Pubdate: Wed, 23 Jul 2003
Source: Honolulu Weekly (HI)
Contact:  2003 Honolulu Weekly Inc
Website: http://www.honoluluweekly.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/197
Author: Cindy K. Mackey

NEW DEA DRUG WARRIOR

Associate U.S. Deputy Attorney General Karen Tandy, nominated to replace Asa
Hutchinson as head of the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), has medical
marijuana supporters alarmed.

During a nomination hearing before the Senate judiciary committee June 25,
long-time drug warrior Tandy made it clear that she supports DEA med-pot
raids in California and Oregon, despite the fact that these patients and
providers have been acting in compliance with state laws. Despite evidence
to the contrary, Tandy has consistently denied marijuana's medicinal value.

During that hearing, Tandy denied any knowledge of a 1999 National Science
Association study which confirms the value of med pot. "I have no basis for
believing that marijuana, and specifically smoking marijuana, has any such
benefits," Tandy said.

Hawai'i is one of 10 states that have marijuana laws, but has not yet been
targeted by the DEA. Hawai'i U.S. Representative Ed Case, who cosponsored
legislation that would provide further protections for med-pot providers,
said, "If Hawai'i stepped up its licensing, I have to assume that we will
also be targeted by the DEA." 

Local med-pot providers like Tom Mountain of the Honolulu Med Marijuana
Patients' Co-op remain cautious. "The co-op practically shut down when they
began arresting people in California," he said.

If the DEA suddenly began cracking down on med pot in Hawai'i, its effects
would be disastrous, according to Mountain. "Some of the HIV patients would
quickly deteriorate if their supply was suddenly cut off."

Randy, a Honolulu resident who has been sick for six years (he asked that
his last name not be identified), said, "Marijuana is the only thing that
has been able to stop many of the seizures." 

Med pot also helps cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy by increasing
their appetite, which often "saves or prolongs their lives," says Gary
Greenly, a prescribing physician of med pot in the state.

Patients with spinal injuries, cancer and multiple sclerosis use med pot to
alleviate chronic pain without ingesting drugs that are far more harmful and
addictive. Rahil Taalibat, bed-ridden after a severe back injury, told the
Weekly, "Without marijuana, I'd have a choice between having terrible pain,
or being addicted to medication that makes me sicker."

Tandy's likely approval by the full Senate isn't discouraging to Greenly,
who sees the use of med pot as inevitable. Greenly noted, "There is a slowly
growing group of physicians that will do everything necessary to make
medical marijuana available to patients who need it.

"The problem is that the U.S. government took a stance against marijuana as
a killer drug used by evil people, and they don't want to backpedal,"
Greenly added. "But it is here to stay, and I wouldn't be surprised if it
became the aspirin of the 21st century."
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