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
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom