


It's the 21st century and America is still wrestling with these questions: Is marijuana harmful? Should it be legalized? What are the medical, social, and legal consequences? Will there come a day when the battle over pot ever ends?
The Executive Director of Harborside Health Clinic Stephen D’Angelo says he’s advocating for full access to medical cannabis for patients who need it.
“In certain parts [of Los Angeles], you can walk by and grab your prescription and not even slow down,” Dr. Drew said. “They don’t do a medical evaluation. That’s the part that bothers me the most.”
Hear Dr. Drew’s full interview with D’Angelo in the video clip above.
Dr. Drew airs weeknights at 9 p.m. ET on HLN.
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Filed under: Marijuana |

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Do they require a medical test to get drunk?
john you are soo right, prohibition didn't work. Why shouldn't people who want to smoke cannabis be allowed to do so if they don't like alcohol!? I thought this was the land of the free... what a hoax!!! dr drew what a joke LMAO....
Your young doctor sounds like a commercial for pharmaceutical company. Take the pill form of marijuana not the natural source. The world is now controlled by pharmaceutical companies and other corporations. Question authority people.
My sentiments exactly. He was saying, instead of people medicating with marijuana alone, we are going to give them a synthetic form of marijuana, that we have manufactured, which will have numerous side effects, and the anti cancer properties will be destroyed, because Cancer is BIG BUSINESS.
Unfortunately, isn't the pill form controlled by the Feds? I understand that cannabis for research (possibly this situation as well??) is controlled for the most. y this, I mean that the Feds actually grow their own cnnabis in Mississippi utilizing a weaker THC. To me, that is a conflict of interest, and causes a research variable if a researcher cannot acquitre the type of cannabis that they need for research puposes. As far as a pill, I may be wrong but would think that the pill form may also come from a diluted potency from the Feds. Anyone know more on this?
As a terminal patient, my Dr has the right to treat me any way he see's fit. No government agency has the right, like dea, senate etc , to stop my dr from treating me with canabis. That jerk from the government on this show lied, just like the rest of the government lies about canabis. Aspirin kills more people in a day than canabis has killed in recorded history. FACT!!!!
Dr. Drew,
Dr. Drew,
Let's take all the emotion and "desire" out of the Weed discussion. If anyone wants to know if marijuana is harmful, just go visit a prison and take stock of the number of inmates who are incarcerated because they were high on marijuana at the time of their crime. If that's not enough evidence, just look at the number of emergency room admissions to see what marijauana does to judgment. And last but not least, consider the damage to the lungs caused by inhaling the smoke of cannibis. It is nothing but a downhill ride. Legalizing the weed is a big, big mistake.
Hahahahaha! I'll bet you have more lard on your ass than I do on mine. I ride a bike 25 miles a day, minimum. You make correlations that have zero substance. First you do not know any statistic from any jail, and you absolutely have no clue about any statistic of any emergency room. Essentially, you are about as dumb as it gets with your baseless, bulls*t.
Daily use from smoke infusion since 1970. I'll bet my lungs look better than yours do. Why? Because I know what mucous and cillia are. You obviously do not.
"Harmful marijuana smoke". Marijuana has anti cancer effects, unlike cigarettes, which are legal. I suggest you go do your homework. And if you want to talk about all the people in emergency rooms, who are there because of poor judgement, perhaps you would take a step back and look at all the fatalities on an annual basis, (or a daily one) caused by alcohol and its impairments, or prescription drugs, that people are not supposed to operating heavy machinery or driving on, yet they are. Not only that, they are going to"happy hour"and tipping back a few on top of their narcotics, and combining them. Get a clue, already. Be a free thinker.
if you want to talk about all the people in emergency rooms, who are there because of poor judgement, perhaps you would take a step back and look at all the fatalities on an annual basis, (or a daily one) caused by alcohol and its impairments, or prescription drugs, that people are not supposed to operating heavy machinery or driving on, yet they are. Not only that, they are going to"happy hour"and tipping back a few on top of their narcotics, and combining them. Get a clue, already. Be a free thinker.
I always discount any so called "fact" when supporting statistics are not given. Such verbage is the same as that used by white supremists in order to justify hatred against minorities.
The director of the FBI can't name one death associated with cannabis and neither can you. In America we deserve laws based on facts and laws that the punishment is not worse than the crime itself. Cannabis prohibition laws fail on both counts. Our government claims marijuana has NO medical uses on one hand and sends 300 grams of cannabis to it's federal program patients with the other. The government holding patents on the cannibinoids found in cannabis for medical purposes is in stark contrast to what they're telling Mr. John Q. Public. Speaking of prisons and jails, why wouldn't they be filled with marijuana users. Police can confiscate a marijuana users property without arresting him if they suspect the property was obtained through drug activity. Just 2 weeks ago a dispensary owner's super bowl ring was confiscated through our drug forfiteure laws. Can't you see these police spend their time chasing marijuana smokers instead of pursuing more serious crimes with actual victims. Your notion our prisons are filled from the poor decisions they made under the influence is so absurd it deserves no reply.
you are what is wrong with the us today. your an uneducated republican who thinks anything that goes against the conservative agenda is wrong. if you did research and were open minded you would see that cannabis is a plant not a drug. the govt has no right to legalize a plant
So I take it you have no young family? Would you rather a loved one or teenager go to the ghetto to get it (because they will find it) and maybe you see them again or not? I have never seen a person in the hospital due to Weed, however seen millions O.D on alcohol , thousands on prescription pill's and I won't dare even try to explain what cocaine and meth will do to you (WOW)! I don't use but the U.S.A could control and tax Marijuana and just think how that could benefit us... pay off our debt and weaken the BLACK MARKET!!! There are alternatives to using cannabis..It does not have to be smoked! Their is the option of using a vaporizor (no smoke in lungs), edibles, tincture (drops) and drinks! Maybe as a country, we should be more opened minded to this medical treatment option!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh, Honey...Consider this for a moment. There are so many things to bring us down in this modern society, superficial (feeding into vanity) and otherwise (the real pressure of debt, etc...). We are constantly bombarded by media on our phones, while driving, on our TV's, listening to the radio even. My point? Smoking-ingesting certain parts of both the female and male Cannabis plant can be VERY beneficial in many areas of health including being able to FORGET all of this BS around us and bring our attention a bit more inward for a change. If Big Society demands we constantly be focused outward I promote any substance, practice or otherwise that promotes the opposite. I also promote eating LIVE FOODS so we all can think clearly. There are many factors for impaired judgement. I also support yoga and regular exercise. I guarantee if these incarcerated people had jobs and healthy practices in their life, including Cannabis, they would not be in jail. Unless of course that same person was, say, pulled over for a taillight being out and happened to smell like the substance, searched and found to be in possession of a bit of pot...then we have an issue. Where is the justice in this??? I also support using many kinds of herbs as medicine..? why Because they work...and with less side effects than pharm drugs, if any at all. I will not let the government or any other body decide what medicine is best for me. I will not let the ridiculous societal pressures govern the way I live my life. Why? Because YOU don't know what is best for me. Does this makesense to you? Legalize a plant that can change current the economic and social standards of America...!! Yes! of Course!
By the way, I am not the only one. Keep the Medicinal Revolution Going!
Dr. Sabet is an idiot. The material needs to be removed from schedule 1. PERIOD. There is a facility is Israel for nearly a decade now
specifically devoted to researching medicinal uses for the many active ingredients. WE are NOT allowed to follow suit specifically because of the schedule one provisos. The words he utters are the status quo stupidity fed to him by the piggery attempting to run the streets. PERIOD. ice job, puppet boy.
The agricultural value alone cannot be ignored. Not to mention the health benefits! Let's mention them...
Sabet needs his 12 year old maturity level mentality upgraded. A sheet made from hemp fiber has a better R factor than pine wood chip particle board sheets have, and hemp grows two feet per month and pine grows two feet per year. The seed is the highest in protein of any source
coming in second only to the soy bean. It beats all Omega 3 sources, fish, chocolate, wine, etc. The anti-oxidants are begging us
to eat them. You can buy hemp waffles at most natural food stores.
My deceased girlfriend had a doctor who wanted to prescribe cannabis for her MS affliction, but he could not because despite it having been legal for medicinal purpose in the state of New Jersey at that time, it was impossible to dispense because when the doctor would attempt to get some for his patient, he would be charged by the federal boys and the medicine confiscated. It need to be REMOVED from schedule one. PERIOD!
The doctor was left with the only option being addicting her to phenobarb and dylantin. Now it only takes one toke to keep her from having a spasm all day, but the federal government would rather have intelligent physicians prescribe archaic "medications" which are overkill for the application, because they are so hep on keeping a lid on "marijuana".
And NO, it DOES NOT need to be taxed. I can brew my own beer. I should be able to grow my own weed.
GO LOOK AT THE LA GUARDIA REPORT! We have been being screwed since 1937, and it is about time it be OVER!
Send the damned gestapo back where they belong! The mob ain't here no more, and we are tired of them harassing everyday citizens
in their stupid, overt PIGGERY zeal!
I think it needs to be legal,ifit helps your illness,who is to say it really doesen't help..people just assume that it will lead to the use of other harder drugs..that is so false.who knows it might help some of these people that are addicted to other drugs,especially perscription pills because they act like it is a fix all.then they cut you off.someone that really needs something for chronic pain,they act like your a junky.give them a joint to smoke,it might help..it is a natural herb,why is it labeled as a drug.it is not man made,like all the other drugs.they are made from some type of natural herb somewhere down the line.but they have things added to it,to make the government richer.i don't think that weed will cause things to get worse than what they already are,the government can still make their money.the way it is now,they get their cake and eat it too...when they bust you,they get your weed and money too..it is a win, win situation for them.that is why they have a problem with making it legal.they don't give two cents if it is addictive or harmful,cause the more these rehabs are in business,they are making their money.personally i would rather smoke one than to eat pills,if that helps...do a study on that...get pill heads off their pills for about a week that has been taking pills as long as a person who only smokes pot,cut them off a week and see who has the worst most horrible affects,bet it ain't the pot head..just sayin....it's ALL NATURAL..go green....
With all due respect to the Dr, many prisoners and ER patients will admit to using marijuana, as an explanation for their actions or their health condition, rather than admit that their situation is due to other, more harmful substances. Watch any "cop" show on TV. It's not their actions while stoned that get people arrested, it's almost always their drunken stupidty. It's time we acknowledge our hational hypocracy about alcohol vs. marijuana..
But what I really wanted to say is this. Steve missed a fantastic opportunity to ask the prohibitionist on the panel how it is that Marinol, which is 100% THC, is schedule 3, while natural marijuana is maybe 20% at most, is schedule 1?
While I wholehearedly agree that marijuana is addictive for some people, if that's the sole criteria for deciding what's legal and what isn't, then we must immediately shut down every pharmacy and liquor store in the US.
Back around the 1920s, someone in Wash D.C. decided that a number of plants would be deemed to be illegal to possess. This resulted in Federal statutes passed by Congress.
I believe they were correct regarding the manufacturing and synthesis ("cooking") of coccaine, heroin, and methamphetamines. These are really dangerous refined drugs, and their manufacture and distribution should be controlled. The coccaine and heroin addictions of the 1920s have taught us that much in history.
I believe they went too far regarding peyote, marijuana, coca bushes, and poppies though.
They left the most deadly herb alone, tobacco.
Even so, I feel if someone wants to grow their own tobacco, peyote, marijuana, coca bushes, or poppies then they should have the freedom to do so.
We do not need big brother watching over us in every respect, especially not for gardening.
Running a meth or coccaine lab would be a different story. Those are environmentally hazardous activities.
But you would need to persuade Congress first. And based on the rabid and insane platforms that the Republicans have been launching, it is unlikely to happen anytime soon.
The most brainless people that I have met on this planet are Republicans. It is almost as if they do not know how to think logically.
Sabet is hot.
Maybe you should get together with him so you can both shave your eyebrows.
He is truly pathetic. You can't be far from that yourself.
The war on marijuana is pathetic. It is a proven failed policy and anyone fighting to keep it illegal is only doing so for their paycheck.
Legalize weed and only adults can buy it from stores, not kids like they can now. Marijuana was only illegalized in the first place through racist smear campsigns, do your research and you will see this is 100% true. There is not logical or rational reason for it to be schedule 1 except for political reasons which should never get in the way of scientific fact.
Dr. Drew, excellent show last night on marijuana and asking the hard questions. I think a lot of good points were made but would like to add to the discussion.
You treat addiction to people who abuse alcohol and it is a legal substance that can actually kill people. If alcohol remains legal then there is no basis why marijuana should not be legal as well for the same recreational use. Like you said, some people can use it and are fine, and some are addicts, the same as with alcohol. However, alcohol kills many people each year when people overdose on it and marijuana does not, so it would seem like a safer recreational alternative to me if ingested in the safest manner, and grown in a safe manner without synthetic chemicals being added and unregulated.
I have done the research and every time these guys anti-marijuana bring up and statistics, they must group the deaths with marijuana along with alcohol, or prescription pills, because simply, marijuana by itself does not kill people. Thank you for your time and approaching this subject. I do not think the California doctor went rogue on you, he just is able to see the bigger picture.
Education is everything, so I hope you will continue to learn and educate others and enjoy the show!
And before anyone gets a chance to speak, yes, I should proofread what I say before I say it, but the message is clear enough to understand. So thanks for the love!
I did not see any grammar errors, and they normally jump out when I read. So I think your piece was pretty good.
You should remember that in Wash DC those with the gold make the rules.
The alcohol and the tobacco industries did not get their own products listed and controlled substances simply due to their financial backing of politicians.
The marijuana growers cannot do the same, however.
And Republicans are very stuck in their ways, and do not modify their platforms, because it gives them their identies.
The Republicans need to camoflage the fact that their major objective is less taxation for the rich.
Thus the other c r a p that the Republicans delve into, such as anti-marijuana platforms, is a good smoke screen (no pun intended) for their true colors.
Until the Republicans are flushed out of power, there will be no true freedoms for the middle class or the poor or the chronically sick.
Reply to the reply to Marc, but you say Republicans are stuck in their way, but you may want to look into Obama who has lied on his promise not to go after medical marijuana. He is raiding medical marijuana dispensaries just as much as Bush so no it has nothing to do with republicans. Ron Paul is the only presedential candidate speaking out against the drug war and he is Republican!
What do you think Ron Paul's chances are of getting nominated by the Big Reg Republican f a s c i s t political machine?
Choice A – slim
Choice B – none
Great post, I was doing a glgooe search and your site came up for bank owned homes in Altamonte Springs, FL but anyway, I have thoroughly enjoyed reading it, keep it up!
According to the government {
marijuana has been universally available to 12th graders since at least 1975 (MTF)
over 90 % of the people who have a problem with marijuana also have a problem with alcohol or did previously (NIAAA/NESARC/ SAMHSA) ... and the rest are better off than with alcohol
the only question is what advantage is it to anyone to have marijuana unregulated and in the control of cartels and dealers ... answer: none
regulated, non-punitive systems increase the chance that the few who need help will go for help earlier wih better results .... prohibition is a dismal failure ... AGAIN
There are people who are addicted to too much food. Should we therefore also make food illegal?
DeAngelo is selling us out in hopes of monopolization but Big Pharma is going to take it all over and put the home growers out of business. He does not represent me and I think he is a traitor.
New Candidate for 2012 Presidency wants a "Green Economy" Based on Marijuana
http://www.newagecitizen.com/MERP/RelegalizeNowObama57.htm
I'm on your team, with one exception...
...the only "home growers" it will put out of business are the people who were production focused. Those that care more about the subtleties of the plant will NEVER hand over the production of our medicine to some nameless, faceless, soul-less corporation.
PS Relying on the government (or any other corporation for that matter) to provide you with what you need for your personal health concerns, is akin to asking a pedophile to babysit your children...not in your best interest.
MJ Moment – There are Two Kinds
There are two kinds of people when it comes to Cannabis…
…those that un-knowingly (only to themselves and their peer group) regurgitate the the meme (or mind virus), or "conventional wisdom" conveniently provided to them via a well-planned course of indoctrination…including advertising campaigns like, "Just Say No", or "This is your brain on drugs" (with a frying egg in a pan as a comparison to what Cannabis does to the brain) and the latest one to hit the TV airwaves, "Above the influence".
and the other kind of Cannabis people,
…those that know the truth.
The difference is simply education about the subject at hand.
PS Guess what, it helps if you've achieved a mental, emotional and spiritual status that allows you to be "above the influence" of self-appointed indoctrinators.
PPS Conscientiously Consuming Cannabis helps achieve the above, (or so I was told
Triple – PS …and now you know one of the REAL reasons they don't want you consuming cannabis
(not to mention the outstanding health benefits to your body's own natural endocannabiniod system…if you're consuming healthy plants that is
Afterthought: I can't wait to hear the reasoning that GW Pharmaceuticals and the FDA give when they introduce a cannabis product called Sativex...for medicinal reasons. And then attempt to ignore (or explain away) why they have 35 patents on a plant, with "no known medical uses". (Or how they got a patent on a plant to begin with!) Or how they are using Reinhard Delp's patented technology to sieve the active ingredients from the plant to make Sativex. This is going to be funny, watching the public buy whatever they say hook, line and sinker.
You are just too funny! Very true however.
If its not harmful anyway, why cant people walk by and get it? I guarantee you weed isnt as harmful as alcohol (to you or those around you) and you can't die from too much of it. Dr. Drew, how can i change your perspective on the harmfulness of marijuana? The only harmful part of smoking weed is the smoking part where the heat from the cherry burns your esophagus, the actual chemicals released in marijuana smoke actually inhibit the growth of cancer.
The way in which "Dr"Drew conducted this interview on can tell he allready dislikes Mary Jane. When Stephen's replies made prectical sense, or started to make pot use seem usefull Dr.Drew would cut him off, side tracking Stephen with a question whose answer would make the use of pot as a medical device look demonized (The dr's intention). Stephens answer to the question "'aren't the prescriptions being used more for a recreational use than a medicinal use?" was spot on. Most of the pot users have underlying problems with anxiety, or other problems that have been undiagnosed thus far. Today, the manufacturer's of any pill have great reason to not cure the person who is taking said pill; A cured person doesn't need them if they are healthy. Case of this- A diabetes tester that will not need strips was and is possible to make, but then what would the companies make their money off of if their machines didn't need strips?
Smoke weed and the day seems better, take a pill and you might just have a stroke or lose control of your bladder! Your choice. Sorry spell check takes too much time
Interesting ~ the Federal government does hold multiple patents on cannabinoids for their medical benefits. http://www.godmed.com/data/handouts/US%20Government.pdf Huh! Guess they are what most people would call "two-faced." Trying to talk down the beneficial and benign herb, while on the other hand making sure they are FIRST in line to lay claim to the ever increasing, scientifically proven medical and social health benefits!