Pubdate: Tue, 03 May 2005
Source: Boca Raton News ( FL )
Copyright: 2005 Boca Raton News
Contact: 
http://www.bocaratonnews.com/index.php?src=forms&id=Letter%20to%20the%20Editor
Website: http://www.bocaratonnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3191
Author: Bruce Mirken
Bookmark: 
http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm ( 
Cannabis - Medicinal )
Note: Title created by newshawk

MEDICAL MARIJUANA BAN A TRAGEDY

Dear Editor,

Bravo to Irv Rosenfeld for his continuing efforts to help other 
seriously ill patients get what he has had for 22 years: the right to 
use medical marijuana to relieve pain and suffering without fear of 
arrest.  ( "Medical marijuana user promotes 'exemption' bill," Apr.  30 ).

Eight years ago, an editorial in the prestigious New England Journal 
of Medicine called the federal ban on medical use of marijuana, 
"misguided, heavy-handed and inhumane ...  based more on reflexive 
ideology and political correctness than on compassion." Since then, 
much more scientific evidence of marijuana's safety and efficacy has 
been published, but our government remains stuck in 1937.

Someday, the existence of laws against medical use of marijuana will 
seem bizarre, even funny.  But today, for millions of Americans 
battling cancer, MS, AIDS and other terrible illnesses, it's still a tragedy.

Bruce Mirken

Director of Communications

Marijuana Policy Project