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Today's Poll: Should Gov. Cuomo approve medical marijuana prescriptions?

By Howard B. Owens
Doug Yeomans

I said no because I don't think Andy has the authority to tell me whether I can use Marijuana or not. If I want to use it, law be damned, I'm a free man and will do as I please. I don't need his blessings. Anything I need medically should be between me and my doctor, not between me, the government and my doctor.

Jan 6, 2014, 8:38am Permalink
Dave Olsen

Yes, of course. However as always, especially in NYS, once the government is involved, the devil will be in the details. From the linked article:

"Here's how it would work, according to Gottfried: Under Cuomo's directive, the state health department would take charge by setting up the guidelines and picking hospitals that would take part. These hospitals would then have panels of people who decide, on a person-by-person basis, which patients qualify for medical marijuana.

It has yet to be determined where the medical marijuana -- or the elements of it that might be dispensed -- will come from, including who might produce it."

Translation: another useless, pointless bureaucracy which can be used as a stick by the state to force hospitals to do their bidding. Crony-capitalism licensing of growers and distributors. Yay - statism.

Just end prohibition and stop telling doctors what they are allowed to prescribe their patients. They need to stop making me pull my hair out, I don't much left!!

Jan 6, 2014, 8:44am Permalink
Doug Yeomans

I just love it when I hear someone say "Marijuana has no proven medical benefits. People don't NEED it!" Who the hell are YOU to tell ME what I can or cannot do with my own body? Keep your snooty opinion to yourself and don't worry about what kinds of drugs I want to use medicinally or otherwise. There's more I'd like to say, but Billie would remove my post. *PEACE*

Jan 6, 2014, 10:26am Permalink
Tim Miller

The Gov should allow it for medicinal purposes. As long as it remains a "dangerous, controlled substance" it will need a system for safe, legal distribution, just as prescription drugs have.

As to the debate on making marijuana legal, that can be debated later. Or now. IT'S NO DIFFERENT THAN ALCOHOL - LEGALIZE IT!!!

Jan 6, 2014, 11:15am Permalink
Jeff Allen

Whether or not you are for or against it, we should all be concerned as to how Cuomo is getting the ball rolling. He is bypassing the legislative process and using executive fiat. Legal? maybe, but is it the way we should continue doing business in New York? No

Jan 6, 2014, 11:43am Permalink
Mark Potwora

I agree Doug..Who is this guy to wave his magic wand and create a new rule that only those who are sick can use pot....This is a stunt for reelection.Take all laws for personal marijuana use off the books.It not something i would be using but if other choose too have at it.This dictatorship that they call government is more of a problem then the marijuana laws of this state.

Jan 6, 2014, 12:25pm Permalink
Mark Brudz

I still have the Vinyl Dave

Brewer & Shipley 'TARKIO 1970

Side A
1."One Toke Over the Line" – 3:16
2."Song from Platte River" – 3:15
3."The Light" – 3:09
4."Ruby on the Morning" – 2:15
5."Oh Mommy" – 3:03

Side B
1."Don't Want to Die in Georgia" – 3:45
2."Can't Go Home" – 2:29
3."Tarkio Road" – 4:30
4."Seems Like a Long Time" (Ted Anderson) – 4:12
5."Fifty States of Freedom" – 6:49

Jan 6, 2014, 12:33pm Permalink
Mark Brudz

Dave "Oh Mommy" is actually Quite Appropriate here

Oh, mommy, I ain't no commie
I'm just doing what I can to live the good old all American way
It says right there in the constitution
It's really A-OK to have a revolution
When the leaders that you choose
Really don't fit their shoes
Oh, mister, I ain't no sister
I believe in the Bill Of Rights,

Come on don't you start a fight please
I like to wear my hair long
How can there be anything wrong
When you've already accused me twice
Of looking like Jesus Christ
Hallelujah

I'm only gettin' tired of playing Punch and Judy
I'm really half a mind to go and do my duty
Like Mr. Patrick Henry said
I got to be free or dead

Mister Nixon, I ain't a fixin'
To speak Spanish on a plane or polish off the Liberty Bell
I just want to sit here on the shelf
And watch you finish off the place by yourself
Please let me do what I wanna
I just lay around the house and smoke marijuana
Ooooo

It says right there in the constitution
It's really A-OK to have a revolution
When the leaders that you made
Just don't make the grade
Oh, mommy, I ain't no commie
But I hate to bust your bubble
Cause there's gonna be some trouble soon

http://brewerandshipley.com/Songs/Tarkio/OhMommy.htm

Jan 6, 2014, 12:47pm Permalink
Dave Olsen

I too still have the original vinyl album. My turntable took a dive about 15 -18 years ago and I never got another one, so it hasn't been played in a long time, but it has had many revolutions on it. Those are some great lyrics. Very apropos.

Jan 6, 2014, 3:05pm Permalink
Tim Miller

My sister-in-law occasionally gets trapped by that accident that must be looked at called The Lawrence Welk Show. It's happened once or twice to me, too.

Now that's entertainment!

Jan 6, 2014, 7:38pm Permalink
Tim Miller

For better or worse, somebody who cares (for whatever reason) and has the power is making the effort to help those in need. It is better than the alternative.

It's a start for NY. It's a hell of a lot better than I'll see here in NC for years.

Jan 6, 2014, 7:42pm Permalink
Doug Yeomans

I beg to differ..it's ENTIRELY different than alcohol. People drink their selves to death every day. Nobody has ever smoked so much pot in one sitting that they died.

Anyway, it's a bad practice to compare one drug to another in order to defend its use. My fight is based on freedom of choice. The government has no business telling me what I can or cannot use.

Jan 7, 2014, 6:26pm Permalink

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