Pubdate: Sun, 29 Jun 2014 Source: Record, The (Troy, NY) Copyright: 2014 The Record Contact: http://www.troyrecord.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1724 Author: John Ostwald Page: A6 THE HERO OF RYJELL 5 COULD BE OUR OWN GOVERMENT Like many of you, I read this in the paper the other day: "Deal Made on Medical Marijuana." Like you I have been following this story and I wrote column on April 6 entitled, "Legalization needed for medical use of marijuana." I have also lobbied for the bill and specifically espoused the use of medicinal marijuana for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The persistent irrational stalling of the bill and the bottom-of-the-ninth two-out arrival of the "Deal" has upset me. So, with your permission I will respond. Is the governor nuts? Are these legislators high? People have suffered right in front of them in legislative hearings and they have debated and discussed ad nauseam and ignored solid research and now we get a "Deal"? What kind of deal leaves families in pain and anguish for the next 15 plus months? What was all this stalling and posturing about over these several months? Are these civil servants concerned that these kids, with persistent seizures and middle aged women with Multiple Sclerosis will be smoking weed in their garage while listening to classic rock? I don't get it. I know that concerns about addiction were mentioned. What scientific evidence support these concerns? Listen to this related story about futuristic addiction concerns. I visited my uncle when he was dying. As I bent close to his hospital bed, I heard him say, "I'm in a lot of pain; can you help me?" I ran to the nurse and indicated the need for a strong analgesic for my uncle. She said to me: "We don't want to give him anymore because of the possibility of drug dependency." I flipped out somewhat and said, "What?! He is going to be dead soon. So, it's a non-issue!" We have people in pain now. If you can't prove they will be addicted in the future, then let them receive the relief they deserve. I like the philosophy of the Zen Buddhists, who say that more than anything else, Zen is about reclaiming and expanding the present moment. I hope this stalling was not in any way related to political office seeking or posturing. But this situation with the Compassionate Care Bill seems out of this world to me. So, as a sci-fi aficionado, I've made up a little anecdote to dramatize my point. On the fictional planet Ryjell 5, there was controversy over a mood altering substance called "phlqxi". Just like marijuana on our planet, it was found to have significant medicinal uses. The older conservative Ryjellians, in the ruling body, offered significant resistance to the beneficial use of the substance. As the discussions continued over many months, more emotional and physical suffering plagued the planet's inhabitants. Subsequently, an angry crowd gathered around the palace of the Grand Wazoo (leader) and shouted loudly: "Save us exalted one!" The Wazoo was concerned about his future on the throne but decided to issue an order for the phlqxi to be available in three months (not like 18 months on earth). He couldn't bear to see his subjects suffering anymore. A year later the Grand Wazoo was removed from his lofty position but it didn't matter because he thrived forever in the hearts and minds of the Ryjellians; especially the children. We need a hero like the Grand Wazoo. I would like to conclude with some thoughts on the recent events mentioned above from Gabriel Sayegh, of the Drug Policy Alliance, who has been one of the primary supporters of the Compassionate Care Act. "The good news is that, if implemented effectively, this legislation will help thousands of New Yorkers with cancer, MS, and other serious conditions," Sayegh said. "But many patients were left out - like those with PTSD. And some patients need relief now; they don't have 18 months to wait for the system to become operational. So our work isn't done - we've got to make sure this is implemented quickly and expanded where necessary." - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom