My Personal Experience with the Marijuana Lobby
- NORML
In March of 2017, I testified before the Maryland Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, regard the recreational legalization of Marijuana.
The hearing started off with a statement by the bill’s sponsor, Senator William Smith (D), Montgomery County, claiming that “No one had died from marijuana.”
In my two minutes, I cited a 2014 study by the American Heart Association, that directly linked marijuana to a series of fatal heart attacks - https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1161/JAHA.113.000638
Afterwards, I was followed by someone as I exited the hearing room, who verbally accosted me, saying that I was “rude” to contest the Senator’s remark, and that I need to “Learn My Facts.”
My response was that all I deal in is facts, and held out to him a copy of my written testimony, saying it had nearly 20 research links and articles about marijuana’s dangers.
What he did was to turn around and re-enter the hearing room.
It wasn’t that he didn’t know about marijuana’s dangers, he didn’t want to know.
I was puzzled by his remark of needing to “learn my facts.” The American Heart Association is this nation’s highest authority on heart disease. There are no other facts.
Then I discovered that NORML has its own “Medical Library.”
This trouble for NORML is, as supported by the research and statements I’ve shared, these “unsubstantiated, misleading, and fallacious statements regarding cannabis” are not only real, but can have deadly consequences.
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One NORML document is:
That would include the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Surgeon General, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the FDA - for starters.
The National Library of Medicine, the largest of it’s kind in the world, is housed in the National Institutes of Health. Typing “Marijuana Effects” into the search box yields 17,225 results.
Are we to believe that all research that points to marijuana’s dangers are “Lies?”
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=marijuana+effects
NORML states: “This report responds to a recent letter from the Drug Czar’s office urging law enforcement officials to 'aggressively prosecute' marijuana violators. The letter further advocates prosecutors “tell the truth” about marijuana, and then lists more than a dozen unsubstantiated, misleading, and fallacious statements regarding cannabis.”
This trouble for NORML is, as supported by the research and statements I’ve shared, these “unsubstantiated, misleading, and fallacious statements regarding cannabis” are not only real, but can have deadly consequences.
This is how NORML indoctrinates people, including legislators, into believing marijuana is harmless, by telling them they’re being continually lied to, which they are indeed.
It’s why teenagers, in spite of all the warnings, smoke, get addicted, develop mental health problems, and sometimes in desperation take there own lives.
We as a people, as a community, as a nation, need to take a stand against this.
One NORML document is:
- “Your Government Is Lying To You (Again) About Marijuana (2003)”
That would include the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Surgeon General, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the FDA - for starters.
The National Library of Medicine, the largest of it’s kind in the world, is housed in the National Institutes of Health. Typing “Marijuana Effects” into the search box yields 17,225 results.
Are we to believe that all research that points to marijuana’s dangers are “Lies?”
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=marijuana+effects
NORML states: “This report responds to a recent letter from the Drug Czar’s office urging law enforcement officials to 'aggressively prosecute' marijuana violators. The letter further advocates prosecutors “tell the truth” about marijuana, and then lists more than a dozen unsubstantiated, misleading, and fallacious statements regarding cannabis.”
This trouble for NORML is, as supported by the research and statements I’ve shared, these “unsubstantiated, misleading, and fallacious statements regarding cannabis” are not only real, but can have deadly consequences.
This is how NORML indoctrinates people, including legislators, into believing marijuana is harmless, by telling them they’re being continually lied to, which they are indeed.
It’s why teenagers, in spite of all the warnings, smoke, get addicted, develop mental health problems, and sometimes in desperation take there own lives.
We as a people, as a community, as a nation, need to take a stand against this.
ADDENDUM -
https://norml.org/news/2005/07/21/norml-unveils-2005-truth-reportcomprehensive-report-refutes-white-house-s-top-marijuana-myths/
https://norml.org/marijuana/library/truth-report/ (2005) / The link provided for this link in the one above doesn't work.
https://norml.org/news/2005/07/21/norml-unveils-2005-truth-reportcomprehensive-report-refutes-white-house-s-top-marijuana-myths/
https://norml.org/marijuana/library/truth-report/ (2005) / The link provided for this link in the one above doesn't work.
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“The White House’s anti-marijuana propaganda campaign has continued to take on an increasingly alarmist and extremist tone, arguably crossing over any reasonable line of probity. The Administration’s latest rhetoric does not qualify as mere exaggeration; they are flat-out lying to the American public about marijuana.”
Besides accusations of lying, there’s now extremism.
In psychology, this type of accusatory behavior is known as projection.
Even as far back as the late 60s when I became addicted, we knew marijuana made one paranoid.
- The NORML Truth Report https://norml.org/marijuana/library/truth-report/
“The White House’s anti-marijuana propaganda campaign has continued to take on an increasingly alarmist and extremist tone, arguably crossing over any reasonable line of probity. The Administration’s latest rhetoric does not qualify as mere exaggeration; they are flat-out lying to the American public about marijuana.”
Besides accusations of lying, there’s now extremism.
In psychology, this type of accusatory behavior is known as projection.
Even as far back as the late 60s when I became addicted, we knew marijuana made one paranoid.
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The FDA has only approved four medications that involve marijuana, for three specific uses.
This document from NORML presents a list of 24 treatments that involve marijuana.
I’m sure that as scientific research continues, more legitimate uses will be found. However, as with many of NORML’s statements, this document is misleading.
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Rheumatoid Arthritis is listed, but there's this from the Rheumatology Network:
“Many rheumatology patients may seek cannabinoids to relieve pain, but solid evidence for effectiveness is lacking …”
“The groundswell of advocacy driving the use of medicinal herbal cannabis is contrary to medical opinion … “
“Contrary to common belief, herbal cannabis is not an innocuous substance, either for short- or long-term use, and its effects undermine the primary goals for treatment of rheumatic pain, namely reduction of symptoms and maintenance of function.”
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- Recent Medical Marijuana Research
The FDA has only approved four medications that involve marijuana, for three specific uses.
This document from NORML presents a list of 24 treatments that involve marijuana.
I’m sure that as scientific research continues, more legitimate uses will be found. However, as with many of NORML’s statements, this document is misleading.
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Rheumatoid Arthritis is listed, but there's this from the Rheumatology Network:
- Eight Things Rheumatologists Should Know About Medical Marijuana
“Many rheumatology patients may seek cannabinoids to relieve pain, but solid evidence for effectiveness is lacking …”
“The groundswell of advocacy driving the use of medicinal herbal cannabis is contrary to medical opinion … “
“Contrary to common belief, herbal cannabis is not an innocuous substance, either for short- or long-term use, and its effects undermine the primary goals for treatment of rheumatic pain, namely reduction of symptoms and maintenance of function.”
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NORML also lists PTSD, however the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs along with the National Center for PSTD state: https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/consult/2016lecture_archive/11162016_lecture_slides.pdf
Short-term use
Long-term use
Short-term use
- Impaired short-term memory, making it difficult to learn and to retain information
- Impaired motor coordination, interfering with driving skills and increasing the risk of
- Altered judgment, increasing the risk of sexual behaviors that facilitate the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases
- In high doses, paranoia and psychosis
Long-term use
- Addiction (in about 9% of users overall, 17% of those who begin use in adolescence, and 25 to 50% of those who are daily users)
- Altered brain development
- Poor educational outcome, with increased likelihood of dropping out of school
- Cognitive impairment, with lower IQ among those who were frequent users during adolescence
- Diminished life satisfaction and achievement (determined on the basis of subjective and objective measures as compared with such ratings in the general population)
- Symptoms of chronic bronchitis
- Increased risk of chronic psychosis disorders (including schizophrenia in persons with a disposition to such disorders
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should be counseled to reduce or abstain from cannabis use.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3184401/
- Hepatitis C is also mentioned by NORML, however another research article in the National Health Library* says:
should be counseled to reduce or abstain from cannabis use.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3184401/
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Also, this piece from the Harvard Medical School, originally published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology states: “They concluded that marijuana users had a higher risk of death related to high blood pressure than non-users. In addition to increasing the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure can lead to kidney disease and heart failure.” (2017)
https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/marijuana-linked-to-high-blood-pressure-risk
- Hypertension: The 2014 American Heart Association study I cited earlier mentions elevated blood-pressure levels. THC gets to the brain by latching onto red-blood cell oxygen receptors. The brain, being deprived of oxygen, instructs the heart to beat faster.
Also, this piece from the Harvard Medical School, originally published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology states: “They concluded that marijuana users had a higher risk of death related to high blood pressure than non-users. In addition to increasing the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure can lead to kidney disease and heart failure.” (2017)
https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/marijuana-linked-to-high-blood-pressure-risk
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“The AAN findings (American Academy of Neurology) state that smoked cannabis research studies have not produced enough evidence to assess its safety or effectiveness for treating MS symptoms including spasticity, pain, balance, posture and cognition changes … Cannabis is a complex substance which may contain many different components affecting the body. Production of marijuana for medical use is not standardized or supervised by the FDA or any other agency … The guideline notes that cannabis usage, as with any therapy, may result in both potential benefits and potential side effects. For these cannabis derivatives, the most commonly reported side effects were dizziness, drowsiness, difficulty concentrating and memory disturbance. The guideline also points out that the long-term safety of cannabis use for MS symptom management is not yet known.”
- Multiple Sclerosis: The National Multiple Sclerosis Society has published the following statement:
“The AAN findings (American Academy of Neurology) state that smoked cannabis research studies have not produced enough evidence to assess its safety or effectiveness for treating MS symptoms including spasticity, pain, balance, posture and cognition changes … Cannabis is a complex substance which may contain many different components affecting the body. Production of marijuana for medical use is not standardized or supervised by the FDA or any other agency … The guideline notes that cannabis usage, as with any therapy, may result in both potential benefits and potential side effects. For these cannabis derivatives, the most commonly reported side effects were dizziness, drowsiness, difficulty concentrating and memory disturbance. The guideline also points out that the long-term safety of cannabis use for MS symptom management is not yet known.”
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“As marijuana use becomes legal in some states, the dominant public opinion is that marijuana is a harmless source of mood alteration. Although the harms associated with marijuana use have not been well studied, enough information is available to cause concern.”
- Originally published in the New England Journal of Medicine
“As marijuana use becomes legal in some states, the dominant public opinion is that marijuana is a harmless source of mood alteration. Although the harms associated with marijuana use have not been well studied, enough information is available to cause concern.”
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ADDENDUM
"Cannabis use among patients with rheumatic diseases has increased since 2014, and those who tried cannabis tended to have worse pain, disease activity, and symptoms and were taking more analgesics, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology in Atlanta"
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NOTE: The above article is an opinion piece and contains incorrect information.
1) Rather then there being disagreement, in 2018, the FDA approved four cannabis derived medications for three specific
therapies.
2) The FDA has not approved any CBD products because of their impurities. The FDA only tests and does not manufacture
products.
3) There is a government facility where marijuana is grown for research purposes.
ADDENDUM
- Cannabis Use Up Among Patients with Rheumatic Diseases (2019)
"Cannabis use among patients with rheumatic diseases has increased since 2014, and those who tried cannabis tended to have worse pain, disease activity, and symptoms and were taking more analgesics, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology in Atlanta"
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- The cannabis frontier: as medical cannabis moves mainstream are rheumatologists prepared
NOTE: The above article is an opinion piece and contains incorrect information.
1) Rather then there being disagreement, in 2018, the FDA approved four cannabis derived medications for three specific
therapies.
2) The FDA has not approved any CBD products because of their impurities. The FDA only tests and does not manufacture
products.
3) There is a government facility where marijuana is grown for research purposes.
PTSD is also listed.
However the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs along with the National Center for PSTD state: https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/consult/2016lecture_archive/11162016_lecture_slides.pdf
However the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs along with the National Center for PSTD state: https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/consult/2016lecture_archive/11162016_lecture_slides.pdf
- Marijuana Policy Project
https://ashevilleprogressive.com/site/uncategorized/24762/
So starts a letter I received last year, written by Marijuana Policy Project’s (MPP) Executive Director, Steve Hawkins.
It is a personal attack against Dr. Kevin Sabet, Director of Smart Approaches to Marijuana, "an alliance of organizations and individuals dedicated to a health-first approach to marijuana policy."
Dr. Sabet has served as a White House drug-policy advisor under president's Clinton, Bush, and Obama.
From a psychological perspective, Hawkin's letter displays an excellent example of “Projection.”
“Projection” is a process in which the ego defends itself against unconscious impulses or qualities by denying their existence in themselves by attributing them to others. It is one of the more common psychological defense mechanisms.
When Hawkins writes, "Relying on dishonesty and blatant falsehoods to achieve its goal” he is describing MPP.
Rather then openly discuss the growing problems with marijuana - that are being reported by victims and supported by research, Steve Hawkins, Marijuana Policy Project, and NORML, instead denigrate those who are concerned for the health of our nation, especially its youth, as being “Lying Prohibitionists.”
The reason can clearly be seen in MPP’s logo “We Change Laws.” In order to do that, they have to influence the minds of legislators and as we all know, propaganda is rampant in politics.
Throughout the ages, one of the greatest forms of trickery has been the siren song of money, prosperity.
For MPP, that spell must never be broken, because to do so risks a glance beyond the mesmerizing siren song, into the world of reality.
For the marijuana industry and its lobbyists, it is a glimpse into hell - a hell that consists of the CDC, the U.S. Surgeon General, the National Institutes of Health, the American Heart Association, the American Journal of Psychiatry, the American Psychiatric Association, Baltimore Sun, Dr. Steven Simerville - St. Mary-Corwin Hospital, European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, Frontiers of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, Mental Health Association of Maryland, National Center for PSTD, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National