Medical marijuana is legal, so why make it hard to get?

Delaware approved the use of medical marijuana in 2011, passing a law that’s been in effect since 2012. Three years later, medical marijuana is still not available anywhere in the state, and when it does become available, maybe in July, children are not legally eligible to use it.

Sen. Ernie Lopez, R-Lewes, has not been the greatest fan of decriminalizing marijuana, and at first he opposed medical marijuana for children.

That changed when he met the family of Rylie Maedler, a 9-year-old who learned she didn’t have cancer but then established a foundation to help other children who do.

Rylie doesn’t have cancer, but she suffers from debilitating headaches. Prescription medications ease the pain, but they all have debilitating side effects. Her family hopes marijuana oils will help.

Based on the Maedlers’ story and his own research, Lopez is introducing legislation to make marijuana-based oils available to treat children. The measure appears on track to pass, maybe in time for the opening of Delaware’s first “compassionate care” center in Wilmington, where marijuana-based medicines will be dispensed.

This bill should be passed without delay. To withhold treatment to ease a child’s suffering is indefensible.

It’s puzzling, in fact, that hydrocodone and other addictive opioids are prescribed for children, and parents can buy such medications in ordinary drug stores. Why aren’t medical marijuana and marijuana oils available like any other medicine?

Many people eligible to use medical marijuana suffer from diseases, such as cancer, seizures and multiple sclerosis, that make people terribly, painfully sick. Others, including a growing number of aging people in the Cape Region, suffer from anxiety and dementia, conditions also eligible for medical marijuana treatment.

Why should we require any of these people to drive hours to Wilmington to get relief?

It may make sense to produce marijuana based medication at a compassionate care site, but why should it be so hard for people who are suffering to get it?

Medical marijuana is legal. It should be available throughout the state like any other drug.