Red states finding relief with therapeutic cannabis

Only Idaho, South Dakota, and Nebraska ban all forms of cannabis.

Republican-glutted states are the drunkest, kill the most kids, are the most obese and most addicted to opioids. States with the most alcohol-impaired driving deaths are Montana, South Carolina, North Dakota, Alabama, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming.

But North Dakota and Montana have taken steps to reverse the trend. The latest figures from Montana's therapeutic cannabis program show 26,549 registered patients in the program and 420 providers. That state's cannabis industry has generated some $45 million in total sales.

Three testing labs have been licensed, and one additional lab license was pending in July. [First year of medical marijuana tax generates $1.8 million in Montana]

North Dakota has turned to therapeutic cannabis and is expected to legalize for all adults in its efforts to reverse opioid abuse.

But, North Dakota's repressive neighbor to the south is among the worst states for opioid abuse yet Democrats in that red state believe residents are too fragile for legal cannabis. Even the South Dakota State Medical Association contends that although "marijuana and dronabinol decreased pain" the fact that it is illegal makes it less effective as a therapy.

Pass a corporate income tax, end video lootery, reduce the number of South Dakota counties to 25, turn Dakota State University into a community college, and adopt my cannabis template: the kurtz solution painted on a thumbnail.