Pubdate: Sun, 28 Oct 2012
Source: Worcester Telegram & Gazette (MA)
Copyright: 2012 Worcester Telegram & Gazette
Contact:  http://www.telegram.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/509
Note: Rarely prints LTEs from outside circulation area - requires 
'Letter to the Editor' in subject
Author: Dianne Williamson

POT COULD IMPROVE MANY LIVES

Peter Hayashi of Newton, a 56-year-old father of two and former 
faculty member at Harvard Medical School, is one of the last people 
you'd expect to see buying pot on the street.

But Hayashi suffers from allodynia, a hypersensitive reaction to 
sensation, which leaves him in severe and constant pain. Even a 
gentle breeze across his face can be excruciating; he spends most 
days swathed in layers of stretch clothing, lying on a waterbed.

The clinical psychologist has tried many prescribed medications and 
several alternative therapies. He has access to the best Harvard 
doctors and researchers. But not until he tried marijuana did he 
experience an ease of symptoms and a big improvement in the quality 
of his life.

"I didn't want to bring it into my house with my kids, but it's 
inescapable that I'm much better off having it here when I need it," 
he said. "I buy it on the street, but don't feel I have safe access."

This good man is technically a criminal, a status that would change 
if Massachusetts voters decide Nov. 6 to legalize the use of 
marijuana for medical purposes. Here's hoping the question passes, 
despite opponents who remain intent on treating this benign, helpful 
substance like a dangerous and evil gateway drug.

Let's be honest. Many of us have smoked marijuana and some of us 
still do. Successful people such as Bill Maher, Andrew Sullivan, 
Woody Harrelson and scores of others are open about their affinity 
for recreational weed. In 2008, the state voted overwhelmingly to 
decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana. The sky 
has yet to fall, also consumption of Twinkies has likely risen.

Still, though, opponents of Question 3 contend that the proposed law 
is flawed and would lead to widespread use of marijuana, as though 
it's not already easy to get on the streets. They claim that 
marijuana is a gateway to harder drugs, despite numerous studies that 
refute the claim. They say pot can lead to addiction, but any 
substance used in excess can lead to addiction, and far more social 
drinkers become alcoholics than recreational pot smokers become potheads.

If the referendum passes, Massachusetts would become the 18th state 
to legalize medicinal marijuana. Doctors would have the option to 
prescribe it to patients who meet certain guidelines, including 
having been diagnosed with cancer, glaucoma, AIDS, Crohn's disease, 
ALS or multiple sclerosis. The law would allow patients to keep a 
65-day supply, and up to 35 nonprofit dispensaries statewide would be 
eligible to sell it. Fraudulent use calls for jail time.

Dr. James Broadhurst, a Worcester physician, leads the opposition. He 
said marijuana isn't medicine and hasn't been evaluated by the 
Federal Drug Administration, which is a rather circuitous argument, 
given that it can't be properly studied because it's illegal. And 
Broadhurst acknowledged that "there's no question marijuana has 
medicinal value," but said the list of diagnoses that would allow 
someone to obtain the drug is too broad.

"This is a gateway to legalization," he said. "This is a sham." Asked 
if he believed pot should be legalized, he said, "That's not the 
question that's in front of us ... If we're going to legalize 
marijuana, let's do it. But let's not wrap it in this cloak and 
exploit the sick."

People in pain, such as Peter Hayashi, are more than willing to be 
"exploited" if it means safe and legal access to a substance that 
improves their lives. Since he began inhaling pot with a vaporizer, 
Hayashi was able to attend his first open house at his son's school, 
and said he can spend "quality time" with his daughter when she comes 
home from college.

"If the bill passed, it would mean a lot to me," Hayashi said. "But 
I'm just one of many patients it would mean a lot to."

Many of us know one. Voting yes on Question 3 is a no-brainer.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom