Pubdate: Sun, 19 Oct 2008
Source: Lansing State Journal (MI)
Copyright: 2008 Lansing State Journal
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/uc45fODd
Website: http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/232
Author: George Wagoner
Note: Dr. George Wagoner lives in Manistee.
Cited: Proposal 1 http://stoparrestingpatients.org/
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Marijuana - Medicinal)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

PATIENTS NEED RELIEF MARIJUANA GIVES

As a practicing physician of 29 years, I dedicated my life to caring 
for people. After my wife of 51 years was diagnosed with ovarian 
cancer last year, I knew uncertainty lay ahead.

Beverly's prognosis was grim. Cancer treatment is an emotional roller 
coaster, yet we kept hope until the last day. She underwent surgery 
and several courses of grueling chemotherapy. The resulting nausea 
robbed Beverly of her quality of life. She couldn't keep anything 
down, lost considerable weight and literally wasted away before my eyes.

Over the years, I heard marijuana was a helpful treatment for nausea. 
We consulted with our family physician. "Of course you know that 
isn't available," he said, "but Marinol is." Marinol is a synthetic 
version of THC, one of the active chemical components in marijuana. 
But it also had a distressing side effect - hallucinations. Beverly 
refused to take any more.

We were running out of options as Beverly's condition worsened.

I decided to procure marijuana for her. After taking just the 
smallest amount, her nausea was gone. It was miraculous.

Many families go through what we did - being forced to break the law 
to provide loved ones with relief. But on Nov. 4, Michigan voters can 
change this by approving Proposal 1.

To think my wife could have been thrown in jail for using a miniscule 
amount of marijuana to cope with her nausea is outrageous. Proposal 1 
would protect seriously ill patients from arrest and jail. It's about 
compassion and common sense.

Years of study show compounds in marijuana can safely relieve pain, 
certain symptoms of disease and the side effects of treatment.

The debate over whether to allow people to use marijuana with the 
recommendation of a licensed physician should be about science and 
compassion for seriously ill patients who suffer debilitating pain. 
It should not be about fear tactics that marijuana use will skyrocket 
or that some might take advantage of the law. These arguments are 
largely baseless and haven't materialized in the 12 states with 
medical marijuana laws. Indeed, Proposal 1 incorporates many of the 
lessons we've learned from those 12 other states.

Proposal 1 establishes a statewide registry of patients, who must 
apply for ID cards and have the written recommendation of a 
physician. Police verification will be a mouse click away.

While some disagree with Proposal 1, the science is sound. More than 
1,200 medical professionals in Michigan publicly support Proposal 1, 
as do prominent organizations like the Michigan Nurses Association. 
The American College of Physicians, the largest specialty physician 
group in the country, has acknowledged the efficacy and medical 
applications of marijuana.

Patients should be able to choose the medicine that works best for 
them with their doctors' guidance, and without fear of arrest or 
jail. That is precisely what Proposal 1 will allow.

Keeping a safe and effective medicine away from sick people is 
inhumane. Michigan can and should do better for some of the most 
vulnerable members of our families and communities. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake