Purple Heart veteran urges legalization of medical cannabis for those haunted by war

Legalize medical cannabis

The S.C. House of Representatives needs to allow patients and veterans access to safe and legal medical cannabis.

Killing the S.C. Compassionate Care Act, as the House did in a procedural ruling on May 4, will certainly result in more veteran deaths.

In 37 other states, veterans can use cannabis under a doctor’s care to alleviate PTSD and intractable pain.

PTSD jeopardizes veterans’ lives with multiple psychological manifestations which increase the risk of suicide. Cannabis quiets thoughts, provides peaceful sleep and lessens negative thinking, allowing general peace.

I was awarded the Purple Heart, but I continue to suffer the wounds of war. Under medical care, I and other veterans deserve the freedom to pursue medical cannabis as a treatment.

More than 70% of South Carolina voters support allowing medical cannabis.

For seven long years, advocates have worked with the House leadership to support this bill. Let’s do the right thing for veterans and patients who deserve better.

Donald Howell, Summerville

The IRS perspective

Because I was born on Jan. 1, and my oldest son was also born on Jan. 1, I am aware that the U.S. Government and its Internal Revenue Service do not recognize a full term fetus in utero as an existing human being. If the birth and first breath occur at 12:01 a.m. on Jan. 1, its existence in the previous year is not recognized and cannot be claimed as a dependent.

All government records begin the date and time of birth. At this time, a name and Social Security number must be created to identify the new human being. It seems this sets a precedent precluding the government from enacting laws relative to fetuses as human beings. To change this would require assigning a name and Social Security number at conception.

Therefore, the choice for or against abortion must remain with the mother who is the only acknowledged human being in existence at the time of this decision.

Gerald Moore, Okatie

Honoring nurses

In celebration of National Nurses Week, the S.C. Association of Nurse Anesthetists thanks nurses of every stripe for being the front-line providers who care for patients during their times of greatest need.

In the operating room, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), circulating nurses and scrub nurses work together to ensure patients’ comfort and safety.

Delivering our patients to recovery, we know they will be well cared for by vigilant PACU nurses. In the ICU, critical care nurses meet patients’ complicated healthcare needs.

CRNAs have walked in these nurses’ shoes, as we must acquire critical care nursing experience prior to nurse anesthesia school.

Finally, situated in their hospital room, patients continue toward wellness under the watchful care of bedside nurses.

In the emergency room, CRNAs work with heroic ER nurses on the front lines of trauma.

In OB, the labor epidurals we provide new moms assist the nurses who help bring new lives into the world.

For the women and men who comprise the community of nurses, patient care is more than a livelihood, it’s an honor and privilege.

Elizabeth Wilkes, Aiken

Expand SCOTUS

This is a scary moment. According to a leaked draft opinion, the U.S. Supreme Court is preparing to dismantle abortion rights across America. As a result, 26 states could outlaw abortion, including 13 that have passed “trigger” laws to take effect immediately after the court overturns Roe v. Wade.

This news should set off alarm bells for all Americans. Our fundamental freedoms are coming under attack by a hyper-partisan super majority on the court. And this could just be the beginning.

There is a way to fight back, which is why I’m urging Congress to pass the Judiciary Act of 2021.

The Judiciary Act would rebalance the Supreme Court by adding four new seats, giving us 13 justices in total. It’s just what we need to move away from extremely partisan rulings and restore the legitimacy of the court.

It’s been done before. In fact, Congress has changed the size of the Supreme Court multiple times already in our nation’s history.

It’s past time for Congress to get on board with this crucial bill.

Richard A Madison, St. Helena Island