Pubdate: Mon, 10 Jan 2000 Source: Frederick News Post (MD) Copyright: 2000 Great Southern Printing and Manufacturing Company Address: 200 East Patrick Street, PO Box 578, Frederick, MD 21705-0578 Fax: 301-662-8299 Feedback: http://www.fredericknewspost.com/contact/contactfinalnew.cfm?contactletters Website: http://www.fredericknewspost.com/ Bookmark: MAP's link to Maryland articles is: http://www.mapinc.org/states/md Author: Roy Meachum OVER MY HEAD Darrell Putman's way of dealing with impending death could be turned into a means of living longer for other people. At the very least, the Frederick native hoped to make the final days more comfortable for cancer victims after him. As documented in the space above this column: The retired Green Beret lieutenant colonel "was a man with solid conservative credentials who discovered late the benefits of marijuana's medical use and found the energy to fight for its legalization." The editorial then came to a conclusion that may have startled Maryland conservatives: it certainly did not please Washington's chief liberal: "Maybe a change in how we view medical uses of marijuana will be the heritage of this man of many accomplishments." New Market Del. David Brinkley, a rock-rib Republican, has joined Baltimore County Democrat Donald Murphy to give reality to the last public bequest of the gentleman whose Sundance Carriage Company once gave so much pleasure to tourists and local residents alike. To the end, Lt. Col. Putman struggled to make it easier for patients to have cannabis placed on the list of legally condoned narcotics that physicians may presently prescribe: some far more dangerous and potentially addictive than the "grass" of hippie fame. There's the rub. Marijuana's association with America's counterculture has made the weed, by whatever name, symbolic of rejection of authority, therefore politically anathema to the nation's professional patriots. A federal program that permitted its "compassionate use" was junked in a burst of demagogic posturing by the same Congress notorious for promoting alcohol, a drug with a record of far greater deadliness and financial cost. Ironically, the terminally ill may drink liquor until it pours out their ears; if caught smoking marijuana, however, they and their families remain subject to the same harsh laws that overload our jails with other petty offenders. Even the best of booze cannot provide the genuine help one Frederick mother described in a letter to the editor: "... I saw first hand," Pat Skidmore wrote, "how marijuana relieved my son's nausea, vomiting and anorexia, allowing him to be more comfortable." Nearly seven years after her child's death, Ms. Skidmore affirmed: "I continue to hold angry feelings toward the 'do gooders' in our political and legal systems who continue to block the legalization of marijuana ... which can bring relief to those suffering not only from AIDS (her son's killer), but multiple sclerosis, glaucoma, side effects of cancer therapy, spasticity, chronic pain, etc." Leading the "do gooders," the Oval Office phoned Mr. Murphy to express presidential displeasure with the proposed bill, prompting the Maryland legislator to remind his fellow Democrat their party's leader had no room to chide anyone else for using marijuana. Pointing directly to Bill Clinton's admission he had tentatively sampled the drug, in university, according to Mr. Brinkley, his Baltimore County colleague informed the young woman from the White House: "Tell the president, breathing in makes a difference." As for the New Market delegate, his own bout with Hodgkin's lymphoma ten years ago provided a painful insight into the condition that afflicted Mr. Putman. "I was lucky," Mr. Brinkley told me, "my cancer was knocked out with radiation." He also believes his youth helped him to fight cancer. He was only 29 when given the Hodgkin's diagnosis. Chemotherapy provokes the worst reactions, the Frederick delegate said, rendering completely ineffective available drugs, which prompted his support for Mr. Murphy's proposed measure: "As a cancer survivor it is something I think would be very important for clients undergoing debilitating treatments that prevent them from eating." If marijuana enables patients to eat, by simple logic, it makes them more receptive to therapy and therefore prolongs their lives. As the father of a child hit with cancer at an early age (27), I'm with Mr. Brinkley. My son was also "lucky." Michael Meachum's treatments brought severe discomfort, some pain and cost his hair, which, in any event, grew back. He serves currently as a paramedic, entering his 12th year in the District's emergency services. From where I sit, Ms. Skidmore has every right to her anger. But for God's grace, we could have been in her family's position. She tolerates much better than I ever could those mealy mouth hypocrites in Washington and Annapolis. Mr. Murphy informed this paper's Susan Nicol calls from well- intentioned colleagues warned he was committing electoral suicide. His answer to the White House sums up his political courage: "I told them they were more than welcome to come testify against (the bill)." Initial reactions reaching Mr. Brinkley were not nearly as negative. The delegation's new chairwoman, fellow Republican Louise Snodgrass, told the News-Post she favors the concept but wants to study the specific language written in. Ironically, his strongest early critic proved a local Democrat. Ex-candidate Val Hertges appearing on a cable talk show, allowed as how the absence of long-term studies made it impossible for her to give approval. When reminded most medicinal marijuana use was by patients already diagnosed terminal, which made "long term" a virtually impossibility, Mr. Brinkley reported the lady responded with silence. And so it goes. Out of fear, about either what other folks might say or for their own political careers, there are those prepared to deprive suffering human beings of one more option available to make their last days more comfortable, at least. I don't get it. - --- MAP posted-by: Eric Ernst