I have been reading the editorials concerning Utah’s medical marijuana initiative for some time now. I have read many opinions supporting the passing of this initiative and I keep thinking someone will come up with an intelligent article about why people should not pass the initiative.
I was glad, recently, to hear Gov. Gary Herbert come out against it as well as the Utah Medical Association and the LDS Church. Now recent editorials have lambasted all three for their opinions, so I have decided I must speak for myself. I do not hold a doctor of medicine degree, nor do I hold any important public office, or speak for a large body of people. I am, however, the grandmother of a child who has used medical marijuana (legally, in another state).
My grandchild has a rare form of epilepsy called infantile spasms. The seizures look like baby movements and so are often not diagnosed very early. We were lucky to have a quick diagnosis. Because the seizures interfere with a baby’s regular development, 100 percent control of seizures is needed. We were desperate for a way to quickly reach 100 percent control so that development was not delayed. We tried all the regular medical interventions. No parent should have to watch as their child suffers from seizures that rob their child of normal development, knowing if they can just stop them in time, they may develop normally.
Since medical marijuana is legal in the state where my daughter lives, my daughter and her husband decided it was an option for their child. When they went to sign up their baby, they had one doctor’s signature but found they needed another. Because it was a child, they needed the signatures of two different doctors. They were told that a doctor there could sign for the second signature. The second doctor signed for a fee, however no examination was made. She came away from the experience somewhat disgusted.
After getting the clearances for medical marijuana, the next hurtle was obtaining the medicine. They had to decide on their own which brand/form to order. When they got the medicine, there were no clear dosage instructions. It was mostly a trial and error to find the correct dosage for the desired effect.
No testing has been done on marijuana as it is considered a Schedule 1 drug and therefore illegal by federal law. My daughter tried to ask her doctors about dosage, but they would not help her in any way, even though it was legal in her state. They were all too afraid of lawsuits. Her experience made me wonder how many doctors who say they are for medical marijuana would support their patients if they need help with dosage problems or other questions.
Another consideration is that because medical marijuana is illegal federally, you cannot legally fly on an airplane with your medicine, nor travel by car through most states that have not legalized it. While very sick patients may not travel anyway, there are others who may find that they are trapped by their medicine.
In conclusion, yes, I do think we need a way to have medical marijuana available for those who need it. But I think once we open the back door, no one will bother with the front door.
We need to do the right thing in the right way for it to truly be right. We need to push for a way that will truly support those whom we seek to help. We need to push for a federal solution so the research and testing will give doctors the ability to not only prescribe, but to also help their patients with dosage without fearing lawsuits. Patients already have many responsibilities for their own medical decisions. Figuring correct dosages should not have to be one of them.
I think the LDS Church said rightly that medical marijuana needs to “undergo the scrutiny of medical scientists and official approval bodies.” Those who are pushing so hard for this initiative would be better served to push for a federal solution.
Don’t ask me to vote for the initiative. I won’t do it. We need to find a better way, the right way.
Annette M. Bracken
Annette M. Bracken, West Jordan, is the grandmother of a child who has used legal medical marijuana.