With all due respect, we’re talking about cannabis as medicine. What in the world does that have to do with “pot shops”? This sounds much more like prohibitionist propaganda than a perspective based in science and medicine.
One doesn’t have to look too far to learn of the real benefits of cannabis for the treatment of diseases and for symptom control. As a matter of fact, the Federal Government holds patent #6,630,507, “Cannabinoids as Antioxidants and Neuroprotectants.”
Cannabis helps reduce/manage pain, is an appetite stimulant, can reduce agitation/anxiety, controls/eliminates seizures and muscle spasms, helps prevent the spread of cancer, can reduce the size of tumors, as well as helps alleviate the side effects of traditional cancer treatments – and all this is just the tip of the iceberg.
Who could possibly argue against alleviating the distress of suffering and dying Floridians?
Florida’s first medical cannabis dispensary opened in Tallahassee just a few weeks ago. If one were to take a moment to visit the dispensing organization, it would be evident that it is not a “pot shop,” but rather an organization that dispenses medical cannabis preparations suffering Floridians have been waiting more than years for.
I understand that change can be intimidating, and even downright scary for some. If you’ve never heard of cognitive dissonance, you may want to familiarize yourself with the concept. It explains why the shift in perception from cannabis as a “dangerous drug” to cannabis as “a safe and effective medicine” is so difficult for some people to incorporate into their thinking.
Suffering Floridians and their families have been waiting far too long for relief. While it is a start, Florida’s Medical Cannabis Program is far too restrictive. We need to expand access to safe and legal medical cannabis beyond what current Florida law allows for.
There are many other conditions that cannabis can help and many patients are left thinking, “What about me?” They are justified in this thought. What about them indeed?
I have always ascribed to the philosophy “When you know better, you do better.” I’m grateful to the researchers, doctors, nurses, social workers and others who have studied cannabinoid science/cannabinoid medicine and have taken on the mission of educating others. I’m also grateful for Florida’s new medical cannabis program.
Now that we know better, let’s do better. Voting “yes” on Amendment 2 will help us do better for the thousands of suffering Floridians who have been left out of our current law.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Floridians Are Ready For Safe, Legal Medical Cannabis
Author: Josephine Cannella-Krehl
Contact: Tallahassee Democrat
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: Tallahassee Democrat