By Tom Daubert
Medical marijuana is a serious subject. It's frustrating to see it cast in a frivolous light or to hear the law misrepresented.
Unfortunately, a recent event in Great Falls, sponsored by the so-called "Montana Caregivers Network," made these mistakes, poorly serving the law and thus the welfare of thousands of sincere patients.
I helped write our medical marijuana law; I directed the campaign for it; and as founder of Patients & Families United, I have been involved in most every legal issue that has arisen, and have testified as an expert on the law in court and at the Legislature numerous times.
I have gotten to know hundreds of patients across Montana, many of whom have become close friends.
From what I see, medical marijuana is hugely improving the quality of life for countless patients who suffer widely varying and severe medical conditions.
In some cases cannabis literally makes the difference between life and death.
More people in our communities than we realize suffer from illnesses that lead to things like wasting disease, for example, who can rapidly lose 20 or more pounds per week until they die. But marijuana makes it possible for them to eat enough to survive, improve, and begin living again.
Or consider the experience of a young woman whose epilepsy caused a dozen or more severe seizures every day for years. Can you imagine trying to "live" a life like that?