Pubdate: Sat, 05 May 2001
Source: Wisconsin State Journal (WI)
Copyright: 2001 Madison Newspapers, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.wisconsinstatejournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/506
Author: Cindy Polizzi Stoughton

LEGALIZE MARIJUANA FOR TREATMENT OF PAIN IN TERMINALLY ILL PATIENTS

In response to recent articles on the legalization of marijuana, I wonder 
how many of you who are against legalizing marijuana for medical purposes 
have ever come across a terminally ill person. If you have felt and still 
feel we shouldn't legalize it, then you have no heart or feelings.

I worked for a hospice for a few years, and believe me, if I could have 
gotten my hands on some marijuana for some of my patients, I would have 
gladly taken my chances and given it to them.

I keep hearing how addictive marijuana is, (which I don't believe). Even if 
it is, how about all those narcotics they give the terminally ill? Aren't 
those addicting too?

I had a patient who was on morphine, which is addictive, and which by the 
way, didn't touch his pain unless we wanted to put him in a coma. Who cares 
if they do prove it to be addictive, if you have the chance to let someone 
die a comfortable death?

For you doctors who are against legalizing a drug that you know could help 
your patients die comfortably and in a dignified way, you should rethink 
your career choice. Spend an entire day with a person with bone cancer, who 
is begging for help.

What is it going to hurt by trying to make that person more comfortable 
with a drug that does less damage and has fewer side effects than the 
narcotics we're giving?

Cindy Polizzi Stoughton
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