"But for Big Pharma and Big Tobacco – who fund these anti-marijuana efforts –"

Big Pharma wants marijuana to go through the same FDA approval process that other drugs do. Sounds fair to me.

Big Tobacco??? They can't wait for marijuana to be legal nationwide. It's a whole new market for them.

Big Pharma wants marijuana to go through the same FDA approval process that other drugs do

No they do not. They want it off the medical list because they don't have their greedy control of it. If they could make big money on it you can bet your bottom dollar that the FDA would approve it. The government is in bed with the corporate world and that is the bottom line. If you can't see that your optic nerves need attention.

"They want it off the medical list because they don't have their greedy control of it."

Smoked marijuana HAS no medical use. It's possible some cannabinoids IN marijuana have medical use.

But why should the pharmaceuticals spend tens of millions of dollars on research to identify, isolate, purify and concentrate the chemical compound just to have people like you falsely claim that smoking will accomplish the same thing.

"Medical" marijuana is a scam, using the sick and dying as pawns in an attempt to justify it's legalization.

Smoked marijuana HAS no medical use

You keep thinking that Anslinger shill.

"You keep thinking that Anslinger shill."

Fine. Give me a link to one peer-reviewed, scientiic study that concludes smoked marijuana has medical use. As my dad used to say, "Put up or shut up".

Don't bother. You can't. So shut up.

"What gives you (or the government for that matter) the right to determine what a free individual chooses to ingest to alleviate pain and what works for them?"

It goes back centuries -- the police power of the state. Since we are a representaive republic, it would be the police power of the people.

Under our constitution, "police power is the capacity of the states to regulate behavior and enforce order within their territory for the betterment of the health, safety, morals, and general welfare of their inhabitants".

The alcohol and beer industries have also lobbied for years to keep marijuana illegal because they fear the competition that legalized weed would bring. Howard Wooldridge, an anti-drug war activist and retired cop told the online publication Republic Report: “Marijuana and alcohol compete right today as a product to take the edge off the day at six o’clock.”

It's not just the alcohol and beer industries but also the medical profession as well. They all fear the competition that raw marijuana has versus the marijuana mixed with FDA approved drugs. In my understanding, you don't mix raw marijuana with FDA drugs because of the offsetting side effects it will have on the user.

It's not just the alcohol and beer industries but also the medical profession as well. They all fear the competition that raw marijuana has versus the marijuana mixed with FDA approved drugs.

Agreed - in fact states that have legalized marijuana have seen a reduction in the use of opiates and other prescription drugs. People are realizing that Big Pharma is solely in the business to make money.

in fact states that have legalized marijuana have seen a reduction in the use of opiates and other prescription drugs.

I thinks you make shit up to suit your drug agenda.

Prove it with a link.

I thinks you make shit up to suit your drug agenda.

I don't have a "drug agenda". "Reefer Madness" cultists and fed.gov entities like the DEA do - their agenda is to spread lies. My agenda is to point out their lies.

Study: Opioid Use Decreases in States that Legalize Medical Marijuana

After Medical Marijuana Legalized, Medicare Prescriptions Drop For Many Drugs

Medical marijuana reduces use of opioid pain meds, decreases risk for some with chronic pain

Yes you do have a drug agenda. It is your most important issue.

"The problem of opiate abuse is growing."

WHere is the proof that Medical marijuanna is the cause of the alleged drop

Asked and answered.

Yes you do have a drug agenda. It is your most important issue.

I'm sure you'd like to believe that, wouldn't you?

"Reefer Madness" cultists and fed.gov entities like the DEA do - their agenda is to spread lies. My agenda is to point out their lies.

"Reefer Madness" was a hokey God damned film produced by bumbling government amateurs in the 1930s who barely knew what an F stop was. They hoped to make it to the big time. I am disgusted by goofs who attempt to use it as a counterpoise to anti-drug arguments.

"Reefer Madness" was a hokey God damned film produced by bumbling government amateurs in the 1930s

Yet so many of you cultists here seem to parrot the movie as if it were gospel.

Yet so many of you cultists here seem to parrot the movie as if it were gospel.

The movie is halariously inept and irrelevant. The primary people who have mentioned it for 40 years are people attempting to make pro-drug arguments.