We recently received a question on twitter about where we stand on the issue of the potential legalization of marijuana in California. As we posted in a previous blog about this, it’s important that both arguments are thoroughly analyzed.
Supporters of the law insist that with the legalization, the distribution of pot will be better regulated, and that the state will save costs in law enforcement. But, who are we really fooling when the regulations we now have in California are already being ignored by current medical marijuana suppliers?
We should ask ourselves: How many more of this “legal dispensaries” will be allowed when this measure is passed, and how many of them will abide by the rules?
Yesterday, it was reported that Lawyers for the cities of Los Angeles and Culver City filed suit in February, alleging that Organica Inc. violated the Narcotics Abatement, Public Nuisance and Sherman Food, Drug and Cosmetics laws
Among the allegations are reports that Law enforcement officers received complaints in January 2009 that individuals associated with Organica passed out fliers for the dispensary near Culver City High School as classes were being dismissed. Some Students were also found in possession of Marijuana Purchased by Organica. (Read Story Here).
Dr. Daniel J. Healy, pleaded guilty for one count of dispensing oxycodone without a legitimate medical purpose and will be sentenced this Monday.
In the article, “Doctor’s Prescription for Tragedy with Painkillers,” The LA Times reports the investigation and trial of this man who ordered more than 1 million tablets of hydrocodone in 2008 — 10 times more than the average American pharmacy!
According to this story, Several patients’ relatives unsuccessfully pleaded with Healy to stop supplying their loved ones with drugs. And, some patients turned into addicts, carry lasting emotional and physical scars from their association with Healy. Miguel Lopez, for example, was taking 40 Norcos a day, a habit that was costing him about $2,000 a month.
During the investigation of this case, some of Healy’s patients left his Kind Care Medical Center, Healy’s office, with hundreds or even thousands of pills at a time. One man who was pulled over shortly after leaving the clinic had a dozen commercial-sized bottles of Vicodin and three containers of the anti-anxiety medication Xanax, 7,500 pills in all.(view entire story)
I personally feel horrified about this case. What is your reaction?
Courtney Friel from Fox News had the opportunity to chat with Mindy. In this clip Mindy talks about her current life and the things she learned at the Pasadena Recovery Center.
“I’m trying to put in practice what I’ve leaned about myself and what Dr. Drew taught me.” -Mindy McCready
**We’ve received many questions about how the patients featured in Celebrity Rehab are currently doing. As you may understand, we can’t discuss personal information about current or past patients. But, there are facts out there that we can link you to, as long as this information has been previously released by them.
We share this with respect and are glad that Mindy’s recovery has been successful.
I came across this article in Alternet.org that talks about the great repercussions that U.S. women face when they’re found guilty of drug related crimes.
According to Jasmin Tyler, Deputy Director of National Affairs for the Drug Policy Alliance, “When one considers the penalties for pregnant drug users and the price women pay for minimal involvement in the drug trade, the War on drugs appears, almost literally, as a war on women’s bodies. Women, their children, and society in general, would benefit from treating drug use, misuse, and abuse as a health issue.” (Read Entire Article)
Do you think the authorities be more lenient with women in drug abuse cases? Would this be beneficial to society, or is a full-throttle war on drugs more effective?
The disease of addiction does not discriminate against economic class, age, sex or nationality. Addiction is a progressive disease meaning that the longer that it goes on for the worse it is going to get. Drug and alcohol addiction will lead to a number of different health issues, broken families and unemployment. For someone who suffers from drug and alcohol addiction a quality drug rehab can be their saving grace. Drug rehab is going to be necessary for the majority of people who suffer from addiction. A drug rehab program is vital if a person is going to have a chance to recover from drug and alcohol addiction. Drug rehab will build the foundation needed to achieve long lasting sobriety. Without drug rehab it may be possible to stop addiction temporarily but relapse is more than likely.
A suffering addict is addicted to drugs on both a physical and psychological level. Once addicted to drugs physical withdrawal symptoms will be experienced if the drug is not in their system. If drugs are not in an individual’s body it will be very difficult for them to function. Psychologically an addict will crave and obsess over finding more drugs. They will go to any lengths to get more drugs and put everything else aside including the needs of children, family, work and healthy recreation.
An addiction is not going to miraculously disappear. Drug rehab is going to be needed in order to stop the downward cycle that drug abuse causes. Left untreated drug addiction can easily lead to jail and other types of institutions. Drug addiction has brought many people to their knees leaving them homeless and suffering from various mental and physical illnesses.
A client at drug rehab will first be relieved of their physical addiction by going through a medically supervised detoxification process. Medical professionals will monitor the progress of their clients and make sure that they are comfortable and experiencing a minimum amount of withdrawal symptoms. Many are hesitant to detox because they fear that it is going to be an extremely uncomfortable process. A detox that is overlooked by physicians will be very manageable. Once detoxification is completed a drug rehab will address the psychological aspect of addiction. This is done in various types of therapy facilitated by therapist and certified addiction professionals.
Drug addiction treatment is the most efficient and effective way to treat the disease of drug and alcohol abuse. The sooner that one admits that they need help to overcome their addiction the better off they will be. Addiction is a deadly disease that should be taken very seriously. Like Cancer and Diabetes it needs the treatment of professionals. Drug rehab has helped millions of people recover from addiction.
A measure that recently qualified to the California ballot in November, would tax and legalize the use of Cannabis.
Since then, the debate is getting hotter and hotter. Many Californians are voicing their opinion on this controversial topic.
Ron Nehring, California Republican Party Chair, said Wednesday that “The last thing California needs is hundreds of thousands of more people getting high, and the costs to society that would come from widely expanded drug use.”
Kim Raney, chief of the Covina Police Department and a spokesman for the California Police Chiefs Assn., called the first radio ad that pushes for the measure and features a cop in support of legalization : “completely false and misleading.”
According to, Blaise Serega, CEO for FORA.TV:
“The typical argument for legalization: pot is harmless, tax money spent on fighting it can be used better elsewhere, taxing sales of pot can generate money for needed social programs. …The standard claims against legalization: pot is not harmless and will increase public healthcare costs, pot is a ‘gateway’ to hard drugs, and it fosters criminal activity.”
The following video presented by Serega, features a debate that took place in June 2009.
Now that the passage of the Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act is closer than ever, it’s important that both arguments are thoroughly analyzed.
What is your opinion? Do you think it’s fair for this measures to be introduced under our current economical despair?
