Cannabis Advocate Connie Slayton Norgart: You Iowa Politicians Truly Are Abusing Your Elders, And Boy, It Really, Really Hurts

I’m Connie Slayton Norgart. I spoke in front of the senate when we started advocating for medical cannabis.

Many others with diseases have been testifying in front of the senate. I had polio as a baby and developed post polio syndrome at age 35.

My career as a nurse for 36 years included mainly state nursing home inspector,for nursing homes, aide in nursing home, director of nursing homes, hospice nurse, and public health which included visiting the elderly in their homes, and hospice.

I was on opioids for over 30 years. My Dr. had treated me with opioids because that is all that was in effect. My diagnosis included severe chronic pain.

The first week the (medical cannabis) law came into effect I went to my des moines doctor and she refused. It was their policy to not sign a form that stated she had treated me for my condition. Doctors in des moines are all refusing to sign their form. I tried to find another doctor but was unable to find anyone. Finally after a severe fall with head shoulder and elbow injuries I went to her and told her you are slowly killing me.

She had more compassion for me than following policy. It has changed my life. Before I had anxiety and severe pain. Now with medical cannabis I’m alert and oriented my memory has greatly improved. I’m me again. I never realized how confused and out of touch and dull thinking I had become. I weaned myself off the methadone over a two month period.

Medpharm works wonderfully to help you find the right dose. It’s very expensive. For adequate pain control I need 3 pills a day which costs 300.00. I live on disability and small pension. I don’t know if I can afford it every month. If more people used it the prices would come.

I would benefit from a high Cbd and thc levels but Iowa is insisting on low levels. Governor want a cap on the amount you get. Being a nurse and very concerned for the sick and elderly I started a investigation.

I have got my stats from iowa.gov and other reputable sites. In 2016 Iowa had the honor of being was one of states with the highest fall rates for people over 65 that lead to death. Falls can be to to many other factors but the big culprits are the benzodiazepines and opioids. They made me fall a lot. I’m steadier now and feeling wonderful. The opioids guide lines continue the use of opioids to the weakest of sick and elderly. I will. Get this clarified when I ask questions at the Iowa pharmacy board meeting in February.

Everyone is so greed stricken including the governor any senator who does not support a fully expanded medical program,pharmacists and doctors. We are still #7 for the highest fall rates in the states. In 2020 stats shows deaths from falls per hundred thousand is seniors is 98.4 %. After 2016 the state spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on fall prevention programs.  In 2019 on iowa.gov site it showed little improvement in falls. Medical cannabis would be great for the opioids crisis but that diagnosis was turned down. Many people have chronic severe pain. I know personally how it helps. Our opioids deaths in Iowa have tripled over the past 10 years. Cannabis never kills.

Iowans are slowly being killed when a better option is available. People who have helped build Iowa to what it is to day and are in pain are being pharmaceutical abused now that we have a better option. Last year over 80 percent of Iowans wanted medical cannabis. The governor does not include medical cannabis or the inexcusable health crisis that happening to the sick and elderly in her priorities. I will be a loud advocate.

I’m hoping to speak in front of the senate and tell my story and share these facts. Anyone that can send emails or come to senate meeting please do. Loved ones of family members who are on opioids or benzodiazepines. I know you are seeing a faster decline of your loved ones write to your representatives. Why aren’t Iowans who are sick or elderly being treated so they can have a better quality of life. It’s because the pharmaceutical companies are running Iowa.