Soooooo...... I didn't think I would post something political here, but as this is about my Adventures and such... Well, here is a letter that I just sent to the Senator of Utah, regarding a bill that he is trying to get passed in legislation regarding Medicinal .
-Dan
Dear Senator Madsen,
I am writing to state that I am in full support of the Medical bill for Marijuana, for number of reasons. First and foremost, as a disabled veteran of the US Air Force, where I spent over seven years of my life on crutches and wheelchair, I still have to deal with the chronic pain (over 15 years now) due to my military injuries, I would like to know that I have more options for my health care. I would like to know that there is more available to me other than opiates and stool softeners as an ongoing treatment plan. I also suffer with mental health issues. I understand that there are plenty of studies regarding the benefits of this more natural plant material with fewer side-effects than the ones that I have been prescribed. Furthermore, I believe there are already plenty of studies that show that medicinally Marijuana has had significant results in assisting many of my fellow veterans facing the challenges of PTSD. Finally, I find it quite dehumanizing that we criminalize, incarcerate, fine, and furthermore we destroy families and lives of the people seeking relief by the use of Marijuana. To me, it is immoral that our government would be extracting years of life, money and sanity from its citizens over a plant that has undergone much more research than some of the drugs that are passing the FDA today. I understand that this is a very heated topic nationally as it is in the state of Utah. I do believe, however, that as a State we should take a stand for the very best in medical care, and we should do everything possible to provide all of the forms of healing to our citizens. By this bill, which I know you are working on, I believe that Utah could take a step forward in that direction. We can lead by example to the other states of the Union. And furthermore, we can be the pioneers in exploring, and expanding our knowledge of the medical world. There is a huge need to further technology more than ever. What medical technological advances are we missing out on, with the heavy bans on this plant? While, we allow extremely toxic chemicals to be researched on the regular. Sometimes the best things are made right here--by nature. Why would we limit our capacity to better the quality of life especially for those who are suffering, disabled or in need?
In my own experience it is the more natural
medicines, such as peppermint oil (which contains menthol, known for it's
anti-inflammatory properties) where I have found much more relief with minimal
side-effects, and rather than destroy my liver with harmful opioids, peppermint
actually helps repair the liver naturally. Utah, also holds some of the largest
manufacturers of herbal oil companies which carry world-class product lines.
These companies generate billions of dollars of revenue and promote healthier
living and relief to millions upon millions of people around the world,
including myself. It is unclear to me, why we are limiting doctors and patients
on health care, over the fear of some slippery slope that once this is legal,
we are going to somehow have people abuse it. That already occurs with current
prescription drugs, and we already have a system in place to regulate that
behavior.
Our laws are supposed to promote growth and
freedoms. The freedom to heal by any means necessary should be upheld and
protected by law. The freedom to research and develop the best, most natural
medicines should be promoted. Freedom is quite literally what I put my life on
the line for, and it has cost me personally a very heavy price. My body will never
be the same, and I lost my best friend who was in the Army. It is my hope that
my sacrifice and his for this country means something. Instead of limiting
research, and healing based off of fears, we should be looking to the
opportunities that lend aid to the afflicted. We must promote solutions to the
many medical challenges facing our citizens. Marijuana wasn't invented, but
from it many innovations can be invented.
I personally may never utilize marijuana. It
may not might not be for me. But this isn't about me. This is about lifting a
stipulation that is condemning research, healthcare and even worse,
incarcerating people for the use of a medicine.
If there is any way that I may assist in the
advocation of this bill, please inform me.
Sincerely,
Daniel L. Sabin
US Air Force Veteran
B.A. University of Utah
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