After years of educational efforts, we know all too well that opponents of medicinal cannabis often use political fear-mongering and disinformation to prevent cannabis legalization.
But why….? What drives educated people to these extreme tactics…??
Here’s one take from a number of doctors:
(Excerpted:) ” ‘Puritanical zeal, misinformation and fear are at the root of the medical and political establishment’s reluctance to legalise cannabis for medicinal purposes,’ three doctors said.
‘[This] has caused unnecessary suffering among thousands of patients with a range of conditions including cancer, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and chronic pain,’ the medics said.
…Prof Mike Barnes, a rehabilitation physician in the UK, highlighted dozens of peer-reviewed research papers proving the efficacy of medical cannabis. He said such drugs have alleviated pain ‘in all its manifestations,’ treated muscle spasms, anxiety and nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing chemotherapy.
He also said … medicinal cannabis was successful in helping people with epilepsy and sleep disorders, and described the side effects as minimal.
‘Thousands of people with chronic conditions can benefit from this drug that has been around for centuries,’ Prof Barnes said.
Dr Garret McGovern [a clinic director] suggested cannabis had been stigmatised in the mainstream ‘more than heroin [and readily available prescription opioids]….’
‘This stems from a puritanical inability to separate medicinal cannabis from recreational,’ he said. ‘If we had never heard of recreational cannabis then we would have had these drugs years ago.’
‘Science is on our side, public opinion is on our side and history is on our side,’ he said.”
A big TRUCE amen to that last. Always consider the source of “facts” you’re hearing and remember that we always do our best to verify every piece of research we share with you.
And beyond “cannaphobia” driving overweening opposition, also always ask yourselves what personal and institutional interests, financial and otherwise, various opponents may be trying to protect or advance.
#MMJ #Research #Misinformation #Ireland #UTpol #UtahNext #TRUCE
http://ift.tt/2z6ej0h
See full article – Opposition to medicinal cannabis misguided, say doctors
