[/caption]Carol Forsloff - While more and more states are legalizing medical marijuana, some on the West Coast with pro-medical marijuana laws in effect for a number of years now face restrictions at the local level that lead to patients have problems finding the resources they need.
In order to help patients obtain marijuana for medicinal purposes, the Holistic Herbal Healers in San Jose is aligning itself with the medical cannabis community, as restrictions are growing on the numbers of places in the area that will be allowed to dispense marijuana. The medical marijuana patients have new friends among holistic practitioners who have formed what they call the Cannabis Patients Alliance, according to a recent press release.
With the support of holistic healers, patients asked the City of Jose to loosen its restrictions on dispensing facilities. The city has said there can be no more than 10 in the area.
This same type of fight is going on in Oregon, where the state has seen more and more contentious disagreements among legislators and patients about the use of medical marijuana in the general community. Legislators express concern that the drug is being used by private citizens for recreational purposes and have started to restrict the drug’s dispensing at cannabis cafes and shops, as well as restricting the drug paraphernalia. Since Oregon and California voted against recreational use of marijuana the number of restrictions have been increasing, along with arrests that have multiplied in Oregon.
In the meantime marijuana supporters are gathering information and support from various sources, including holistic health practitioners as they fight against restricting the drug that many maintain is essential to control pain and side effects from various cancer medications.
A Cannabis Patients Alliance volunteer maintains, “In the end, the Alliance is about the rights of people to use a safe, natural, non-toxic medicine under the care of a physician, without harming anyone else and without any interference from politicians and bureaucrats” The Alliance tells us that.San Jose City’s intent is to limit permits for dispensaries and where they can be located and that marijuana has to be grown on the site where it is being dispensed. The organization believes this will lead to marijuana monopolies limiting choice and leading to poor drug quality as well as poor customer service.
The controversy continues on the status of medical marijuana in the United States. Arguments for and against the use of the drug for medical purposes are part of a regular discussion in state and local governments. The arguments of those in favor maintain that the drug reduces pain and problems taking medications for cancer and other illnesses. Those against it believe it is a gateway to harder drugs that are more addictive.
While more and more states legalize medical marijuana, the technical aspects of its distribution remain a major source of difficulty and the final hurdle in its effective use by patients who maintain they need the drug for its health benefits.