Truth Seeker
New Member
When medical marijuana proponents used Massachusetts' voter initiative provision to successfully get a question on the ballot authorizing its use, it sparked an intense public debate over whether legalizing pot for medical purposes was wise public policy. Unfortunately, the debate sometimes involved more fear than facts.
Such tactics are par for the course in politics where facts are often rather loose. After all, both sides were trying to appeal to emotions to "win" voters over to their side. While some of the concerns raised by medical marijuana opponents are valid, others have little basis in reality and seem more based on questionable fear tactics than solid facts.
Regardless of one's feelings on the matter, the question over whether medical marijuana should be legal has been settled by Massachusetts voters. But no law – whether crafted through the legislative process or enacted via popular vote – is perfect. There are several issues that must still be addressed to ensure the medical marijuana law does not do more harm than good. In fact, under the law, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health is charged with developing a variety of policies related to the law's implementation.
Unfortunately, it appears that the community discussion is running behind schedule. Although the law was approved four months ago, there are still many more questions than answers. While some may be looking to doctors to provide answers, the silence has been deafening from the majority of medical providers, who should be at the forefront of advising patients and educating the community about the facts when it comes to marijuana.
The law will allow medical marijuana for patients suffering from cancer, glaucoma, AIDS/HIV, hepatitis C, ALS, Crohn's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and other conditions as determined by a physician to grow or obtain marijuana legally. To create a legal distribution system, the Massachusetts law allows for the licensure of up to 35 nonprofit dispensaries across the state, with at least one, and not more than five, per county, in the first year.
While anti-drug organizations like Fall River's BOLD Coalition have been active in continuing to spread dubious claims about the effects of medical marijuana, no one seems willing to come forward with actual medical facts. Both of Fall River's hospitals and community health clinics have yet to publicly discuss the matter, saying that they have not discussed it as a group. Doctors interviewed by The Herald News said they weren't sure what to tell patients who might ask about obtaining a prescription.
To his credit, Fall River pharmacist Tom Pasternak, chairman of the BOLD Coalition, said that he can see both sides of the issue. His professionalism as a pharmacist has allowed him to put his BOLD Coalition's opposition aside when it comes to recognizing the medicinal effects of marijuana.
Pasternak acknowledged the benefits to using marijuana as medicine for certain serious diseases could give patients an alternative to highly addictive opioids. Pasternak still views marijuana as a "gateway drug," but seems to acknowledge that it is not nearly as addictive as opioids currently prescribed to treat such afflictions.
While marijuana's role as a "gateway drug" is debatable, opioids have indeed become a real "gateway drug" for many who have been prescribed such drugs for pain. "I see so many problems with drug abuse," Pasternak said. "If we could solve the drug problem, I think we could solve the other problems." On that point, Pasternak is absolutely correct. Addiction is dangerous.
While some claim that marijuana is addictive, opioids are clearly a drug that trap users in a cycle of addiction. Pasternak brings up a very good point that has not been addressed thus far: "I don't think a prescription should be good for a lifetime," Pasternak said. "The law needs to be tweaked. It needs to be controlled by the medical system." That's just one of the issues that ought to be addressed.
Fortunately, Massachusetts is not the first state to grapple with this issue, and regulators can look to states that have already permitted medical marijuana for guidance on what has worked and what has not worked there. After an extensive delay since the Rhode Island General Assembly approved medical marijuana in 2006, "compassion centers" – the name Rhode Island has adopted for its state-licensed medical marijuana dispensaries – are set to open within the next few months in Portsmouth and Providence.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has only until May 1 to issue regulations on medical marijuana. Unfortunately, there has been little rational public discussion about what those regulations should be. It seems that the taboo long associated with marijuana use continues to make it an uncomfortable topic for public discussion. "I think if we're going to be concerned about drugs and how they impact and ruin lives, then we need to make sure this is done the right way," Bristol County Sheriff Thomas Hodgson said.
Since the law of the commonwealth now recognizes marijuana as a medicine, it needs to be discussed as such. Continuing to view medical marijuana as an elicit narcotic is counterproductive to the goal of formulating sound medical decisions and good public policy.
By toning down the rhetoric and engaging in an honest discussion about the risks and medical benefits of medical marijuana, the commonwealth has an opportunity to develop sound policy that protects the interests of all involved.
News Hawk- TruthSeekr420 420 MAGAZINE
Source: heraldnews.com
Author: Herald News Editorial Board
Contact: The Herald News Contact Us
Website: OUR VIEW: Respecting marijuana as medicine - Fall River, MA - The Herald News
Such tactics are par for the course in politics where facts are often rather loose. After all, both sides were trying to appeal to emotions to "win" voters over to their side. While some of the concerns raised by medical marijuana opponents are valid, others have little basis in reality and seem more based on questionable fear tactics than solid facts.
Regardless of one's feelings on the matter, the question over whether medical marijuana should be legal has been settled by Massachusetts voters. But no law – whether crafted through the legislative process or enacted via popular vote – is perfect. There are several issues that must still be addressed to ensure the medical marijuana law does not do more harm than good. In fact, under the law, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health is charged with developing a variety of policies related to the law's implementation.
Unfortunately, it appears that the community discussion is running behind schedule. Although the law was approved four months ago, there are still many more questions than answers. While some may be looking to doctors to provide answers, the silence has been deafening from the majority of medical providers, who should be at the forefront of advising patients and educating the community about the facts when it comes to marijuana.
The law will allow medical marijuana for patients suffering from cancer, glaucoma, AIDS/HIV, hepatitis C, ALS, Crohn's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and other conditions as determined by a physician to grow or obtain marijuana legally. To create a legal distribution system, the Massachusetts law allows for the licensure of up to 35 nonprofit dispensaries across the state, with at least one, and not more than five, per county, in the first year.
While anti-drug organizations like Fall River's BOLD Coalition have been active in continuing to spread dubious claims about the effects of medical marijuana, no one seems willing to come forward with actual medical facts. Both of Fall River's hospitals and community health clinics have yet to publicly discuss the matter, saying that they have not discussed it as a group. Doctors interviewed by The Herald News said they weren't sure what to tell patients who might ask about obtaining a prescription.
To his credit, Fall River pharmacist Tom Pasternak, chairman of the BOLD Coalition, said that he can see both sides of the issue. His professionalism as a pharmacist has allowed him to put his BOLD Coalition's opposition aside when it comes to recognizing the medicinal effects of marijuana.
Pasternak acknowledged the benefits to using marijuana as medicine for certain serious diseases could give patients an alternative to highly addictive opioids. Pasternak still views marijuana as a "gateway drug," but seems to acknowledge that it is not nearly as addictive as opioids currently prescribed to treat such afflictions.
While marijuana's role as a "gateway drug" is debatable, opioids have indeed become a real "gateway drug" for many who have been prescribed such drugs for pain. "I see so many problems with drug abuse," Pasternak said. "If we could solve the drug problem, I think we could solve the other problems." On that point, Pasternak is absolutely correct. Addiction is dangerous.
While some claim that marijuana is addictive, opioids are clearly a drug that trap users in a cycle of addiction. Pasternak brings up a very good point that has not been addressed thus far: "I don't think a prescription should be good for a lifetime," Pasternak said. "The law needs to be tweaked. It needs to be controlled by the medical system." That's just one of the issues that ought to be addressed.
Fortunately, Massachusetts is not the first state to grapple with this issue, and regulators can look to states that have already permitted medical marijuana for guidance on what has worked and what has not worked there. After an extensive delay since the Rhode Island General Assembly approved medical marijuana in 2006, "compassion centers" – the name Rhode Island has adopted for its state-licensed medical marijuana dispensaries – are set to open within the next few months in Portsmouth and Providence.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has only until May 1 to issue regulations on medical marijuana. Unfortunately, there has been little rational public discussion about what those regulations should be. It seems that the taboo long associated with marijuana use continues to make it an uncomfortable topic for public discussion. "I think if we're going to be concerned about drugs and how they impact and ruin lives, then we need to make sure this is done the right way," Bristol County Sheriff Thomas Hodgson said.
Since the law of the commonwealth now recognizes marijuana as a medicine, it needs to be discussed as such. Continuing to view medical marijuana as an elicit narcotic is counterproductive to the goal of formulating sound medical decisions and good public policy.
By toning down the rhetoric and engaging in an honest discussion about the risks and medical benefits of medical marijuana, the commonwealth has an opportunity to develop sound policy that protects the interests of all involved.
News Hawk- TruthSeekr420 420 MAGAZINE
Source: heraldnews.com
Author: Herald News Editorial Board
Contact: The Herald News Contact Us
Website: OUR VIEW: Respecting marijuana as medicine - Fall River, MA - The Herald News
