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Medical Marijuana; and the decriminalization of drugs
Tweet Topic Started: Jan 30 2008, 06:47 PM (301 Views)
Denovissimus Jan 30 2008, 06:47 PM Post #1
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I begin this topic with this fun story:

Pot vending machines take root in Los Angeles

Machines distribute the drug to people with cards authorizing use
updated 6:01 a.m. CT, Wed., Jan. 30, 2008

LOS ANGELES - The city that popularized the fast food drive-thru has a new innovation: 24-hour medical marijuana vending machines.

Patients suffering from chronic pain, loss of appetite and other ailments that marijuana is said to alleviate can get their pot with a dose of convenience at the Herbal Nutrition Center, where a large machine will dole out the drug around the clock.

"Convenient access, lower prices, safety, anonymity," inventor and owner Vincent Mehdizadeh said, extolling the benefits of the machine.

But federal drug agents say the invention may need unplugging.

"Somebody owns (it), it's on a property and somebody fills it," said DEA Special Agent Jose Martinez. "Once we find out where it's at, we'll look into it and see if they're violating laws."

At least three dispensaries in the city, including two belonging to Mehdizadeh, have installed vending machines to distribute the drug to people who carry cards authorizing marijuana use.

Mehdizadeh said he spent seven months to develop and patent the black, armored box, which he calls the "PVM," or prescription vending machine.

Convenience and privacy
A sliding fence protects the tinted windows of his dispensary, barely distinguishing it from a busy thoroughfare of strip malls, automobile dealers and furniture shops. A box resembling a large refrigerator stands inside the nearly empty shop, near a few shelves stocked with vitamins and herbs.

A guard in a black T-shirt emblazoned with the word "Security" on the front stands at the door. A poster of Bob Marley decorates a back room.

The computerized machine requires fingerprint identification and a prepaid card with a magnetic stripe. Once the card and fingerprint are verified, a bright green envelope with the pot drops down a slot.

Mehdizadeh says any user approved for medical marijuana and registered in a computer database at his dispensaries can pre-purchase the drug and then use the machine to pick up.

The process provides convenience and privacy for users who may otherwise feel uncomfortable about buying marijuana, Mehdizadeh said.

At the Timothy Leary Medical Dispensary in the San Fernando Valley, the vending machine is accessible only during business hours. An employee there said the machine was introduced about five months ago, and provides speedy service.

"It helps a lot of patients who are in a lot of pain and don't want to wait around to get help," Robert Schwartz said. "It's been working out great."

Mehdizadeh said he sought the advice of doctors, and decided to limit the amount of marijuana per user to an ounce per week. Each purchase from the machine yields 1/8th or 2/8th of an ounce. By eliminating a vendor behind the counter, he said, the machine offers users lower drug prices. The 1/8th ounce packet would cost about $40 — $20 lower than the average price at other dispensaries.

'It's to medicate'
A spokesman for a marijuana advocacy group said the machine also benefits dispensary owners.

"It limits the number of workers in the store in the event of a raid, and it'll make it harder for theft," said Nathan Sands, of The Compassionate Coalition.

Marijuana use is illegal under federal law, which does not recognize the medical marijuana laws in California and 11 other states.

The Drug Enforcement Agency and other federal agencies have been actively shutting down major medical marijuana dispensaries throughout the state over the last two years and charging their operators with felony distribution charges.

Mehdizadeh said the Herbal Nutrition Center was the target of a federal raid in December. He said no arrests were made and no charges have been filed against him.

Kris Hermes, a spokesman for advocacy group Americans for Safe Access, said the machine might benefit those who already know how much and what strain of marijuana they're looking for. But he said others will want to see and smell the drug before they buy it.

A man who said he has been authorized to use medical marijuana as part of his anger management therapy said the vending machine's security measures would at least protect against illicit use of the drug.

"You have kids that want to get high and that's not what marijuana is for," Robert Miko said. "It's to medicate." <----- :wanker
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Denovissimus Jan 30 2008, 06:49 PM Post #2
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Anyway, should marijuana be legalized, at least for medical purposes?

Should hard drugs like cocaine be decriminalized?

I think weed and coke should be decriminalized, and as a start legalize weed for medical purposes.

Sigmund Freud used coke and prescribed it to his patients!
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Julesy Jan 30 2008, 10:00 PM Post #3
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I heard this on Stern yesterday. I guess they would have a gaurd on duty?

:michele
I think if you want to do whatever drug..go for it.
I know I have my vice:: booze. Im glad that aint illegal....[size=7]again[/size] or Id probably be in prison :toot

For people who say no because some people will abuse it...fuck the people who cant maintain.

People will find a way regardless. Just like prohibition and speakeasies
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la anaconda de chocolatee Jan 31 2008, 01:03 AM Post #4
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I am definately for marijuana being leagalized, not even just for medicinal purposes. Coke, not sure about that.

Ron Paul wants to decriminalize all drugs, he thinks the war on drugs is making the problem worse, not better
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Taman Feb 1 2008, 06:16 PM Post #5
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For medical purpose? Sure why not.

But for getting high? Not so sure. We can't even handle alcohol and legal drugs so I don't think there is reason to give people more problems and ways to destroy their lives. :shrug
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la anaconda de chocolatee Feb 1 2008, 07:59 PM Post #6
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but everyone smokes it anyway to get high so what is the difference?
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Taman Feb 1 2008, 08:28 PM Post #7
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Lol. I have heard teens say that when parents caught them. The everyone card :;

Who is this "everyone" anyways? I have never smoked. My friends have never smoked. Just because some people do it that does not make it a good idea in general. I do not believe in people making the right choice, trust them to make the wrong one. If they asked me I would put barcodes on us. People are stupid already. No reason to legalize stuff that makes them even more so. :shrug
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la anaconda de chocolatee Feb 2 2008, 03:42 AM Post #8
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I have never smoked either Anne but at least 80% of everyone I know has smoked at least a few times if not on a regular basis
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Julesy Feb 4 2008, 11:26 PM Post #9
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Ive smoked weed back in highschool.
It was only a handful of times.

Everytime I was paranoid my mom would find out or catch me so it wasnt any fun.
I was scared of a beating!
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