Denham Springs, Louisiana 2/18/2010 12:35:10 AM
Medical Marijuana Growers Take a Big Hit
Chris Bartkowicz is likely to face five to forty years for intent to distribute marijuana. Medical marijuana growers have been all over the news lately with what some people believe is legal drug dealing. For years now marijuana has been considered a gateway drug, and although that believe has become unpopular in recent years, almost all addicts cite marijuana as being their first drug of choice before moving on to harder, more dangerous drugs. In a time where the country is divided on the medical marijuana issues, it is vital that we not lose sight of the real issue; addiction and effective rehabilitation.
Lawmakers have placed strict rules and regulations on medical marijuana growers. Growers can only have six marijuana plants per customer. In the case of Bartkowicz, he had 200 plants and only 12 customers. Although Bartkowicz thought officials would not focus on his growing procedures, it is clear that he was more interested in turning a profit, than upholding the law.
Medical marijuana is designed to aid terminally ill patients and patients with severe pain. In order to qualify for medical marijuana, patients have to get a referral from their doctor and then apply to the state. The state issues them a medical marijuana card and they are free to purchase and consume marijuana. The state has turned over the manufacturing of marijuana to growers who apply for the license as well. And the growers are all to happy to begin growing, but who regulates where the pot ends up? Everyone is well aware of addicts “doctor shopping” in order to fuel an Oxycontin addiction, is anyone surprised that people addicted to marijuana would do the same?
Effective drug rehab is really the only way that people can handle their addiction to marijuana. Facilities like Narconon Louisiana, focus on showing an addict that there is a life outside of drugs.
Narconon Louisiana is a long-term, inpatient facility that does not subscribe to the idea that addiction is a disease. Instead, clients work one on one with a counselor to figure out what problems drugs were a solution for. Some people don’t even realize they are addicted to marijuana until they try to stop.
“I didn’t believe that anyone could become addicted to marijuana,” explains Lisa Scheff. Lisa came to Narconon Louisiana after her marijuana habit had gotten so out of control that she was turning to other, more serious drugs to handle her cravings.
“I would become very depressed without weed. I always felt like I was missing something if I wasn’t able to get high that day. One day my friend gave me a Xanax and said this will help make you feel better,” she adds.
After a few weeks of abusing Xanax, Lisa knew that she needed to get help, her addiction was out of control. “Since I’ve been here [Narconon Louisiana] I’ve realized that pot was just a way for me to stop confronting my life," she says. "It allowed me to stop thinking about the things in my life that bothered or upset me. Now I know that I can handle those problems, I can handle those problems that caused me to resort to abusing drugs.”
Medical marijuana growers need to be policed in order to prevent mass quantities of the drug to be produced and sold to individuals looking for another high. An addiction to marijuana can lead to so many harder, more dangerous drugs. If you or someone you know is in need of help please call Narconon Louisiana for more information at 866-422-4650.
