2008 Woodie Awards
Proposition 215 is ripe for abuse
Medical marijuana is fine but should not be abused
Natalia Diaz
Issue date: 2/25/05 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
Marijuana is an illegal drug, but can people use it as a medicine for an illness?
According to Proposition 215 this is possible. Prop. 215 ensures that seriously ill Californians have the right to obtain and use marijuana for medical purposes when deemed appropriate and recommended by a physician who has determined that the person's health would benefit from its use in the treatment of cancer, anorexia, AIDS, chronic pain, plasticity, glaucoma, and arthritis. This proposition was passed by 56 percent of California voters in November 1996.
Alaska, Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, California, Colorado, and Maine are the eight states that protect patients who possess and grow their own marijuana with a doctor's approval.
The real purpose of Prop. 215 could disappear. Many people addicted to marijuana may think they can get it easily, but they should know that this proposition does not legalize marijuana; it changes how certain people who need the drug no longer have to buy the product on the streets. They could go to a marijuana dispensary and get it as any other patient gets his or her medications.
"Today, physicians are allowed to prescribe powerful drugs like morphine and codeine. It doesn't make sense that they cannot prescribe marijuana too," agree medical personnel Richard J. Cohen, M.D., consulting medical oncologist, California-Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco; Ivan Silverberg, M.D., medical oncologist, San Francisco; and Anna T. Boyce, Registered Nurse, Orange County. "Prop. 215 would also protect patients from criminal penalties for marijuana if they have recommendation for its use," they added.
"Prop. 215 does not restrict use of marijuana to AIDS, cancer, glaucoma, and other serious illnesses; [it] legalizes marijuana for any other illness for which [it can] provide relief. This could include stress, headaches, upset stomach, insomnia, a stiff neck. . .or just about anything," James P. Fox, president, California District Attorneys Association; Michael J. Meyers, M.D., medical director, Drug and Alcohol Treatment Program, Boatman Medical Center, Ca.; and Sharon Rose, red ribbon coordinator, Californians for Drug-Free Youth, Inc. said.
This proposition has many pros and cons. This important subject should be taken seriously as any state law. Everything on this world is made for a purpose and the purpose of Prop. 215 should be respected, to save the lives of those who really need the drug.
According to Proposition 215 this is possible. Prop. 215 ensures that seriously ill Californians have the right to obtain and use marijuana for medical purposes when deemed appropriate and recommended by a physician who has determined that the person's health would benefit from its use in the treatment of cancer, anorexia, AIDS, chronic pain, plasticity, glaucoma, and arthritis. This proposition was passed by 56 percent of California voters in November 1996.
Alaska, Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, California, Colorado, and Maine are the eight states that protect patients who possess and grow their own marijuana with a doctor's approval.
The real purpose of Prop. 215 could disappear. Many people addicted to marijuana may think they can get it easily, but they should know that this proposition does not legalize marijuana; it changes how certain people who need the drug no longer have to buy the product on the streets. They could go to a marijuana dispensary and get it as any other patient gets his or her medications.
"Today, physicians are allowed to prescribe powerful drugs like morphine and codeine. It doesn't make sense that they cannot prescribe marijuana too," agree medical personnel Richard J. Cohen, M.D., consulting medical oncologist, California-Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco; Ivan Silverberg, M.D., medical oncologist, San Francisco; and Anna T. Boyce, Registered Nurse, Orange County. "Prop. 215 would also protect patients from criminal penalties for marijuana if they have recommendation for its use," they added.
"Prop. 215 does not restrict use of marijuana to AIDS, cancer, glaucoma, and other serious illnesses; [it] legalizes marijuana for any other illness for which [it can] provide relief. This could include stress, headaches, upset stomach, insomnia, a stiff neck. . .or just about anything," James P. Fox, president, California District Attorneys Association; Michael J. Meyers, M.D., medical director, Drug and Alcohol Treatment Program, Boatman Medical Center, Ca.; and Sharon Rose, red ribbon coordinator, Californians for Drug-Free Youth, Inc. said.
This proposition has many pros and cons. This important subject should be taken seriously as any state law. Everything on this world is made for a purpose and the purpose of Prop. 215 should be respected, to save the lives of those who really need the drug.