CRITICS, SUPPORTERS HAVE THEIR SAY ABOUT MEDICAL MARIJUANA

MASON CITY — Robin Mahnesmith said he is not lying — there are medical
benefits of marijuana use.

Mahnesmith, 48, of Mason City, was one of several Iowans who pleaded
their case for the legalization of marijuana for medicinal purposes
Wednesday at a public hearing of the Iowa Pharmacy Board in Mason City.

I'm not a liar," Mahnesmith told the Pharmacy Board. "It's a fact. My
symptoms are so much less and my mind is so much easier (when taking
marijuana). I don't just have to sit and think about this rotten
disease I have."

Diagnosed with MS in 1988, Mahnesmith lost the use of his legs in 2005
and is in a wheelchair. "We don't want to be criminals for doing
something that helps us physically and psychologically. I tell people,
what would you do?"

The Pharmacy Board is seeking information about medical marijuana in a
series of hearings being held around the state. Their review of the
information gathered could result in a recommendation to the Iowa
Legislature.

Vietnam veteran Bob Watson of Decorah told the board he finds it
"morally reprehensible" that doctors may not write prescriptions for
marijuana when they know it's the best medicine available to some
patients for their symptoms.

Watson, who suffers from post traumatic stress disorder, seizures and
anxiety attacks, talked about the presence of THC, a substance in
cannabis — the scientific name for marijuana — that he said has been
proven to have a beneficial impact on the brain.

Ray Lakers of Des Moines, 42, an MS patient who was jailed for
possession of less than a gram of marijuana in 2005, became emotional
talking about how smoking marijuana had helped him.

It gave my body strength," he said. "I felt a lot more mobilized and I
could move better. It made me not depressed."

We need to be forward-thinking," he said.

Among others who spoke on behalf of legalization of medical marijuana
were:

Barbara Douglass of Des Moines. Too ill to attend in person, she
provided a statement that was read to the board.

Diagnosed with MS in 1988, Douglass said she could walk and travel
while provided with marijuana while participating in a federal
government-sponsored program for 16 years. She experienced no side
effects from marijuana use, Douglass said.

A few years ago, she was pulled from the program. Her condition
worsened significantly.

Iowa has the power to pass a compassionate-use exemption," Douglass
said.

A statement read on behalf of Vietnam veteran Ludd Huffman of Calumet
told about how Huffman, 58, was diagnosed with MS at the age of 27.

I've tried several prescription medications but stopped because of the
side effects, including weakness, which I had enough of," said Huffman.

He was raising his own marijuana plants to use for symptom relief
until a neighbor reported him, he said.

My quality of life quickly deteriorated and I became completely
homebound."

Jeff, who did not give his last name, of Des Moines, suffers from
chronic nausea and vomiting related to his diabetes, sciatic nerve
pain and osteoarthritis.

To withhold it is cruel and inhumane," he said. "This is not just
about the patients. It's about freeing up the doctors, too"

Jeff said he would leave the state for the sake of his health if the
Legislature does not approve marijuana for medicinal purposes.

Jason, 20, of Ankeny, a college student, said all drugs have negative
consequences.

If the benefits outweigh the negatives, as is the case with cannabis,
then the drug in question is usually approved. This year, I hope the
board will help to decriminalize truth-telling and allow patients the
medicine they need."

Maedene Sappenfield of Mason City, on the other hand, spoke out
against medical marijuana.

I have a son-in-law in North Carolina who has MS and he functions
without marijuana very well, so it is possible," she said. "My opinion
is that legalizing marijuana is opening a door."