Pubdate: Fri, 14 Mar 2003
Source: Ocean County Observer (NJ)
Copyright: 2003 Ocean County Observer
Contact:  http://www.injersey.com/observer/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1212
Cited: www.marijuanainfo.org
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n309/a08.html
Author:  Kennneth R. Wolski
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Cheryl+Miller (Miller, Cheryl)

NURSES GROUP SUPPORTS MEDICAL MARIJUANA USE

Regarding the letter, "Misinformation abounds on medical marijuana" (Ocean 
County Observer, Feb. 24), below, is the text of the resolution on medical 
marijuana that was adopted by the New Jersey State Nurses Association at 
its last convention in Atlantic City. The New Jersey State Nurses 
Association Resolution Concerning Therapeutic Marijuana:

A number of New Jersey residents would benefit from access to therapeutic 
marijuana as a form of treatment for their health problems.

Whereas: Marijuana has been used medicinally for centuries, and marijuana 
was widely prescribed by physicians in the United States until 1937, and;

Whereas: Marijuana has been reported to be effective in: a) reducing 
intraocular pressure in glaucoma; b) reducing nausea and vomiting 
associated with chemotherapy; c) stimulating the appetite for patients 
living with AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) and suffering from 
the wasting syndrome; d) controlling spasticity associated with spinal cord 
injury and multiple sclerosis; and;

Whereas: Patients not helped by conventional medications and treatments may 
find relief from their suffering with the use of marijuana, and;

Whereas: The relative safety of marijuana has been established and the 
benefits associated with medical marijuana use would outweigh any potential 
adverse effects, and;

Whereas: Nurses have a fundamental responsibility to promote health, to 
prevent illness, to restore health and to alleviate suffering, and;

Whereas: Thirty-three states have passed legislation recognizing 
marijuana's therapeutic value, and eight states have removed criminal 
penalties for use, possession and cultivation of marijuana for medical 
reasons, and;

Whereas: Ten State Nurses Associations, the American Nurses Association, 
the American Medical Association, the American Public Health Association 
and various other health-related associations have favorable positions on 
medical marijuana education and/or use, therefore;

Be it resolved that The New Jersey State Nurses Association:

Recognizes the therapeutic value and safety of medically recommended 
marijuana; and,

Recognizes the effect of second-hand smoke on those in the immediate 
therapeutic environment; and,

Supports legal access to medically recommended marijuana for patients in 
New Jersey who are under the care of a licensed health-care provider; and,

Urges the Governor of New Jersey and the New Jersey State Legislature to 
move expeditiously to make medical marijuana legally available to New 
Jersey residents who can benefit from it.

A recent CNN poll indicated that 80 percent of the American public believes 
that marijuana should be available to patients who can benefit from it, 
despite the government's campaign of disinformation. The percentage of 
nurses who believe in medical marijuana is somewhat higher. A Nursing 
Spectrum poll from the tri-state area (New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and 
Delaware) a few years ago showed that 96 percent of the nurses who 
responded had a favorable opinion of medical marijuana. The NJSNA 
resolution in Atlantic City passed unanimously.

It is this nurse's opinion that marijuana is a safe, effective and 
inexpensive therapeutic agent that should be available to anyone who can 
benefit from it, but decide for yourself. An excellent resource, besides 
those cited in the resolution, is www.marijuanainfo.org

KENNNETH R. WOLSKI, Trenton
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jackl