It’s time to decriminalize medical cannabis in Idaho. Seventy-five percent of Idahoans want cannabis decriminalized. Many members of the Legislature favor decriminalization. But our leaders are paralyzed by fear of looking soft on drugs or are owned by pharmaceutical lobbyists.
Cannabis is less addictive than alcohol. It is non-toxic, does not cause liver damage (like opiates and aspirin), and is easy to grow. It is a proven treatment for pain and inflammation and is extremely effective in treating PTSD, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, dementia, anorexia, anxiety, arthritis, menstrual cramps and many mental disorders. Veterans and senior citizens are leading the charge to use cannabis to replace their collection of pills.
We are surrounded by states that are making clean, safe cannabis for medical consumption. Twenty-thousand studies on cannabis are registered with the National Institute of Health. Contrary to some claims, there is a great deal of scientific research on record.
Hemp, marijuana’s cousin, is a cash crop worth hundreds of millions of dollars but we can’t grow it in Idaho thanks to a 70-year-old law. Hemp can be used to prevent soil erosion, remove heavy metals from the dirt, and works as well or better than alfalfa as a cowfeed supplement. Washington State saved $20 million per year on drug enforcement operations last year. Colorado raked in $150 million in tax revenue from cannabis sales. It’s a multibillion-dollar industry that Idaho is not able to participate in.
Gov. Otter and his Office of Drug Policy are single-handedly keeping this medical option from Idahoans. Bills to decrminalize hemp were killed before committee again this year, largely due to the governor’s influence. It’s time to take a serious look at hemp and cannabis as industrial and medical options and with 2018 referendums, a critical look at our leadership in Idaho.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker
Full Article: Time To Decriminalize Medical Cannabis
Author: Staff
Contact: 208-467-9251
Photo Credit: Thom Bridge
Website: Idaho Press-Tribune
