I have no problem decriminalizing it. But, I object to the label of "medical" when it is nothing of the sort. Not yet. It's no more "medicinal" than a shot of scotch, which also makes many people feel better.
But, until it meets the scientific criteria of ALL OTHER therapeutic drugs, it ain't "medical."
Smoke it all you want. Bake it into treats all you want. Use the oils in your shampoo if you want. Use it to increase your appetite or settle your belly. But, it's not "medical." Not until it's proven to have therapeutic effects like any other drug. That takes many studies. It's a process. All other legitimate drugs have to go through those studies and trials.
"It makes me feel better" isn't science, and it isn't medicine.
Until then... it's recreational (which is fine by me), and any other benefits are PURELY ANECDOTAL. I'm not saying those folks are lying about the benefits they've experienced. I'm saying that it's not scientifically proven. And, it isn't. Anyone who has dedicated himself to science through formal education and a career knows that. I understand that folks NOT familiar with science, and specifically medical sciences, get emotional about this. That doesn't change the facts. It doesn't change the definition of science, nor does it change the criteria for proving therapeutic drugs as legitimate.
From my view point after just finishing 7 months of chemo some Doctors are full of shit.
I was with a pain management group for almot 11 years ( I will tell you how that worked out at the end)
I went in for a hernia operation on April 23rd of last year, the surgeon knew about my Non-hodgkin's lymphoma,he gave me platelets before surgery and all was well.
In the recovery room as I was leaving I keeled over dead from a widowmaker HA.
If not for my wife I'd be in the ground.
They had me cathed and stinted in under 25 minutes.
I had 100% blockage in 2 spots.
All was going well until the doctor poured the Heparin to me.
I spent 39 days in the ICU and another 30 days in a rehab facility
I am leaving a large amount of info out to keep this short
Back to the pain management Doctor.
He demanded that I start Medical marijuana treatment right away because of my chemo.
( I never complained to him about any side effects )
I told him that I'd like to look into it first.
After speaking to the 6 other doctors that were treating me every one of them said they would dismiss me from their practice is I started smoking weed.
I was ok with what they wanted.
I started to really dig into this marijuana thing.
I came to find out that my pain doctor had invested heavily into the main medical marijuana company in Ohio.
I'm talking millions.
So to finish this up I'll leave you with this.
In the 11+ years with this pain management doctor.
I never missed an appointment
I never failed a drug test
I never asked for more meds than were recommended.
I remained 100% compliant
I had facet injections and radio ablation therapy that totaled almost 20k to my insurance company.
When I came in for my follow up appointment.
The Doctor took it upon himself to fill out the paperwork for the ID card and demanded that I sign off.
I told him that I looked into it and that I had talked to all the other doctors treating me.
I tried explaining to him that I was told if I started smoking weed that I would be dismissed from their practices.
He was nice about it, he wrote my refill and away i went.
The next day I get a registered letter stating I was dismissed from his practice for non-compliance.
I'm not the only patient from the pain clinc that had this happen.