News / Education
Medical Marijuana: Dream or Nightmare?
Legal pot to manage pain may sound like a dream come true, but this option still comes with baggage of its own.
The majority of marijuana-related news these days is about the movement to legalize pot in the U.S. Just as newsworthy, though, is the story of medical marijuana. Marijuana for medical purposes is already legal in 14 states. Of course, that doesn’t mean there aren’t consequences. 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.
State Approved Marijuana
In California, the first state to legalize medical marijuana, 37,000 medical marijuana cards have been authorized since 2004, CNN.com reports. But it’s not just being used on the West Coast. 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.
And prescriptions for medical marijuana are on the rise, too. Laws legalizing medical marijuana may 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 Help
Will marijuana gain more acceptance for medical use? Only time with tell. If you or someone you love is battling an addiction, call La Paloma at our toll-free. Someone is there to take your call 24 hours a day and answer any questions you have about treatment, financing or insurance.
