I am a Suboxone provider in rural Utah battling the opioid epidemic on the front lines. I deal with patients struggling with opioid addiction frequently. I see medical cannabis as a potential treatment option. In my medical training, I saw it used successfully to wean people off opiates. I witnessed medical cannabis improve quality of life for veterans suffering from PTSD. A friend with epilepsy used CBD when he couldn’t afford the $1,000/month price of anti-seizure medications, and it worked. Overall, there are a wide range of potential uses for cannabis.
The Medical Cannabis Act, which will be on the ballot this November, seems promising. It is interesting to observe Utahns engage each other on this subject. As Election Day inches closer, it seems like the discussion is turning dirty and dishonest. I recently came across a disconcerting video of a canvasser from the Utah Medical Association disseminating misinformation on the issue.
The canvasser claimed to have a medical degree, but her profound lack of knowledge on medical cannabis put this into question. I would expect such an individual volunteering her time to be well-versed on what she is canvassing on. I’m worried these canvassers are misrepresenting themselves as medical personnel to give credence to their statements. Even so, much of what the canvasser uttered was false and confusing. Medical professionals don’t enter medicine to mislead their patients, so why should it be any different with their lobbying groups?
This campaign not only makes the UMA and the physicians they claim to represent look completely devoid of integrity, but all medical professionals. They are actively poisoning the doctor-patient relationship as the trust we work so hard to build erodes away. I hope the UMA will consider changing its strategy.
Garon Coriz, M.D., Richfield
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