Pubdate: Wed, 24 Aug 2016
Source: New Zealand Herald (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2016 New Zealand Herald
Contact:  http://www.nzherald.co.nz/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/300
Author: Rochelle Kupa

MARIJUANA RELIEF

It's interesting being a criminal. I spent the past 30 years being a 
relatively model citizen. Then I got diagnosed with terminal cancer 
in multiple sites. I have turned into a criminal to survive, thrive 
and stay alive.

And indeed thanks to medical marijuana, I am surviving, I am thriving 
and I am alive to parent. I am alive to be with friends, to be 
political, to make plans, to get fit, to read, to continue learning, 
to love, to laugh and sometimes to cry.

I, and many others, face the possibility of a fine or a conviction or 
even imprisonment. Why is this still happening? Why is it still okay 
to get hammered on alcohol but not get happy on cannabis? Why is it 
okay to be poisoned by chemotherapy? Irradiated? Addicted to 
painkillers as part of conventional methods for dealing with severe 
health issues?

The answer is the skewed moral compass ruling this country that says 
being drunk is okay but marijuana is not.

Rochelle Kupa, Lower Hutt.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom