Pubdate: Thu, 11 Jul 2013
Source: Sacramento News & Review (CA)
Column: Medical Marijuana Guide
Copyright: 2013 Chico Community Publishing, Inc.
Contact:  http://newsreview.com/sacto/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/540
Author: Ngaio Bealum

MARIJUANA FOR MOM

My mom has a few health issues that I feel can be helped with medical 
marijuana. Do you have any suggestions for how to broach the subject 
with her? I know she smoked in her late teens and early 20s, but 
she's almost 60 now.

- -Dollface

You have it easy. Your mom is already familiar with cannabis and may 
be a little more open-minded about learning more about weed's 
medicinal effects. A poll done by AARP in 2004 found that more than 
70 percent of adults over the age 45 approved of having access to 
medical marijuana.

Baby boomers have been rediscovering cannabis over the past few 
years, but more as a medicine than for recreation. It helps with the 
aches and pains, it's a natural sleep aid, and it doesn't have as 
many unpleasant side effects as most over-the-counter or prescription 
medications.

Americans for Safe Access published a booklet about cannabis and 
aging that might help her consider it as a medication option (read it 
at www.safeaccessnow.org/section.php?id5).

So, next time you and your mom talk about her health, you could 
casually mention that marijuana has been shown to be effective at 
alleviating her symptoms, or you could share the pamphlet from ASA 
with her. Also, mention that she doesn't have to smoke. She can try 
edibles or a vaporizer, or even a salve or lotion if her arthritis is 
acting up.

Any news from Oregon?

- -Medford Matt

Yes, indeed! It looks like Oregon is going to pass a law allowing 
medical-cannabis dispensaries. As it is now, Oregon has a 
medical-marijuana law, but it doesn't allow storefront dispensaries. 
That hasn't stopped the good people of the Beaver State from opening 
clubs anyway. This has led to friction between the authorities and 
the activists.

As of this writing, the bill awaits reconciliation by both chambers 
and then the governor's signature. By the time you read this, 
cannabis clubs could be legal in Oregon.

The new law requires prospective club owners to pay a $4,000 
application fee and undergo a background check. Clubs also cannot be 
within 1,000 feet of each other and must be located in industrial, 
agricultural or commercial zones. Commercial zoning is a big deal. 
Many cannabis patients are low-income earners and must rely on public 
transportation, which doesn't always have routes through industrial 
and agricultural zones.

This law is a prime example of how some politicians have come to 
realize that cannabis regulation is better than cannabis 
criminalization. This law is supported by State Attorney General 
Ellen F. Rosenblum, Oregon Congressman Earl Blumenauer, and the 
League of Oregon Cities.

And, of course, this leads me to the question: Why can't California 
get its shit together? We used to be on the forefront. Washington, 
Oregon and Colorado are kicking our ass. Hell, Vermont just 
decriminalized possession of less than an ounce, and Massachusetts 
may very well be the next state to legalize. Call you reps and give 
them hell about this.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom