Cannitrol – Cannabis Control Agent

Marijuana news from around the world

Oklahoma

Politicians In Oklahoma Send Confusing Messages on Drug Policy

oklahoma capital

We have all had authoritative figures in our lives tell us “I would never ask you to do anything that I was not willing to do myself.”  When we actually believe our parents or employers, it will usually result in a healthy level of respect for that individual.  Conversely, if you do not trust the hollow words, it can actually be antagonistic.

Lawmakers in Oklahoma have been sending confusing messages to residents of the Sooner State.  Oklahoma is known for its harsh stance on any drug conviction.  Low level first offense marijuana possession can result in one year in prison.  Even more baffling was a law passed last year aimed at those who convert marijuana into hash.  Although there have only been a handful of hash production cases in Oklahoma in the past decade, they felt compelled to enact one of the harshest drug laws in United States history.  Even the first conviction for hash production in Oklahoma now carries the potential for a life sentence (minimum 2 year sentence).  With an already overcrowded prison system, many legal analysts have been shocked at Oklahoma’s handling of marijuana and hash laws.

The hash law has created even more confusion.  Was there a hash epidemic we all missed?  In the class warfare we have seen developing over the past several years, it has become a popular idea (started first by Arizona) to target and require drug testing for those receiving government assistance.  These laws typically target the younger welfare recipients, but never require Medicare participants to prove their moral superiority via urine samples.  The whole concept sounds well and good until any financial analysis is performed, which is surprising because the financial guru candidate for president, Mitt Romney, has also championed the idea of drug testing welfare recipients.  However, further analysis shows that since drug tests are not free of charge, that it will actually cost taxpayers far more.

Oklahoma has joined over 20 other states that are considering this new legislative trend.  There was an interesting twist in the case of Oklahoma’s law.  The proposed legislation included provisions to also require anyone seeking public office to pass a drug test.  Democrats opposing the welfare recipient drug testing on the grounds of constitutionality, had added the provision.  GOP Sen. David Holt categorized the action as a “stunt” and removed the language from the bill that would require legislators to submit to drug tests.  Although it may indeed have been a bit of political grandstanding by state democrats, would it not have provided validity to the bill if those who sign it also abide by it?

According to politicians, the only people where drug abuse is a concern is for welfare recipients.  Thankfully no politicians or Medicare eligible members carry the potential for substance abuse.   Even those on welfare have voting rights and politicians work for the people.  If the legislation saved money it would be worth considering, though this still would not preclude it from the constitutionality discussion.  We should no longer allow our politicians to say “Do as I say and not do as I do.”  Elected officials often forget, but they work for us and should be abiding by the same guidelines we do.

, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Families find Stress and Relief with Medical Marijuana Laws

legal logo

As we constantly hear about “family values” in this election year, we find ourselves questioning the sincerity of those statements.  The United States witnesses so many families struggling with healthcare, and even for those lucky enough to have access to pharmaceutical treatments it is often not enough to provide relief.  Two families have been featured in the news recently as they try their best to provide a better quality of life for their children.

A recent article entitled “Without Marijuana, I’d Probably Be Dead” describes 17 year old Chaz Moore’s health struggles.  Doctors say that Chaz is one of 50 people in the entire world who have been diagnosed with myoclonus diaphragmatic flutter.  The condition causes muscle spasms that can occur dozens of times in one day alone.  For most of his life, Chaz Moore was healthy, athletic, active and seemingly normal.  Several years ago this all changed drastically and Moore started to notice hives and spasms several times a week.  The symptoms became progressively worse as Chaz’s father recalled, “One week, we went nine times to the ER, we were going nuts, just totally freaking out. Nobody knew what was wrong.”  Traditional medicine proved to be ineffective until Chaz was taking a combination of 16 pills per day.

Although doctors were able to treat his symptoms at first with an aggressive pill cycle, eventually the spasms returned and were unable to be controlled.  Shan Moore eventually suggested to doctors that Chaz try marijuana as a way to regulate the attacks.  To date, it is the only treatment that has proved to be consistent.   Although Moore is one of 41 minors who possess a medical marijuana card in Colorado, he could benefit greatly from further marijuana legal reform.  His situation requires him to medicate during the day and this has put him at odds with school administrators.  Chaz Moore now takes online classes from his home.

Unfortunately, another family seeking relief for their child has even more legal hurdles to overcome.  Gill and Catherine Mejias are seeking an alternative approach toward their son Deacon’s autism.  Deacon is only seven years old which makes the situation even more sensitive.  While it may sound extremely controversial to use marijuana in treatment for young children, many parents are claiming it has helped their children who have autism (click here for a letter from a mother titled “Why I Give My 9 Year Old Pot”). Deacon’s parents claim that his teachers noticed a drastic turnaround in his behavior after he started taking Marinol.

However, Catherine Deacon says that Deacon typically builds up a tolerance to synthetics and the Marinol regimen has lost its effectiveness.  Oklahoma is not a state that permits medical marijuana although the Mejias family is hopeful that will soon change.  State Senator Constance Johnson (D-Oklahoma City) has proposed senate bill 573, which would allow doctors to prescribe medical marijuana.  The Mejias family has stated they will move to another state if the bill does not pass. Oklahoma state governor Mary Fallin has indicated she would veto any bill to legalize medical marijuana.

We are a country that places an emphasis on “family”.  Is it not equally important that the word “compassion” closely accompanies family?  Current laws have forced little choice but to break the law for those who have true family values.

, , , , , , , , , , ,

Next posts