Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Stockman Scott's Political Debate Porch -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Lazarus_Long who wrote (73139)	3/25/2005 9:10:12 PM
From: TigerPaw	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 89467

The obvious answer is to ask the woman what she wants. It's her life, her choice. TP

To: Lazarus_Long who wrote (73139)	3/25/2005 11:10:53 PM
From: geode00	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 89467

Therein Lazarus lies the entire problem with your ideology. In the right-wing world everyone is ON THEIR OWN and dependent on the whims of private charity which in this case (good for you and your wife) is YOU. In the realistic world of the moderate moral majority, we understand that it's cooperation and organization that gets all of us a better life. Your ideological kissing cousins in Washington and in Sacramento are working night and day to try and GUARANTEE that there will be more like your friend. Unfortunate, unlucky and without the social GOVERNMENT safety net that she, as a citizen, deserves. Whereas individual charitable events can stem the tide of misfortune, only SYSTEMIC change can make everyone's life better and more dignified even at the end. I've tried the path of individual charitable activities and found it led to a bottomless pit of need. It was very frustrating and, in the final analysis, didn't make a dent. We need systemic change where your friend would be guaranteed a hospice or elder care or disabled care space regardless of her ability to pay. At least you live in a state where there is likely to be hospice care which seems like the most reasonable option for her. I don't know, I've never known someone who needed longterm care. Good luck. PS. I don't describe myself as either a liberal or a leftist. I consider myself rational and pragmatic as often as possible.

To: Lazarus_Long who wrote (73139)	3/27/2005 12:57:30 PM
From: Cactus Jack	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 89467

Laz, What can we do to help? jpg

To: Lazarus_Long who wrote (73139)	3/27/2005 3:37:25 PM
From: Wharf Rat	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 89467

MS drug not yet on the market, coming to Canada soon. If yer friend is interested, maybe I can arrange something for her with the main ingredient. Rat Approval for cannabis spray sought in Canada By ROD MICKLEBURGH The world's first proposed cannabis-laced prescription drug to relieve pain may get its start in Canada. Pharmaceutical giant Bayer announced yesterday that it has applied to Health Canada for permission to market the drug Sativex to those who suffer from multiple sclerosis and severe neuropathic pain. The application was made in conjunction with the developers of the drug, the pioneering British firm GW Pharmaceuticals, which has been growing about 40,000 pot plants a year at a secret location in a government-approved research project. Sativex is a medicinal mouth spray developed from the major components of marijuana, including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). It would be the first prescription drug that uses real marijuana extracts and not a synthesized form, according to its proponents. However, GW executive chairman Geoffrey Guy has said the cannabis-derived spray will not get patients high since it is sprayed under the tongue, rather than smoked or swallowed. "They see the benefit without getting stoned." Early trials of the drug in Britain showed that it was a safe and effective treatment to relieve painful symptoms of multiple sclerosis. Said one satisfied user: "You never get that buzz [marijuana high]. You just notice your legs moving a bit freer. It certainly has changed my life." But the company's hopes to secure regulatory approval for Sativex in Britain have hit a number of snags since making its groundbreaking application in March, 2003. Two weeks ago, the company announced that it did not expect British regulators to approve the drug for use by multiple-sclerosis patients until much later in the year. So, in the meantime, Canada has been asked for permission to market the drug. "We are very pleased to be working in partnership with GW to bring this innovative medicine to the Canadian market, once it has been approved," Bayer Inc. president Philip Blake said in a statement. "MS patients often suffer from pain associated with this disease. We hope that Sativex offers another treatment option." Dr. Guy said his company has been involved in earlier "positive and active" discussions with Health Canada officials about introducing the cannabis drug to Canadian patients. "Subject to regulatory approval, we now look forward to bringing a non-smoked, cannabis-based prescription medicine to market in Canada." About 50,000 Canadians have multiple sclerosis. At least half of them suffer significant pain, according to the drug companies' statement. Britain gave permission to GW to grow cannabis for research purposes in 1998, after the embarrassment of having many MS patients arrested by police for smoking marijuana to relieve their pain. A spokesman for Health Canada said that 18 months are normally required to review and rule on a submission. cannabis.net