General Thoughts Concerning
Medicinal Cannabis
The most difficult area with
which to discuss when considering the altering of National legislation
involving Cannabis is the issue of Medicinal use. The reason for this has nothing at all to do
with the validity of Medicinal Cannabis, reasons either pro or con or even
discussions on social attitudes concerning this issue. The reason for the difficulty here is the
amount of source material, once one decides to plumb the depths of this
discussion, becomes so overwhelmingly abundant that one is left wondering which
of a thousand subjects to begin with first.
Also, this information is all rather consistent in its commentary as
well with almost all valid research proving not only the medicinal benefits of
Cannabis, but its safety and its superiority over many of the narcotic products
that are for sale today. Thus I find that if I am going to write briefly on
this and not commit myself to an opus of unimaginable length, I must limit
myself to generalities and commentary.
Forgive me my brevity.
When
one looks at the history of modern studies and research into the properties of
Cannabis, even so far back as a century ago, one consistent conclusion can be
found and that is that Cannabis contains medicinal properties which are
beneficial to human beings. Another
consistent conclusion, ranging back to the studies conducted by the U.S. Army
in the early decades of the 20th Century, indicate the rather benign
if at all negative side effects associated with Cannabis. The early studies done by the U.S. Army with
troops stationed in Latin America, concluded that there were no unacceptable
detrimental side-effects noticeable either physically or mentally with Cannabis
while with alcohol, well, we’ve all met those who either imbibe too much or are
unable to handle any amount at all and remain functional. Continued studies, both abroad as well as
domestic, have concluded the same with additional recommendations, including
from studies initiated by Presidential directive, have not only been consistent
in this aspect but have also, almost all, concluded that Cannabis should not be
placed under prohibitive legal restrictions.
Indeed, such sentiments in favor of Cannabis have come from our Founders
as well as living Presidents and serving Judges. There is no moral reason why this seed-bearing
plant, understood by our Forefathers and revered by our ancestors for its
medicinal qualities, should remain a mystery today.
There
are reasons less than pure though, reasons based in market shares and profit,
for the continued discrimination of Cannabis.
Propaganda long since discredited declaring Cannabis both dangerous as
well as lacking any medicinal value are still repeated by those who still fear
it as an economic competitor. The irony
is that those very interests could magnify their own profits simply by
investing in their portfolio so as to include Hemp. For over three decades the Pharmaceutical
industry has successfully spearheaded Prohibition with a promise to develop
useful medicines from Cannabis yet have stalled purposely such progress. Meanwhile these same companies extract from a
willing Congress exemptions and protections from suits arising from several
detrimental side effects caused by the pharmaceuticals which they vend. To state this crudely, the Citizens of the
U.S. are only allowed the free option to choose their medications from an
approved list of processed pharmaceuticals supplied by a few primary companies
to ensure profit for those companies as well as special legal status. Such industry is the anti-thesis of a free
market system. The goal instead should
be Capitalism, not a new version of Corporatism. Where these Pharmaceutical Companies can
thrive in a market opened to Cannabis would be through using their knowledge,
their technology and their research to actually develop Cannabis based
medicines as well as specifically engineered strains with a competitive
edge. What they have no right doing is
restricting, for their singular profit, the raw potential of Hemp/Cannabis as a
medicine let alone for every other form of commerce or production as well.
As
for the Medical qualities of Cannabis, the briefest of searches will reveal
multiple studies supporting a wide range of revealed or potential
benefits. As a remedy for Glaucoma and
Asthma this has been known for decades.
From patients undergoing chemotherapy or suffering from AIDS, you can
find countless testimonies praising this natural, non-invasive medicine. Studies have shown potential in Cannabis for
assisting with a wide range of illnesses from Alzheimer’s and Arthritis to
Multiple Sclerosis, Fibromyalgia and Cancer.
Most significantly, most readily available is testimony relating to the
pain nullification properties of Cannabis without the potential of damaging the
body such as the most common over-the-counter pain relief drugs can. This is something which I can personally
testify to. As a live organ donor, after
the surgery I was given prescriptions for narcotic pain relievers. I ended up throwing most of them away due to
their unpleasant side effects and used Cannabis almost exclusively. Now, having but one kidney left, I am
hesitant to consume most pain killers due to the negative effects they can have
on such organs. Cannabis has no known
long-term negative effects.
This
brings up the next major point when discussing broadly the topic of Medicinal
Cannabis and that involves the Government’s role in restricting personal choice
and individual freedom. President
Abraham Lincoln was correct in stating, “Prohibition... goes beyond the bounds
of reason in that it attempts to control a man's appetite by legislation and
makes a crime out of things that are not crimes. A prohibition law strikes a
blow at the very principles upon which our government was founded." This is doubly potent when what is restricted
is more than just a man’s appetite but a preference in non-synthetic
medication. Even more sinister and more
damaging to the very concept of freedom in America is the role in which
for-profit interests have been able to manipulate that very control to prohibit
an inexpensive, readily available, non-invasive commodity for the sole reason
of establishing a Government enforced monopoly for the sale of their
manufactured and very often dangerous medications. In considering just the manner in which
Cannabis has been prohibited and why gives more than enough argument and
justification for every freedom loving Patriot to demand the immediate
Legalization of Cannabis for personal medical use. Being that there are no confirmed cases ever
of deaths due to Cannabis consumption whereas even a small handful of aspirin
can leave one dead speaks strongly of the safety of this choice, let alone the
effectiveness. For the purpose of
ensuring profit for a small, select industry is not a valid reason to further
intrude upon the self-determination that is the hallmark of every American’s
birthright.
Finally, a plea to the
conscience. Consider one suffering from
a painful affliction where other medications have left them weak or damaged in
other ways. If Cannabis were able to assist,
were able to offer relief and comfort in a positive manner which led to an
improvement in quality of life, whose right is it to restrict that aid? For those who follow the teachings of the
Christ, ask yourself, in such a circumstance where one either suffers the raw
effects of their illness and the effects of the drugs they are given or the
simple relief offered by this most Biblical of plants, what would Jesus
choose? Not knowing the mind of God, I
can only speculate from the tales taught in church. I personally suspect Jesus would choose Mercy
over Profit.
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