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Robert Townsend: End Fear Of Medical Marijuana

Michael Komorn

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Michael Komorn Advanced Member

Michael Komorn

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Robert Townsend: End fear of medical marijuana

 

12:50 AM, Jul. 17, 2011 |

 

I am known as Dr. Bob throughout Northern Michigan, my practice certifies patients to use medical marijuana, and I want the state to put me out of a job.

 

To do that, leaders need to look at the reasons marijuana certification clinics like mine exist and work to remove those reasons while respecting the wishes of 63 percent of Michigan voters. Some 3.2 million Michigan residents voted for the MMMA, yet rather than respect their will, leaders have, at nearly every opportunity, sought to throw up roadblocks to its implementation.

 

The latest effort is a group of bills sponsored by the likes of Sen. Rick Jones and Rep. John Walsh designed to hamper patients and gut the act, rather than ease access for patients as the MMMA and the people intended.

 

Patients cannot go to their primary care doctors and get a certification, regardless of how much they want one and how well qualified under the act they are. In most cases they are chronically ill, middle-aged folks who have been using marijuana for years and want to take the step to become legal. They view marijuana as a natural and benign alternative to prescription narcotics such as OxyContin or Vicodin — medications that damage their livers and turn them into zombies.

 

This statement is backed by the fact that only one in 15 Michigan physicians have written even one certification for marijuana. Most are written by 55 physicians such as me who are cannabis specialists. Hospital systems and practices for the most part refuse to let their physicians write certifications for their patients.

 

When these patients go to certification clinics to get the card their doctor will not or cannot issue, they face having their pain medications withheld to punish their choice or are simply discharged from the practice. “Do no harm” does not involve withholding needed care.

 

Why would physicians treat patients that way? The answer is simple, fear. Fear of the Drug Enforcement Administration, fear of the attorney general, fear of their employers. They feel free to use marijuana as an excuse to discharge patients, perhaps to satisfy liability lawyers or insurance carriers. Federal law is frequently cited as a reason, despite the fact the feds made it clear they are not interested in prosecuting patients that follow state marijuana laws. To this day, the DEA refuses to acknowledge the medical use of marijuana despite embracing Marinol and extracts created by pharmaceutical companies with the same active ingredients.

 

Rather than restrict patients, gut the act and in general try and obstruct the process as much as possible, government should listen to the voters and help suffering patients obtain medication. Require doctors to write certifications on demand for their qualified patients. It is a health care choice, and patients should not feel afraid to discuss it with their physicians. Do not allow physicians to discharge or cut off patients for getting a card. Take away the fear and there will be no need for certification clinics such as mine.

 

Dr. Robert Townsend is a physician who certifies medical marijuana patients. He lives in Clare.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Michael Komorn

 

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bobandtorey Advanced Member

bobandtorey

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Robert Townsend: End fear of medical marijuana

 

12:50 AM, Jul. 17, 2011 |

 

I am known as Dr. Bob throughout Northern Michigan, my practice certifies patients to use medical marijuana, and I want the state to put me out of a job.

 

To do that, leaders need to look at the reasons marijuana certification clinics like mine exist and work to remove those reasons while respecting the wishes of 63 percent of Michigan voters. Some 3.2 million Michigan residents voted for the MMMA, yet rather than respect their will, leaders have, at nearly every opportunity, sought to throw up roadblocks to its implementation.

 

The latest effort is a group of bills sponsored by the likes of Sen. Rick Jones and Rep. John Walsh designed to hamper patients and gut the act, rather than ease access for patients as the MMMA and the people intended.

 

Patients cannot go to their primary care doctors and get a certification, regardless of how much they want one and how well qualified under the act they are. In most cases they are chronically ill, middle-aged folks who have been using marijuana for years and want to take the step to become legal. They view marijuana as a natural and benign alternative to prescription narcotics such as OxyContin or Vicodin — medications that damage their livers and turn them into zombies.

 

This statement is backed by the fact that only one in 15 Michigan physicians have written even one certification for marijuana. Most are written by 55 physicians such as me who are cannabis specialists. Hospital systems and practices for the most part refuse to let their physicians write certifications for their patients.

 

When these patients go to certification clinics to get the card their doctor will not or cannot issue, they face having their pain medications withheld to punish their choice or are simply discharged from the practice. “Do no harm” does not involve withholding needed care.

 

Why would physicians treat patients that way? The answer is simple, fear. Fear of the Drug Enforcement Administration, fear of the attorney general, fear of their employers. They feel free to use marijuana as an excuse to discharge patients, perhaps to satisfy liability lawyers or insurance carriers. Federal law is frequently cited as a reason, despite the fact the feds made it clear they are not interested in prosecuting patients that follow state marijuana laws. To this day, the DEA refuses to acknowledge the medical use of marijuana despite embracing Marinol and extracts created by pharmaceutical companies with the same active ingredients.

 

Rather than restrict patients, gut the act and in general try and obstruct the process as much as possible, government should listen to the voters and help suffering patients obtain medication. Require doctors to write certifications on demand for their qualified patients. It is a health care choice, and patients should not feel afraid to discuss it with their physicians. Do not allow physicians to discharge or cut off patients for getting a card. Take away the fear and there will be no need for certification clinics such as mine.

 

Dr. Robert Townsend is a physician who certifies medical marijuana patients. He lives in Clare.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted by:

 

Michael Komorn

 

18006563557

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

:goodjob:

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Silverblue Advanced Member

+Silverblue

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There will always be someone out there who objects, but thankfully there's some positive press. too. Whoever the naysayer is, call him out, let him have it. At least the paper has the decency to publish our side of the story.The truth always hurts someone, sadly, but that's how society makes it. They punish those who speak truthfully, because they're scared they'll lose their unfair advantage. It's time for the tables to turn on them! People have the right to speak their opinions but they do not have the right to prevent others from sharing their ideas, too. Dr. Bob told it like it is, it's too bad some people don't like it. The naysayers caused the problem, and think they have the right to control the situation. We have to force them to implement the law and show them that it DOES WORK IF THEY'D HONOR IT. GIVE THIS LAW A CHANCE!!!

 

Thanks Dr. Bob for speaking out.

 

Sb

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Morhawk Advanced Member

Morhawk

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Props to you Dr. Bob. I've read many of your posts and articles, I can respect a man who will respect an opposing opinion, but yet counter it legitimately with out the over use of emotions. I am not a patient myself, but I oppose the what I consider to be the over use of prescription pain narcotics and medications. I've watched many reality TV "rehab/intervention" shows. I can say I have never seen one for marijuana, but have seen (and personally know) of many addicted to and abusing the likes of Vicodin and Oxycontin, among others. Not to mention alcohol.

 

Without getting too much into my life story, I have seen the effects of marijuana compared to alcohol. When my father was under the influence of marijuana, we played horseshoes and went fishing. When under the influence of alcohol, the police were usually invited. In my father's defense, I believe he had undiagnosed PTSD from his time in the military (among other issues from his childhood), and growing up watching the effects first hand, I have always known there was a legitimate use for marijuana as an "anti-depressant/anxiety" medication. Obviously, I am not a doctor and have no "proof," but I watched it for 18 years, and I know what I saw, how I felt, and how I feel about it. No one, especially some "high and mighty" politician can change my views.

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Kevin Advanced Member

Kevin

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We are winning the hearts and minds of some through positive articles such as this. Thanks again Dr. Bob. :goodjob:

 

But, winning the hearts and minds of those who have no heart or mind will prove to be a difficult task. They cause the problems, we get looked down on because of the problems they cause, which are blamed on us. They control the media outlets, and paint us in the way they choose, which is always negative.

 

Soon, they will know what it's like to be jobless. Let them go and beg their cronies for a job, but oops, their cronies didn't create any jobs.

 

They're not deserving of a position of trust, respect and honor as they possess none of that. A bunch of angry fat old white good ol' boys, most with type A personality and type 2 diabetes. Totally out of touch with the reality that is the suffering of our lives.

 

I'd like to give them one day of suffering with intractable Central Neuropathic Pain, or the torture of the MS cramps, or cord compression, or PTSD which are all my portions, and we'll see how fast they embrace cannabis to ease their suffering. They wouldn't last a day with one of those conditions let alone all, but it would give them a proper definition of 'suffering'.

 

Vote 'em out! Send 'em home! Let them see what it's like to need and have to do without. Just like we do every day.

 

 

 

 

[end of rant]

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wingnut Advanced Member

wingnut

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This legislation will infringe more on patient privacy, and give law enforcement carte blanche access to grow sites and patient data, and we will help kill it with smiles on our faces. It is better to have NOTHING different rather than have bunny muffin language screw with patients, caregivers and voters in general for years to come.

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jimbojinx Advanced Member

jimbojinx

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Great response , dr. Bob !!!

 

Kahn needs to be recognized for the REAL threat he represents to those who, having chronic pain issues, no longer want to survive alone on Vicodin or Oxcontin, but prefer to realistically control and manage their pain with an herb which does NOT lead to addiction or pickling of the liver !

 

Dr. Jinx

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peanutbutter Advanced Member

peanutbutter

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It's a big fight. It's important. It's the people vs out of touch(paid off) politicians. Classic. Should be a real nice story line for them.

 

Unreasonable fear ..

 

Refer madness .. unreasonable fear.

 

paranoia .. unreasonable fear.

 

Paranoid Zealot = folks like Senator Rick Jones.

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peanutbutter Advanced Member

peanutbutter

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It's important that the people understand the larger issue. Whether they voted yea or nay, their vote is being sold to the highest bidder. If you look at the numbers, there is nothing to support most of their allegations. That means they are spewing mindless rhetoric, fueled by greed. We will make them gun shy to go to the press, if we hammer them every time they do. All we have to do is cause the spark. The people are already angry. Thanks, Bb

 

Unreasonable fear is called paranoia.

 

These are very sick people. They need help.

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Dr. Bob Advanced Member

Dr. Bob

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Bring it on, I can lick em! I must admit that having some jerk call for my head in print is kind of empowering. I noticed his response was to attack me personally and question my motives. Wonder what he has to say about the 8 MILLION in profit the program will make for the state this year from registration fees alone.

 

What the article says isn't important- look at the comments. That is the voice of the people. The light is starting to come through.

 

Dr. Bob

 

PS, my editorial was published in the LSJ today on the opinion page. BB called for us to speak out, and we are being heard.

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Dr. Bob Advanced Member

Dr. Bob

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Amazing statement Dr. Townsend - even more so because it's clear and simple. Funny how the truth is like that...

 

:goodjob:

 

The truth will set us free. We don't need to stoop to their tactics, or stretch things. Just do what the voters told us we can, support it with documentation, and let them scramble and sputter.

 

Dr. Bob

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peanutbutter Advanced Member

peanutbutter

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Pay it forward .. please. Share this link. Someday you might read something that saves your life. Because someone else paid it forward. Share this link, please.

 

Shona Banda's process of extraction of essential oil. EASY PEASY! // Current

current.com

I was at one time bed ridden and suffering the terminal stages of Crohn's disease after battling it for almost 8 years. I chose the medical system because because "they should know best" or so I thought. I let them cut on me and take many organs completely out of my body,(15 surgeries). Painful swelling arthritis started to take hold and forced me to use braces for my joints and walk with a cane. I had almost given up all hope when the illegal town I lived in went dry and all that was found was dirty and seedy medication that made me vomit. I pulled out a handy glass dome vaporizor much like this one and pinched off that hose a little too long... realizing oil forming on the dome... my husband went out and got a spatula. After watching "Run from the Cure" the Rick Simpson story:

 

 

I knew I should take it at least 3x a day. I was so amazed by my results and personal experimentation by this medication that I started to journal my progress. I knew it was very important to get it all down on paper so that others can and will know my story and understand the absolute importance this information may have, affecting millions around the world... to learn to be FREE!

 

http://medicalmarijuana411.com/mmj411_v3/?p=10119

 

The video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nW1_6E0_2nA&feature=player_embedded

 

Paranoia strikes deep ..

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solabeirtan Advanced Member

solabeirtan

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WOW ...Great Medicine, Doc Bob ! Wait a while before you ' lick 'em ' , let them cook a little longer, don't think their quite done yet.

 

Then you must stick a fork in them, turn em over. Lay on some extra hot sauce. Poke em some more, make sure their done, then maybe ... they'll have a little taste ...

 

Thanks for cooking with gas ! and a whole lotta class ...

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hofner67 Advanced Member

hofner67

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Sounds like a bbq. Good day for us, all in all.

WOW ...Great Medicine, Doc Bob ! Wait a while before you ' lick 'em ' , let them cook a little longer, don't think their quite done yet.

 

Then you must stick a fork in them, turn em over. Lay on some extra hot sauce. Poke em some more, make sure their done, then maybe ... they'll have a little taste ...

 

Thanks for cooking with gas ! and a whole lotta class ...

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