Geetha Arulmohan, Mercer Council on Alcoholism & Drug Addiction
Heroin is derived from raw opium gum produced by the opium poppy. It is converted into morphine in refineries and was used as sedative and soporific for years.
Methamphetamine is a stimulant and an appetite suppressant. It is used to treat attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity.
Cocaine is as a local anesthetic for certain eye and ear problems and in some kinds of surgery. Those with cluster headaches claim relief when using cocaine.
Physicians prescribed oxycontin as an analgesic medication beginning in 1996. Now, the addictive nature of oxycontin is known and physicians use more caution in prescribing it.
From 1850 until 1942, marijuana was prescribed for labor pains, nausea and rheumatism. In the 1950s it was popular among the beat generation and in the 1960s, college students made smoking marijuana part of the “Hippie” culture. In 1970, the Controlled Substances Act included marijuana along with heroin and LSD as a schedule 1 drug. Substance abuse and prevention professionals call it a “gateway drug” that has a high abuse potential especially by young school children.
What is the percentage of patients suffering from chronic pain that find relief in smoking marijuana? Has there ever been a study conducted as to the validity of their claim that marijuana and only marijuana mitigates their pain? Isolated cases cannot contribute to a statewide legislation.
New Jersey Law makers are trying to legalize “medical marijuana” by an Assembly Bill A-804 and Senate Bill – S-119. If marijuana can be grown for medicinal purposes, poppy plant can be grown too. Family members of those suffering from ADHD should be able to have “mom” and “pop” labs in their homes to produce methamphetamine. Those with cluster headaches should be allowed to possess cocaine. If patients can get prescription for morphine, oxycontin, and methamphetamines, those who need to use marijuana can get it through proper channels.
Legalizing medical marijuana is like issuing a free passport to the world of addiction. It is going to increase the agony of parents, school authorities, and communities. Instead of revisiting the 18th century, let us stay with 1970 legislation and find other ways to help those in pain.
Geetha Arulmohan, executive director
Mercer Council on Alcoholism
& Drug Addiction
Trenton

