@Baron23 made two comments recently that resonated with me:
I happen to agree with him on both items.
On the first (embracing it as a 'cure all') it is critical that people are careful not to dismiss real medical concerns; thinking that if they only use cannabis they will be cured. For instance, it is claimed that cannabis can cure cancer. And that may very well be true in some circumstances. But to withhold all traditional medicine and treatment in favor of only using cannabis would be fool hardy imo. A better alternative, also imo, would be to combine treatments. The best of both worlds; so to speak.
Then again, I know of several people who have been able to get off of many pharmaceuticals (@Killick springs to mind first
show them that pic you posted recently of all your old meds.....) using cannabis as an alternative. I think that pharmaceuticals are often overprescribed and can create dependencies and a disadvantage to the patient. Some of those pharmaceuticals create a need for other drugs to combat side effects.
Then there's the people who fake illness to receive medical cannabis. When it was first legalized, here in Michigan, that practice was rampant. And successful. Many (most) people were 'certified' in janke 'clinics' for back pain, etc. with no validation or supportive evidence whatsoever. That changed the year I got legal and you now have to bring in substantiation that you've been treated for the ailment. At least that's the way it's supposed to work. The clinic I go to is a good one and does. And has you come in for a follow up visit with the doctor one year into your two year certification. But there are tons that will still get you certified with no proof at all. Point to your elbow and say it hurts. You're in.
IMO I think cannabis should just be legal and skip all this nonsense. But if we are going to differentiate between medicinal and recreational cannabis usage and the medical patients have to pay substantial fees to the state for the 'privilege' of using it medicinally (another thing that yanks my chain.... we don't pay for the privilege of using Xanex, Oxy, etc. beyond the doctor visit) I would think the process should tighten up. And that the medicinal patients (who have paid the fees) should get substantial discounts on their meds. And not have to pay tax on their medicine since they are not taxed on any pharma meds they've been prescribed. Let the higher prices and taxes be paid by those using recreationally.
I happen to agree with him on both items.
On the first (embracing it as a 'cure all') it is critical that people are careful not to dismiss real medical concerns; thinking that if they only use cannabis they will be cured. For instance, it is claimed that cannabis can cure cancer. And that may very well be true in some circumstances. But to withhold all traditional medicine and treatment in favor of only using cannabis would be fool hardy imo. A better alternative, also imo, would be to combine treatments. The best of both worlds; so to speak.
Then again, I know of several people who have been able to get off of many pharmaceuticals (@Killick springs to mind first
show them that pic you posted recently of all your old meds.....) using cannabis as an alternative. I think that pharmaceuticals are often overprescribed and can create dependencies and a disadvantage to the patient. Some of those pharmaceuticals create a need for other drugs to combat side effects. Then there's the people who fake illness to receive medical cannabis. When it was first legalized, here in Michigan, that practice was rampant. And successful. Many (most) people were 'certified' in janke 'clinics' for back pain, etc. with no validation or supportive evidence whatsoever. That changed the year I got legal and you now have to bring in substantiation that you've been treated for the ailment. At least that's the way it's supposed to work. The clinic I go to is a good one and does. And has you come in for a follow up visit with the doctor one year into your two year certification. But there are tons that will still get you certified with no proof at all. Point to your elbow and say it hurts. You're in.
IMO I think cannabis should just be legal and skip all this nonsense. But if we are going to differentiate between medicinal and recreational cannabis usage and the medical patients have to pay substantial fees to the state for the 'privilege' of using it medicinally (another thing that yanks my chain.... we don't pay for the privilege of using Xanex, Oxy, etc. beyond the doctor visit) I would think the process should tighten up. And that the medicinal patients (who have paid the fees) should get substantial discounts on their meds. And not have to pay tax on their medicine since they are not taxed on any pharma meds they've been prescribed. Let the higher prices and taxes be paid by those using recreationally.
