It’s Scary That We’re Still Talking About This

[dropcap class=”kp-dropcap”]I[/dropcap]t’s been two years since the Carruthers case took resin-extracted, non-smokable cannabis, aka “medibles,” from MMMA protected goodness and turned them into 20-year analogue felonies.

For those of you who remember, a simple legislative fix to re-protect medibles was hastily introduced in September 2013. The rationale was, of course, that the bill was such a no-brainer, that it would pass overwhelmingly and quickly, and perhaps drag the dispensary bill along with it across the finish line. Alas, we all know the outcome, and it is easy to speculate about the reasons behind the bill’s ultimate demise. It seems impossible, however, regardless of the reason, that we have not managed this simple fix after witnessing first-hand the damage and pain that the Carruthers case truly inflicted.

You see, this is not just candy. Of course, for the recreational user it is a fun, quirky alternative. Medibles make for colorful and eye-catching displays at dispensary counters. The chocolates can be outstanding, and the rice krispy treats, popcorn, cotton candy and gummy bears are retro yummy. But for the parents of children born with terrible, debilitating illnesses, this is not candy. This is life.

For these children, non-smokable oils and medibles have quite literally made the difference between nearly catatonic incapacitation and seemingly miraculous animated interaction with the world. I have been in attendance for committee hearings when groups of these courageous parents pushed their wheelchair-ridden children into a room full of law makers and gave heart-wrenching testimony to the transformation that resin-extracted cannabis has made in their children’s quality of life. The room is quite often reduced to tears. These parents are already living in the impossible reality of caring for children who will never be able to take care of themselves. The continued and prolonged denial of this therapy is nothing short of cruel.

Of course, law enforcement sees it differently, as they often do. I do not mean to imply that our police forces are unsympathetic to the plights of those truly in need. I am saying that to people who spend their days looking for, and sometimes finding, the worst in people, their focus is elsewhere: On the steady rise of recreational dabbing, on those whom they do not view as valid, qualifying patients, on the very few less-than-careful, would-be chemists who set their garages on fire after their butane extractions go sideways.

Life-saving medicine and candy in one. The legislative fix is still simple and still pending. I suppose it is a good thing that we are smart and compassionate enough not to criminalize every last thing that people might abuse. After all, without sugar or alcohol, cough medicine would be illegal and Halloween would be really boring.