# Bush admin wanted to prosecute docs for even \*discussing\* marijuana! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 14, 2003, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-admin-wanted-to-prosecute-docs-for-even-discussing-marijuana/207426 "2003-10-14T18:40:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2003, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-admin-wanted-to-prosecute-docs-for-even-discussing-marijuana/207426/1 "2003-10-14T18:40:36Z")
[http://www.cnn.com/2003/LAW/10/14/scotus.medical.marijuana/index.html](http://www.cnn.com/2003/LAW/10/14/scotus.medical.marijuana/index.html) “Supreme Court justices on Tuesday rejected the Bush administration’s request to consider whether the federal government can punish doctors for recommending or even discussing the use of marijuana for their patients.” I’m glad the Court isn’t so conservative as to even consider this obscenity. Prosecution for simply mentioning how the substance could help the patient? Sweet Jesus. ---
**Author:** ![KarmaComa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e36b37/32.png) [@KarmaComa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarmaComa)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2003, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-admin-wanted-to-prosecute-docs-for-even-discussing-marijuana/207426/2 "2003-10-14T18:44:16Z")
Every time I hear something about the Bush administration, I feel edified in not considering American schools. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2003, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-admin-wanted-to-prosecute-docs-for-even-discussing-marijuana/207426/3 "2003-10-14T18:47:56Z")
Vote this fucking clown out in 2004, for the love of og. ---
**Author:** ![rsa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/839c29/32.png) [@rsa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rsa)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2003, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-admin-wanted-to-prosecute-docs-for-even-discussing-marijuana/207426/4 "2003-10-14T18:51:50Z")
This is rich. > [@](#): > > “There is a difference between feeling better and actually getting better,” said Dr. Andrea Barthwell, deputy director at the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. “There is no scientific evidence that qualifies smoked marijuana to be called medicine.” So I guess aspirin and all other pain killers are not medicines because they only make you feel better. I hope that my dentist doesn’t hear about this. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![BoBettie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@BoBettie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BoBettie)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2003, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-admin-wanted-to-prosecute-docs-for-even-discussing-marijuana/207426/5 "2003-10-14T18:57:57Z")
For the life of me I can’t understand why we have medical METHADONE and morphine, but people balk at marijuana as some kind of ilicit substance. Hello? What is the freaking difference? I can walk into my doctor’s office today and walk out with morphine patches or pills, but not marijuana. I cannot comprehend it at all. ---
**Author:** ![musicguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ba0ec/32.png) [@musicguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/musicguy)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2003, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-admin-wanted-to-prosecute-docs-for-even-discussing-marijuana/207426/6 "2003-10-14T19:09:22Z")
The feds never cease to amaze me, trying to use scare tactics to silence doctors. I’m glad that the Supreme Court put them in their place. > [@](#): > > “There is a difference between feeling better and actually getting better,” said Dr. Andrea Barthwell, deputy director at the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. “There is no scientific evidence that qualifies smoked marijuana to be called medicine. Further, there is no support in the medical literature that marijuana, or indeed any medicine, should be smoked as the preferred form of administration. The harms to health are simply too great.” The harms to health??? Many of the people that would benefit the most are dying! It is, IMO, inhumane to not allow them a drug, _even_ if it only makes them feel better. Dying cancer patients are given morphine to ease the pain and that is considered acceptable, even though morphine is highly addictive. Surely there is a greater “harm to health” there. The governments logic escapes me. Not to mention, without opening another can of worms, how can the goverment seriously argue about the safety of marijuana while keeping tobacco and alcohol perfectly legal. ---
**Author:** ![Swampwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8edcca/32.png) [@Swampwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swampwolf)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2003, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-admin-wanted-to-prosecute-docs-for-even-discussing-marijuana/207426/7 "2003-10-14T19:13:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by musicguy \* > \*\*Not to mention, without opening another can of worms, how can the goverment seriously argue about the safety of marijuana while keeping tobacco and alcohol perfectly legal. \*\* I heard a folk singer on NPR a week or so ago, who mentioned that very fact in one of his songs. He pointed out that it’s not _what_ drugs you take, but _whose._ ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2003, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-admin-wanted-to-prosecute-docs-for-even-discussing-marijuana/207426/8 "2003-10-14T19:15:11Z")
Dr. Andrea Barthwell: “There is no scientific evidence that qualifies **smoked** marijuana to be called medicine.” (bolding mine) Does this mean THC in pill form qualifies? How about “special” brownies? ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2003, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-admin-wanted-to-prosecute-docs-for-even-discussing-marijuana/207426/9 "2003-10-14T19:20:44Z")
The logic behind this is simple: Bill Clinton tried marijuana. Ergo, marijuana is evil and must be obliterated by all means necessary. George W. Bush used cocaine. Erco, cocaine is okay and the government shouldn’t waste its time on stopping it. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2003, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-admin-wanted-to-prosecute-docs-for-even-discussing-marijuana/207426/10 "2003-10-14T19:45:22Z")
Except that, of course, Bush is trying to stop cocaine use, too. And the results are even worse. [http://www.alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=11957](http://www.alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=11957) Ridiculous. Even the stupid should be able to see the benefits of legalizing most of these substances makes sense on many levels. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2003, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-admin-wanted-to-prosecute-docs-for-even-discussing-marijuana/207426/11 "2003-10-14T19:58:00Z")
I’ve heard a bunch of times about Bush and coke. Can I get a cite? Thanks ---
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2003, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-admin-wanted-to-prosecute-docs-for-even-discussing-marijuana/207426/12 "2003-10-14T20:03:04Z")
Ummmm…from the article: > [@](#): > > Keith Vines, a prosecutor in San Francisco who used marijuana to combat HIV-related illnesses, was among those who challenged a federal policy **put in place during the Clinton administration.** That policy requires the revocation of federal prescription licenses of doctors who recommend marijuana. _emphasis added_ Forget the Cubs/Sox series, here’s a **real** sign of impending doom, the Clinton and Bush administrations agreed on something! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2003, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-admin-wanted-to-prosecute-docs-for-even-discussing-marijuana/207426/13 "2003-10-14T20:31:09Z")
Well, then Clinton deserves as much scorn as Bush on this. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2003, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-admin-wanted-to-prosecute-docs-for-even-discussing-marijuana/207426/14 "2003-10-14T20:36:27Z")
I can’t wait for the day when the police can carry out summary executions of people in possesion of drugs. If that happens, I may have to consider quiting. Isn’t funny how both the war on drugs and the war on terrorism have morphed into a war on personal freedom? ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2003, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-admin-wanted-to-prosecute-docs-for-even-discussing-marijuana/207426/15 "2003-10-14T20:59:54Z")
Why does the OP target only the Bush administration? > [@](#): > > Keith Vines, a prosecutor in San Francisco who used marijuana to combat HIV-related illnesses, was among those who challenged a federal policy **put in place during the Clinton administration**. That policy requires the revocation of federal prescription licenses of doctors who recommend marijuana. If the object of ire is the federal government, I certainly understand. But why just the Bush administration? ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2003, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-admin-wanted-to-prosecute-docs-for-even-discussing-marijuana/207426/16 "2003-10-14T21:01:03Z")
Or, what **grem0517** said an hour ago. ---
**Author:** ![Stuffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f17d59/32.png) [@Stuffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stuffy)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2003, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-admin-wanted-to-prosecute-docs-for-even-discussing-marijuana/207426/17 "2003-10-14T21:03:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by adam yax \* > \*\*IIsn’t funny how both the war on drugs and the war on terrorism have morphed into a war on personal freedom? \*\* Shhh!!! You’re not susposed to notice. ---
**Author:** ![5\_time\_champ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/5/278dde/32.png) [@5\_time\_champ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/5_time_champ)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2003, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-admin-wanted-to-prosecute-docs-for-even-discussing-marijuana/207426/18 "2003-10-14T21:19:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by adam yax \* > \*\*I can’t wait for the day when the police can carry out summary executions of people in possesion of drugs. If that happens, I may have to consider quiting. > > \*\* Jack-booted Federal Drug Agent, “Say your prayers, **Limbaugh**. You’re going to Hillbilly Heroin Heaven.” ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2003, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-admin-wanted-to-prosecute-docs-for-even-discussing-marijuana/207426/19 "2003-10-14T21:20:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Bricker \* > \*\*Why does the OP target only the Bush administration? > > If the object of ire is the federal government, I certainly understand. > > But why just the Bush administration? \*\* Maybe because of [this.](http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread1409.shtml) Also because Bush is in a position where he can change the status quo, but has chosen to perpetuate the culture of ignorance in this country (again). ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2003, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-admin-wanted-to-prosecute-docs-for-even-discussing-marijuana/207426/20 "2003-10-14T21:35:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Bricker \* > **Why does the OP target only the Bush administration?** I hadn’t noticed that part of the article until after I made the OP. Did you miss my post where I mention that Clinton deserves scorn as well for this? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-admin-wanted-to-prosecute-docs-for-even-discussing-marijuana/207426.md?page=2)