Religious Support For Medical Marijuana
Although this is not a religious site, it would seem to many that the message of mercy and compassion is exactly what Jesus taught, and those who are religious would support medical marijuana.
Congressman Phil Hare, D-Rock Island, will vote in favor of legalizing medical marijuana for the second straight year.
This time, however, he has the support of seven religious leaders in the 17th district. Clergy from the Disciples of Christ and United Church of Christ are standing by Hare in the push to legalize the Schedule I drug.
“Medical marijuana is an issue of mercy and compassion,” said the Rev. William Pyatt, Carthage United Methodist Church, in a news release. “Being seriously ill is stressful enough already without living in fear of arrest for taking doctor-recommended medicine.”
An additional 55 religion leaders throughout Illinois have added their support to the legislation.
Religious leaders in support of medical marijuana legislation to help protect patients who use cannabis as a doctor-approved medication.
Hare agrees that a patient comfort should come first.
“We want to give patients the best quality of life,” Hare said. “As long as it is done within the consultation of a doctor.”
The legislation would prevent the federal government from interfering in state medical marijuana laws. Currently 12 states allow the use of medical marijuana. It is often used for patients with cancer, AIDS and multiple sclerosis.
Why does this member of congress support medical marijuana?
Hare noted his time spent as a hospice volunteer as an influence on his position, commenting on how he was humbled by several of the patients. One specific patient with lung cancer stands out as one of his most memorable. The patient, an older man, confided in Hare his last wishes were to sit with his cat, drink a beer and have a conversation with someone.
So Hare brought the man a six-pack of Bud Light and his cat. The two sat and talked for hours, sipping beer.
Two weeks later, after the man died, his wife approached Hare, telling him how much the gesture meant to her husband.
Hare became a hospice volunteer after the death of his mother.
The story reflects Hare’s position on medical marijuana.
If more of the people trying to stop medical marijuana were forced to spend time with actual patients who use cannabis to live, they may actually show some compassion.
Hare said medical marijuana is not given for patients to get high, but to make them comfortable.
Morphine and fentanyl are more efficient medications for pain relief McClean said. The two can also be given multiple ways — by patch, mouth or even as a suppository — making it easier for the patient. While both Schedule II medications are heavily addictive, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, McClean said patients can be weaned off them. He also said addiction is not an issue for terminally ill patients because “when they have two weeks to live, we don’t worry about addiction.”
Patients across America are given much more addicting substances as medicine. And even the religious are beginning to support medical marijuana in public and through their church.