Arizona joins 14 other states in allowing its citizens -- if deemed OK by a medical professional -- to possess marijuana if it will help them with their ailments. A large contingent of medical marijuana users are those who suffer from debilitating diseases like ALS and multiple sclerosis. My uncle has suffered from MS for many years now. Unfortunately for him, the commonwealth of Pennsylvania has yet to legally allow him to enjoy the unrivaled relief that cannabis provides him from the horrid effects of the degenerative nerve disease. Some might suggest that he move to a state that provides medical marijuana for patients. This, however, would be difficult considering he has lived here for all 45 years of his life.
Ten years ago, when he was first diagnosed with MS after having serious tremors and neuropathy, my uncle thought his life was over. Once he became educated on his disease, he realized that it was not necessarily a death sentence. He began the regimen of drugs that his doctor's prescribed him for his severe tremors and spasticity. The medications he was taking to deal with those effects didn't have a great impact and gave him other undesirable side effects.
At his friend's behest, he tried marijuana for the first time. To him amazement, it relieved a great majority of his MS-related afflictions.
But every day is a struggle for my uncle. I visit him often as we only live a few towns apart in Pennsylvania. He will never smoke marijuana in my presence. Sometimes, when he is having terrible pain, he will kindly ask me to leave so he can take his treatment.
I know what he means by that and am glad that there is something available to help him. Because of his, I have contacted my U.S. House representative several times about passing medical marijuana to help those like my uncle. Not surprisingly, I have yet to receive a response. Anyone who is familiar with someone who has degenerative MS knows how much difficulty it afflicts its sufferer. For those who are unaware of the effect of multiple sclerosis on the human body, it basically destroys your enjoy nervous system. This renders the person with the disease in a veritable state of dysfunction. Seeing firsthand the relief that marijuana provides my uncle from the tremors and painful spasticity that strikes him on a daily basis makes me wonder how anyone with a conscience could deny someone this comfort.
The medical marijuana debate has been going on for some time, especially within the Multiple Sclerosis community. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society argues that there simply isn't enough research to conclude whether or not marijuana provides sufficient positive effects to ignore negative side effects. Of course, part of the reason there has not be extensive research done is because its status as an illicit drug means there is difficult to secure funding for studies. Traditional pharmaceuticals do not necessary provide the instant relief that marijuana affords them. For those that do, many have incredibly malevolent side effects that are worse than the symptom they are supposed to treat. Meanwhile, while the debate rages on, there are millions like my uncle who are caught in the middle suffering from the misery of terminal illness.
Should we as Americans, truly deny someone who is suffering innocently, through no fault of their own, the right to relief? We should allow those who are seriously ill the dignity they deserve. My hope for my uncle and millions of others Americans who suffer from terminal and degenerative illnesses is that we finally wise up and show compassion. The stigma of marijuana is antiquated and frankly hateful. Even though the now-famous California Proposition 19 was defeated, I am optimistic Americans will wake up to the plight of our brethren and give them the choice to all available options to alleviate their pain. It is simply the right thing to do.
Source: Yahoo News
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