MEDIA

I have seen many news stories and discussions about medical marijuana, in newspapers, magazines, on the evening news, and even on network news programs like 60 Minutes.  But I have never seen a thorough, objective story about medical marijuana by any serious mainstream journalist.

Always, the reporter offers a regurgitated version of false, outdated and misleading information handed out by the feds for public consumption.  And the feds are very clever with the use of lies and misinformation.  Never have I seen a journalist question or challenge the information offered by the feds.  They will re-write the feds news release, add some photos of ragged potheads, a few interviews with neighbors of the local co-op.  That's it.  No imagination, no work ethic.  Just re-write the feds news release.  I was disappointed recently to see a story about marijuana on 60 Minutes that offered nothing new, just re-wrote the feds news release.

In one case, the feds cut down a co-operative medical garden that supplied about 75 patients.  The cut and dried flowers from the immature garden, as defined by California law, might have amounted to 50 pounds.  The feds took the marijuana to a feed and grain store to weigh it on the feed scale.  They weighed whole undried plants, including leaves, stems, trunks, roots and even some soil.  In their news release, they reported that they had seized a ton of marijuana!  The local reporter printed that in his article, without a question.  If the feds say it, it must be true ?  Shame on federal agents who manufacture evidence and distort the truth.  And shame on lazy journalists.

I have never seen a single story that includes interviews with cancer patients, chemo patients, kids with cancer, loved ones, doctors, researchers, oncologists, nurses, caregivers, farmers, lawyers, judges, lawmakers, Molly Fry.

I have not heard hard questions, such as: Why does our government put pressure on Canada, Mexico, the Netherlands, the UN and the world community to block research, legalization and medical use?  Why does the government spend so much money and effort to block research, legalization and medical use in the United States?  Why does the government not support and encourage research?  Why does the government continue to spend money and effort to arrest doctors, patients and caregivers in the growing number of states that have legalized medical marijuana?  Why does the government continue to ignore the call from the American College of Physicians to drop marijuana from Schedule I?  Why does the government continue to ignore the scientific and medical evidence that proves marijuana is medicine?  Why does the government spend so much money and effort to intimidate, harm and make examples of doctors who advocate medical marijuana and actively support their patients?  Why did the government put Doctor Molly Fry in prison?  Why did the lawyer arguing the Angel Raich case before the Supreme Court make the accurate prediction that his case was solid enough to win in any court in the world except the U.S. Supreme Court?

There is an untold story for any investigative journalist who has their eyes open and is not afraid of work.