A Letter to my Representatives: Medical Marijuana in Utah

[achilles]

I've recently drafted a letter to my state representatives regarding medical cannabis. Feel free to make suggestions for improvement.

I posted this in Miscellaneous, but thought it might be seen by more people here in Support.

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Dear Senator K*********

I am writing as a concerned citizen and chronic pain patient requesting your kind consideration of the medical cannabis issue during the upcoming legislative season. I hope you will carefully read the contents of this letter with an open mind and a determination to help countless chronic pain sufferers in the great State of Utah.

Until five years ago, I lived a normal, productive life. A couple of car accidents later, I now suffer chronic pain. I had to quit my career and look for other ways to sustain myself. I don’t go out much, and when I do, I begin to develop widespread soreness within two or three hours. I have visited many doctors and I finally found a cocktail of expensive prescription drugs that gives me modest pain relief, along with some distracting neurological side effects. Last year alone I spent nearly $5000 on appointments, medications, and injections. I visited Colorado to see if edible marijuana would give me relief from my pain—and it worked! If I lived in Colorado, I could get pain relief much cheaper and with fewer side effects. But I am unable to live there because my employment situation necessitates living with family.

The availability of medical cannabis is relevant to one of Utah's major health problems: death by opioid overdose. The Utah Department of Health website reports several frightening statistics regarding prescription drug overdose deaths. It is reported that “drug poisoning deaths have outpaced deaths due to firearms, falls, and motor vehicle crashes in Utah”, with the majority of deaths from accidental opioid overdose by chronic pain patients. Additionally, it reports that “every month in Utah, 24 individuals die from prescription drug overdoses” and that “Utah ranked 4th in the U.S. for drug poisoning deaths from 2012-2014.” (See http://www.health.utah.gov/vipp/topics/ ... -overdoses)

A recent study published in the Journal of Pain (June 2016) found that 64% of chronic pain patients who used medical cannabis were able to significantly decrease their use of addictive opioid drugs, experienced fewer side effects, and had an improved quality of life. (See http://www.jpain.org/article/S1526-5900 ... 8/fulltext). There are many strains of cannabis that are low in THC, but give pain relief through other cannibinoids, giving chronic pain patients a chance for an active and productive life.

The State of Utah is unique in the composition of its population and the makeup of its
legislature. A majority are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who look for guidance on all kinds of issues from the leadership of the church. Last year bills were written that would begin medical cannabis trials for chronic pain and cancer patients. Unfortunately, these bills were unable to move forward due to a statement from the Church’s PR Department. (See http://www.sltrib.com/home/3532772-155/ ... easons-for). I implore you to consider moving forward on this issue. Many Utahans would benefit from the well-regulated use of medical cannabis. I am happy to help in any way I can, including testifying in committee or full chamber discussion.

Sincerely,

Achilles, Son of Peleus, Friend of Patroclus, Vanquisher of Hector, Hero of the Achaeans

[Linked]

I think this is great. I wholeheartedly agree that the state would benefit from legalizing medical cannabis. As a fellow resident of Utah I hope your senator listens and acts.