Letter: Right Time For Health Care Reform; Legalize Medical Marijuana; President Obama Should Put Down The Beer And Get Back To Work
Christiane Oliveri
July 31, 2009
The Star-Ledger (Jersey City, New Jersey)
Thank you for covering the medical marijuana hearing in Trenton last month ("Making sure medical marijuana can be used, but not abused," June 7). I testified before the Assembly Health Committee and was very happy that the members voted with compassion for people and families like mine. A witness who testified in opposition to the bill said "We don't run medicine in this country based on anecdotal evidence." I say, "People's pain and suffering are not anecdotes!"
My son Michael, who is 25, is in a wheel chair due to muscular dystrophy and suffers from severe pain in addition to dangerous side effects from his legally prescribed narcotics. After visiting countless doctors and trying numerous medications in search for relief, Michael became desperate and tried medical marijuana, which miraculously improved his quality of life -- so much so that he left his family and friends in New Jersey to live in a state where his medicine is legal and accessible.
Why can't my son live the best life possible here in New Jersey?
Morphine, OxyContin and other prescription drugs with the potential for abuse are legal, and any caregiver can pick up this medicine for a patient too sick to get to the pharmacy. Before passing the bill, the Assembly should put back in the provision which would allow caregivers to pick up patients' medical marijuana at alternative treatment centers.
They should also let patients grow their medicine themselves. Insurance won't pay for medicinal marijuana and patients living on fixed incomes won't be able to afford to relieve their suffering. | 
