Earlier this week Drug Czar Gil Kerlikowske sat down for a face-to-face interview with The Daily Caller‘s Mike Riggs. (Riggs is the Daily Caller reporter who yesterday broke the story regarding the DEA’s plans to reschedule plant-derived THC while keeping the actual plant illegal.)
Riggs asked the Czar some tough questions, including this one specific to medical cannabis: “You’ve said before that you don’t see medical benefits to smoked marijuana and also that the jury is still out on medical marijuana. What sort of scientific consensus does the ONDCP require? How many studies have to come out arguing for medical benefits? What do you need to see?”
The Czar’s reply? “[Y]ou know there are over 100 groups doing marijuana research, and they’re getting their marijuana from the University of Mississippi. There are several things in clinical trials right now. So we’ll just have to wait for those.”
To which I reply ‘Bulls–t!’
As I write today on Alternet.org, a review of the U.S. National Institutes of Health website clinicaltrials.gov shows that there are presently only six FDA-approved trials taking place anywhere in the world involving subjects’ use of actual cannabis. Of these, two are completed, one is assessing the plant’s pharmacokinetics, and one is assessing pot’s alleged harms.
Memo to the Drug Czar: That leaves a grand total of — not “over 100” — but rather just two ongoing clinical trials to assess the medical efficacy of cannabis. You sir, are a liar (but then again, I suppose we all knew that already).
Pot May Be Instrumental in Combating Cancer, MS and Other Diseases But the Gov’t Refuses to Fund the Necessary Research
via Alternet
[excerpt] A review of the U.S. National Institutes of Health website clinicaltrials.gov shows that NIDA’s kibosh on medical marijuana trials continues unabated. Though a search of ongoing FDA-approved clinical trials using the keyword ‘cannabinoids’ (the active components in marijuana) yields 65 worldwide hits, only six involve subjects’ use of actual cannabis. (The others involve the use of synthetic cannabinoid agonists like dronabinol or nabilone, the commercially marketed marijuana extract Sativex, or the cannabinoid receptor blocking agent Rimonabant.)
Of the six, two of the studies are already completed: ‘Opioid and Cannabinoid Pharmacokinetic Interactions‘ and ‘Vaporization as a Smokeless Cannabis Delivery System,’ both of which were spearheaded by researchers (primarily Dr. Donald Abrams) at the University of California at San Francisco.
The four remaining studies are still in the ‘recruitment’ phase. Of these, only two pertain to the potential medical use of cannabis: ‘Cannabis for Spasticity of Multiple Sclerosis,’ which is taking place at the University of California at Davis and is likely the final clinical trial associated with the soon-to-be-defunct/defunded California Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research, and ‘Cannabis for Inflammatory Bowel Disease,’ led by researchers at the Meir Medical Center in Israel.
Of the remaining studies, one focuses on the detection of cannabinoids and their metabolites on drug screens, while the other, entitled ‘Effects of Smoked Marijuana on Risk Taking and Decision Making Tasks,’ seeks to establish pot-related harms — hypothesizing that subjects “demonstrate poorer decision-making abilities and increased risk-taking behaviors” after smoking marijuana.
You can read the full text of my Alternet.org story here.
You can read the full interview with Drug Czar Kerlikowske here.
Well technically lying is his job… Unfortunately it is an unnecessary job that just wastes tax payers money
It is unbelievable that he is allowed to keep his job, and that people like him continue to be given power to decide our drug policies. What a disgrace.
no suprise here.
First we must demand a public debate. Some would say we have, I disagree and here is why. The Federal and State Governments have run thier mouths for the last 40 years. In 1937 Anslinger lied to Congress and Congress ignored the AMA. Then in 1970s President Trick Dick throughout the Shafer Report and again went the other way. At not time have We the citizens ever gotten the chance to present our side of this injustice. Not even in the Courts, we have been repeatedly denied any sense of fair play that it is shocking. Now we have the moment to call the President out, to call the government out to an open public debate on the issue and you won’t sign? This IS the MOMENT! you all been waiting for. The chance to present our side of this issue without being bullied. Come on NOW and help me push this government and their evidence out into the light of day for all to see. ACT NOW!
http://www.change.org/petitions/petition-for-a-national-debate-between-cannabis-prohibitionist-and-anti-cannabis-probitionist#comments
http://www.drugpolicy.org/law/marijuana/jurynull/
http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/87EulZ/www.cannabisnews.org/featured/marijuana-is-safer-than-aspirin/
Push the government out into the open with a National Debate on cannabis.
http://www.change.org/petitions/petition-for-a-national-debate-between-cannabis-prohibitionist-and-anti-cannabis-probitionist#comments
well the goverment cant get rich if it cures everyone.so this will be ongoing until every old ass beuracrat dies and we can live in a world of today not yesterday
She probably was including the groups that are doing GPCR cannabinoid research. Which norml is correct that it is bulls**t because that it is not “marijuana” research but specific pharm. biochemistry. It is like saying someone who is researching an opioid receptor is doing research on poppies!
Are we really surpirsed that the government is playing word games.
The reason marijuana is ileagle is because you can grow it for free. In a fascist state, and the U.S, is probably the birthplace of fascism, what worse crime could their be than free. If the marijuana plant could be patened, we would have THC in our toothpaste. Re-election is no longer in my vocabulary.
He is doing a “heck” of a job.
Maybe he is letting everybody know that he couldn’t help being such a moron in the most corrupted federal organization in history, the Office of National Drug Control Policy.
He sure has gotten dumber.
we’re actually going back in time with this administration and this drug czar asshole…when will the free thinkers and dooers ever get the chance to change this stagnat america? we we’re so much freer years ago it’s seems so sad now! ninnies and nannies WOW!!!
It didn’t require scientific studies to put marijuana on the DEA’s drug schedule list did it? Why does it require so many studies to get it off?
Just make damn sure there is more positive and compassionate coverage of movement for cannabis legalization of all sorts than there is bad.
Along with that is the orchestration to make sure the prohibitionists get ever fewer mentions and also appearances on mainstream media consumer outlets. Kerlikowski and his ilk should be shown is as short of footage as possible, and relegated from the networks and cable to just a few of the shout shows. All the while the big networks of television and radio stations should keep the drum beat for cannabis legalization going.
I’m all in favor of using a fair portion of the cannabis taxes to bail out the ailing states and the pension funds and to make as many new jobs from the legal cannabis sector as possible. Fat cat federal employees may need their stuff bailed out in the future, and you gotta get the money from somewhere. It’s money you didn’t have before. Why let it continue to go to the Mexican mafia and their war at the border?
I mean really, I don’t hear or read anything about where all this money to pay for government services and stimulation of the economy by way of business tax cuts, income tax cuts, and incentives for job creation is coming from. Everybody just wants to chop the budget.
Unfortunately, my Bilderberger spidy senses are tingling, and I think the Republicans are actually going to hack a part of the budget that will cause DEA employees to have to transfer or get furloughed. I mean, you can only get furloughed for so long without having a pay check. You got bills to pay too, right?
Anyway, chopping the budget isn’t going to bring those jobs above water.
The federal government has historically clearly been deceptive and dishonest regarding the public-policy issue of marijuana. Their true motives are ill-gained profit and power, against the will and at the expense of the tax-paying populace. As the Lord is my holy witness and in the name of Jesus Christ, I admonish the demons driving the misguided Prohibitionists’ actions back into the depths of darkness from which they have slithered.
http://www.drugpolicy.org/law/marijuana/jurynull/
When you consider the full impact of legalizing cannabis with the allowing of hemp to be produced as a commodity,,,the very industries that wanted hemp taken out of the picture in 1937 still want hemp banned today.
There are some industries,very rich and powerful that actually want marijuana kept illegal for various reasons,but there are even more that want hemp kept illegal.
Big Pharma’s Puppet,Gil says,”The biggest problem now,is perscription drugs for pain”. Isn’t it funny, that the natural alternative “drug” for cronic pain,Cannabis,is illegal. Alot of people could get off perscription drugs if Cannabis was legal.But than the ones pulling the puppets strings, profits would drop.Hmmmm…
Holy Smoles. Slightly of topic but, interesting.
Alcohol causes nearly 4 percent of deaths worldwide according to WHO.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/11/us-alcohol-idUSTRE71A2FM20110211
The Rev.sLeezy
Gil is a bird. Tracy Morgan is a comedian….THAT BIRD IS A LIAR!! Lets all stay optimistic. If we are consistant with our protest and fight prohibition longer and harder, the feds will eventually end up looking like dumbasses to more and more people(like they haven’t already) and they will have no choice BUT TO LEGALIZE MARIJUANA. POWER TO THE PEOPLE! POWER TO THE PEOPLE!POWER TO THE PEOPLE!POWER TO THE PEOPLE!POWER TO THE PEOPLE! Lets all stay optimistic and not let the feds get us down. Some pot smokers are imtimidated by the gov just because they run things and it makes them think weed will never become legal. GET THAT MINDSET OUT AND START THINKING THAT WEED WILL BECOME LEGAL BECAUSE IM DECLARING IT WILL FOR THE FUTURE!!!! Pastor Joel Osteen says when you declare something as long as its positive, it will happen and as all of you know legalizing weed is a positive thing. You got to know that a majority of politicians are liars when it comes to legalizing marijuana just because they want to ruin peoples lifes and make a quick buck. Since they have the power to lie they will take full advantage of it. FIRST AMENDMENT THAT OBAMA ADMINISTRATION!!
p.s. if you are thinking about “oh whats Sean saying, weed will never become legal because our gov won’t let it happen”, then you must not want weed to be legal. don’t give up and once again think OPTIMISTIC!
PEOPLE !!!! were talking about the illegal law on pot it self, WE need to start there ,make the GOV. tell the truth about why its illegal, OTHER then a LIE, STAY focused on the point. Free all pot prisoners and let them work and TAX them not supporting them locked up in jail. attack the illegal law it self, stop saying make it legal!!!!!! its the other way around THEY need to come up with facts not LIES to make it illegal
When the legislators can not hear you nullify their laws.
http://www.drugpolicy.org/law/marijuana/jurynull/
How are you supposed to respect the laws when the people behind the laws lie to you? When I was a kid I would never have believed my country would lie like this.
Great article, Paul. Glad you’re spreading it around.
How do people like Gil live with themselves, fully knowing they are creating and perpetuating human suffering and misery, by blocking access to an ancient healing plant that cannot kill from toxicity and has an incredible array of medical applications?
It’s one thing to lie for a living. A lot of people have to do this, which sucks. But to blatantly lie about medicine that could help millions takes a special kind of liar and a special kind of personality profile, and that profile ain’t pretty.
At Gil’s level, they know the truth. But they just let people suffer and continue to spin their lies, because Gil and his prohibitionist peers simply lack moral and academic integrity. And of course their job requires that they lie.
Just another stooge peddling lies. It has to be getting harder and harder to spin this b.s., given the overwhelming majority (recent ABC natl poll had the support at 81 percent) of Americans support access to medical cannabis and also understand that it has medical value.
Obama and Holder should reschedule cannabis and also honor states rights that have laws in place already (like they said they were going to do), but unfortunately, they too appear to be stuck in lying mode.
If i remember right he was the one that started the whole (lowest Priority) in Seattle, does he not remember? Hypocrite
i feel like im in terminator.. we built the govt and now it rules us
That’s right…Surprise, surprise. Everything that comes out of the mouth of the”o called “drug czar” seems to be fallible.
If Marijuana is a privilege and an immunity in several other states, then why am I in Florida not entitled?
“The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States.”
-The Constitution for the United States,
Article IV, Section 2
Also, Quote –
“Unless we put medical freedom into the Constitution, the time will come when medicine will organize an undercover dictatorship. To restrict the art of healing to one class of men, & deny equal privilege to others, will be to constitute the Bastille of medical science. All such laws are un-American and despotic, & have no place in a Republic. The Constitution of the Republic should make special privilege for medical freedom as well as religious freedom.”
-Benjamin Rush MD
Signer of the Declaration of Independence
I look forward to our own Egypt over this issue.
This guy needs to be removed from his position – by force. Just like Egypt. This time is now people. Rise up!!!
Drug Czar? Trying to remember who the Rape Czar is? Trying to remember who the Burglary Czar is? Trying to remember who the Alcohol Czar is?
Take a pill Gil. It will make you feel better while it ruins your liver.
His lips are moving!
It’s the old joke. Still applies! Ha, ha.
25 Anonymous
You’re right. In Seattle, he was never “for” legalization, but he obeyed the law on the books, and was for harm reduction. In Seattle, he was a fair man. This was something he was respected for. Then he went to D.C. From that point on, he went directly down hill – and – fell off his pedistal. In his defense, he is mandated to lie by the law he is sworn to uphold [right! that makes no sense], and oppose “any attempt,” I repeat, “any attempt’ to legalize cannabis. Well! so much for respect, so much for honor. These are qualities that are non-existent in D.C. Being a Drug Czar is not something I would want on my resume. Being in D.C. is much like sticking your foot in a meat grinder.
I write him off – like I write off any liar.
The Public Execution of the Drug Czar was marked by the smallest crowd, best forgotten.
just like i said in all my post to date..it’s all about the money..too bad for us we cant get together like ejypt did and take care of this so called goverment we have..bunch of liar thieves..noses up our ass..and citizens follow their lead just to keep their jobs..wow really sucks to be living in this time of an international united states goverment..they buy everyone, every country..no place to get away from it
The Kansas Legislaotrs just don’t care if there is new evidence. The Kansas Legislator has more important things to do then help the sick. The bottom line is the Kansas Legislators do not care about the citizens of Kansas. The only way they will care if you take your vote from them. These folks in congress have grown use to their injustice and it is up to us to give them a wake up call.
http://www.change.org/petitions/petition-for-a-national-debate-between-cannabis-prohibitionist-and-anti-cannabis-probitionist#signatures
I salute Drug Czar Gil Kerlikowske! (Note: not all fingers were fully extended…) He is the perfect representative of what our Federal Govt has become. I think we all need to give him more credit. Him and Michele Leonhart are both exactly what Mr. Obama wants them to be.
THE PINNOCHIO SYNDROME is still in high gear.
No doubt “our’ Drug Czar Gil Kerlikowske has merely misspoken when he stated that there were over 100 active cannabis studies — he probably meant world-wide. Or, our “honest Abe” Drug Czar meant that over 100 domestic cannabis studies were turned down. Drug Czar Gil Kerlikowske wouldn’t lie to the American people, right?
The United States of America government never lies to the American people, ever. Oh, wait … never mind. Let’s just say that USA citizens have become numb to the nearly constant lying about just about everything. This country is ripe for an Egyptian-style revolution, if only the Police State in power will let us. But if the government waits too long for a redress and rebalance of social justice here, the peons may just decide to emulate the French Revolution instead. That is always one of the core issues with tyranny — karma biting the Kleptocracy right on the ass.
Instead of ‘cannabinoid’, I did a search for ‘cannabis’. I didn’t scrutinize every result but what about the studies “Oral Fluid, Plasma and Whole Pharmacokinetics and Stability Following Smoked Cannabis”, “Effects of Vaporized Marijuana on Neuropathic Pain”, and “Effect of Cannabis on Simulated and Actual Driving in Healthy Subjects”? These don’t seem to have been mentioned and seemed (to my untrained inexpert eye) to involve actual cannabis use.
[Paul Armentano responds: To clarify: the first study you referred to is cited in my post. The second study was conducted via the CMCR program and is completed, but the results have yet to be published. You can read a preliminary report on all of the CMCR studies here: http://www.cmcr.ucsd.edu/images/pdfs/CMCR_REPORT_FEB17.pdf.%5D
35 Stompedonmyrights
Wait until they relocate Plum Island in the middle of Kansas. Enough said!
Oops, the first study was mentioned, in fact.
“Unique – as individuals – we live our lives – and comprehend our existence – within our minds – at the level of our awareness. It is our mind that makes it so. It’s our conscience, that voice from – within – the Familiar Spirit of God – that our spirit self answers to.”
Understand this – Genesists are not puppets on a string. We have no puppet master – unless – you consider God a puppet master. Genesists are guided by our conscience. So! “Deal with it.”
Here in America the time has come, The American Constitution states We The People of the United States in Order to form a more perfect Union Establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, Do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States Of America.
Gee, another liar from the Obama administration? Surprise Surprise Surprise.
The greatest of all injustice is that which goes under the name of law; and of all sorts of tyranny the forcing the letter of the law against the equity is the most insupportable.
– Sir Roger L’ Estrange