CBS 5 -- the local news station that claims to be "telling it like it is" -- ran one of the stranger "investigations" we've seen from a local TV station.
In the report, "investigative reporter" Morgan Loew told the state health department it was true that he had severe and chronic pain, but then claimed he didn't, before claiming that he didn't lie about it as he obtained a medical-marijuana card for the story. The segment also included a fabricated statistic in an apparent attempt to prove that healthy people get medical-marijuana cards -- a point that probably didn't need the theatrics to get across to people.
See also:
-CBS 5 "Investigation" Into Medical Marijuana Includes a Made-Up Statistic
-CBS 5 Reporter Claims Pain, Gets a Medical-Pot Card, Then Implies Wrongdoing
"Ninety percent of the certifications are for severe and chronic pain," Loew said in the segment, while a dramatic graphic displayed. "Not cancer, AIDS, glaucoma, ALS, or any of the other specific illnesses that qualify someone for medical marijuana."
We confirmed with the Arizona Department of Health Services yesterday that the number is 71.57 percent -- not 90 -- from the last report.
This was said as the reporter, Loew, went to a chiropractor, then went to a doctor, complaining to both that he's had back pain for months -- pain he claims is legitimate. The pain was "distracting," he said. He couldn't tell the doctor whether the pain made it difficult for him to concentrate on things but admitted that it limits his ability to run.
After getting the medical-marijuana card, which he asked about, he then acted like the doctor was out of bounds for giving him the green light on a medical-marijuana recommendation.
"I mean, does that really qualify," he asked the doctor. "A sore back?"
The doctor attempted to explain that, yeah, months of back pain fits the definition of "chronic," and all the belly-aching he did about the pain made it sound severe.
But it sounded like Loew already knew what his story was about. The CBS 5 headline reads that "young, healthy" people are getting medical-marijuana cards, although according to a doctor and Loew's date of birth, neither of those words describe him.
Throw in the interview with anti-pot activist/Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery, and take a look at the segment yourself (click here) -- does this look like an "investigation" or propaganda to you?
Cast your vote below:
