Post by Del Snavely on Nov 13, 2009 12:01:26 GMT -6
MMJ Growing in MT
I loved the AP article in the Plains Reporter titled “Medical Marijuana is Growing in Montana”. It’s great to see everyone working together to make sure patients get their medicine and law enforcement gets educated to the actual laws, and it’s great to see law enforcement taking part other than to arrest people.
The first line by the editor can’t be ignored however. The first words in the story are “Downtown Livingston has gone to pot.” What a revealing statement by what is supposed to be a non-bias news organization. It’s statements like this and labeling people that helps continue the ignorance about medical cannabis.
I also understand the concerns of Mr. Barnes. The large grow operations of co-op patients and non-profit groups should make it easier to regulate. Regulations will have to be set, but that is easy when everyone works together. All grow areas should be locked, accessible only to the licensed grower, keeping it away from children. It also is not the obligation of anyone to convince Mr. Barnes that everyone who is registered needs it. That’s reserved for each patient’s doctor. Ask that question to everyone who is taking Oxycontin. The reasoning for no age limit is because cannabis is shown helpful with ADD/ADHD in children and is much safer that Ritalin or any other. Parents and patients deserve a safer choice.
When it comes to the message we send our kids, I’ll tell you this, I believe when we tell them the truth, that marijuana is a medicine, we help curb drug use. Statistics show exactly that in the states where it’s legal. Not one child I have ever known likes “medicine”, but sooner or later they will all be confronted with “drugs”. Drugs are intriguing to youth, no matter what you believe. When we tell them the truth as we have with cigarettes the use drops off. Also when we test them for “drugs” we teach them that marijuana stays in the system for 30 days or more. Much more dangerous drugs like alcohol and chemicals only stay in your system for a couple days, pushing them to more dangerous behavior, because it’s harder to be caught.
It’s very encouraging to see patients working with police to make sure that the medical marijuana laws work for everyone. That’s the way it should be. We’re not criminals and we shouldn’t feel guilty or be made to feel guilty for anything. I say HOO-RAY for Dave Minnick, the city of Livingston, the Livingston law enforcement and the state of Montana, for their caring, compassion, understanding and willingness to work together. This story was truly inspiring.
Sincerely,
Del Snavely
I loved the AP article in the Plains Reporter titled “Medical Marijuana is Growing in Montana”. It’s great to see everyone working together to make sure patients get their medicine and law enforcement gets educated to the actual laws, and it’s great to see law enforcement taking part other than to arrest people.
The first line by the editor can’t be ignored however. The first words in the story are “Downtown Livingston has gone to pot.” What a revealing statement by what is supposed to be a non-bias news organization. It’s statements like this and labeling people that helps continue the ignorance about medical cannabis.
I also understand the concerns of Mr. Barnes. The large grow operations of co-op patients and non-profit groups should make it easier to regulate. Regulations will have to be set, but that is easy when everyone works together. All grow areas should be locked, accessible only to the licensed grower, keeping it away from children. It also is not the obligation of anyone to convince Mr. Barnes that everyone who is registered needs it. That’s reserved for each patient’s doctor. Ask that question to everyone who is taking Oxycontin. The reasoning for no age limit is because cannabis is shown helpful with ADD/ADHD in children and is much safer that Ritalin or any other. Parents and patients deserve a safer choice.
When it comes to the message we send our kids, I’ll tell you this, I believe when we tell them the truth, that marijuana is a medicine, we help curb drug use. Statistics show exactly that in the states where it’s legal. Not one child I have ever known likes “medicine”, but sooner or later they will all be confronted with “drugs”. Drugs are intriguing to youth, no matter what you believe. When we tell them the truth as we have with cigarettes the use drops off. Also when we test them for “drugs” we teach them that marijuana stays in the system for 30 days or more. Much more dangerous drugs like alcohol and chemicals only stay in your system for a couple days, pushing them to more dangerous behavior, because it’s harder to be caught.
It’s very encouraging to see patients working with police to make sure that the medical marijuana laws work for everyone. That’s the way it should be. We’re not criminals and we shouldn’t feel guilty or be made to feel guilty for anything. I say HOO-RAY for Dave Minnick, the city of Livingston, the Livingston law enforcement and the state of Montana, for their caring, compassion, understanding and willingness to work together. This story was truly inspiring.
Sincerely,
Del Snavely
