I needed to take a little time to put my thoughts together to write this piece, the ramifications may end up being something I didn’t anticipate or need.
However, I believe the subject matter to be of enough importance to warrant the risk of backlash from those within my own community and culture.
As a resident of the State of Oregon I live in daily contact with friends, colleagues and close associates who use cannabis and cannabis-based products monthly, weekly or daily for a variety of reasons, none of which are any of my business.
While it isn’t necessarily my concern why my associates and friends use cannabis, I was hesitant about writing an article about its use and effects without consulting those who are more experienced with it than I.
What I have come to find and see are the variety of uses this plant has, for instance medicinally, as prescribed by a physician has caused an enormous drop in the use of opioid painkillers, which daily destroys families, ends lives, and spurs crime.
Socially, the legalization of cannabis has seen a marked drop in crime throughout Oregon and the income generated by its taxation has provided very welcome funds to some cash-strapped sectors of the government. I have seen statistics posted by both sides of the argument and as a freethinking college-educated adult I took the opportunity to examine each claim and have found an overwhelming caveat of misinformation from the side opposed to the legalization of cannabis.
Now the pro-cannabis side of the aisle is not without its own volumes of misinformation, for example, there are absolutely no studies or even proof that indicate cannabis “cures” any form of disease, especially cancer. However, there is a glut of information providing evidence that cannabis can do significant work in alleviated symptoms across a wide range of disorders, such as anxiety, pain, depression and even seizures. Should we study this plant more? Absolutely, without a doubt. But we must also stop getting in the way of its use by those who have come to greatly benefit from its applications.
Recently the religious organization, of which I subscribe sent out an email to its membership urging them to oppose Proposition 2, an effort put on the ballot by the voice and power of the people of Utah to legalize the medicinal uses of cannabis.
Frankly, I’m disappointed. I strongly believe that if a religious organization, even one to whom I claim membership, uses its considerable influence to attempt to sway a person’s vote, should immediately and irrevocably lose its tax-exempt status as it has strayed from a religious organization to a political action committee.
The text of the email suggested that there are secret hidden allowances contained within the Proposition itself that will cause enormous “social harm” to Utah, and I must tell you that as a citizen of a state that not only allows medicinal uses of cannabis but the outright recreational enjoyment thereof, we are just as moral and upstanding a citizenry as Utah has or ever will be, cannabis and all.
So please, vote “Yes” on Prop 2.
Ignore church, vote ‘Yes’ on Prop. 2
New New NATHANIEL WOODWARD