Final Impressions
by AMIE SCHAEFFER
In 2007, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, which leaves me with severe neuropathy, muscle spasticity, and heavy fatigue. Managing such symptoms requires a lot of medication, 98 pills a week to be precise. This led me to look for alternatives.
As time goes on, traditional pharmaceuticals’ efficacy tends to wear off, which means upping doses or switching brands. The harsh side effects leave me drowsy, swollen, and with a weak stomach. I often wonder how much of my MS, versus my mountain of pills, contributes to my brain fog.
About four years ago, I made the difficult decision of stopping MS therapies. The various I.V. treatments and pills became too much for my body. This is a gamble that could lead to further disability. But, like so many patients, I weigh the risks and hope this roll of the die pays off.
Based on my research on trying to get a cannabis card, finding a QMP, calculating the risks, it is clear, the path to a medical cannabis card is difficult at best.
While weighing the pros and cons of going through the process of obtaining a medical card in Utah, I have spoken with patients, doctors, and industry professionals, and as it sits, the cons have won.
I understand the hesitance of having your name added to a state registry. The cost does not seem worth it, especially given the product complaints. Perhaps, this is a case of the growing pains of a young program. I am leery of registering in a state-run program that continues to ignore those affected by these decisions the most, the patients.
Amie Schaeffer is a Journalism & Digital Media major at Salt Lake Community College, where she will graduate this spring. She is currently the editor-in-chief at the SLCC paper, The Globe.