Ashley Miller, a cannabis aka marijuana aka weed activist, appeared on Politics Done Right to discuss the herb in detail. She made the perfect case for its decriminalization.
Ashley Miller on marijuana decriminalization
Marijuana activist Ashley Miller made it clear why the criminalization of marijuana makes no sense as it causes unnecessary suffering. Watch the episode in its entirety interview here.
Ashley gave a touching testimonial about her brother who was given opioids that ultimately had a detrimental effect on his life. Had marijuana been legal he would have had choices. She also spoke about parents in states unable to use cannabis medicinally.
Many Americans are dying from opioid addictions. But here is a reality few know.
Is Cannabis Effective For Treating Chronic Pain?
There is an increasing amount of evidence to show that cannabis can be used just as effectively as opioids to treat chronic pain patients. According to a University of Michigan study published in 2016, cannabis use reduced the use of opioids in chronic pain patients by 64 percent. The study also found that marijuana use improved the patient’s quality of life and decreased the side effects from other medications.
Although cannabis may not work for everyone, just as opioids do not work for everyone, it is worth talking to your physician about. One thing to keep in mind is that the chemical composition of the strain of cannabis may affect your outcome. If you are currently using opioids, take extreme caution when introducing marijuana as part of your treatment plan. Both medications should be used under the close care of a medical professional to avoid overdose and other side effects.
According to Dr. Michael Hart, head doctor at the Marijuana for Trauma institute in Canada, “When considering cannabis to treat chronic pain, the adage, less is more, rings true. Patients seem to find more relief in strains that are higher in THC. What we have found is that these strains can be highly effective in low to moderate doses, but could actually make pain worse in higher doses. So it’s important to start low, and titrate up as appropriate.”
When we decide as a country that the criminalization of drugs is not the answer, not only will we save a lot of money but a lot of destroyed lives. We need to force our politicians to follow the data. Alcohol and opioids are dangerous. Yet they are legal. Given the evidence, one can’t help but believe that the drug is illegal to keep prisons full and drugmaker profits up. Legalization of marijuana is a threat to them both.