Pubdate: Thu, 29 Oct 2015
Source: Baltimore Sun (MD)
Copyright: 2015 The Baltimore Sun Company
Contact:  http://www.baltimoresun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/37
Authors: Barry Ronan and Shawn Hershberger
Note: Barry Ronan is CEO of Western Maryland Health System in 
Cumberland. Shawn Hershberger is president and executive director of 
the Cumberland Economic Development Corporation.

CUMBERLAND WANTS MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Who should be licensed to grow medical cannabis in Maryland? That 
question will soon be answered by the Natalie LaPrade Maryland 
Medical Cannabis Commission, which is authorized under state law to 
award licenses to 15 organizations to grow medical cannabis. The 
qualifications of these organizations are important, but so is where 
in Maryland they intend to locate. We want to shed light on why a 
qualified, licensed medical cannabis grower could be a tremendous 
asset for a community like ours.

We live and work in Cumberland, a small Western Maryland town blessed 
with stunning natural surroundings, tranquillity and friendly neighbors.

Like many communities, Cumberland invests considerable resources to 
reach two goals: quality health care and a strong economy. We have 
concluded that tightly regulated access to medical cannabis can help 
us deliver on both goals.

First, consider the public health benefits. This past fiscal year 
alone, Western Maryland Health System in Cumberland diagnosed more 
than 2,200 patients with diseases that can be treated with medical 
cannabis under Maryland law. That means our hospital clinicians could 
potentially prescribe thousands of patients a safe and effective 
treatment option for pain related to cancer, multiple sclerosis, 
post-traumatic stress disorder and other conditions if they deemed it 
appropriate.

Medical cannabis can also be a safe alternative to prescription 
painkillers such as opioids, which have ravaged many communities 
across Maryland because of their addictiveness. Western Maryland 
Health System diagnosed 1,135 episodes of opioid dependence, abuse or 
overdose the past fiscal year. Statewide, opioid-related deaths in 
Maryland have increased a staggering 76 percent since 2010. Too many 
families experience pain and suffering at the hands of this opioid epidemic.

Patients and clinicians deserve a safer treatment option. Research 
shows that access to medical cannabis dispensaries is associated with 
a 15 percent to 35 percent reduction in substance abuse admissions 
and opiate overdose fatalities.

Second, consider the economic benefits. Cumberland is transitioning 
from its 20th-century industrial roots to a more diverse, 
service-based economy. We are growing sectors that will be crucial in 
the 21st century, from information technology and office support to 
health and medical services.

Herein lies the economic potential. A medical cannabis pharmaceutical 
company is a perfect complement to our health and medical services 
economy. A licensed grower could seamlessly partner with Western 
Maryland Health System to serve qualified patients at a regional 
scale, tap into Allegany County's vast expertise in agriculture and 
create jobs higher up the wage scale.

For all of these reasons, the City of Cumberland this summer entered 
into an agreement with Peak Harvest Health, whose principals have 
experience growing medical cannabis in highly regulated states, to 
operate a growing facility within city limits.

Should Peak Harvest Health secure a state license, we expect they 
could add more than 100 new jobs in our community and return a vacant 
building to the tax rolls, adding new revenue to local coffers.

We do not arrive at our decision to support medical cannabis lightly, 
and we are firmly opposed to legalizing recreational use of cannabis. 
Extensive research and consultations have convinced us that the 
presence of a medical cannabis grower in Cumberland will be 
beneficial for our citizens and our economy.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom