Pubdate: Fri, 04 May 2012
Source: Orlando Sentinel (FL)
Copyright: 2012 Orlando Sentinel
Contact:  http://www.orlandosentinel.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/325
Note: Rarely prints out-of-state LTEs.
Author: Kim Russell
Note: Kim Russell is the chair of People United for Medical Marijuana 
based in Orlando.

GIVE FLORIDIANS ACCESS TO SAFE, EFFECTIVE PAIN RELIEF

You may have noticed that medical marijuana, or cannabis, has been in 
the news a lot lately. You could even say it's becoming a mainstream 
topic. There is no better time for people to examine the overwhelming 
evidence and begin to accept that marijuana has medicinal value.

Did you know that there's no risk of overdose with cannabis and it 
has been used as medicine for 5,000 years? It's true.

The facts are clear. Knowledge about the benefits of cannabis is 
finally spreading.

Kevin, a Florida resident, is 33 and suffers from rheumatoid 
arthritis. Recently, legislation passed in Tallahassee that more 
aggressively regulates pain clinics, so he is unable to manage his 
pain effectively. He has heard that marijuana could help, so he calls 
me as an information source.

I told him that marijuana is a pain reliever and strong 
anti-inflammatory. When eaten, one dose could last as long as six 
hours. He would no longer have the extreme constipation that comes 
with repeated opiate use. Kevin wants to know how fast we can get the 
laws changed in Florida so he can legally use marijuana.

I get these calls often, and each time I am reminded of the insanity 
of it all. This is one of the safest pain medications available, used 
all over the world, but Floridians can't use it to treat serious 
illnesses. Our state's population has one of the largest shares of 
retirees, and we can't give them legal access to a medication that is 
safe, effective, affordable - and one of the least addictive pain 
killers available.

More lunacy occurs legislatively, where this debate looks like a 
civil war. Sixteen states andWashington, D.C., have passed 
legislation that allow for use of medicinal cannabis. The federal 
government grows and distributes marijuana for research; however, it 
continues to declare that it has no medical value.

This year, for the first time, we had two bills introduced in Florida 
to support medical marijuana. However, both died in committee without 
being given a hearing.

The small glimmer of hope we have is our judicial branch. Court 
rulings in Florida have upheld medical marijuana use as a necessity 
on at least three occasions, juries have refused to convict 
legitimate patients, and prosecutors are less and less likely to go 
to trial. There are patients who have refused plea bargains, insisted 
on going to trial, and walked away with all charges dropped.

The reality is that laws can be changed immediately if the public 
demands it. But there is a problem. People don't want to talk about 
it. An ABC News poll found that eight out of 10 Americans agree that 
medical cannabis should be allowed. It is a topic that needs more 
discussion among peers.

Chances are very good that you already know someone who has benefited 
from medical cannabis. So start by asking your friends if they know 
anyone who has used cannabis to develop an appetite during cancer 
treatments. Ask them to share their stories about loved ones who have 
health conditions that seem hopeless. Then, ask them if they have 
researched cannabis as a possible alternative.

We all need to speak up and tell our stories, without fear of 
prosecution or retribution.

The ballot initiative we are circulating requires 676,811 valid 
signatures from Florida registered voters to place the issue on the 
2014 ballot. Please sign it.

Another critical part of the process is encouraging people to talk to 
their legislators, who need reassurance from the voters in order to 
support changing the laws.

It's time to seriously consider medical cannabis in Florida. By 
simply discussing it, you are telling patients that help is on the way.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom