Pubdate: Thu, 11 Oct 2012
Source: Flint Journal (MI)
Copyright: 2012 Flint Journal
Contact: http://www.mlive.com/mailforms/fljournal/letters/
Website: http://www.mlive.com/flint/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/836
Author: Andrew Averill

MEDICAL MARIJUANA WITHOUT THE HIGH COULD BE A GAME CHANGER, ADVOCATE SAYS

GRAND BLANC, MI -- A new hope exists for medical marijuana patients
and advocates that could turn the debate about illicit
drug-as-medicine on its head -- medical marijuana that does not get
the user high.

Advocates will present information on "smoke-free, buzz-free"
marijuana to those invited to the seminar at the Genesys Regional
Medical Center in Grand Blanc Township on Thursday, Oct. 11.

Dr. William Courtney, who received his doctor of medicine degree at
Wayne State University, and Michigan Rep. Michael Calton, R-Nashville,
will be presenting information on "no-high" marijuana to attendees.

Calton, a chiropractor, voted against the marijuana law in 2008, but
said he has since reconsidered after testimony from his patients led
him to believe medical marijuana had a place in abetting appetite and
helping to ease chronic pain.

One woman with Parkinsons disease he treats told him she ingests an
oral marijuana candy, a medicine that doesn't make her intoxicated in
order to calm her tremors enough so she can sleep, Calton said.

"She doesn't want to get high," Calton said. "She just wants to
sleep."

Medical marijuana critics, Calton said, often allege patients use
marijuana just to get high, but the use of buzz-free marijuana could
shift in how public officials and lawmakers view medical marijuana.

Calton said he's offended by advocates for medical marijuana who dress
in tie-dye clothes and continue the stereotype that all marijuana
users are 1960's-era hippies. Marijuana use today is not like
Woodstock, Calton said,

"I'd like to see a focus on 'high-free' marijuana where there is very
little THC (the active chemical in marijuana)" Calton said. "Beyond
the high is the healing."

The private seminar takes place in the Genesys Conference and Banquet
Center, located at 801 Health Park Boulevard in Grand Blanc Township.
It begins at 7 p.m.
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