I recently attended a meeting of “Oklahomans for Health,” a coalition to legalize medical marijuana in the state of Oklahoma.  I know, kids.  You don’t even have to say it.  You think it will never happen in Oklahoma, but the coalition has some experience in these matters.  They believe we Okies are ready for medical marijuana.  I say there are compelling reasons to agree.

According to a report prepared by The Trust for America’s Health published in 2013, Oklahoma had the fifth highest mortality rate from overdoses of prescription drugs.  According to a March 11, 2012, Daily Oklahoman article, prescription drug overdoses were killing more people than traffic accidents, more than two per day.

The opiate abuse epidemic continues in Oklahoma.  Meanwhile, The Journal of the American Medical Association Internal Medicine published the results of a University of Pennsylvania study regarding the effect of medical marijuana legalization.  The study found states with legal medical marijuana had a mean 25% lower mortality from opioid overdoses than those where medical marijuana is illegal.  Not only that, but the mortality rate decreases for several years after implementation.  The first year after implementation of medical marijuana, the mortality rate decreased by 20%.  After the second year the rate decreased 25%.  The decrease in mortality was 30% in years five and six.  There are many anecdotal stories of patients  coming off opiates painlessly using this herb which has no side effects.  In addition, there is not one single case of overdose on medical marijuana.  In fact, it is likely impossible to overdose on marijuana.  Period.

A new study From Hebrew University in Israel came out February 17, 2016.  This study measured the effect of THC-dominate marijuana on pain which had previously proven difficult to treat.  The study found two-thirds of the patients experienced improvement in their hard-to-treat pain using THC-dominate marijuana, with robust improvement in their quality of life.  In addition, opioid use decreased 44% during the study and many of the patients were able to ditch opiates completely.  The beneficial use of marijuana to treat chronic and difficult to treat pain is found throughout medical literature.  This study is but one example.

Those are the facts, kids, but I’m not so naive to think that Okies will be completely rational about this topic.  This is an emotional issue for many people and there will be loud and strong opposition to legalization of medical marijuana.  The most likely opponents will come from law enforcement, big pharma and religious leaders.  Law enforcement will say there will be an increase in auto accidents, but that simply has not been the case in Colorado.  Big pharma has a huge financial interest in preserving their monopoly on prescriptions.  As for religion, I would challenge opposers to find compassion for fellow Okies who need relief from pain and who want an improved quality of life.  Do they disapprove of other medications?

Why is it that people in 23 states have access to this natural medication and Okies do not?  Is it better to have people addicted to opioids and risking death from overdose?  How patients deal with pain is between a patient and doctor.  Doctors routinely prescribe drugs off-label.  In other words, patients and doctors often agree to use drugs meant for one disease to treat another.  The state has no business telling people they may not access this natural and  proven medication.  Okies  are limited in their choices because of arcane laws while citizens in other states obtain pain relief and an improved quality of life.

Later this spring Oklahomans for Health will ask for your signature on a referendum to put legalized medical marijuana on the November ballot.  When enough signatures have been gathered, you will be asked to vote to legalize medical marijuana. Those who have been touched by chronic pain or opioid abuse as well as those believe medication decisions should be strictly between patient and doctor should seriously consider supporting this effort.  California legalized medical marijuana in 1996.  Twenty years is enough time for Okies to wait for equal access to this medication.