>>I don't think drugs are good, unless they are medicine, and I don't buy into the "medical" marijuana. That is merely a ruse.
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>>John, you know that I'm pretty far to the right....but on the issue of medical marijuana (and ONLY on the issue of medical marijuana), I have to say that I think there's a value there. I'm no doctor, so I can only go on what medical data I've heard 2nd hand, but I've heard that in as many as 25% of the time where even strong painkillers don't work, medical marijuana reportedly helped to ease severe physical pain.
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>>And as crazy as this sounds, there are reports where medical marijuana has helped to "balance" out those with bi-polar disorder, where other medications did little or nothing.
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>>I realize the "slippery-slope argument" - that many will want medical marijuana simply when they have a headache.
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>>Have you ever been on pain killers? I've been on them three times. And it was only for pain that was going to last a few days (for root canal, surgery post-op, etc.) Well, imagine that kind of pain - but where the pain is chronic - and no other drug works. A person shouldn't have to suffer, simply because of the "stigma" involving pot. I think a physician should be permitted to prescribe medical marijuana in that situation.
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>>So while I'm with you on just about every debating involving law and order - when it comes to M.M., I think it should be permitted.
>
>Personally, I think there must be other drugs that can be used for pain management. The data supports my theory that MM is a ruse. Cali and Colo "MM" users number in the hundreds of thousands. I find it extremely hard to believe there are that many people who have a real need for pain management. This whole issue is being driven by dopers who just want an excuse to fire up a Texas Tornado!

Emphasis mine. I don't. Why else is there such a need for pain management clinics in every state?