cannabisnews.com: Medical Marijuana Relieves Suffering





Medical Marijuana Relieves Suffering
Posted by CN Staff on October 30, 2008 at 06:47:45 PT
By Barbara Davis, RN
Source: Detroit Free Press
Michigan -- As nurses, we are on the front lines of providing care and comfort to patients suffering from terrible illnesses. Michigan nurses strongly support Proposal 1, the medical marijuana initiative. And, frankly, we are appalled at the misinformation being spread by opponents.There is simply no doubt that medical marijuana can relieve suffering. In a White House-commissioned study released in 1999, the Institute of Medicine reported, "Nausea, appetite loss, pain and anxiety are all afflictions of wasting, and all can be mitigated by marijuana."
Since then, the evidence that marijuana is a safe, effective medicine has continued to mount. In just the past two years, three separate randomized, controlled clinical trials -- the "gold standard" of medical research -- have shown that marijuana can effectively relieve neuropathic pain, a particularly hard-to-treat type that inflicts misery on millions of people suffering from multiple sclerosis, HIV/AIDS, diabetes and other conditions. What was most impressive about these studies was not just the relief that marijuana provided, but the lack of serious side effects.Opponents of Proposal 1 would have you believe that health and medical organizations are on their side, but that is simply false. Not only have the Michigan Nurses Association and a variety of state and national nursing groups recognized the therapeutic value of medical marijuana, so have the American College of Physicians, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, American Public Health Association, American Academy of HIV Medicine, and many others.In a U.S. Supreme Court brief a few years ago, a coalition of medical groups, including the Lymphoma Foundation of America and the HIV Medicine Association of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, wrote, "For certain persons, the medical use of marijuana can literally mean the difference between life and death. At a minimum, marijuana provides some seriously ill patients the gift of relative health and the ability to function as productive members of society."The simple truth is that there are no currently legal medications that provide all the relief marijuana can give. And that includes Marinol, the THC pill often touted as a substitute, but which is harder to dose properly and which, according to the American College of Physicians, has "more severe" psychoactive side effects than marijuana.Opponents have also tried to frighten us with wild tales of abuse and "pot shops," mostly from California. What they don't tell you is that Proposal 1 is nothing like California's law, which was the first of its kind and was indeed too loosely worded. They never mention that the 11 other states with more tightly regulated medical marijuana laws have had virtually no problems at all.And even in California, despite the problems, teen marijuana use has gone down, not up, since their medical marijuana law was passed in 1996.In Michigan, we've learned from other states' experience. Proposal 1 includes strict controls and safeguards. Participants in the program will be required to register and obtain an identification card that will enable law enforcement to quickly determine if someone is a legitimate patient. There are strict limits on the amount of marijuana patients may possess, and an absolute ban on use of marijuana in public or driving under the influence, plus tough penalties for violating any portion of the law.Please don't be fooled by misinformation. Proposal 1 is a carefully written, compassionate measure that will give relief to patients who suffer terribly and who certainly don't deserve arrest and jail, while providing tough, commonsense safeguards. Michigan nurses strongly urge you to vote yes on Proposal 1.Barbara Davis, RN, is a nurse at Dickinson County Healthcare System and is a member of the Michigan Nurses Association board of directors and chair of MNA's Congress on Public Policy. Source: Detroit Free Press (MI)Author: Barbara Davis, RNPublished: October 30, 2008Copyright: 2008 Detroit Free PressWebsite: http://www.freep.com/Contact: letters freepress.comRelated Articles & Web Site:Stop Arresting Patientshttp://www.stoparrestingpatients.org/ Proposal 1: Medical Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread24265.shtmlMarijuana Helps 1 Man Despite Doctor's Verdicthttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread24257.shtml 
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Comment #27 posted by Paint with light on October 30, 2008 at 23:25:18 PT
fight_4_freedom
Great job!!!!!!!!!!!!!Don't worry about the length of your letters.Less words mean more communication.Getting to the point quickly is more likely to be read.Somebody asked Chet Atkins once why he did not play as many notes as fast as some of the other guitar players.He responded, "I play the right ones".The same could be said about B.B. King.Your words are similar to B.B.'s notes.They have a lot of feeling inside them.Thanks for your work and commitment.Equal with alcohol is all I ask.
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Comment #26 posted by Hope on October 30, 2008 at 19:37:20 PT
Thank you, Mr. Young
for not crossing that picket line. 
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Comment #25 posted by Hope on October 30, 2008 at 19:35:26 PT
Video Download Helper
BGreen, I got it... now I have to figure out what to do with it.
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Comment #24 posted by FoM on October 30, 2008 at 16:19:28 PT
OT: Neil Young
Thank you Neil for standing with the workers.Neil Young Cancels Show in Support Of Strikershttp://www.justiceattheforum.com/news/081030_niel_young.html
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Comment #23 posted by BGreen on October 30, 2008 at 13:32:14 PT
Hope
Download Helper is installed as an add-on by clicking on Tools/Add-ons/Get Add-ons.Let me know if you need any help.BTW, this is a great tool for everybody to be able to save your favorite videos to your computer.Bro. Bud
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Comment #22 posted by dongenero on October 30, 2008 at 12:49:45 PT
great job F-4-f!
Great letter, to the point.
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Comment #21 posted by The GCW on October 30, 2008 at 12:15:35 PT
Fight_4_freedom,
I think Michigan is going to do well and it will be in part due to Your help.-0-And this nurses association article (AWESOME!) basically says cops and John Walters are not to be trusted or listened to.The outcome of cops telling lies is that respected people like that of cherished nurses groups come out and say:Do not trust cops!Is that what cops want?Because that's what they receive!
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Comment #20 posted by Hope on October 30, 2008 at 10:38:06 PT
Fight_4_freedom 
Excellent!Good job!
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Comment #19 posted by Hope on October 30, 2008 at 10:34:18 PT
BGreen comment 16
Thank you so much!I'll give it a try.
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Comment #18 posted by FoM on October 30, 2008 at 10:33:36 PT
fight_4_freedom 
Another good job!
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Comment #17 posted by fight_4_freedom on October 30, 2008 at 10:28:56 PT
Wow, a record for me. Two letters printed in 1 day
Midland Daily NewsProposal 1 a simple matterTo the editor:  The medical marijuana proposal is really a simple matter. It asks Michigan voters to put treatment decisions in the hands of doctors and patients, where they belong. It won't open the "floodgates to drug abuse," as some critics prone to hyperbole and hysteria would have you believe. We have more to fear from violent criminals who target our cities and towns than we do from terminally ill patients getting relief from pain and suffering through smoking medicinal marijuana, in the privacy of their own homes, in the final days of their lives. I hope you'll join me in voting "yes" to Michigan's medical marijuana proposal at the polls.http://www.ourmidland.com/articles/2008/10/30/opinion/letters/1340462.txt
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Comment #16 posted by BGreen on October 30, 2008 at 09:49:46 PT
Hey, Hope
I think I've got a solution to your problems viewing videos due to your slow connection.If you use Firefox as your browser you can install an add-on called "Download Helper," and it will allow you to save videos onto your computer from sites like YouTube.It could well be that your problem with viewing the videos is some sort of server timeout, but maybe this will help you.Bro. Bud
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Comment #15 posted by FoM on October 30, 2008 at 09:41:41 PT
dongenero
I believe we need to engage our brain before our mouth speaks. It hasn't been that way and I hope it will happen now.
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Comment #14 posted by fight_4_freedom on October 30, 2008 at 09:40:04 PT
Thanks Hope
I originally used the word cannabis in my letters, but I felt people are going to be more familiar with the word marijuana. So I didn't want to confuse anybody reading it.I do like the word Cannabis more than Marijuana, but I just felt it was best to use the M word in this situation.
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Comment #13 posted by dongenero on October 30, 2008 at 09:25:35 PT
Michigan Nurses Association
It reassures my hope for our society that there are still people who can discuss an issue with reason, facts and thoughtful consideration.I've had it with the histrionics, bellicose propaganda and ridiculous ideological outrage. Bring back intelligence and critical thought, it's back in style!!!
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Comment #12 posted by Hope on October 30, 2008 at 09:23:34 PT
That's right!
"As long as my letter changes at least one no vote to a yes vote, I did my job."I was thinking about just that when I read your letter, Fight_4_Freedom. That letter could be the influence that helps no telling how many of the undecided to make the right choice.
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Comment #11 posted by Hope on October 30, 2008 at 09:20:52 PT
Reverence, respect and 
APPRECIATION of the plant and it's benefits. 
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Comment #10 posted by Hope on October 30, 2008 at 09:19:37 PT
Great letter, Fight_4_Freedom!
Every bit helps.The other day we were talking about the use of the words cannabis and marijuana.I know where the word marijuana came from... but I still think it's a beautiful, sparkly, musical, promise of smiles, word. I understand some people's aversion to the use of the word. But it's still a pretty word to me... and I've never heard it sound more beautiful than when it was spoken by the man speaking in this video. This video has been posted here before, but today is the first time I got it to load.When he says "Marijuana"... it's with the reverence and respect the miracle plant deserves.http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle_blog/2008/oct/29/the_perfect_argument_for_medical
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Comment #9 posted by FoM on October 30, 2008 at 09:08:58 PT
fight_4_freedom 
I agree with you. Also what you are doing on election day is a good thing. Be a gentleman and represent our issue well and that's all that is necessary. You've gone way above the call of duty to me.
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Comment #8 posted by fight_4_freedom on October 30, 2008 at 09:00:35 PT
Thanks FoM
If I would have known they were publishing letters that were a little bit longer I would have extended it a little bit. But I just wanted to get the point across and wanted to make sure it was going to be published. I sent a few of them to other newspapers so let's hope some of those get printed as well.As long as my letter changes at least one no vote to a yes vote, I did my job.
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Comment #7 posted by FoM on October 30, 2008 at 08:45:45 PT
fight_4_freedom 
Really good letter!
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Comment #6 posted by fight_4_freedom on October 30, 2008 at 08:38:43 PT
FoM
You were so very right.
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Comment #5 posted by fight_4_freedom on October 30, 2008 at 08:36:19 PT
Here is a letter to the editor of mine that was 
published in my hometown paper today. I tried to keep it short and simple. I figured if it was too long it wouldn't make it.Proposal 1On Tuesday, we will enter the voting booth with two very important proposals before us. One will help us find future cures for diseases, the other will allow seriously ill people to use an extremely beneficial, non-toxic herb to treat their diseases immediately.Proposal 1 will help provide instant relief to those who suffer from cancer, AIDS, multiple sclerosis and other serious illnesses. It is absolutely imperative that we allow the sick and dying to have this safe and effective medicine as an option.If a doctor feels that marijuana would be helpful in fighting a patient's disease, then that patient should be allowed to use it, bottom line.So, please think of those who are suffering and how they could benefit from this God-given plant when you go to the polls on Tuesday. And don't pay any attention to the opposition and their lies. Instead, know the truth: Marijuana saves lives. Vote ''yes'' on Proposal 1! http://www.mlive.com/news/bctimes/index.ssf?/base/news-1/122537972730040.xml&coll=4
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on October 30, 2008 at 08:36:07 PT
fight_4_freedom 
I'm glad we left sleeping dogs lie early on because look at this fight now.
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Comment #3 posted by fight_4_freedom on October 30, 2008 at 08:32:04 PT
Exactly Hope
If you know the truth now is the time to expose it. 5 Days until election day, so there is no better time to take a stand.
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Comment #2 posted by Hope on October 30, 2008 at 07:35:31 PT
Thank you, Barbara Davis, RN,
for resisting the lies and telling the truth. She could have just been quiet and not shared the truth she knows. I'm so thankful she chose to speak out.
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Comment #1 posted by fight_4_freedom on October 30, 2008 at 07:27:20 PT
A BIG Thank you goes out to the
Michigan Nurses Association for taking a stand!
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