Page 37 - the NOISE October 2013

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While Proposition 203 legalized the use of marijuana medicinally in Arizona, it still remains illegal federally. Due to this lack of nationwide concordance, the risk of federal intervention or prosecution is still a possibil- ity for any dispensary. However, Mr. Herman- sky isn’t too concerned about any potential federal interference.
“You really only hear about that in Califor- nia,” Mr. Hermansky explains, referring to federal raids and forced closures that have disrupted the operating of clinics in states where medical marijuana has been legalized,
“where it’s been made legal for patients, but with no finite law written regulating dispen- saries. Arizona has that, and then some.”
Still, even with strict regulations in place, legalization of medical marijuana in Arizona is far from being unanimously embraced. Af- ter all, Proposition 203 was only passed by the slimmest of margins — only 50.13% of the total 1.6 million votes cast. However, Mr. Hermansky believes it is only a matter of time, and that the passing of Proposition 203 is a sure sign that Arizonans are steadily being swayed in what he considers the right direction. regardless of how small a major- ity Proposition 203 can boast, it was passed
— and that is all that really matters. Eventu- ally, the facts will win out.
“Once that stigma is gone, ignorance will go down.” Mr. Hermansky explains, “There’s more and more research out there, now more than ever. Even CNN’s medical expert changed his position!”
What Mr. Hermansky refers to is the rever- sal of Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, who converted from stead- fast medical marijuana opponent to vocal, avid supporter. Dr. Gupta, in an article com- posed last August for CNNHealth titled, “Why I Changed My Mind On Weed” — written as a response to his own 2009 TIME Magazine article “Health: Why I Would Vote No On Pot”
— candidly stated:
“I apologize because I didn’t look hard enough, until now. I didn’t look far enough. I didn’t review papers from smaller labs in
other countries doing some remarkable research, and I was too dismissive of the loud chorus of legitimate patients whose symptoms improved on cannabis.”
Further, Dr. Gupta admits he believes the American public has been “systematically misled” on the issue of medical marijuana, and that the majority of US research has re- mained predominantly focused on the pos- sible negative effects, as opposed to a purely objective and open-minded approach. It is just this type of revelation, particularly when coming from such a reputable source, which gives Mr. Hermansky and his ilk faith that the tide is changing, that what he believes is the impartial truth regarding medical marijuana will eventually overturn any widespread negative assumptions. However, while re- maining wholly confident of eventual suc- cess, he is still well aware that changing mass public sentiment will continue to be an up- hill battle.
“It’ll take time to break that negative con- notation,” Mr. Hermansky admits, “because when some people hear ‘medical marijuana’ they instantly think ‘that’s bullsh*t, that’s a dirty drug,’ but once they’re educated, the perception changes. But still, it’s difficult to break so many years of propaganda.”
So when does Mr. Hermansky realistically believe medical marijuana might be legal- ized federally?
“Maybe within the next five years.” he es- timates. “Hopefully. Wrap the issue around state rights, patient rights, taxable income ... the politics will change.”
For more information on Arizona’s dispen- sary policy, visit
azdhs.gov/medicalmarijuana/dispensaries
| mark Szopinski knows his hogwarts from his hogsmeade. busyb3ingborn@gmail.com
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• october 2013 • 37