Marijuana a viable option for medicine

I attended Dr. Kevin Sabet's presentation, 'An Honest Conversation About Marijuana” on April 1 at Kirkwood Community College. Sabet's body of research and experience on this controversial topic was well-timed for citizens of our state. Iowa has an impressive history of progressive legislation (e.g., same-sex marriage legalization), but congressional leaders are doing a disservice to families by denying medical marijuana.

That's medical marijuana, not recreational marijuana. With appropriate regulations, this state can use cannabis to help individuals relieve chronic pain brought on by injury or surgery, reduce excessive and life-threatening seizures caused by epilepsy and ease cancer treatments. Therein, helping those individuals and their families to live happier, more fulfilling lives. WebMD recently released results from a survey of more than 1,500 doctors on the issue of medical marijuana. Of those polled, 67 percent said medical marijuana should be a medical option for patients.

I am not writing in support of legalizing recreational marijuana. I have worked in a chemical dependency setting and have witnessed the social, financial, developmental and physical consequences of marijuana addiction. In a word, it is scary.

Medical cannabis isn't rolling joints or smoking bongs in a basement with friends. It's a pill or oil prescribed by a doctor. Challenge yourself to learn more. If it doesn't impact you now, it likely will in the future.

Katie Johnson

Cedar Rapids