At last medical marijuana is no longer the stigma-bearing drug of choice in at least thirteen states. Those who have a doctor’s prescription which validates the use of marijuana for medical purposes will not be targeted in criminal prosecutions.  There are, of course, caveats and that is fine. In part the memo states that “prosecution of commercial enterprises that unlawfully market and sell marijuana for profit continues to be an enforcement priority.” Some of the medical problems which are recognized to be alleviated by use of marijuana are the following: AIDS, Alzheimer’s Disease, Arthritis, Chemotherapy, Crohn’s Disease, Epilepsy, Migraines, Multiple Sclerosis, Glaucoma and Terminally Ill.

I had already instructed my husband that if/when I ever become afflicted with one of the above, he should “hit the streets” and get me help. Since the state in which I live has not agreed to medical marijuana use, he may still need to do that one day. The time has come today to release the social stigma associated with medical marijuana.

—cher