Former Kansas attorney general advocates use of marijuana for medical reasons
Former Attorney General of Kansas Bob Stephan said he did not use medicinal marijuana during struggles earlier in his life with lymphoma and bladder cancer, but the 74-year-old advocate wants it to be an option for those who need it most.
Speaking at a press conference at the statehouse last Friday on behalf of terminally ill patients of afflictions like epilepsy, cancer, AIDS, anxiety disorder and multiple sclerosis, Stephan encouraged Kansas citizens to sign a petition that would allow physicians to recommend marijuana for medical purposes.
The conference was hosted by the Kansas Compassionate Care Coalition, a 400-member grassroots organization based in Lawrence. Determined to add Kansas to a growing list of states that already have partial-legalization laws, KSCCC asked Stephan, the longest-serving attorney general in Kansas history, to lend his public figure to their cause, according to the Associated Press.
"I am convinced we have a moral and ethical responsibility to protect law-abiding citizens from the risk and trauma of arrest, prosecution and conviction and prison simply because they're attempting to gain relief from a serious condition," Stephan said.
Twelve states allow the prescription and use of medicinal marijuana in varying degrees, which is in direct opposition to federal laws banning all use and possession of the drug.
According to the New England Journal of Medicine, an estimated 115,000 Americans who live in one of the 12 states have obtained physician recommendations to use marijuana for medicinal purposes. Licensed caregivers can grow limited amounts for their patients, for example, or patients can grow it themselves.
Partial-legalization, however, does not necessarily provide full-protection, as was the case in California - the first state to enact a partial-legalization law. Last month police helped federal agents raid 10 local medicinal marijuana dispensaries and arrested all involved parties in California.
Under current Kansas law, a first-time offender will receive a misdemeanor, a fine up to $2,500 and a year in prison if caught smoking, selling or growing marijuana. Cultivation of more than four plants, however, including for medical use, is a felony worth 11 to 17 years in prison.
"Marijuana is completely natural and not addictive like painkillers," said Amber Hoskins, a Manhattan resident who suffers from chronic back pain. "The prescriptions they give out today are too powerful - they damage the liver and stomach lining. Marijuana is even safer than alcohol, and so much easier on the body.
"I'd prefer that as an alternative to being on pills all the time."
Opponents to medicinal marijuana feel enough options are already available to pain sufferers. For example, they have access to legal cannaboid medicines such as Marinol and Cesamet. These are both marijuana-based and federally approved.
Alicia Staats, junior in psychology, said she understands the benefits of medicinal marijuana but is worried partial-legalization could lead to a dependance on the drug.
"I wouldn't keep a terminally ill patient from smoking medical marijuana," she said, "but I wouldn't condone prescribing it under any other circumstances.
"I'd worry about addiction rates of prescription painkillers and marijuana. If pills are less addictive in the long run, then stick with what works."
According to the release from the latest KSCCC press conference, mainstream medical organizations like the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Public Health Association and the American Nurses Association all support the supervised use of medicinal marijuana.
Paul Morrison, current attorney general, refuses to share his personal opinion on the matter.
Despite ever-changing political atmospheres and medical breakthroughs, some Kansans are starting to consider the bowl half empty.
"It could take a century for medical marijuana to be accepted by the majority," said Larry Moeller, a medical doctor at Lafene Health Center.
"There are intelligent, open-minded people who can promote this campaign, but if it doesn't happen in this lifetime, I don't think it'll ever happen."
