Michael Komorn Posted November 6, 2011 Report Share Posted November 6, 2011 http://www.theoaklandpress.com/articles/2011/10/23/opinion/doc4ea1c206181dd453049881.txt?viewmode=default The Oakland Press (theoaklandpress.com), Serving Oakland County Opinion Guest Opinion: The people chose medical marijuana <h2></h2>Sunday, October 23, 2011 I take issue with the conclusions made by The Oakland Press concerning both the efficacy of medical marihuana and the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act. While I commend the paper for creating a forum to openly discuss medical marihuana, missing from the editorial, “Medical marijuana series sheds light on new law,” were thoughts from those directly affected by the MMMA. Such exclusions fail to show readers the beneficial realities of medical marihuana. To say “the bottom line is that marijuana does not reduce pain,” is wrong. The editor ignores the findings by the National Academy of Sciences' Institute of Medicine in a March 1999 report, discovering beneficial uses for marihuana in treating or alleviating the pain, nausea, and other symptoms associated with debilitating medical conditions. According to the Michigan Department of Community Health, more than 25 percent of Michigan residents have sought treatment from a health care professional for a chronic pain condition in the past year. The Oakland Press reporters have heard patients make statements that cannabis eases pain and helps decrease or eliminate opiate use. Many patients have previously been diagnosed with chronic pain, losing any sense of a quality of life because of the strong physical addiction opiates cause. Those patients receive the same benefits of pain relief from cannabis without the potential harmful side effects of prescription drugs. The thinking employed is similar to many critics, including Senator Rick Jones from Grand Haven. Following a Lansing rally attended by more than 3,000 patients, caregivers and supporters attended, Jones reflected that many in attendance “did not look like patients,” which begs the question – what does a patient look like? While Jones’ assumption is disheartening, the bigger issue is a lack of education and acceptance of medical marihuana. While our medical community freely prescribes opiates for pain relief, doctors and patients in Michigan desire other options. Residents of this state have a choice, overwhelmingly deciding that the treatment of debilitating conditions should include the option of medical marihuana. Most importantly, voters wanted physicians to aid in selecting a course of treatment, not law enforcement, government or prosecutors. Each patient arrest is more government intrusion in medical issues. In addition, the notion that caregivers are “drug dealers” who “cut” medical marihuana with dangerous substances is false and insulting to the community. Advancements in caregiving have yielded medicinal marihuana that can target pain, nausea or loss of appetite while providing healthy methods of ingestion such as oils, lotions and edibles. More then 60 percent of Michigan voters disagree with this editor's conclusion. Rather than criticize medical marihuana, a better approach would be to ask the patients if they are experiencing relief, and the residents if they are being harmed by the MMMA. Michael Komorn is a Southfield attorney and President of the Michigan Medical Marijuana Association. URL: http://www.theoaklandpress.com/articles/2011/10/23/opinion/doc4ea1c206181dd453049881.prt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Letterhead954 Posted November 6, 2011 Report Share Posted November 6, 2011 Excellent letter, Michael. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kruztydj Posted November 6, 2011 Report Share Posted November 6, 2011 Thanks for the post and the article. We have to keep telling them the truth and not let media or leo spread fear and lies. Good job on staying on top of this stuff and for keeping the truth in the public's eye... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michiganmedclones Posted November 6, 2011 Report Share Posted November 6, 2011 Everyone go read the comments on the post, I'm 100% convinced some of those guys sit on the news website waiting for anything marijuana related to be posted and bash it. The super conservative opinion is out of hand they need to wake up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newbie313 Posted November 6, 2011 Report Share Posted November 6, 2011 Great letter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+wolfgang Posted November 7, 2011 Report Share Posted November 7, 2011 ILY Michael Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Silverblue Posted November 7, 2011 Report Share Posted November 7, 2011 Michael! The public needs to see that the Truth is being stifled. When a newspaper, or any media is one-sided, they're obviously afraid to let the other side speak. What they fail to see is, Truth has a way of getting out. The People Know. Sb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Champion Jack Dupree Posted November 7, 2011 Report Share Posted November 7, 2011 The media looks at us like Ron Paul,we don't exist. Or at best like Rodney Dangerfield, no respect! Thankyou for representing the TRUTH..good, bad and the ugly ! medicating since "72" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djkazoo Posted November 28, 2011 Report Share Posted November 28, 2011 The truth is.....I'm still alive because of Medical Marijuana! As a cancer patient, I will attest to the properties and how it's improved and saved my life! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legacy Posted November 28, 2011 Report Share Posted November 28, 2011 Michael, thanks for showing the Oakland Press readers a much fuller view of the issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff from bad axe Posted November 28, 2011 Report Share Posted November 28, 2011 AWESOME LETTER. WONDERFUL JOB !!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.