Pubdate: Wed, 20 Jul 2005 Source: Providence Journal, The (RI) projo_20050720_leflan.2041628.html Copyright: 2005 The Providence Journal Company Contact: http://www.projo.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/352 Author: Timothy Flanigan, M.D. Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal) SNEAKY EFFORT TO UNDERMINE U.S. POT LAWS The May 19 Commentary piece by Jeremiah S. Jeremiah, chief judge of the Rhode Island Family Court, ("R.I. medical-marijuana bill's problems") tells it like it is. This was a poor bill, which should not have been be passed. [It has been vetoed; override vote not yet taken. As an infectious-disease physician who has cared for patients with HIV and AIDS for over 15 years, I have often prescribed the active ingredient in marijuana in the form of a pill called Marinol, which can be effective in decreasing nausea. Many of the medical benefits of marijuana are available through currently available prescription use. Rhode Island's bill appears not to be so much a response to untreated medical suffering as a cloaked effort to undermine federal laws. The proposed act states that if a state or local enforcement official cooperates with federal law-enforcement agents in marijuana enforcement, they shall "have his or her employment suspended or terminated." As Judge Jeremiah states, "prudent regulation of marijuana cannot be viewed as a formality; rather, as a necessity." As a physician, I feel strongly that this bill in its current form should not be passed! TIMOTHY FLANIGAN, M.D. Providence - --- MAP posted-by: Beth