Democratic candidate for governor, Mike Weinholtz, says his wife is under investigation for pot poss

[WhiteTara]

Source: Salt Lake Tribune

Mike Weinholtz, a Democratic gubernatorial candidate in Utah, used his speech at the state party's convention to disclose that his wife, Donna, is being investigated for marijuana possession, claiming her use of the illegal drug is to treat severe arthritis and nerve pain in her back and shoulders.

"She has only used cannabis for medical reasons for the relief of chronic pain," Weinholtz said before a crowd of nearly 2,000 Democrats at the Salt Palace Convention Center on Saturday, which drew supportive applause and a partial standing ovation. "The issue of the need for medical cannabis touches everyone."

And that includes the man who is running against Weinholtz for his party's nomination. Vaughn Cook told The Salt Lake Tribune in an interview that he considered using marijuana to treat cancer, but decided the criminal implications weren't worth it. That said, he didn't criticize the Weinholtzes.

"I have great empathy for Donna and her plight," he said. "I wish her the best.

He added: "I wouldn't advise anybody to use cannabis oil in this state when it is illegal, but I certainly wouldn't condemn anyone who does. I think we need to legalize it."

Read more: http://www.sltrib.com/home/3811556-155/democratic-candidate-for-governor-mike-weinholtz

[NWCorona]

1. Laws against this plant has needlessly destroyed countless lives. nt

[yardwork]

24. Plus 1000

[billhicks76]

2. Bush>Biden>Clinton

Sue them all for ruining countless families lives. I have no sympathy for any of those pieces of garbage. Reality matters. Facts matter. The TV does not. They have destroyed ACTUAL families over a harmless flower. Those who defend any of them are deluded...victims of their own self-taught lies.

[rhett o rick]

7. Wow that's a bit harsh.

But I agree. H. Clinton's refusal to accept the well known fact that marijuana can help people that are suffering, is in my opinion immoral. What reason could she have to deny this medication to patients? I think it's greed. She is sympathetic to Big Pharma that has treated her so well.

[Dustlawyer]

12. Don't forget Law Enforcement and Private Prisons, they are the biggest reasons for why Texas

might approve it by 2050! My friend in Alabama and I have a bet on which of our states will be the last to legalize it. I think it will be too close to call!

[bigwillq]

8. Yup

[forest444]

3. In Utah?

That should win him the election, right there.

[WhiteTara]

4. I thought it would cost him his election.

[forest444]

5. As much as they smoke, that would be the irony of ironies.

Then again as irony deficient as Republicans usually are, you could be right.

[left-of-center2012]

9. Isn't Utah a GOP 'red state'?

I suspect the Mormon culture also would oppose any use of marijuana.

[forest444]

10. True. It's a little like the Deep South used to treat alcohol.

"We're a dry state," they would say, "and have the drunks to prove it!"

[WHEN CRABS ROAR]

15. Why would they?

They drink Mormon tea and the main active compound in it is ephedra.

Ephedra (Chinese: ma huang, 麻黃; pinyin: má huáng, literally "hemp yellowed&quot is a medicinal preparation from the plant Ephedra sinica.[1] Several additional species belonging to the genus ephedra have traditionally been used for a variety of medicinal purposes, and are a possible candidate for the Soma plant of Indo-Iranian religion.[2] It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for more than 2,000 years.[3][4] Native Americans and Mormon pioneers drank a tea brewed from other ephedra species, called "Mormon tea" and "Indian tea".

[Quantess]

6. Legalize it!

[silverweb]

16. +1000

[kstewart33]

11. Here in Denver, legalization has worked.

From what I can tell, the problems that opponents were predicting - an increase in crime and car accidents, frequent overdoses - have not happened here. The only potential danger is people who overdose on edibles, but the dangers have been so frequently publicized that people, at least Colorado residents, know to be very careful about the about the timing and quantity of what they eat.

Overall, smooth sailing.

[WhiteTara]

13. At the rate it is being legalized, it should

be nationwide in the next few years.

[kstewart33]

14. Mostly, except in the Deep South.

For them, not so much.

[Jopin Klobe]

17. The Pigs ...

... are renovating the Big House ...

[Doctor_J]

18. Too bad the prison industry and PHARMA own the government

They make millions off of the war on some drugs, and pass a lot of the millions on to the politicians

[awoke_in_2003]

19. My wife suffers from rheumatoid and osteo arthritis

as well as neuropathy. I drives me insane that she can't try pot for pain relief, but she can take kidney destroying hydrocodone. Pot may not work for her, but I would sure like to give it a try.

[elias7]

20. Hydrocodone is not kidney destroying.

NSAIDs have much greater potential IF you have underlying kidney disease. Tylenol is not liver destroying unless you take toxic doses.

Don't know where you got your info, but may want to talk to your doctor.

[wildbilln864]

21. or drink alcohol? n/t

[roamer65]

22. Long term NSAID use...

can also result in gastrointestinal bleeding. NSAID's are nephrotoxic and Acetominophen is hepatotoxic.

Celebrex, a COX-2 inhibitor, is an FDA "black boxed" drug, for its cardiovascular risks.


The safest pain killer for chronic pain is MJ, hands down.