I know, I know. That's a loaded statement. The argument against medical marijuana (MMJ) is far reaching. There are people who are staunchly against it. They feel it's "just an excuse to get high". Currently, in Florida, legislators are trying to pass a law limiting the amount of THC in MMJ products. This would be devastating to just about everyone who uses medical marijuana. They would propose a cap of 10% THC in flower products and 60% in all other products. It has been found that MMJ has been the most beneficial in treating PTSD. Florida is home to many veterans who suffer from PTSD. This proposal could be potentially very dangerous for these veterans, and other Floridians who they might interact with.
In February, I wrote an e-mail to House Speaker José Oliva in regards to this "proposal". Shockingly, it went unanswered (insert sarcasm font here). I broke down the cost of MMJ for patients in Florida. It went like this:
“Hello Jose,
First, I want to say that even though I am not a registered Republican, I did vote for you because you have a track record of being "for the patient". I had a couple questions for you in regards to why you feel this cap on THC in medical marijuana is needed. My first question is what research are you using to support your claims/beliefs? Second, have you used medical marijuana at all? Finally, are you aware of the current costs of medical marijuana for a typical patient in Florida?
Allow me to break down the typical cost point for a patient. You should be aware of this since you're voting on laws that directly effect the population, but if you're not allow me to enlighten you. The current cost just to get a recommendation starts at $189. I have shopped around. This is the cheapest. You are required to follow up every 7 months which makes the cost at least $378 for the year. This is not covered under insurance. You cannot use insurance for any mmj anything. You are required to pay $75 yearly to the state for your medical card. Without having stepped a single toe into a dispensary you are already paying at least $453 for the year.
Once you go to a dispensary the lowest cost option available is $12. This is for one pre-rolled joint of 1 gram of mmj. I do not like using these because I have small children. It's also hard to put out a lit joint/properly dose yourself. I prefer the vape cartridges. For medical marijuana inhalation I am prescribed 14,000 mg with a recommendation to consume 200 mg daily. If I 100% follow the recommendation that the doctor gave to me I would need to buy 70 cartridges of mmj for the entire month, and consume one entire cartridge every 2 days. The cartridges start at $48. If I buy the full 70 that was recommended I would need to pay $3,360 per month.
I am not a typical consumer of MMJ. One cartridge lasts me about a week. I went this route instead of opting for surgery that might leave me worse, or getting hooked on opioid pills. As I stated above, I have small children, and want to be a functioning parent. Many veterans require MMJ to treat their PTSD. They have different/stronger needs than I would for MMJ. What right do you have to decide how effective the medicine is for them, while in the same breath doing NOTHING about the overdosing of opioids to people who are clearly dependent?
Putting a 10% cap on THC in MMJ is NOT a priority. The Florida MMJ laws are already hard for patients. This medication is expensive! Putting a cap will force patients to have to buy more and more product to get their correct dosage. You are no longer helping patients at that point. I urge you to rethink your stance. Check out cost point for patients. Talk to some patients. Hear us out. You said you wanted healthcare professionals to be able to do their jobs so why are you trying to impede the process now? Do better.”
As you can see, the cost is astronomical with the THC at the current levels. If the amounts were lowered that would require a typical patient to buy larger and larger amounts of MMJ just to reach the same therapeutic levels they currently are at. Why fix what isn't broken? Lawmakers should be helping, NOT hindering the very citizens they serve.
So how does MMJ make me a more effective parent? In 2017, at 5 weeks pregnant, I was in a horrible car accident that left me with bulging and herniated discs in my C1 to C7 vertebrae. I was no longer able to lift my 3 year old. I had excruciating pain my entire pregnancy. I did seek chiropractic care to help alleviate some of those pains, but when you're pregnant your pain relief options are very limited.
Shortly before the birth of my second child, I obtained a MMJ card. I did not use while pregnant. I waited until a few months after the birth to step my foot in a dispensary for the first time.
I went to Trulieve, and was immediately impressed by how nice and professional it all looked. I met with a customer service representative who brought me and my kids into a nice and quiet room to discuss the options available to me. She explained the different routes available. She listened to my concerns about not wanting to be “too high to function”. She alleviated my concerns, and explained safe ways to learn what dosage I needed to get effective pain relief.
I left after that day, and opened my world to the many ways to dose yourself. I quickly learned that I liked the ease of vaping. Eventually, I felt confident enough to use drops. When I first obtained my card the only legal methods available were tincture drops or vapes. A few months later, after a long fight with lawmakers, MMJ flower was approved. The past year edibles were FINALLY approved. Before that time I had gotten pretty savvy with my MMJ and had figured out how to make my own edibles. I still have vapes for break through pain like migraines, or period cramps, but daily dosing with drops and tinctures has proven the most beneficial for me. I'm not in constant, debilitating pain. I've been able to walk and work out more. I've lost almost 84 lbs. since the birth of my last child. I can play with them. I can handle the little aggravations of life that set most people off and ruin their days. I have far fewer migraines than I used to. It's been more effective at treating my migraines than pharmaceuticals have ever been.
Floridians! Reach out to your lawmakers and demand they listen to the people!