Published: April 18, 2008 10:41 am      

Forum to discuss medical marijuana

EDMOND — A few research studies have shown that marijuana can shrink some cancers and prevent some types of Alzheimer’s. Despite this, medical marijuana is legal in only 12 states.

The Drug Policy Forum of Oklahoma and the Drug Policy Reform Network of Oklahoma will team up to present “Marijuana is Medicine” from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Saturday at the Edmond Library, 10 S. Boulevard.

The forum will include presentations by a doctor, registered nurse and several Oklahoma residents who would qualify for medical marijuana if it was legal. A question-and-answer session will follow.

Ron Shewey, president of The Drug Policy Forum of Oklahoma, said they have tried to legalize medical marijuana for three years. He said the forum passed out a proposal to every member of the Legislature and could not even gain a study session.

Shewey said marijuana has been used as medicine since 2400 BCE but was prohibited in 1937 when the Marijuana Stamp Act was passed. He said the government is afraid if they legalize medical marijuana it could lead to opening doors for recreational marijuana.

Currently, Shewey knows of two cases in Oklahoma where people have used medical marijuana and are now being prosecuted. The most famous Oklahoma case sentenced 38-year-old Will Foster to prison for 93 years because he was cultivating marijuana to use for his crippling arthritis.

Bill Humphries, an Edmond registered nurse, said marijuana is used medically for a variety of illnesses and diseases. It can be used as an anti-medic for nausea and often is used to relieve pain for cancer and hepatitis patients. He said the American Psychiatric Association supports the use of marijuana to treat mood disorders.

While 12 states have legalized medical marijuana, Humphries said it still is federally illegal. Technically, if a medical marijuana user was pulled over by a federal officer they could be prosecuted even though it is legal in that state.

“We need more states to legalize medical marijuana,” he said.



FOR MORE information about the forum, call 714-1236.