[Vision2020] Narcotics = Good, Marijuana = Evil?

[lfalen]

I agree with every thing you said, except for the last two paragraphs. This is what I was trying to say, but you did a better job of it.
Roger
-----Original message-----
From: "deb" debismith at moscow.com
Date: Sat, 07 Apr 2012 17:49:02 -0700
To: "Tom Hansen" thansen at moscow.com, "lfalen" lfalen at turbonet.com
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Narcotics = Good, Marijuana = Evil?

> 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?
> 
> 
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