Medical Marijuana and the future of legalization in Massachusetts :: Drugs Medicine Essays

Medical Marijuana and the future of legalization in MassachusettsFran Cuhtahlatah, a 55-year-old char from Washington state, smokes marijuana to help alleviate intense pain in her feet, legs and mid-spine due to arthritis. According to Cuhtahlatah, the pain in her spine feels similar being defeat across her back with a baseball bat. Cuhtahlatah state her arthritis was caused from strenuous work environments including a job at a frozen food plant.My doctor said that she has seen a lot of people with the similar kind of spinal arthritis of people who worked in a frozen food plant, said Cuhtahlatah.I couldnt side for work. I couldnt work. I had to intimately re-accommodate myself to my own home. Everything I do nowadays takes longer. Things I could do in three or four hours now takes eight, said Cuhtahlatah.Cuhtahlatah lives on very limited supply of funds. The social security office, where she gets her food and medical stamps, are cutting her monthly allotment. Within a month, Cu htahlatah moldiness live on less than $600 a month. She has $78 taken away from her income because of Medicare premiums. In addition, she only imbibes $76 for food. She is also limited on the places where she can receive medical care. Doctors who accept medical stamps from the government are the only doctors that can help her. Sometimes she must wait several months in order to achieve an appointment. I did a lot of social service activities on the food stamp rules and regulations. I started a couple of statewide food stamp networks. Educating legislatures of the set up of what this is, said Cuhtahlatah.Cuhtahlatah does not drive a car. In order to get anywhere she needs to find a ride or walk. When she walks, the closest townsfolk is a mile or two away and she says she must rest for a day and a half after because of the immense pain.Ive tried and true numerous arthritis medications, said Cuhtahlatah. I am always afraid when I purchase marijuana that I could lose my home. I am a fraid to even almost grow my own because I was arrested a long time ago. Cuhtahlatah says that it is a good she owns her own home because otherwise she would be out on the route with nowhere to live.I feel that states rights are being trampled on by the federal government, and that the federal government should butt out, said Cuhtahlatah. Cuhtahlatah would like to see marijuana confiscated by drug dealers be brought to the health department so that ill patients can benefit from the medication.