EAST SYRACUSE -- The Multiple Sclerosis Resources (MSR) of Central New York hosted an educational forum on medical marijuana Wednesday night in East Syracuse.
The medical marijuana bill (AB 7347) proposed that marijuana should be legal for medical purposes. The bill passed the New York State Assembly but Albany was unable to come to an agreement about the legislation. It would have allowed certified patients to possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana.
In a letter about the forum, Board President of MSR Bill Jackson writes that "it is a shame" that MS patients are forced to risk arrest to purchase drugs which help them to live and work comfortably.
"Many of our clients already are using marijuana to lessen pain, deal with spasticity and many other physical issues," wrote Jackson. "Keep in mind that MS is not the only disease that marijuana shows results in, but it can help cancer patients, those affected by AIDS, and certainly for persons at the end of life."
Dr. Sunil Kumar Aggarwal, a graduate of the University of Washington School of Medicine, spoke at the forum Wednesday night, which took place at Barbagallo's Restaurant on East Molloy Road in East Syracuse.
The bill states that the legislation is constant with established public policy allowing medical use of other controlled substances, such as morphine and steroids, which are illegal if used for non-medical purposes.
"The legislature finds that thousands of New Yorkers have serious medical conditions that can be improved by medically-approved use of marihuana. The law should not stand between them and treatment necessary for life and health," the bill reads.
The legislation would not require health plans to cover medical marijuana, according to an Assembly news release.
What do you think about the medical marijuana? Do you think medical marijuana should be legalized?
