Pubdate: Mon, 29 Jan 2001
Source: The Star Democrat (MD)
Copyright: 2001 The Star Democrat
Contact:  29088 Airpark Drive at the Airport Industrial Park, Easton, MD 21601
Website: http://216.240.110.230/
Author: John G. Schreiner

OK'ING MEDICAL USE OF MARIJUANA IS WISE

How heartening to learn of Delegate Don Murphy's (R- Balt. Co.) sponsorship 
of the revised bill being introduced now to our legislature. Apparently 
most Marylanders (over 70 percent according to a recent University of 
Maryland survey) support marijuana's controlled, legal use when prescribed 
by a physician for a litany of beneficial uses.

Our laws need to distinguish between recreational and prescribed use 
intended to help patients; to mitigate their chronic pain, nausea, muscle 
spasms, or help with glaucoma and deleterious appetite loss to name the 
most common applications.

We need to give suffering patients and their physicians legal access to 
these tools without fear of harassment from authorities who we know have 
more pressing matters to handle.

I applaud Del. Murphy and encourage his Eastern Shore counterparts to study 
the bill and then join him in support of this refined new legislation. As 
drafted, this law would help keep government from unduly interfering in the 
doctor/patient relationship. Eight states already have similar laws on the 
books. Maryland lawmakers can help encourage more to follow. This, in turn, 
could set a broad-based, reasoned, workable precedent for federal 
legislation. We should change our laws from unworkable prohibition to 
allowing limited, controlled, yet compassionate access to this ancient, 
often beneficial substance... without a patient's fear of imprisonment or fine.

I encourage Maryland patients, physicians, and their relatives or friends 
who have witnessed marijuana's medical benefits to contact their Maryland 
legislators to support enactment of this sensible legislation.

John G. Schreiner, St. Michaels
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jo-D