The Federal Government is Providing Medical Marijuana to Four Patients
Every month, four Americans battling serious illnesses receive a metal canister from the U.S. government, containing about 10 ounces of marijuana in pre-rolled cigarettes. The program under which these patients receive government-supplied medical marijuana began on May 10, 1978. Referred to as a Compassionate Investigational New Drug (IND) program, it resulted from a lawsuit filed by glaucoma patient Robert Randall, who successfully showed that his use of marijuana was a medical necessity
The program slowly grew, with 34 patients approved to participate by1991 (though less than half actually received federal marijuana). But a flood of new applications from patients battling AIDS -- who found that marijuana boosted their appetite and relieved the nausea often caused by anti-HIV drugs -- threw the administration of George H.W. Bush into a panic. The administration closed the program to new applicants in March 1992, but has continued to supply medical marijuana to the four surviving patients.
This may seem shocking. After all, isn't our government's official position that marijuana is not a medicine but a dangerous, addictive substance that only causes harm?
Exactly. Which means that in the U.S. government's official view, it is poisoning four innocent people -- except, of course, that the patients are doing well and have clearly benefited from marijuana therapy, as discussed in more detail below.
Sign up for the OV Daily Newsletter
OV Social
I guess I am feeling rather bitter right now! I suffer from the same disease as Irv Rosenfield, and indeed have a rather complicated case. However, the government is not sending me my own supply of weed. Indeed, I can't even afford my prescriptions or health care. I bet that I don't even make half his salary! Why then does this lawyer get special treatment from his good old drug daddy Uncle Sam?
I don't know how I feel about medical marijuana, but this just seems odd that this guy would need this strong of a drug for pain. I have associated nerve damage and take codiene (which I guess is just as bad as Marijuana anyway-- but worse because I have to actually buy it myself). So why doesn't the government send me my own supply of hash? It would certainly make my life easier and would make it easier for people to deal with me. I would love to spend the majority of my days high as a kite. Why not? What do I have to loose?
Marijuana, solely because of it's illegal status, is commonly thought of as a very strong drug with very strong effects. It is actually milder, less dangerous, and MUCH less addictive. Codeine is a HORRIBLE drug that people get addicted to so very easily. This is what all the hubbub is about...pharmaceutical companies and doctors selling dangerous, addictive, and sometimes noneffective medication to the masses while the real gem, marijuana (a nonaddictive, nonnarcotic, mild, but wonderfully effective drug), is kept illegal. It's time the American people stand up for what's right since our government won't.