FAQ #2: Who will be able to get marijuana?

QUESTION: Is it true that only seriously and terminally ill patients will be getting marijuana if Prop 203 passes?

ANSWER: No.  As few as 2% of the people who will get marijuana under Prop 203 will have serious conditions like cancer, AIDS, or multiple sclerosis.  As many as 98% of the people who will get marijuana under Prop 203 will have tension headaches, sprained ankles or mild ailments that don’t require treatment or will have no ailments at all.

The Marijuana Policy Project wants you to believe that only a small number of seriously ill people will qualify to use marijuana, but they drafted Prop 203 so virtually anyone could get marijuana, including people with very mild symptoms and people who just make up problems to qualify.  Prop 203 provides that people with “debilitating medical conditions” will be able to get marijuana.   The term “debilitating medical conditions” is defined in Prop 203 to include “severe and chronic pain.”   Because “pain” is easily faked and impossible to disprove, it is the most often used excuse for marijuana recommendations by doctors in other states.  People have been given recommendations for marijuana for occasional headaches, menstrual cramps, sprains and bruises.  One woman was given marijuana because her high heels hurt her.  The Marijuana Policy Project knows people abuse the pain diagnosis, yet the MPP specifically included this loophole in Prop 203.  MPP is disingenuously focusing the public’s attention on a tiny group of patients who are seriously ill, ignoring the 98% with no serious medical problem. This isn’t about the good it might do.  It’s about the bad we’re certain of.