Hopefully you missed CBS 5's "investigation" into the state's medical-marijuana program, in which they claim that "young, healthy" people are getting medical-marijuana cards.
To prove it, reporter Morgan Loew, acting undercover, tells a doctor he's had back pain for months -- pain he said was "distracting." He couldn't tell the doctor whether the pain made it difficult for him to concentrate on things but admitted that it limits his ability to run.
Only select lines are included in the CBS 5 segment, but he later interviews the doctor, acting as a reporter this time, to question her recommendation.
"I mean, does that really qualify," he asks. "A sore back?"
Well, consider the fact that he started at a chiropractor's office, complaining about pain he's been having for months. He then complained about this pain to a doctor -- this "distracting" pain that's lasted for months.
Welcome to the 21st century, CBS 5, where complaining to multiple medical professionals about back pain that's been lasting for months -- apparently enough of a problem for you to consult these medical professionals -- doesn't get a prescription for "walk it off and rub some dirt in it twice a day."
After the doctor clarifies to Loew that, yeah, having back pain for months fits the definition of "chronic," he claims he "never said 'severe,'" as "severe and chronic pain" is a qualifying ailment for a medical-marijuana card.
The doctor explained that Loew's description was of severe pain, as she interpreted it.
Then, in order to get this card, Loew must have submitted the physician's certification, which the segment shows, zoomed in, has the "severe and chronic pain" box checked, then Loew must have signed and submitted a form attesting "that the information provided in the application is true and correct." So, in effect, Loew told the Arizona Department of Health Services that he had "severe and chronic pain."
Throw in an interview with Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery talking about the evils of marijuana, get DHS Director Will Humble to fill in the gaps, and -- boom -- you have an "investigation" proving that people who are "young [and] healthy" (words that don't describe Loew) are getting medical-marijuana cards.
Check out the propaganda segment below:
CBS 5 - KPHO
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