I was browsing Chicago’s free weekly, The Reader while waiting for a judge. And because I recently received Illinois’ Med. Marijuana card, I closely follow any news on that and related subjects.
As an aside, The Reader has funky ads, the best movie, music, theater, opera and other social event reviews and calendars. It also frequently breaks fantastic (and well researched) stories of political & business corruption, police wrong-doing, racism, sexism, and other important matters, especially as ChiTrib, ChiSuntimes, and others continue to ignore investigating tough, complex, and politically difficult stories, cut staff and forget to hire investigative journalists. The Reader’s historical reviews of events, locations, people and more are witty, well writ, entertaining and very informative. Every weekly issue is a joy to behold.
Simply put, the Reader is a liberal’s gift to local citizens of the greater metropolitan area of Chi-town.
Today’s issue — Page Eight
a half page ad underwritten by “ SAM Action” an virulently anti-Marijuana PAC. To say I was surprised would be a slight understatement.
Here is the “about” quote from SAM Action’s website:
SAM Action is a non-profit, 501 (c) (4) organization dedicated to promoting healthy marijuana policies that do not legalize drugs. SAM Action is affiliated with SAM, a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization co-founded by former Congressman Patrick Kennedy, David Frum, and Kevin Sabet. SAM’s science advisory board counts the Nation’s most prominent public health researchers. Contact us at info@samaction.net. SAM Action’s funding overwhelmingly comes from small, non-tax deductible donations from private individuals whose lives have been negatively impacted by drugs.
Whoa, baby. David Frum? The Canadian American conservative who concocted the term Axis of Evil while he was a speach writer for George W. Bush? THAT David Frum? Yup.
Wait, Kevin Sabet? The anti-reform asshole who Mother Jones once called the worst enemy of legalization, liberalization and rationalization of Drug Laws, especially Pot? The one who was caught lying repeatedly in front of a hearing (where he argued against any change to Pot laws, and in fact, wants to increase sentences for casual users?
And finally, the “youngest and most impressive icon” from the liberal Kennedy Klan? Patrick Kennedy? The relative of Anti-Vaxer Robert Kennedy? Kennedy, with Frum and Sabet, created SAM Action to stop medical marijuana, stop reforms of marijuana sentencing, and to prevent research into CBD and THC health benefits? Yup, Yup, and oh, yeah. (That is an actual quote about Patrick, by the way).
Ted Kennedy became an embarrassment in his later years, especially when he convinced then President RIchard Nixon NOT to create a national health care program. Or when he babbled like a hung-over idiot in a PBS interview during the early stages of a presidential campaign? Or when he made other questionable choices as a politician? The Liberal Lion does not bear scrutiny well, which may be why the whole Kennedy Klan’s efforts to reenergize and become the Leading Family of the Democratic Party.
Robert became an embarrassment with his anti-science position on child vaccines, something that has brought back the scourges of smallpox, measles, polio and other diseases, once thought stamped out in this country, and almost stopped across this flat earth. The only good thing I have to say about Robert is . . . . .. SHAME ON YOU.
And now Patrick, using similarly bad science and poor research as Robert, decided that Pot is bad for you and he knows more tha you do on the subject. Which, if you read his works, is absolute bullshyte.
Here is what he authored and published in 2013:
There has been a lot of talk recently about marijuana legalization — increasing tax revenue for states, getting nonviolent offenders out of the prison system, protecting personal liberty, and the benefits for those with severe illnesses. These are good and important conversations to have, and smart people from across the ideological spectrum are sharing their perspectives. But one key dimension of the issue has been left out of the discussion until now: the marketing machine that will spring up to support these now-legal businesses, and the detrimental effect this will have on our kids.
Curious how this might work? Look no further than Big Tobacco. In 1999, the year after a massive legal settlement that restricted certain forms of advertising, the major cigarette companies spent a record $8.4 billion on marketing. In 2011, that number reached $8.8 billion, according to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. To put it into context, the auto industry spent less than half of that on advertising in 2011, and car ads are everywhere.
The rest of his article continues in the same vein, warning against the emerging market and possible retail availability of pot. In several unsupported asides, he claims to have research of the severe damage and addictive qualities Pot has on all people. To which I say bullshyte.
It took some doing, but eventually, i tracked down the research to which Patrick Kennedy makes oblique references and upon which he bases his entire anti-Marijuana crusade. For the most part, it is junk science, not reliable, not replicatable, and statistically horribly analyzed. As one medical statistician called it in a scathing review of the underlying articles, “What, is this a joke? It breaks every statistical rule for analysis, comes up with a conclusion, and seems to work backwards. This is totally worthless.”
So, if anyone has any explanation for Kennedy’s strange, unscientific positions, other than his investments and financial support he receives from Big Tobacco and Big Alcohol, please let me know.
The Ad claims Marijuana causes:
a. Chronic psychosis
b. Schizophrenia
c. Bipolar disorder
d. Depression and anxiety
e. Suicide
f. IQ “slips”
In each case, real scientists come to a different conclusion. Actually, the theme running throughout all of the research I have followed is that people who suffer from (a-f) listed above DO NOT GET IT FROM POT. Rather, the millions who suffer from various degrees from any of those listed afflictions often seek out and partially rely on Alcohol, Marijuana, and some prescription drugs (including opiates) in an effort to SELF-MEDICATE and relieve their otherwise untreated symptoms and complaints. Patrick Kennedy and his vile SAM Action PAC places the Marijuana cart before the horse, chains its back legs together, blinds the poor critter, then claims that Marijuana is the culprit.
Blaming the disease on understandable efforts to relieve agony and discomfort is not just shoddy, it is dangerous. Kennedy has been in the forefront of almost every fight to open up federal research into CBD and pain; THC and pain; epilepsy, MS, Parkinson’s, and many mental conditions which react poorly or not at all to current OTC and prescription drugs.
Look, Patrick. I practice law. When bad pain spasms hit me, I cannot hold a thought, think through complex ideas, or even write coherently. I have never ending back pain due to the titanium plates and screws complaining and bitching at me, especially when the weather changes. (Drunk driver T-Boned me). When I use pot, I feel better. I can concentrate better, and best of all, I can sleep. It takes a bit to figure what CBD/THC mix works best, but damn, a full night of sleep is worth it.
And if you, Mr. Kennedy, recommend I try alternative therapies to relieve pain, here is the list I tried BEFORE I got medical Marijuana:
Ortho
Ortho Surgeon
Neurology
Neuro Surgeon
Pain Clinic ( More on this below)
Chiro
Acupuncture
Acupressure
Yoga (actually this helps a lot, in conjunction with pot)
The worst of the lot was the Pain Clinic. A highly rated Anesthesiologist reviewed my records, did a exam, and guaranteed that he would fix my pain. He also claimed, “With your pain levels, you cannot get addicted.” I swear.
Started off on Tylenol 3, moved to oxicodone, moved to a higher dose, then a higher dose, then onto Morphine, and finally, as my chronic back was still getting no relief, onto Fentanyl patches. The one thing about these pain meds that stays with me is this: OPIOIDS PROVIDE LITTLE OR NO CHRONIC PAIN RELIEF. They just make you not care. They screw up your memory, your anger levels, your frustration, not to mention your crapping patterns, and they can screw up your closest and dearest relationships.
After a bizarre event, (I argued a case in a distant court, won it, left the courtroom, promptly forgot the case, the judge, the client, where my truck was and why I was there. As I drove south on Interstate 294, I actually believed I was flying a 747. ((I did drive a big Ram at the time)).) When I realized how badly I was being abused and made worse, by any and every measure, by Fentanyl, I immediately ripped off the F patch and went cold turkey. The rest of the drive home was one of growing anger, frustration, and determination. At least I made it back safe.
Best thing I ever did. Although it was a tough couple, three, four days.
And now, in some garbage dump outside of Chicago sits several unopened packs of high dose Fentanyl, out of pocket about $1200, with a street value of $15,000 easy. May it rest there forever. Because, Mr. Kennedy, the pain relief I now get is real. It doesn’t adict me. It doesn’t screw up my mind. It often doesn’t even get me any “high” especially school when I use a high CBD low THC mix. But, man, does it help with pain and especially pain spasms in me back.
Mr. Kennedy, Shame On You.