Good Community Citizens Need Medical Marijuana

Man with pot prescription says legal pot movement is gaining momentum

November 02, 2009 10:36 PM
John Bachman

Lauderhill- Irv Rosenfeld says the legalization of marijuana is long
overdue. Not just because it makes sense financially, but because the
drug has helped keep him alive for the the last 28 years. Rosenfeld is
one of four people in the country who has a prescription to get his pot
straight from the Federal Government. He has also been fighting to get
other patients the same thing.

"I have a severe bone disorder which causes numerous tumors, about 200
bone tumors on most long bones on the body," Rosenfeld told us about his
rare disease.

A doctor diagnosed his disease when he was 10. At first he relied on a
cocktail of powerful painkillers. But as a college student he tried pot.
Over time realized it was the only thing that helped ease the pain his
disease. And finally after 10 years of working with doctors and law
enforcement, and fighting federal regulators he finally got his
prescription.

"Medical cannibis for me means my life, without it if I were still
alive, I most likely would be homebound and on disability," Rosenfeld
said.

He now smokes 10 to 12 joints a day legally. He's married, and lives a
productive life working as a Stock Broker in Bo Raton. But he also has
worked tirelessly since 1982 to get the federal government to recognize
cannibis as legitimate medication. And he says that work is starting to
pay off for other patients. Just last month The Obama administration
informed federal authorities not to prosecute users or suppliers of
medical marijuana as long as they comply with state laws. Rosenfeld
says, as a result more states are likely to pass medical marijuana laws.
Meaning almost 30 years of advocating for pot patients rights, he feels
like real progress is already being made.

"You're fighting a devasting disease you don't want to be made a
criminal for something that makes you feel better and that's what these
state laws are hopefully going to change," Rosenfeld told CBS 12.

He says the medical marijuna movement is picking up momentum here in
Florida. A group is gathering signatures to put it on the ballot in
2010. Most likely he says voters won't get their say about the issue
until 2012.

http://www.cbs12. com/news/ says-4722248- rosenfeld- pot.html