For the last 7 months I have been ill. It was treated as bronchitis, and suspected of being Covid-19 even though the tests always came back negative. In February, I had terrible, sharp pains in my abdomen coupled with inability to get a full breath. Finally, in running CT scans to check my bowels for blockages they discovered a huge tumor. Huge as in the size of a cantaloupe. It was creating pressure in the bowels and causing my breathing issues due to pushing innards into the diaphragm causing my lungs to be unable to fully inflate.
Fast forward to May 2022. Tumor is out, and lab results say I’ve got stage 4 abdominal cancer called GIST. Doctor is setting up appointments with the oncologists to start the miserable process of chemotherapy, but I’m somewhat optimistic as I’ve been down this road before with thyroid cancer. No chemo with thyroid cancer, just radiation, but it feels familiar and beatable. Naturally, I start researching cancer, treatment, survival rates etc. One thing I find from people who have been through chemotherapy? Get to your doctor and get prescribed cannabis for the nausea. It works wonders. Not a cure all but it really seems to help people through it.
Imagine my surprise when I find out that good ‘ol Kansas, as usual, has to be the last place in the continental U.S. to legalize cannabis. Even for medical prescriptions by a physician. You know, because politicians are obviously more qualified to determine my treatment options than my doctor.
I enjoy living in a red state. Kansas, except for their penchant for bouncing back and forth between Democrat and Republican for governor, Kansas is pretty blood red. I like that our schools still sing Christmas carols, and that the lunatic social issues that seem to plague a lot of the country can’t get traction here.
That doesn’t make Kansas a political utopia. In Kansas, it seems the legislature focuses on two issues.
1. How can we get guns into the hands of the most people, and
2. How can we limit abortion more.
If your issue doesn’t fall into those categories, good luck.
Soooo, thank you my pearl clutching Republican politicians. The Democrat governor and Democrat party have attempted to legalize cannabis many times, but are always thwarted by the holier than thou know it all Republicans who are so afraid that cannabis may be acquired by minors that they keep it illegal so that minors are the only ones who know how to get it. Good work guys.
Keep in mind that according to the Kansas City Star, 4 hypocritical politicians – Democrats and Republicans have been arrested for DUI in less than a year. Not a single one has lost their seat, but at least they are putting up the gallant fight to keep me from getting the medicine I need simply because its use can also be enjoyable as a recreational drug. It’s much like the alcohol they abuse, but the official state line drawer conveniently draws the line for what is acceptable so that their drug of choice is OK, but what I need makes me a criminal.
I’m a lifelong Independent (Libertarian) with strong Republican leanings. However, when it comes to issues between me and my doctor, I don’t need any politicians help other than to get the hell out of my personal life and medical treatment. I am nearing 60 years old and have been working since I was 14. Listen carefully. I do not need any politician legislating what I do in the privacy of my own home on my own time. It’s called freedom. I know that word is anathema to power hungry politicians. Maybe being sick for years years on end because some politicians want to show how “principled” they are and keep me from getting natural, effective treatment from the pain and nausea of chemo will change my vote for the first time from R to D.