We have an opioid monitoring program in North Carolina and I am glad we do. I work in outpatient medicine and hardly go a day where some person comes in with a sad story of how bad their pain is for one of many invisible problems who SWEAR that all they take is tylenol but the opioid database reveals multiple visits in multiple towns often one or two days apart. Are there parts of the program I don’t like yes, but I didn’t go through my medical training to be someones drug pusher.Real pain should be addressed but recreational pharmacology should be illegal and punishable.While I am on my soapbox, just an observation, is there a reason that most medical marijuana patients look like Willie Nelson ? : 0 just wondering.
I contend that it is not an opium problem, but a spiritual problem. The distance a person’s spirit is from God is, IMO, in direct proportion to their willingness to abuse drugs.
That said, I will state that I support the individual’s right to put whatever substance they want into their own bodies, without having to grovel like children asking their gov’t masters for permission.
Years ago, I read the Japanese gov’t created “free drug” places where citizens can go and get all the drugs they want. I think I recall their only stipulation was the people had to stay at these places, which they did. This reduced crimes against their citizenry, committed by people needing money to buy drugs. Innovative and effective solution.
For a different perspective on medical marijuana, here is an interesting interview with Jesse Ventura, author of his most recent book entitled Marijuana Manifesto:
https://www.lewrockwell.com/podcast/marijuana-manifesto/