[Vision2020] Narcotics = Good, Marijuana = Evil?

[deb]

Nice image, Tom!
Before I star this rant to the V, I should give full disclosure: my spouse 
is on VA benefits for health care. It is minimal, but better than nothing. 
He gets his prescriptions for $8 each per month, can go to Spokane's VA Med 
Center for checkups and non-life-threatening emergencies ( a broken bone 
with no significant bleeding--drive to Spokane. A possible heart attack that 
turns out to be an actual heart attack, go to Gritman and they will pay--not 
an actual heart attack, tough luck). Since he had no medical insurance, this 
is still a positive thing. He was military, Viet Nam era, not carreer, not 
retired. We are very pleased that he gets this much!!!! My ex-spouse is also 
Viet Nam era military, and being treated for Agent Orange exposure. Without 
VA medical care, his prognosis would be grim as he has no ability to get 
health insurance (PTSD has far reaching effects).
BUT
I just heard from my mom that her significant other (retired military) was 
prescribed oxy as an alternative to Motrin. He was  taking Motrin every 
couple of days as needed  for pain, but his VA doc prescribed oxy 2 times 
daily because Motrin can cause liver and kidney damage! And one of the BIG 
issues with oxy (aside from the easy addiction issue) is kidney and liver 
damage! The guy is 73 years old, in great shape, walks 6 miles a day, and 
absolutely doesn't want the oxy. It was a nightmare to get the VA to say he 
didn't have to (against doctor orders) take it. He was prescribed something 
worse in larger doses  to replace something relatively benign. And as oxy is 
SOOOOO over-prescribed, why wouldn't the VA doctor (who incidently is 
charged with assisting military folks with getting past drug addictions) 
just let the old fart be?
If medical marijuana was available in Utah, he would be pleased to do 
that---no kidney or liver damage, no addiction issues, no irritation with 
the VA issues.....

Somehow, we have missed the boat in the US. Big Pharma has the lobby, simple 
remedies are anathema because Big Pharma doesn't own them....And we are 
supposed to trust the insurance/drug industry for our health care? And the 
Republice think a free market economy is the way to go? Well, perhaps after 
everyone with a health issue is dead......

follow the dots (or just stay in LaLa Land). Open your eyes, and get a bit 
more cynical to push towards something more hopeful......When the 
pharmaceutical companies and the insurance companies are held accountable 
and regulated in a real way, this country will be much better off. EVERY US 
CITZEN SHOULD HAVE AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE. PERIOD, FULL STOP.
Rant done....
Debi R-S

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tom Hansen" <thansen at moscow.com>
To: "lfalen" <lfalen at turbonet.com>
Cc: <vision2020 at moscow.com>
Sent: Friday, April 06, 2012 8:21 PM
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Narcotics = Good, Marijuana = Evil?


> =======================================================
> List services made available by First Step Internet,
> serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994.
>               http://www.fsr.net
>          mailto:Vision2020 at moscow.com
> =======================================================