foundation, and foundation chairman Warren Lammert in a joint statement on Thursday.
The foundation also urged the Drug Enforcement Administration to end restrictions that limit clinical trials and research into medical marijuana as a treatment for epilepsy.
Under the federal Controlled Substances Act, marijuana is currently classified as Schedule I, along with heroin and LSD. Schedule I drugs, according to the government system, have high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. The classification also stands in the way of federal funding for research into possible benefits of the drug.
1 million of the 2.3 million Americans have seizure conditions that do not respond to legal medications. 18 members of Congress have demanded that the President remove marijuana from this list.
More than 100 families of children with epilepsy have moved to Colorado to obtain medical relief. Which is great for those that can afford it, and find jobs there.
Last year I called for President Obama to use his executive powers to reschedule Marijuana to recognize the nearly universally accepted medical uses, and some weasel apologist wrote in suggesting that this would violate some international treaty about drug control, (one the we forced on other nations.) This is bull&%#.
When we have so many really complicated assaults to our humanity and well-being that we are unable to resolve, something like this ought to be a "no brainer." Earlier in the week, I read 89% of Americans now support access to medical marijuana under a doctors care. What cruel &^%$**^ would not. President Obama has the legal power to sign an executive order in one day to take marijuana off of the Schedule 1 status that prevents even research. He needs no approval from congress to do this.
I'm growing similarly frustrated that our President has not pardoned most of the estimated 750,000 prisoners being held for non-violent drug crimes, after he himself has admitted he has tried marijuana.
And, before someone makes me angrier by writing in again to say, the president can not pardon state prisoners, let's see him pardon the federal ones, and appeal to compassion to the Governors to pardon state prisoners.
OK, if we want to get wonky and political, lets have him appoint a committee and have local wardens review all such prisoners and start compiling lists, and recommendations and start with the most straight forward 100,000 cases. But, have the list ready for a last minute legacy of justice and compassion before his term expires.
I believe in Indiana one can be find $5,000 and sentenced to one year in prison for possession of half of a gram of marijuana. This is just plan stupid. We have to many intractable problems to continue to waste time and humans lives being this stupid and lacking on compassion for our fellow human beings.
Sorry for getting angry, but his situation has been clear to me for 45 years, and I am hoping to see one bit of small progress before I die. And, if we don't have the courage to deal with his now, when will we?
How much longer will children need to suffer before we have the courage to do what we know is the right thing? Sign an executive order President Obama, and lead the way forward.
Now!