I am a professional, and a small business owner, a respectable type of man. So why do I feel like a criminal for procuring the vital drugs my sons need to survive?
Because in the eyes of the law, its breaking the law! But why should it be? And why as a caring father to my sons, am I risking my liberty and respectability in order to keep them healthy?
Nyle often asks, especially in times of poor health or during hospital visits, to grab him ‘Herbs’ or ‘Canna Caps’, ‘Marijuana Pills’. Nicco is more complex and I cater to his needs as best I can when he needs me too. It leaves me no choice but to break the law and feel guilty for doing so, all in the hope that my sons are little more comfortable.
I regularly drive around rather unpleasant areas, risking my safety and holding out hope for a good product (hope).
The current legislation states that I’m purchasing a class B drug and if caught, I’m facing a large fine and penalties. Not to mention a rather unsavoury stigma.
So I have no choice. I must continue to break the law for my boys to breathe.
Currently, the use of THC is illegal, but due to small changes to the law in July this year the rules been relaxed slightly for medical purposes. While cannabis will continue to be classed as a Schedule 1 drug, meaning cannabis is considered to have no therapeutic value, the Home Office will put certain cannabis-derived products into Schedule 2. The Home Secretary, Sajid Javid announced that an ‘expert panel’ will be set up to decide which patients have ‘exceptional clinical need’ for this medication and which don’t1. This means certain palliative care patients may qualify for medication containing CBD and THC and others won’t.
Unfortunately neither Nyle nor Nicco will qualify. Their suffering won’t be considered severe enough in the eyes of the ‘experts’ on the panel.
So I have no choice. I must continue to break the law for my boys to breathe.
It makes me angry. It got me thinking, ‘even if the boys had the privilege to get this necessary treatment, would they be able to medicate publicly without prejudice or stigma?’ Probably not.
The public perception of cannabis is flawed, and will only change when the shroud of controversy that surrounds medical cannabis is lifted. I’m filled with worry. The recent changes to the law don’t seem to have done much for medical marijuana’s public image or place in our government’s agenda.
Men and women like myself will still be forced to risk our safety and reputations to obtain what is usually a home-grown product with no quality assurance. That’s the thing. I have no Idea what I am buying. And I’ve seen first hand the poor quality marijuana that is being passed around these days. Especially by kids looking to make a few extra pounds for trainers.
As a father and a caring member of my community I would really want to see the current legislation changed again from Schedule 2 to Schedule 4, meaning that it can be given over the counter in a dispensary that is professional and sterile. Treating the drug as it should be, as a medical necessity. I really hope things change for the sake of my sons, as well as so many needing others.
