cannabisnews.com: Med Marijuana: Initiative Can Help State's Sick





Med Marijuana: Initiative Can Help State's Sick
Posted by CN Staff on August 29, 2004 at 08:15:37 PT
By Leslie McCartney, Standard Opinion Page Editor 
Source: Montana Standard 
On a purely compassionate level, it's hard to argue against Initiative 148, a measure that asks for a law protecting patients, doctors and caregivers from arrest and prosecution for possessing and growing limited amounts of medical marijuana. Consider the case of Helena's Teresa Michalski, who visited with the Standard's Editorial Board recently. Michalski's son, Travis, dying from Hodgkin's disease, suffered from nausea, vomiting and had no appetite.
He also had a medicine cabinet full of pain medication that was useless. "Traditional medicine was not working," Michalski said.The only thing that helped was pot, which kept the nausea at bay, increased his appetite and helped him pass his final days in relative comfort. But his family — a family whose numbers include hard-working parents and a DARE-graduated daughter — lived in fear that their son's relief would be their nightmare."They could take away our daughter's (school) loans or our house," Michalski said of current drug laws that count them as criminals. Travis died last December and Michalski, spurred by her son's life and death, joined the well-reasoned argument in favor of allowing medical marijuana.Grassroots efforts cruised the measure through the signature-gathering process needed to put the proposal on November's ballot and early indications are that nearly 60 percent of people polled about the initiative favor it, said Paul Befumo, who is spearheading I-148.Nine states have medical marijuana laws on their books and Montana's proposal is very stringent. Those needing medical marijuana would have to get a doctor's blessing and be registered with the state as a medical marijuana patient.Quantities allowed in a patient or caregiver's possession are limited as well. And it is important to note the measure does not allow a doctor to write a prescription and then a patient heads to the pharmacy to get it filled: Patients would be growing their own for their own use only.Given our nation's drug laws and attitudes toward drugs, the issue is a thorny one. Marijuana is often referred to as a "gateway" drug, meaning that those who try the drug may be induced to go to harder drugs. Other dispute this, saying that studies are not conclusive.Unfortunately, there is also a terrible lack of the intensive study and scrutiny the government gives other drugs. It seems that purely because of political reasons, medical marijuana is held back from serious study. Pharmaceutical companies may be reluctant to support the measure as well because it could cut into their pain profits.Marijuana is available in a pill form — called Marinol — but supporters of I-148 point out that people with cancer or other debilitating illnesses may be unable to swallow pills and that they take longer to take effect that other methods.Regardless of what you may believe, I-148 is still in a different league. As written and foreseeably enforced, the drug is only for those who are suffering, not for those seeking recreational relief. It is only one drug — and less addictive than some on patients' medicines cabinet — used for a very narrow purpose.In this particular case, the government is in the way of sick people who want to legally possess and use marijuana to help them function."We really believe it's between you, your doctor and God," said Befumo. It is time for Montana to decide that question in November. But it seems that compassion should be foremost when it comes to making that decision for sick Montanans seeking help. Complete Title: Medicinal Marijuana: Initiative Can Help State's SickSource: Montana Standard (MT)Author: Leslie McCartney, Standard Opinion Page EditorPublished: August 29, 2004Copyright: 2004 Montana StandardContact: editor mtstandard.comWebsite: http://www.mtstandard.com/Related Articles & Web Site:Montana Careshttp://montanacares.org/Marijuana Backers Cite New Study http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19379.shtmlMedical Marijuana Initiative Draws Debate http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19263.shtmlMarijuana Initiative Clears Early Hurdle http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18706.shtml
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on August 29, 2004 at 12:20:29 PT
One More Comment
If Kerry wins the election he will be inheriting one of the worse possible problems. The anti-war protesters are strong and loud and determined. I know I wouldn't want that responsibility.
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Comment #5 posted by FoM on August 29, 2004 at 11:30:03 PT
RasAric
If they don't listen and go to Central Park I hope they don't get into a big rumble. So far it appears to be going ok. The protesters sure don't want Bush for 4 more years and they don't like Fox News. We're getting the DVD Outfoxed this week. I'm looking forward to watching it.
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Comment #4 posted by RasAric on August 29, 2004 at 10:43:08 PT
FoM
I think that they are worried about the grass because they're environmentally aware and they are trying to raise people's conscious regarding "grass conservation". :PIf they allowed them/us to collect on the lawn it would attract more random people and could become more volatile. It might appear larger and even more organized.
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Comment #3 posted by FoM on August 29, 2004 at 09:02:36 PT
Central Park
Why do they worry about the grass in Central Park? The lawn can be fixed if any damage occurs. They had a half a million people years ago in Central Park during a Simon and Garfunkel concert. http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?id=2574#park
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on August 29, 2004 at 08:57:34 PT
For Those Who Are Following The Protests
Sunday, August 29: The World Says No to the Bush Agenda!http://www.unitedforpeace.org/
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on August 29, 2004 at 08:43:29 PT
Just a Comment
This is a very tense day. I hope none of the protesters get hurt. 250,000 Protesters To Gather Near RNC Site: http://edition.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/08/29/gop.main.ap/
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