Medical Marijuana’s Downside

The complexities of the marijuana debate continue. While the movement for widespread legalization of pot continues, it’s already legal in 14 states for medical purposes. Still, while it may be legal, that doesn’t mean everyone approves. Those using marijuana to cope with the pain of cancer or other ongoing illnesses or chronic pain can still be fired when their drug test comes back positive. Then there’s still the “pothead” stigma that doesn’t go away just because you’ve been granted a medical marijuana card to prove you’re legally allowed to light up.

Medical marijuana is currently legal in Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington with 16 more states considering legalization. In California, the first state to legalize medical marijuana, 37,000 medical marijuana cards have been authorized since 2004, CNN.com reports.

And prescriptions for medical marijuana are on the rise, but while the laws legalizing medical marijuana make it OK to use for those who’ve been preapproved, that “magic” card only shields users from criminalization, not other negative consequences. That may be why those who choose to go this route are still likely to keep the decision quiet for fear of what others will think.

Employers’ concern about their employees coming to work impaired is understandable, but proponents of medical marijuana argue that other medications prescribed for pain – OxyContin, Vicodin, Oxycodone, etc. – are just as powerful if not more so, but they don’t carry the same stigma.

Marijuana Addiction

Will marijuana gain more acceptance for medical use? Only time with tell. If you or someone you love is battling a marijuana addiction, call The Canyon at the toll-free number. Someone is there to take your call 24 hours a day and answer any questions you have about treatment, financing or insurance.