Sunday, June 8, 2008

Healthy Haven for Habitual Highs


For those who are on the threshold of death, Los Angeles offers a heavenly demise. And there seems to be many who flock to this state to inhale a doctor prescribed and legally obtainable medication that would make this passing an exhilarating delight. But the treatment apparently extends the life span of the patients beyond what pharmaceutical companies can compete with in terms of efficacy, and the patients have experienced a prolonged ecstatic state full of colorful dreams and harmonious existence. Such are the wonders and benefits of medicinal marijuana.

Between 1978 and 1997, 35 states and the District of Columbia passed legislation recognizing marijuana's medicinal value. Since 1996, 12 states have legalized medicinal marijuana use. Federal and state organizations of lawyers, doctors, nurses, pharmacists and even churches have endorsed medical access to marijuana. However, its restrictions in usage have been circumvented, making it available to those who simply want to get a hallucinogenic fix even if they are not qualified by law. According to the rules, one has to be almost at death's gates from bouts with cancer, Aids, or multiple sclerosis or chronic pain to qualify. Yet perfectly healthy and normal people can walk in on any of these authorized clinics (called 420 Evaluation Centers) in Los Angeles and get a prescription valid for one year; all within 10 to 15 minutes.

There are websites based in LA that even provide pre-qualification online, providing doctor approved authorization process to ensure completely confidential medicinal marijuana recommendation and pre-screening services. The Los Angeles County Public Health office even advertises on these sites about granting state mandated Medicinal Marijuana ID cards. Reports of doctors deliberately recording unstated symptoms from robust looking "patients" in the prescribed questionnaire, to allow them to qualify for the medical prescription are rampant. The $100 fee for consultation is even discounted by $25 for first time "patients". Thus, moving from one clinic to the next after one year will always make a patient a first timer and be granted the $25 discount. But this is not the biggest treat. The best part is that no dosage is recommended, and no limit on the volume of the purchase is imposed.

On top of this, a menu of varieties are available depending on one's personal preference, like selecting from a bounty of ingredients for toppings to a pizza. The varieties come in exotic names but are generally of three major categories: Hybrids, cross bred strains of sativa and indica for a customized essence; Sativa, a dynamic high to lift you and make you happy; Indica, a mental lift with an intoxicating body high that is flavored from savory to fruity, to get you floored. Each major category has about 10 to 12 types under each, so the menu is broad enough to guarantee continuous patronage. And, to serve customers 24/7, several "clinics" have installed vending machines to serve out of hours customers.

There are more than 200 dispensaries in Los Angeles alone and all are operating legally. This has succeeded in obliterating the street vendors and organized gangs of illegal distributors from the county. But it has made cannabis very affordable and its use widespread in uncontrollable ways, where access can be obtained by anyone from the ages of 10 to 75 years old. The state is happy because it collects taxes from the implementation of this law, but the spurious ailments of "patients" combined with the unscrupulous practice of medical personnel is converting the county into a haven for addicted marijuana users.

The rule says only those dying are entitled, but these users are not even close. Well some are so addicted that they have become zombies but they're not yet dead. Perhaps the rule should be changed to qualify those who want to die happy, and be in perpetual state of peace for the rest of their lives. No matter how short that would be.

Haaaarrrrwwwwk...Twooooooph...Ting!

8 comments:

Kim said...

your last paragraph sums it up Durano !!
"zombies but they're not yet dead"
why oh why is this allowed to happen....this affects everyone...they are a financial drain as well as a threat to society...I'm sure many of them presume to drive ...operate machinery.......perhaps even operate on others
..and therefore risk the lives of innocent people..

SheR. said...

I've seen how Marijuana or Ganja affect those around me. It makes them forget all the troubles, stress and the things around them. Be it important or not. It burns your brains out slowly but not as quickly as other drugs. And it makes people lazy.

I wouldn't say Ganja is totally bad. It depends on the level of abuse really. Self control needs to be practise just like smoking and drinking isn't it?

If one is in pain and Ganja helps to relieve it, why not give it to the dying man?

durano lawayan a.k.a. brad spit said...

Hello Kim,

There are reports that a lot of the DUI cases in the county are actually due to marijuana. Also, skilled workers do work while high on the substance. You are right about that presumption.

I also know some medical practitioners who tend to the sick, at times perform minor surgery after taking cannabis. Essentially, there are some who can control the volume of intake and the intensity of its effect - but it could still lead to reckless endangerment.

The real problem is that school children from the 8th grade up can have access to these substances by buying from adults 18 and over who have been given the prescription.

A nephew of mine in California says that some kids get it from their parent's stash.

Marijuana at very affordable prices to school kids flood public schools, together with crack and cocaine. But marijuana is usually the first step towards this damaged generation.

It's all about money Kim; for the government, for those public officials involved in supply and distribution, for those doctors who want to make it rich quick without the dangers of malpractice suits, and even the street dealers have actually been legalized by the prescription that's so easy to get.

I would never raise children in America, that's for sure. It's too complicated. :-) --Durano, done!

durano lawayan a.k.a. brad spit said...

Hello Sher,

The pure plant that has been dried and chopped is generally safe and controllable. It is mild and takes effect slowly. I also believe that it is only the pure marijuana that is truly medicinal.

The problem is there are several varieties being sold because these have been laced with LSD like substances, making them purely hallucinogenic. Sometimes, the level of these chemicals added are not properly measured that could be lethal for some persons. The prices range from the type of hallucination to the strength of the effect.

These are no longer medicinal but rather hallucinogenic drugs designed to induce addiction. Some of these mixtures give out scary images that recur days after the original effects have subsided. These are dangerous synthetic drugs that cook the brain. :-) --Durano, done!

Right Truth said...

Can't fine a place to live??? All places occupied --- by pot plants ---

Debbie Hamilton
Right Truth

durano lawayan a.k.a. brad spit said...

Hi Debbie,

If that's the case then the world will live in a constant state of Euphoria and there will be world peace at last!

Or is that something people would go to war for? :-) --Durano, done!

SheR. said...

Durano .. everyone should raise their children in Singapore!
I know it's more stressful with all the school. But hey! Most of us stay drug free and never tempted to go beyond the first spliff. So it's a good sign isn't it?

durano lawayan a.k.a. brad spit said...

Hi Sher,

In that respect, You have a valid point.

The thing is, the regimented lifestyle may be stifling for those who have been used to freedom and personal liberties.

Children may be raised well, but the parents of those going into Singapore to raise their kids there will have a lot of adjustments to make. :-) --Durano, done!