Pubdate: Tue, 11 Mar 2014
Source: Michigan Daily (U of MI, Edu)
Copyright: 2014 The Michigan Daily
Contact: http://www.michigandaily.com/letters/
Website: http://www.michigandaily.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/582
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Marijuana - Medicinal)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?275 (Cannabis - Michigan)

AN EDIBLE ALTERNATIVE

Michigan legislature is currently debating the merits of edible 
pieces of medical marijuana -- non-smokable forms of the medicine. 
The effects of medical marijuana are beneficial for those diagnosed 
with a number of diseases. The Court of Appeals' decision to outlaw 
non-inhalable forms of medical marijuana limits the efficacy of the 
drug by alienating patients who have difficulties inhaling smoke. 
Michigan legislators need to strongly consider passing House Bill 
5104 to allow the legal distribution of edibles.

In July 2013, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled that the sale of 
edible forms of medical marijuana is not permissible under state law, 
deeming non-smokable forms of marijuana to not be "usable marihuana."

Michigan House Bill 5104, primarily sponsored by state Rep. Eileen 
Kowall (R District 44), is being proposed in response to this ruling.

The ban on edible forms of medical marijuana harms patients who need 
a method of ingesting the THC chemical without inhaling smoke. 
Forcing young children and patients with respiratory complications to 
inhale smoke to reap the health benefits of medical marijuana 
arbitrarily causes hardship with no apparent benefit.

Medical marijuana is a popular pain reliever among patients with 
cancer, HIV/AIDS, Crohn's disease, insomnia and chronic pain. 
However, newer studies have shown evidence for more peculiar 
ailments. In small doses, marijuana has been shown to reduce anxiety 
levels and symptoms of ADHD. Similarly, strains that are high in 
cannabidiol and low in THC -- such as the popular " Charlotte's Web" 
- -- are being used to treat people with highly debilitating conditions 
such as epilepsy and Parkinson's disease. Legalizing the distribution 
of edible forms of marijuana will allow all patients to efficiently 
use medical marijuana for their ailments.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom