New Jersey patients, critics, testify on medical marijuana bill

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Desperately ill patients who say they need marijuana to ease their suffering and opponents who fear the spread of drug abuse testified passionately Thursday before legislators considering a bill to legalize marijuana for medical use.

Proponents of legalizing medical marijuana told an Assembly panel it eases symptoms better than other drugs. Critics worry about abuse.

Scott Ward, who was diagnosed with MS in 2006, told the committee that marijuana alleviates the symptoms of the disease and the side effects from the 12 prescription drugs — 40 pills a day — he takes.

He said he smokes “less than a gram, less than one joint,” a day.

But the remedy has also stuck him in a predicament, said Ward, 25.

“Johns Hopkins recommended marijuana, but the government says you can’t use it, because it’s illegal,” he said. “It’s bad enough that you’re sick. The risk is being arrested.”

Nancy Fedder of Hillsboro said MS affects her legs with spasms and stiffness. Prescription drugs relieve the symptoms, but they make her wobbly and sleepy.

A very small amount of marijuana helps more, she said.

“I measure it in puffs, not joints,” she said. “Two or three puffs relieve the spasticity and pain.”

Fedder said she buys her marijuana in New York City, even though that state has not legalized medical use of the drug.

Other speakers, however, testified that legalizing marijuana for medicinal use could spur drug abuse.

David Evans, executive director of the Drug-Free Schools Coalition, said the bill should be defeated because medical use of marijuana has not been approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration. He believes there are approved medications that work just as well.

Candice Singer of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence–New Jersey also warned of abuse.

“That will create more access and perceived availability,” Singer testified. “When there’s a perceived availability, children will use it more.”

The proposed legislation would allow patients with debilitating illnesses, such as cancer, AIDS or multiple sclerosis, to smoke or eat marijuana to relieve pain, nausea and other symptoms. The bill would require a doctor’s recommendation and would permit patients or their caregivers to possess six marijuana plants and a gram of pot.

A gram of pot!?!  These critics are getting worked up over a gram of pot?  I don’t even know how a law like that is going to work.  How do you grow six plants but only harvest a gram of usable cannabis?  The US government joints are ¾ gram – you’re going to have multiple sclerosis patients like Scott Ward using up their one gram in less than 48 hours!

Anyway, it’s nice to see some of the old prohibitionist talking points trotted out again.  “Approved medications that work just as well,” hey, it’s been a long time!  Never mind Nancy Fedder and her prescription drug side effects, never mind the puking cancer patients you are asking to swallow a pill.

And look, “children will use it more!”  Our old favorite.  Never mind that since medical marijuana has been approved, teen use of marijuana has declined in California and Oregon and declined slightly or remained steady in the other ten medical marijuana states.

Ken Wolski, who’s been a guest on the Stash, notes that the assembly members didn’t ask any questions about the medical efficacy of cannabis, only about how they would get it to the patients.  This could be a good sign that the lawmakers are on our side.