Pubdate: Thu, 06 Jun 2013
Source: Journal News, The (NY)
Copyright: 2013 The Gannett Company, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.lohud.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1205
Author: Steve Katz

RECENT SUPPORT FOR MEDICAL POT IS ETHICAL CHOICE

As one of only two Assembly members with a professional background in 
health care, I feel compelled to discuss my recent affirmative vote 
for A.6357, legislation allowing medicinal use of marijuana in New York.

In a representative republic, such as ours, my voice and votes have 
been consistent with the values of my district. Voting on this bill 
last year was one of the most difficult decisions I have experienced 
as a legislator. I remember debating the pros and cons of this bill 
with my wife and my family, but ultimately, as a freshman legislator, 
I chose to vote the way I thought I was supposed to vote.

The weeks following the vote troubled me more than any other as an 
assemblyman. I spoke to my constituents, family, and friends about my 
vote. In my district, I heard some heartbreaking stories from friends 
who have had loved ones forced to contend with unimaginable pain. 
 From experts, I learned of many ways that cannabinoid treatments can 
help assuage many ailments that current medicine doesn't effectively 
treat. After hearing their concerns and support for this piece of 
legislation, I decided that this year, when the bill came up for a 
vote, I would support it.

On a personal note, my mother suffers from a severe degenerative 
spinal condition. Four separate surgeries and two metal rods 
currently run through the length of her spine. Over the course of 
this past year, her condition has continued to deteriorate at an 
alarming rate. Various painkillers, all taken in massive doses, and 
all of which she is now dependent on, continue to fail to mitigate my 
mother's relentless pain.

Difficult, devastating It is the most difficult thing for a son to 
watch, and it is devastating to know that so many, like my mother, 
suffer every day under similar circumstances. There is no good reason 
why we should continue to prevent a viable medication from being used 
in our state, and that is why I supported this bill.

We cannot ignore the reality that cannabis has real medicinal 
properties, and to be perfectly clear, this bill will not legalize 
the type of behavior one would imagine in a Cheech and Chong or 
Harold and Kumar movie. Rather, this bill takes a responsible step in 
helping those who are in need.

Study after study clearly shows that cannabinoid botanical medicine 
aids the treatment of intractable visceral pain from cancers, 
unstoppable neuropathic pain from spinal disorders and advanced-stage 
neuropathy, asthma, glaucoma, spasticity in Multiple Sclerosis, 
weight loss in various "wasting syndromes" and emesis in chemotherapy 
patients. As a health care provider and state legislator, I believe 
we have an obligation to employ every weapon in the pharmaceutical 
armory available to help those with indomitable pain.

Moreover, I believe that the misrepresentation of the medicinal value 
in cannabinoids as they pertain to health protection or treatment is 
a great injustice to those currently suffering from these ailments. 
Even if a condition is incurable, we owe it to those afflicted to use 
every means available to alleviate pain. After working across the 
aisle on this issue and with experts from around the world, I believe 
that we have created a model that other states will be proud to follow.

Under this new legislation, the Department of Health will help 
medical professionals in our state to administer this treatment 
method responsibly. Our state will have a strict licensing protocol 
for all cultivators, distributors, and medical professionals. The 
state's ISTOP program will monitor all certifications to prevent 
abuse, and this new policy will bring a new revenue stream to our 
cash starved state.

To my more conservative constituents who may find fault with my 
decision to vote this way, I want to say that I understand. Though 
marijuana is not a cure for any illness, its pain palliative 
properties can prolong and enhance the quality of life for many 
patients enduring horrible diseases. If health providers believe that 
medicinal marijuana is the appropriate medication, our government has 
no business to deny an individual the right combat pain in the most 
effective way they deem fit.

I also want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the incident in 
March. I apologize to any family, friend, supporter, or constituent 
whom I have made uncomfortable or disappointed. I have given my heart 
and soul to represent my district with unwavering honesty, integrity, 
and effectiveness, and I promise to continue to do so.

In closing, my friends, I want to reassure you that we have written a 
good bill. We will be on the right side of history, and we will 
improve the lives of those who are suffering.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom