Drug Warrior Calvina Fay: NJ medical marijuana bill is “dangerous”

Medical marijuana: A user’s smokescreen

I write in response to the guest opinion article “Medical marijuana: Opening Pandora’s box?” (Jan. 20) by Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini, who is right to question the unintended consequences of this New Jersey legislation which seeks to allow medical use of marijuana. Times readers should know that most people with fatal diseases are not smoking pot — they are under the care of legitimate doctors and are receiving valid medicines to treat their ailments. This dangerous bill would allow widespread marijuana use and fraudulent claims of illness for all drug users.

Oh, Calvina, you’re so dramatic!

In cities like San Diego, where this issue has been closely examined, only 2 percent of those smoking marijuana under the guise of medicine have serious conditions such as AIDS, glaucoma or cancer. A full 98 percent are “treating” minor conditions such as back and neck pain, anxiety, muscle spasms, insomnia, headaches and other less significant conditions. But even more troubling is that 12 percent of the users are under the age of 21.

But Calvina, if that “treatment” actually works for those 98 percent and does not cause them harm, why are you so worked up about it?

As for the users under 21, well, the 18, 19, and 20-year-olds can be trusted with a vote and an Army rifle, so I trust them with some medical marijuana.  Those under 18 have their parents’ express permission. Again, why are you so worked up over it?

Crude marijuana is not prescribed by a doctor because it has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Crude marijuana can never pass FDA standards for several reasons: It is neither safe nor stable. In fact, it is particularly dangerous to patients in an already weakened condition. Even marijuana in its FDA-approved pill form is a third-tier medication and not often prescribed by doctors.

Aspirin could not pass the FDA’s standards if it were forced to today.  Cannabis is wonderfully safe, or as the DEA’s own administrative law judge puts it, “Marijuana, in its natural form, is one of the safest therapeutically active substances known to man. By any measure of rational analysis marijuana can be safely used within a supervised routine of medical care.”

After researching the efficacy of marijuana for medicinal use, the Institute of Medicine concluded that although there may be value to some compounds found in cannabis, there is no future for smoked marijuana as a medicine.

Calvina, you’ve had to have heard of vaporization and edibles by now.  Don’t make me go to get Paul’s book and school you on the various medical uses of marijuana.

As a drug policy expert with more than 25 years experience in the field, I can assure you that for every symptom of every illness, there is a better medicine, a better therapy than so-called medical marijuana. Please ensure that your legislators are not misled — it is much more compassionate to ensure sick people are not being exploited by those who just want to make a quick buck peddling snake oil.

Really?  Tell me, “Dr.” Fay, what’s the best treatment around for neuropathic pain?  What’s the best anti-emetic when you’re currently vomiting?  What’s the only painkiller you cannot overdose and die from?  I can assure you that for many symptoms of many illnesses, there is no metter medicine, no better therapy than cannabis.

But once again, Calvina, I wish you could show me just one medical marijuana patient complaining of exploitation.  As a medical marijuana activist with four years experience in the field, I have yet to hear one patient say, “Russ, I am sick and tired of you exploiting me by protecting me from arrest for my medical use of cannabis.”  I have yet to hear one patient tell me she is cancelling her medical marijuana card because she’s found a better FDA-approved medication.  And if you could look at my bank accounts, Calvina, I could assure you there are no quick bucks in there, and very few slow bucks.

– CALVINA FAY, St. Petersburg, Fla.

The writer is executive direc tor of Save Our Society From Drugs.

via It hasn’t trickled down and it never will – NJ.com.