A Plaintiff Speaks: My Quest for Safe Access
October 12th, 2012Posted by William Britt
Shortly after California passed Prop. 215 in 1996, I asked the chief physician at my county clinic for a verbal or written recommendation to use cannabis medicinally. He told me that, while he had no problem with me using cannabis for my conditions, he was afraid to make any kind of recommendation without proper authorization and guidelines. He said as long as cannabis is a Schedule I drug, he could not prescribe it to me.
Over the years living with epilepsy and Post-Polio Syndrome, I have been prescribed and used a myriad of over and under the counter medications for pain, seizures, inflammation, nausea (Marinol), anxiety, insomnia etc. and none of the medications I have taken are as effective, tolerable and free of side-effects (both short term and long term) as cannabis.
After being denied by my doctor, I met with the clinic director who said the same thing as every medical professional and county/state health department representative I communicated with: “As long as cannabis is a schedule I drug, I cannot help you.”
In 2002 when I heard that ASA was going to DC to protest at the Dept. of Health and Human Services for rescheduling, I felt it was a perfect opportunity to take my quest to ease my own, and other patients’ suffering, to the federal government. It was my first trip to DC, but I didn’t tour the Washington Monument or the Lincoln Memorial. I did end up touring the downtown jail facility along with 14 other patients (including ASA Director Steph Sherer), from 11 different states.
We were arrested for blocking the entrance the HHS Building holding a 300 ft. banner with the names of 7,000 MD’s that support cannabis rescheduling. We also served notice that we wished to challenge the federal scheduling process regarding cannabis.
Ten years later, we finally have a chance in court to challenge the government’s position that cannabis has no medical value. Being fortunate enough to live in a state that allows patients the right to use cannabis medicinally, I have experienced the benefits of using cannabis, and noted its superiority over other accepted medications. Working as a patient advocate for 15 years, I have spoke with thousands of patients who also profess its benefits.
Recently, the federal government has stepped up efforts to close down any group or organization that tries to distribute cannabis to patients, which forces patients to purchase on the street, or go without.
Patients in states without medical cannabis laws and states with restricted access are being forced to suffer needlessly. Cannabinoid research must be allowed to go forward. Cannabis, and the chemicals it contains, have the potential to replace many of the prescription drugs on the market today with a safer, more effective medicine.
Recent studies prove that cannabis has the potential to be an effective medicine for many different conditions and illnesses. Doctors, nurses and patients agree that cannabis should be made available. Nearly 80% of the general U.S. population also agrees it’s time to legalize cannabis for medicinal use. Red tape and preserving the status quo can no longer be an excuse to allow needless suffering and wasted resources: cannabis must be rescheduled.
William Britt is a plaintiff in the case Americans for Safe Access v Drug Enforcement Administration.
October 12th, 2012 at 10:44 am
Particularly relevant when one considers the differences between high-THC varieties and high-CBD strains. If THC is really the issue here.
October 12th, 2012 at 2:08 pm
Thank you William, keep up the good fight. I suffer from chronic pain in my lower back and find I can have better days when I can smoke.
I’m 44 , and would love more then anything to get off these pain killers, OxyContin, Norco, Lyrica, and Bacofen. Every day I wait until my addiction to the oxy has my body burning/shakeing from the withdraw before I take them. I have been on them now for over 3 years. Doctors want to lower the milligram and I have , but find I would get very , very sick without them.
Please know I for one appreciate what your doing.
October 12th, 2012 at 2:53 pm
I shared the article with my Facebook constituents. Be blessed with success.
October 12th, 2012 at 5:07 pm
Safe access is the way we need to become, we also need to pursue Equality of compassion for medical marijuana users.
October 13th, 2012 at 7:51 am
You’re one for the history books my friend. I like how you say the cannabis is a vaso dilator which increased the efficacy of medications. This is a compliment to existing accepted protocol and should be seen as an ally not a fo.
October 15th, 2012 at 9:08 am
[...] « A Plaintiff Speaks: My Quest for Safe Access [...]
October 15th, 2012 at 2:28 pm
[...] [...]
October 16th, 2012 at 10:52 am
[...] William “Bill” Britt is a 52-year-old resident of Long Beach, California, who developed polio as a child, which caused him to have scoliosis, a fused left ankle, shortened left leg, and bone degeneration in his left hip. Mr. Britt also suffers from epilepsy, depression and insomnia, and uses marijuana to treat chronic pain in his leg, back, and hip. Marijuana has reduced Mr. Britt’s seizures and depression, and helps him sleep. Although Mr. Britt has taken prescription medication such as Marinol, Robaxin, Soma, and Xanax, none has proven as effective as marijuana.Read Mr. Britt’s post about why he is suing for safe access. [...]
October 16th, 2012 at 3:40 pm
Thank you ASA for taking our case to court. All we need now is JUSTICE.