Pubdate: Tue, 18 Mar 2014
Source: Morning Sentinel (Waterville, ME)
Copyright: 2014 MaineToday Media, Inc.
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/tLMIEnz1
Website: http://www.onlinesentinel.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1474
Author: Glenn Peterson

MEDICAL CANNABIS PLAYS ROLE IN LESS USE OF OPIATES FOR PAIN

Last week, the media reported about the precipitous and unexpected 
decline of MaineCare patients receiving prescription opiates for pain 
management (Bangor Daily News, Feb. 27).

As an operator of Canuvo, in Biddeford, one of the eight dispensaries 
participating in the Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Program, and as 
president of the Maine Association of Dispensary Operators, I believe 
there is another piece to this story.

A great many of the patients benefiting from medical cannabis are 
enrolled in MaineCare. Even though MaineCare doesn't cover the cost 
of this medicine, many of these patients come to us seeking an 
alternative to the prescription opiates they've used for pain.

Federal law has not evolved with public attitudes on medical 
cannabis, and it still prevents the thorough study of its therapeutic 
and palliative benefits. Our professional - though admittedly 
anecdotal - experience indicates that cannabis can be a very 
effective pain management tool for some patients. My peers and I all 
have served patients who have used medical cannabis and successfully 
stopped using prescription opiates. We've seen them able to return to 
work and feel like their former selves again.

Along with chronic pain therapists, chiropractors and other 
providers, Maine's dispensaries are proud to be playing a role in 
helping patients manage their pain and stop using opiates.

Glenn Peterson

Poland
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom