Moving Susquehanna Valley Forward

End Prohibition – Make Cannabis Legal

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In the midst of a serious drug epidemic, the Trump administration announced its intentions to crack down on a substance that many turn to for healing and relief. As we watch so many of our loved ones struggle with addiction to opioids and other deadly drugs, why is the Department of Justice waging war on marijuana?

The federal government considers marijuana a Schedule 1 drug (comparable to cocaine and heroin). This classification seems inaccurate. Schedule 1 drugs have no medicinal value, according to the government. Yet, there is scientific research demonstrating that medical cannabis can be used to treat a wide assortment of conditions, including PTSD, glaucoma, epileptic seizures and certain cancers. Marijuana is also less addictive and dangerous than cocaine or heroine (or even legal substances such as tobacco and alcohol).

Today, eight states have fully legalized marijuana while 28 others, including Pennsylvania, allow its use for medical treatments.

Federal regulations hinder states’ ability to legalize medical or recreational marijuana. The Obama administration attempted to alleviate this tension by directing federal law enforcement agencies not to interfere with state laws.

Trump’s Attorney General, Jeff Sessions, now threatens to make state law his business and, in doing so, could cause serious unintended consequences. For example, federal law prohibits anyone using illegal substances, including marijuana, from owning a firearm. Recently, the Pennsylvania State Police informed anyone legally obtaining a medical marijuana card that they would have to turn in their firearms. Should responsible gun owners be forced to give up their guns to seek legal medical treatment?

Perhaps the better question is: Why is the attorney general focusing on marijuana when, in the United States, 175 people die everyday from overdose of dangerous drugs? Overdose deaths have increased so dramatically that the U.S. life expectancy, which was trending upward, has decreased in the past two consecutive years, according to the CDC.

The opioid epidemic has impacted urban and rural areas alike, including here in the Susquehanna Valley. Pennsylvania lawmakers have even passed legislation allowing first responders to carry and administer naloxone, a life-saving drug that reverses an overdose.

Do you know how many cases of death by marijuana overdose have been recorded across the United States? Zero.

States that have legalized marijuana are seeing a decrease in overdose deaths. In Colorado, opioid-related deaths were increasing steadily since 2000. In 2014, after legalized recreational marijuana became available, a study published in the American Journal of Public Health concluded that the state’s overdose death rate began to decrease.

More research is needed to understand how marijuana might help those who are prone to drug addiction. However, the addictive characteristics of narcotics and opioids and their direct link with overdose deaths is clear.

We have witnessed in our community how easily these deadly drugs are dispensed. A local doctor who allegedly prescribed nearly 3 million doses of opioids in just 19 months was charged recently with the death of five patients.

This doctor, and others, may have had help. Congressman Marino pushed a bill written by the pharmaceutical industry through Congress in 2016 making it easier for drugs to be pushed out into a community in large volumes without oversight by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). According to many DEA officials, the pharmaceutical industry profited from this law, while putting communities, especially young people, at risk.

While the drug companies rack up huge profits, Trump’s economic advisers estimate that the opioid epidemic cost the nation more than $500 billion in 2015. Trump declared the crisis a public health emergency but has authorized no additional funding.

The federal government’s inability to act has led Gov. Wolf to take the extraordinary measure of declaring the opioid crisis a disaster emergency here in Pennsylvania. This temporary declaration waives 13 protocols and regulations and establishes the Opioid Operational Command Center. It is a start, but more must be done.

Marijuana is not the problem. For many, it is a legitimate medical treatment. We must put our resources into addressing the deadly opioid and narcotic crisis that is killing a record number of Americans. We must not deny patients access to a drug like cannabis that can help manage chronic illnesses without high risk of addiction.

There is only one solution. Congress must legalize marijuana. Rep. Thomas Garrett (R-VA) introduced H.R. 1227 to remove marijuana as a Schedule 1 drug and eliminate criminal penalties while allowing states to regulate marijuana as they see fit. Do your part to end federal prohibition. Tell your U.S. representative to sponsor and support H.R.1227.

Take Action on Medical Marijuana

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Write your Representative in support of SB3

Take a moment and contact your state representative to show your support for medical marijuana. Below are a few talking points that you can incorporate into your call, email or letter. Written letters are the most effective but personal emails and phone calls are very helpful too!

FIND YOUR LEGISLATOR

  • Cannabis as Medicine has been studied and proven to be extremely effective in treating Epilepsy, PTSD, Dementia, Cancer, Crohn’s Disease, Diabetes, Multiple Sclerosis, even Arthritis and chronic pain conditions.
  • 23 other states that have approved Medicinal Cannabis
  • This is not a partisan issue as both republicans and democrats support SB3 – this is an issue of compassion
  • Caregivers should not be forced to move in order to access this life saving treatment.
  • no patient or caretaker should have to choose between obeying the law and saving their own, or their loved one’s life.
  •  SB3  passed out of the Senate on May 12th, with a vote of 40-7
  • Where you live should not determine whether you live or you die, whether you suffer, or whether you find relief.
  • Avoid references to recreational use of marijuana; the focus of your comments should be on medical marijuana at this time.

View SB 3 – Compassionate Use of Cannabis Bill

 

SAMPLE LETTER

I am writing you today on behalf of several Pennsylvanians, whose stories have touched my heart. It has come to my attention that we have an overwhelming amount of patients in Pennsylvania that are suffering needlessly. Traditional therapies and pharmaceuticals are not sufficient in treating their conditions. We have the opportunity to help them.

Where you live should not determine whether you live or you die, whether you suffer, or whether you find relief.  Cannabis as Medicine has been studied and proven to be extremely effective in treating Epilepsy, PTSD, Dementia, Cancer, Crohn’s Disease, Diabetes, Multiple Sclerosis, even Arthritis and chronic pain conditions. Those suffering from these debilitating conditions deserve to have the same treatments as patients in roughly 23 other states that have been fortunate enough to have access to Medicinal Cannabis. The desperate families of these patients should not be forced to move in order to access this life saving treatment. Furthermore, no patient or caretaker should have to choose between obeying the law and saving their own, or their loved one’s life.

You soon will have the opportunity to cast a vote on SB3, which passed out of the Senate on May 12th, with a vote of 40-7. We have a number of advocates  who are very knowledgeable in the area of cannabis treatments who would be glad to visit with you and discuss any concerns or questions you may have on this subject. I feel confident that once you examine the evidence and see the overall safety and efficacy compared to other treatments these patients are offered that you, like me, will be convinced we need to act on this immediately. I look forward to hearing of your enthusiastic support. I’ll follow up next week with a phone call in the event that you find yourself with questions or concerns.

Thank you for your time and your service.

Sincerely,

 

Support the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis

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Four advocates for medical marijuana spoke at a forum hosted by the Susquehanna Valley Progressives earlier this week. Some shared their expertise, others their personal stories – but they all made compelling arguments for the legalization of medical marijuana.

There are tens of thousands of stories just here in Pennsylvania of people, of all ages, who would benefit from medical marijuana. People suffering from chronic pain, glaucoma, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), seizures, and even certain types of cancer who could see improvement and gain comfort from a drug that is currently illegal.

Traditional pharmaceutical solutions are not an option for many individuals who suffer from certain chronic illnesses; and as many can attest the side effects that accompany these prescription drugs are often reason enough to seek other solutions.

Cannabis can be a much safer alternative to highly addictive doctor-prescribed drugs; in fact while a fatal overdose occurs every 19 minutes due to prescription pain killers, not one overdose death has been attributed to marijuana.

We have heard from mothers whose children suffer from severe seizures and who are determined to do whatever it takes to keep their sons and daughters alive. In states where medical cannabis is legal, children who suffer from epilepsy and  intractable seizures have seen dramatic improvement and a marked decline in the number of seizures.

We have heard about adults, including veterans, suffering from a variety of conditions, including PTSD, depression, chronic pain (and the list goes on) who have experienced little or no relief through traditional medications, often times suffering side effects that far out weigh the benefits.

We have heard from medical experts who expressed greater concerns over the use of manufactured pharmaceuticals than the natural healing elements of cannabis.

A June 2014 Franklin & Marshall College Poll shows the majority of Pennsylvanians favor some form of legalization of medical marijuana. 84% of voters strongly or somewhat favor the use of medical marijuana for treatment if recommended by a physician.

So why isn’t medical cannabis legal in Pennsylvania? Why is marijuana still considered a schedule 1 drug (along with heroin, LSD and bath salts) by the federal government even when the government has hinted that it has medical benefits?

It’s a good question. Here in Pennsylvania SB1182, the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Act actually passed the state senate with bipartisan support this fall.

Unfortunately, that’s when it got the attention of the lobbyists: the pharmaceutical industry, private prisons, law enforcement – all who serve to gain financially by maintaing the status quo.

These lobbyists are not standing up for the children who are suffering, the veterans who are ailing, the terminally ill and the chronically in pain.  They are defending their bottom lines.  Thankfully, your voice counts. Contact your state legislator and ask them to support the compassionate use of medical cannabis. Tell them to choose our children, veterans, elderly and sick over special interests.