Pubdate: Thu, 22 May 2003
Source: Baltimore Sun (MD)
Copyright: 2003 The Baltimore Sun, a Times Mirror Newspaper.
Contact:  http://www.sunspot.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/37
Author: Bill Hildebrandt
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n692/a11.html

MEDICAL MARIJUANA ISN'T USED FOR FUN

Jeffrey A. Schaler's column on medical marijuana, while valid in most 
respects, misses the mark in several ways ("Decision to smoke pot shouldn't 
involve doctor," Opinion Commentary, May 12).

Medical marijuana advocates are not recreational users who ignore 
traditional treatments while seeking to deceive the public and the medical 
community into providing their drug of choice.

As the husband of someone who has depended on cannabis as medicine, I can 
state unequivocally that it is superior to many alternatives for a number 
of reasons. Unfortunately, both federal and state law make its use 
prohibitively difficult.

As Mr. Schaler suggests, nationwide repeal of marijuana prohibition would 
be the obvious solution. But as this is not going to happen overnight, the 
current legislation is the best we can now achieve.

We do not prefer the intercession of the medical community, but it is at 
least preferable to the status quo.

Bill Hildebrandt

Smithsburg
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake