Pubdate: Fri, 14 Mar 2014 Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune (MN) Copyright: 2014 Star Tribune Contact: http://www.startribunecompany.com/143 Website: http://www.startribune.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/266 Author: John Stehly MEDICAL MARIJUANA Commissioners Make a Flawed Case Against It The three commissioners begin their commentary with the pronouncement that they "know how difficult it can be to watch a loved one struggle with major illness or chronic pain." I do not know their experiences, but obviously, they don't know mine. They write that they "appreciate the commitment with which families search for effective treatments." Obviously, they don't. People in crisis suffering from disabling illness and pain know better. As patients, we search for anything that works, regardless of these three bureaucrats' protestations about "efficacy, effective safeguards, side effects and other factors." Most patients and their caregivers know about black-box-labeled medications for illnesses such as multiple sclerosis. How many MS patients like me have used Copaxone, Betaseron or Tysabri, to name just a few? The answer is: almost all. So why would patients eagerly submit to drugs that cost tens of thousands of dollars a year and carry these warnings? Because they don't care about efficacy, safeguards, side effects and other factors. These are last-ditch efforts - no guarantees, only risks and hopes. So to Ed, Lucinda and Mona: When you decide to use your influence as leaders to protect and improve the quality of life of people with disabling illness and pain by encouraging the use of medical marijuana for a set of prescribed illnesses, I will retract my stated opinion. Until then, obviously, you don't know. John Stehly, Minneapolis - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom