Cannabis?
Cannabis is supposed to help reduce pain, including the pain associated with multiple sclerosis. I saw an article from Britain today reporting that a couple had distributed chocolate bars laced with cannabis to multiple sclerosis patients. The couple is now facing charges for distributing illegal drugs.
Now, I have never used cannabis for pain. I haven't had the need. But, if I were to experience the pain that some others with MS have talked about, I would want all options available. I'm not saying I would choose cannabis, but I would want the choice.
I think it's strange that the people making the laws which outlaw cannabis for medical conditions are in no way impacted by the medical conditions which could benefit from the drug. It's easy to say it's wrong to take the drug when you don't need it. It all goes back to empathy - I'm quite sure those people making these laws would be singing a different tune if they or one of their loved ones would benefit from the drug.
Cannabis is illegal and should remain that way for the general public; but, if it can help treat certain conditions, why not let people make an informed decision with their doctor? Cannabis has a stigma attached to it. Remove the stigma, and it is just another drug like the thousands of other prescription drugs available. I think it should be treated like these other prescription drugs - with a doctor and the patient making the decision as to whether it could be beneficial. Why would anyone else be more fit to make that decision?
Comments
The whole cannabis thing ... yeah. The laws around that were put in place for some very wrong reasons ... and perpetuated.
Posted by: mdmhvonpa | December 7, 2006 07:34 PM
Just saw one of Dan Rather's new shows on HDNet
http://www.hd.net/transcript.html?air_master_id=A4429
about medical marijuana. Went through the whole weird story of it becoming illegal in the first place and the stigma that's now attached that didn't used to exist. They talked about the pain that can be associated with MS, pain that I thankfully don't share right now. These are people for whom all of the other options had ceased to work. It also works wonderfully to relieve stress and induce hunger in people with stomach issues.
Rather's story discussed the progress that's being made to synthesize the naturally occuring endocannabinoids that work to kill the pain. They said nothing about whether this synthetic endocannabinoid will also reduce anxiety.
Personally, I'd miss the high, too.
Oh, and the most highly guarded site in all of Canada is the mountain within which they grow the medical marijuana for the Canadian gov't research. Sheesh
Posted by: patrickm | August 30, 2007 12:36 AM