Pubdate: Thu, 11 Nov 2010
Source: Columbian, The (WA)
Copyright: 2010 The Columbian Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.columbian.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/92
Author: Dan S. Dille

NEW POLICY CAN WITHHOLD PAIN RELIEF

I have suffered from chronic congenital back pain for 15 years. For 14
of those years I have taken doses of morphine to contain it. When
medical marijuana came into being, I also tried that and found it to
help enormously. Now that's about to end.

Washington DSHS is circulating a new narcotics contract, one that
initiates the use of urinalysis for those who take narcotics, to learn
if the drugs are being misused. Also included is the news that if the
test is positive for marijuana, the morphine will be withdrawn and my
doctor will have to wean me off it forever.

The truth is that smoking medicinal marijuana has no bearing on
whether or not the narcotic is being mistreated. The test will show
that it is not. I will produce my pill bottle any time it's called
for, in order that the pill count be taken.

It's not a problem, and never has been. But the state will take it
away if I try to help myself by using the legal medical marijuana law
on this state's books.

What allows DSHS to ignore the state law that gives me permission to
treat my own pain?

Dan S. Dille

Vancouver
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MAP posted-by: Matt