Pubdate: Mon, 28 Jul 2014
Source: Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
Copyright: 2014 Sun-Sentinel Company
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/mVLAxQfA
Website: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/159
Author: Philip Curcio
Page: 10A

MEDICAL MARIJUANA BADLY NEEDED IN FLORIDA

I'm looking forward to voting on the Florida constitutional amendment 
to legalize medical marijuana. Even though some may abuse a useful 
tool, many more would be helped by its medicinal qualities.

I have a condition for which there is no known cause and no known 
cure. It visits every person when they least expect it and stays 
longer than welcome. Those of us with polymyalgia rheumatica take 
varied medications to help us move our hands, arms and legs every 
day. Some mornings, I cannot make a fist to wash my face, pour a cup 
of coffee, or reach an itch on my shoulder. A lot of the medications 
for this condition have annoying side effects. A physician I visited 
initially said that more relief - and a quicker remission and 
recovery - can be attained with medical marijuana.

Considering the pain and limitations I experience every day, I'd be 
willing to try something natural to get me to a point where this 
condition would vanish. I need to support my family, yet I'm never 
sure of my limitations day to day. And since SSI or other disability 
benefits are not a choice for me, there's additional pain that comes 
from this condition, namely, finding employment.

Unfortunately, our society is so advanced that it has lost the values 
of freedom and common sense.

Philip Curcio, Boca Raton
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom