Copy of Star Trib Submission - will they publish?

[Chris Kurle]

Minnesota certainly does need a new strategy to fight opioid addiction. Unfortunately, Governor Dayton bowed to the pressure of Law Enforcement lobbyists and supported a limited medicinal cannabis law that excluded intractable pain. Studies have found that states with medical marijuana laws have fewer deaths from opioid overdoses than those without. Other studies have shown that cannabis has the potential to manage pain symptoms and at least reduce the dosage of opioids needed to manage severe pain. Contrary to the side effects of opioids such as constipation, high risk of addiction and death from overdose cannabis is a much safer alternative. It has a much lower risk for dependence and there has yet to be a documented death from overdose. Minnesota’s Medical Cannabis law was designed with a research component and the state is currently offering sessions for public input on adding intractable pain to the qualifying conditions list. Public testimony will be taken at the Minnetonka City Council Chambers on September 3, 2015 from 4 to 9 PM.  If the state truly intends to research this alternative to opioids then this presents the perfect opportunity to update the law by January 1 of 2016 as the current statute dictates.

[Oliver Steinberg]

Good luck with this excellent letter!  And if you come to the Fair, look for the LMN booth in the yard at 1350 N. Snelling Avenue.

On Tue, Aug 25, 2015 at 11:43 AM, Chris Kurle <chris...@gmail.com> wrote:

Minnesota certainly does need a new strategy to fight opioid addiction. Unfortunately, Governor Dayton bowed to the pressure of Law Enforcement lobbyists and supported a limited medicinal cannabis law that excluded intractable pain. Studies have found that states with medical marijuana laws have fewer deaths from opioid overdoses than those without. Other studies have shown that cannabis has the potential to manage pain symptoms and at least reduce the dosage of opioids needed to manage severe pain. Contrary to the side effects of opioids such as constipation, high risk of addiction and death from overdose cannabis is a much safer alternative. It has a much lower risk for dependence and there has yet to be a documented death from overdose. Minnesota’s Medical Cannabis law was designed with a research component and the state is currently offering sessions for public input on adding intractable pain to the qualifying conditions list. Public testimony will be taken at the Minnetonka City Council Chambers on September 3, 2015 from 4 to 9 PM.  If the state truly intends to research this alternative to opioids then this presents the perfect opportunity to update the law by January 1 of 2016 as the current statute dictates.

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[Chris Kurle]

Published :)

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mnNORML/CAA_N5xkVPwAYrYEJ2BvbXtUNHu2X%2B0rOLid2VZM6RZWaw6JV2Q%40mail.gmail.com.

[Oliver Steinberg]

Congratulations!

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mnNORML/CANfhvbft_oFz%3DTqAqA1%2BHmcJfZ8cNDXsob2dGxRSHC%2BKFizmLg%40mail.gmail.com.

[Oliver Steinberg]

see also the story on p.B2 about the medical cannabis profiteers eager to provide their hash oil to chronic pain patients--making the same point that Chris makes in his letter!