Pubdate: Wed, 10 Oct 2012
Source: Cape Cod Times (MA)
Copyright: 2012 Cape Cod Times
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/sbOHSik6
Website: http://www.capecodonline.com/cctimes/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/72
Author: Jon Offredo

MEDICAL MARIJUANA: GODSEND FOR THE AFFLICTED OR GATEWAY TO ABUSE?

SANDWICH -- Is it a question of providing relief to those with painful
ailments or will it open the door to widespread abuse?

Students from Cape Cod Community College's debate team sought to argue
those points Tuesday night during a public debate over the third
ballot item this coming November to legalize marijuana for medical
use.

The crux of the argument hinges on this: Is medical marijuana a needed
drug for those with illnesses like multiple sclerosis and cancer, or
does the harm outweigh the good, creating a legal marketplace for an
otherwise illegal drug.

In front of 30 people or so, students argued both sides.

"Laws are not static," said Jacky Howlett, who argued in favor of the
proposal. "They are dynamic. We can change the parts that do not work."

Parties for the bill argue that marijuana is useful in treating the
side effects of chemotherapy, the weight loss associated with HIV and
AIDS, glaucoma, pain, migraines, anxiety and post-traumatic stress
disorder.

But opponents say that as the bill stands now, there is too much
wiggle room for abuse.

"We cannot escape the inherent and cataclysmic problems with this
bill," Matt Vasquez said.

If the bill were to pass, Massachusetts would join 17 states across
the country that allow marijuana for medical use. It would be
distributed to individuals with a doctor's prescription by 35
dispensaries spread across the state.

Concerns were raised Tuesday night about how that would pan out across
the Cape, with such a large geographic area and a clause in the
language that says anyone who is more than 25 miles away from a
dispensary could grow three marijuana plants as long as they are
behind a locked door.

Other concerns were raised over who exactly could obtain the drug, how
old they'd have to be, how certain professions would handle their
employees obtaining prescriptions, what illnesses would qualify for a
prescription and, most of all, how would it impact access.

One vote taken during the debate showed that two people thought that
medicinal marijuana could only be a positive to the community, 11 said
it was more of a positive than a negative, 10 said it was more of a
negative than a positive, and three said it could only be negative.

"I do not support this," state Rep. Randy Hunt, R-East Sandwich, said.
"Too many loopholes would be created that could result in abuse."

In California, the average medical marijuana user is a 32-year-old
white male with a history of substance use and no terminal medical
condition, according to information handed out Tuesday night.

Steve Brown, who works with the Cape Cod Justice for Youth
Collaborative, said the debate Tuesday night was interesting and an
important part of democracy.

"Democracy is not a spectator sport," he said.

As for the issues at hand, in his personal opinion, he said he was
against the proposal as it is.

"If the supply is there, the demand is too."
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MAP posted-by: Matt