Noncompliance is the term used in medical circles to describe the state of incautious patients who ignore medical advice even at the risk of serious consequences. The same label should apply to the almost 70 percent of Massachusetts voters who, according to a recent Globe poll, support the legalization of marijuana for medical use.
The Massachusetts Medical Society opposes the medical use of marijuana, or Question 3 as it appears on the November ballot. The organization representing more than 24,000 physicians and medical students warns that pot hasn’t been subjected to the “rigorous, scientific testing of other drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration’’ and that claims for its effectiveness are not scientifically proven. Those seeking a second opinion should consult the medical societies representing specialists who treat patients with cancer, glaucoma, and multiple sclerosis — diseases often associated with medical marijuana treatment. They think that the effort to bring medical marijuana to Massachusetts is bogus, too.
Comments
Prescription drugs are normally controlled by the Federal government and under Federal law marijuana remains illegal. No pharmacy would touch it. That's unrealistic.
In some people's minds, medical marijuana may indeed be a stalking horse for general legalization. That's obviously in your mind, and it sounds something like the "gateway" drug charge. Stalking horse or not, legalization is a different subject and will require a different vote. These precursor accusations are meaningless because the brakes can be put on anytime and at any point.
I'm 72 years old and haven't smoked any marijuana since I was in college in my early 20s. Luckily, even at my age, I'm still not a fuddy duddy stuck in the past.
Reefer Madness is also the title of a propahanda film on behalf of the DEA and good old Harry J Anslinger. We used to get stoned a watch it during the Summer of Love. We thought it was hilarious. So is this column. Just as the real solution to health care is European/Canadian style single payer, not just Obamacare, the better solution is the total decriminalization of marijuana, for medical AND recreational use. Anything less only serves to keep the Narcosis Squad gainfully employed.
Note: The many typos in my comment are not because I'm still stoned. Just typing with me fisks...
I don't think we need the FDA to "study" a plant anymore than the billions they have spent doing so over the last 40 years.
"Reefer Madness" is the appropriate title for this column. Just like the HILARIOUS government funded movie, this column is useless.
Legalize it. Or make booze and cigs illegal. YOUR choice.
you don't have the fortitude to try the latter so while you enjoy your evening scotch, some of us will enjoy our evening toke. Only one of us will be destroying his body. I'll let you guess which one.
Ever heard of Prohibition? Granted, that only applied to alcohol, but it was tried, and it didn't work.
Good grief thought you folks were into small government. Legalize it, tax it, enjoy the revenues, enforce improper behaviors if any are brought about by it and move on. This "war" on drugs has been a waste of time and money for over forty years. Sooner or later this country will grow up and join the 21st century. Then again maybe not.
I also endorse the full legalization and regulation of marijuana, along the lines of alcohol control. The rationale is explained by 'attaturk' and other writers. I want to focus on the opposition. Think about the constituencies whose interests coincide with keeping marijuana illegal. First are the manufacturers, distributors, and salespoints for alcohol, although rumors abound that major distillers have plans on the shelf to move quickly into the new business, and copyrights of zippy names for reefer. Then there is the vast penal-judicial system, now a mult-billion dollar public-private enterprise as states hire companies to build and run more and more prisons. Even though, nationwide, incarcerations for marijuana possession are declining, drug convictions overall continue to climb and this cohort see legalization of marijuana as the first step in unraveling the whole, lucrative system. Finally, are those who profit most directly from illicit drug sales--criminals--and their lawyers and the crooked politicians they fund. Moralists and a handful of medical scientists may be the most prominent spokesmen for keeping marijuana illegal, but underwriting their point of view are the people whose interests are most tied to it.
Doctors make decisions everyday about which drugs to prescribe to particular patients. Some will lean towards certain drugs because they have a personal stake, maybe a kickback of some kind from a drug company etc. Others will go with their favorites because of experience and feedback from the patients they serve. Some doctors are more brave and genuinely caring. Don't make assumptions based on your personal bias. Did you even consider the possibility that there may be a bunch of people out there who could be helped greatly by this new law? Look, do people who like to get high or euphoric try to fake injury in order to get access to Oxycontin or Diazepam? Of course they do. Doctors should know how to spot that. The same obviously holds true for medical Marihuana.
"Some will lean towards certain drugs because they have a personal stake, maybe a kickback of some kind from a drug company etc." So, why would you assume taht there aren't a number of doctors out there that will write prescriptions for "medical marijuana" just to make money? Legalize it. Put it in the same class as booze and tobacco. Tax it. We can use the revenue.
I also endorse the full legalization and regulation of marijuana, along the lines of alcohol control. The rationale is explained by 'attaturk' and other writers. I want to focus on the opposition. Think about the constituencies whose interests coincide with keeping marijuana illegal. First are the manufacturers, distributors, and salespoints for alcohol, although rumors abound that major distillers have plans on the shelf to move quickly into the new business, and copyrights of zippy names for reefer. Then there is the vast penal-judicial system, now a mult-billion dollar public-private enterprise as states hire companies to build and run more and more prisons. Even though, nationwide, incarcerations for marijuana possession are declining, drug convictions overall continue to climb and this cohort see legalization of marijuana as the first step in unraveling the whole, lucrative system. Finally, are those who profit most directly from illicit drug sales--criminals--and their lawyers and the crooked politicians they fund. Moralists and a handful of medical scientists may be the most prominent spokesmen for keeping marijuana illegal, but underwriting their point of view are the people whose interests are most tied to it.
Legalize it. Drug use is a personal life style issue. In some cases it is a health issue (just as alcohol is). We don't allow drivers to drink and drive, and the similar provisions can be made for drug use. Spend some of the money saved on ending the drug war for help for users who become habituated or addicted. Assess penalties for drug or alcohol use for critical fields or in critical situations: bus driver, EMT, etc.
The most conservative voices in Boston are for outright legalization much less medical. If the most conservative voices in Boston are for medical and legal pot, who exactly is against it? Nanny-state Democrats??!? If you have ever vomitted from taking a small sip of water while having the REAL flu, you should understand why cancer patients can't take a pill. If you have back pain or a spinal injury, the pain meds begin to be less and less effective over time as you lose more and more of your mobility. Pot as a replacement for pain meds gives these people their lives back and most become productive members of society again. Pot should be outright legal. But arguments against medical pot are just simply obscene. There is no valid argument against medical pot. If you don't like the dispensaries, sell it in CVS and Walgreens where it belongs!!!!!
Dems. don't oppose legalization, that is a nonsensical statement. Richard Nixon started the war on drugs and it since has been supported for poltiical purposes only by a large and varying group of vested interests including Dems. and Republicans which has nothing to do with ideology. Do you ever see anything objectively or are the Dems. hiding under your bed.
I am not sure this author is qualified to judge risk. I think one of the number one drug problems is acetaminophen. It causes liver damage.
Goggle acetaminophen liver alcohol. There are lots of emergency room visits because of Tylenol. And the effects are long lasting and highly detrimental.
One of the most powerful groups, (industries, lobbies) that oppose reducing restrictions on marijuana are the alcohol producers. Their opposition is not based on medical reasons. The use of marijuana has problems. The use of food has problems. Get the point?
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The research is out there. Anyone can read every paper,study and trial dealing with cannabis, its all published online.The CMCR or center for medical cannabis research at the university of california with the help of the state has a great site to start at. www.cannabis-med.org has studies going back decades. Procon.org too. the fact that Mr Lewis contributes to a good cause is not taking away any of the grassroots effort, big Pharma doles out more money and drugs that are in the medicine cabinets of houses all over the commonwealth the truth is out there
Marijuana is not dangerous. The bill will get desperately needed medicine to the people who need it. There are certainly problems coming from the federal government, and we all must continue to push the administration to stop waging war on marijuana. So sure, marijuana should probably be available in pharmacies, but that will not happen at the state level without federal action.
As a person with a severe disability, I depend on medical marijuana to relieve muscle tightness, spasms, and pain. 10 days ago I used it in an emergency situation to bring down my blood pressure, which had soared over 200. Inhaled marijuana combined with nitroglycerin paste brings my blood pressure down within minutes.
I hope supporters of Question 3 will take a critical look at Question 2 and all the problems the law will present. Check out the Salem news at http://tinyurl.com/8hw3o9o and the progressive disability rights perspective on Question 2 at www.second-thoughts.org . The more you know about Question 2, the more you will have "Second Thoughts".
My son was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease ( an inflamed bowel disease) at the age of 13. For three weeks he was in the hospital, not allowed to eat solid foods. He then went on a variety of drugs that never brough an end to his problems. At the age of 15, doctors recommended removing his colon. We were told that this would solve a lot of his problems of constant diarrhea and many daily trips to the bathroom (sometimes as many as 12) to defectate. Unfortunately, problems continued with infections, fistulas and abcesses.
In college , he had to schedule his eating around his classes so he could avoid the constant urges to defecate. He had to decide which was worse, being hungry or constant trips to the bathroom.
Several years later his weight had dropped down to 115 from his normal weight of 145. He contunued to face the dilemma of either eating which would cause a host problems or abstaining. Often, he chose the latter. In order to keep his weight up, he started using medical marijuana where he resides in Los Angeles. It has eased his pain and incresaed his appetite.
About two years ago at the age of 28, his doctor advised that he get a colostomy bag. He had spent years avoiding that possibility as one would expect of a young man. Things have never fully gotten better, He had surgery in last April to remove a mass in his stomach. Since then he has had to deal with pain from abcesses. Hopefully, that will soon be improved.
Over the last 17 years, he has spent much time in hospitals. Medical marijuana has been very helpful in dealing with the issues of pain and loss of appetite. What parent would not want the best treatment for their their child? Medical marijuana has been an effective agent to help deal with his many problems. In any case, he should not be considered a criminal for using marijuana to relieve his suffering.