ListenSan Diego Speaks: Medical Marijuana
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June 19, 2009 – KPBS reporter Sharon Heilbrunn asks local residents if they consider marijuana a valid medical treatment.
Video Transcript:
JOANNE FARYON (Host): Using marijuana for medicinal purposes was legalized in 1996. But for 13 years, San Diego County has resisted the law, until now. KPBS digital reporter Sharon Heilbrunn has the story. SHARON HEILBRUNN (Reporter): Grady Shaughnessy has epilepsy. Every week, he visits the Pacific Beach Collective to get medicinal marijuana, which helps with his symptoms. GRADY SHAUGHNESSY (Solana Beach Resident): For me personally, the condition that I have, the medication the doctors prescribed me didn't exactly work with me. It had a lot of negative side effects. I was real moody, wasn't able to eat. So the medical marijuana for me was exactly what I needed. HEILBRUNN: Shaugnessy is one of many medicinal marijuana users who will apply for an identification card next month through the County of San Diego. The I.D. cards are the first step in implementing Prop 215, which allows marijuana to be used for medicinal purposes. The proposition was passed by California voters in 1996. At the Pacific Beach Collective -- an unassuming corner shop with no sign, only an address -- the doorbell rings often with patients arriving to fill their prescription. The shop opened last month near a tattoo parlor and yoga studio. Sean Grady, one of the owners, is on a mission to educate people on the benefits of medicinal marijuana, and dispel the stigmas that go along with using the drug. SEAN GRADY (Pacific Beach Collective): If people could see the patients that we have and the people that come through, they'd be amazed. From all walks of life. From doctors, to lawyers, to teachers. There's a wide array of people that are involved with it daily, and it's tragic that they have to hide. HEILBRUNN: The laws spelled out by Prop 215 are gray, at best. Having an identification card may save a patient from prosecution if stopped by a police officer, but there are no guarantees. Even Sean admits that operating a collective is risky. HEILBRUNN: So, you guys could get shut down at any time? GRADY: Yes. Yes. HEILBRUNN: But Grady is optimistic about the county's move to issue I.D. cards. GRADY: It's going to protect the patients. HEILBRUNN: We wanted to know if you consider marijuana to be a legitimate medical drug, so we asked people in Pacific Beach. Here's what they had to say. CHARLIE HOUPERT (Philadelphia Resident): I think that is should be considered a legitimate medical drug. I feel that some of the other drugs that we have legalized here in the states, like alcohol and tobacco, are similarly dangerous, where marijuana presents some positive aspects in terms of relieving people in serious pain. RYAN JONES (Point Loma Resident): It's just like alcohol. With too much, you can get hooked, and there's plenty of other things that are going to be beneficial to medical research, and that kind of denies all the money, millions of dollars spent each year toward medical research. JILL SCHACK (Phoenix Resident): I think it relieves pain, and I think it helps people who are having trouble eating, so that they can get their appetite back, which might help them heal. HEILBRUNN: Now, in order to get a card, you'll have to shell out $166, show proof of residency in San Diego, and have a doctor's note. We want to know if you consider marijuana to be a legitimate medical drug. Log onto kpbs.org/sdweek and leave us a comment. For kpbs.org, I'm Sharon Heilbrunn.
Comments
sisterwolf // June 21, 2009 at 12:48 p.m. ― 5 months ago
Yes Marijuana is Medicine! It helps with pain,muscle spasms,appetite,sleeping problems,vision, etc.I could go on forever because basically Marijuana helps with every ailment and disease.Don`t panic....it`s Organic!
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jonnypotseed // June 22, 2009 at 7:17 a.m. ― 5 months ago
why do you feel that Now you must revisit the question on legality ? its already legal right now. find something else to raise questions about.
Let us ALONE>>>>>>>>>...................................
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OpGreenRx // June 25, 2009 at 12:02 p.m. ― 4 months, 4 weeks ago
OPERATION ENDLESS SUMMER / GREEN Rx - Eugene Davidovich
July 13th, 2009 - 8:15 AM - Department 11
San Diego Superior Court - 220 W. Broadway San Diego, CA 92101
http://www.eugenedavidovich.com/
My name is Eugene Davidovich I am a medical cannabis patient and operated a nonprofit collective here in San Diego until last February when my house was raided and I arrested in ‘Operation Green Rx’ later announced by the District Attorney in a press conference as ‘Operation Endless Summer’.
In this operation a local San Diego Police Detective lied to his doctor about his identity and condition, obtained a valid recommendation for medical marijuana and joined the majority of the medical collectives and coops listed on the San Diego section of the CA NORML list.
The detective called me and joined the collective. While pretending to be a sick patient, he requested that I deliver medical cannabis to him. Having seen him once and provided him with a ¼ ounce of medical cannabis, I am now facing 4 felony charges, $65,000 bail, and permanent damage to my professional and personal life.
This was a clear and direct attempt by the San Diego DA’s office to shut down all nonprofit medical marijuana collective cultivation/distribution efforts in San Diego.
Please show your support by coming to court on July 13th.
For more information and to see the video of the actual delivery of medication to the collective member (undercover officer), please visit: http://www.eugenedavidovich.com/
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mara // September 17, 2009 at 9:14 a.m. ― 2 months ago
It is hard to understand why debate continues re: the medicinal value of marijuana when no controversy exists. Prop 215 and SB 420 were passed because all evidence-based, scientifically validated, peer-reviewed published studies mandate the conclusion that marijuana has demonstrated medical benefits. For this reason, these laws are codified in the Health and Safety Code.
Legitimizing the question about whether or not lay people believe in the medicinal value of marijuana shrouds the incontrovertible fact that marijuana is widely recognized as a safe, effective medicine for numerous conditions world-wide by well-renowned experts in their fields. It is like asking the man on the street whether he thinks statin drugs are effective to reduce high cholesterol -- the point is, it doesn't matter what he thinks about the effectiveness of a particular drug, it only matters what recognized experts in the field believe BASED ON SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE.
The whole conversation in San Diego regarding medical marijuana has devolved into fear mongering of the lowest type. When the SD DA works tirelessly to avoid enforcing California law, basing her decisions on thoroughly refuted claims regarding lack of medicinal value, potential for addiction and crime-related activities and speculation about possible diversion, the people who suffer the most are those least able to safeguard their rights - the sick, dying and disabled.
Make no mistake - Bonnie Dumanis' campaign to roll up every medical marijuana provider who attempts to comply with the law ensures that all patients are forced into the black market of real drug dealers - the ones who make no attempt whatsoever to comply with the law. How does this make sense? How can people ignore flagrant violations of the law perpetrated by the leaders and law enforcement officers of the community?
If the media ignores the well-established research evidencing the efficacy and lack of harm of this highly valuable medicine, how can we expect the public to know any better? This is an issue of monumental significance. It is disappointing the media cannot get beyond they hype and parse the real issues at stake.
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mara // September 17, 2009 at 9:22 a.m. ― 2 months ago
FYI - The proprietor you interviewed here, Sean Grady, one of the owners of the PB Collective, was arrested during last week's raids on medical marijuana dispensaries. How about a follow up story?
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rasmarcus // September 18, 2009 at 12:21 p.m. ― 2 months ago
The San Diego County District Attorney statements when asked, "how patients should get their marijuana if so many dispensaries are illegal", were, "They can grow it" and "They can grow it in their backyard. You know, plants. That's what it calls for", however, what of the patients who do not have backyards, green thumbs or even limbs for that matter? A large number of the seriously ill and dying patients have absolutely no ability or knowledge of how to grow medical marijuana for themselves, therefore, they have been effectively "denied safe access" by the DA, Bonnie Dumanis, in direct violation of California Civil Code Title 52.3, as well as, HS 11362.78.
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rasmarcus // September 18, 2009 at 12:21 p.m. ― 2 months ago
San Diego District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis's misinformation campaign regrettably has our highly revered and trusted, "Tom Fudge of KPBS", reporting exaggerated misinformation in order to confuse the legal system and the general public. Please be advised, the 6 weapons reportedly seized during the raids were ALL taken from third party, hired, armed security guards who were hired by the legally defined, California Mutual Benefit Non-Profit Corporations to provide the "appropriate security measures" outlined in the California Attorney Generals Guideline for the "SECURITY" and Non-Diversion of Marijuana Grown for Medical Use Section 4 (b) (8), released Aug 2008. (Source: http://www.ag.ca.gov/cms_attachments/...)
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