As is the case with most progressive issues, I expect Kentucky to be one of the last states to legalize recreational marijuana. However, legal access to medical marijuana is long overdue in our state and I am thankful to have a governor who recognizes this and the benefits it can offer to thousands of people suffering in our state.
Many people are misinformed about marijuana due to its history of being demonized, including anti-cannabis propaganda pushed by pharmaceutical companies, as well as its federal classification. Marijuana is currently a Schedule I drug, as is heroin, LSD, peyote and ecstasy. These are defined as having a high potential for abuse and no current accepted medical use for treatment in the US. Regarding marijuana, this classification is categorically false.
According to the Mayo Clinic, marijuana has shown to be effective in managing pain and other symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s, ALS, HIV/AIDS, Crohn’s Disease, Epilepsy, Glaucoma, MS, PTSD and side effects of drugs prescribed to cancer patients. Furthermore, a study published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that cannabis is just as effective, if not more, than opioid-based medications, while also greatly reducing the chance of dependence and completely eliminating the risk of fatal overdose compared to opioids. This is why close to all 50 states have already legalized marijuana for medical purposes. Colorado and Washington, two states that have legalized recreational marijuana, have actually seen a decrease in crime since legalization, according to a 2020 study published by the Journal of Drug Issues.
As is the case with many social issues, people have personal reasons for their stance on marijuana. To those opposed for personal or religious reasons, I encourage you to not use it. But advocating against its medical availability while our fellow Kentuckians battle with pain and opioid addiction is far more harmful.
