Robert Celt
New Member
A letter signed by prosecutors was recently published in the News-Leader expressing a strong stand opposing legalization of medical marijuana. The reasons stated were:
1) Proponents really want full legalization (concern about a "camel's nose")
2) Drugs being tested by the FDA "show future promise in treating seizures in children and chronic pain;"
3) Legalizing medical marijuana would make marijuana more available through the black market;
4) Arguments against edible marijuana products;
5) Marijuana is responsible for "skyrocketing crime rates" in Colorado.
1) There is absolutely no correlation between legalization of medical marijuana and legalization of recreational marijuana. Over 20 states legalize medical marijuana, and only four areas have legalized recreational marijuana.These arguments sound reasonable and carry the weight of the state's prosecutors. However, none of these arguments are valid.
2) It is of no comfort to patients with horrible, agonizing pain that there may be drugs for these conditions in the future.
3) Everyone knows that marijuana is readily available now to anyone who wants it, but to obtain it, you must become a criminal. Should people with horrible, chronic medical conditions really have to become criminals to get relief?
4) Some people have never smoked – and don't tolerate – inhaled marijuana; edible products are produced to help these people relieve symptoms, not to make marijuana attractive to children.
5) There is no "skyrocketing crime rate" in Colorado and certainly no proof marijuana is behind any increase. In fact, studies show decreasing crime rates in many areas with legalized medical marijuana.
So I think there is not a single legitimate argument against making marijuana available by prescription to suffering patients. Do our legislators and prosecutors really think they are better judges of this issue than highly trained physicians?
This is simply another example of our state government restricting individual rights, including that of physicians to comfort their patients.
Why not ban the strongest narcotics used for pain, since they are far more dangerous and have greater potential for crime than marijuana? No one has ever died of a marijuana overdose.
I firmly believe that if the benefits of medical marijuana were discovered today without the past shady history of the drug, it would be hailed as the greatest medical advance since antibiotics. Can you imagine doctors saying, "No, this drug is too harmful to use, even though it relieves an enormous amount of pain and suffering?"
Thousands of Missourians would benefit from controlled use of marijuana but must move to other states to obtain relief. Individuals opposed to legalization are thoughtless, heartless or just plain wrong. If the shoe were on the other foot, they would be doing everything they could to obtain a form of marijuana having undergone quality control and prescribed by their physicians.
The deadline to sign a petition is May 8. Please help those who desperately need help, and sign the petition, and vote when the measure is on the ballot. It's the right thing to do.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: MO: Legalizing Medical Marijuana Is The Right Thing To Do
Author: Frederic Hamburg
Contact: Springfield News-Leader
Photo Credit: None found
Website: Springfield News-Leader
1) Proponents really want full legalization (concern about a "camel's nose")
2) Drugs being tested by the FDA "show future promise in treating seizures in children and chronic pain;"
3) Legalizing medical marijuana would make marijuana more available through the black market;
4) Arguments against edible marijuana products;
5) Marijuana is responsible for "skyrocketing crime rates" in Colorado.
1) There is absolutely no correlation between legalization of medical marijuana and legalization of recreational marijuana. Over 20 states legalize medical marijuana, and only four areas have legalized recreational marijuana.These arguments sound reasonable and carry the weight of the state's prosecutors. However, none of these arguments are valid.
2) It is of no comfort to patients with horrible, agonizing pain that there may be drugs for these conditions in the future.
3) Everyone knows that marijuana is readily available now to anyone who wants it, but to obtain it, you must become a criminal. Should people with horrible, chronic medical conditions really have to become criminals to get relief?
4) Some people have never smoked – and don't tolerate – inhaled marijuana; edible products are produced to help these people relieve symptoms, not to make marijuana attractive to children.
5) There is no "skyrocketing crime rate" in Colorado and certainly no proof marijuana is behind any increase. In fact, studies show decreasing crime rates in many areas with legalized medical marijuana.
So I think there is not a single legitimate argument against making marijuana available by prescription to suffering patients. Do our legislators and prosecutors really think they are better judges of this issue than highly trained physicians?
This is simply another example of our state government restricting individual rights, including that of physicians to comfort their patients.
Why not ban the strongest narcotics used for pain, since they are far more dangerous and have greater potential for crime than marijuana? No one has ever died of a marijuana overdose.
I firmly believe that if the benefits of medical marijuana were discovered today without the past shady history of the drug, it would be hailed as the greatest medical advance since antibiotics. Can you imagine doctors saying, "No, this drug is too harmful to use, even though it relieves an enormous amount of pain and suffering?"
Thousands of Missourians would benefit from controlled use of marijuana but must move to other states to obtain relief. Individuals opposed to legalization are thoughtless, heartless or just plain wrong. If the shoe were on the other foot, they would be doing everything they could to obtain a form of marijuana having undergone quality control and prescribed by their physicians.
The deadline to sign a petition is May 8. Please help those who desperately need help, and sign the petition, and vote when the measure is on the ballot. It's the right thing to do.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: MO: Legalizing Medical Marijuana Is The Right Thing To Do
Author: Frederic Hamburg
Contact: Springfield News-Leader
Photo Credit: None found
Website: Springfield News-Leader
