Pubdate: Thu, 05 May 2005 Source: Tennessean, The (TN) Copyright: 2005 The Tennessean Contact: http://www.tennessean.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/447 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal) BITTER PILL FOR PAIN SUFFERERS The Tennessee legislature won't pass a law permitting medicinal use of marijuana this year, but the beginning of a dialogue on the issue is a healthy dose of progress in itself. Most people know that the terminally ill can be relieved of pain by using marijuana but almost no one wants to talk about it, not even at the national level. Except, of course, Sen. Steve Cohen, D-Memphis, who bravely introduced legislation in the General Assembly this year. Cohen recently acknowledged that while the bill couldn't pass, the introduction at least put the issue before the public. He's proposing that a committee study the issue further this summer. The senator even predicts that within three years a measure that would allow medicinal marijuana will pass in Tennessee. Only 10 other states have passed laws to allow the use of the plant as medicine. Knowing Tennessee's conservative nature, Cohen's estimate seems wildly optimistic. Still, a study committee may be able to alleviate even more fears about marijuana use as a pain reliever for the chronically and terminally ill. It can clear up concerns about the law's conflict with the Food and Drug Administration's opposition to marijuana use for medicinal purposes. Many studies have been performed over the years on the palliative effects of marijuana. While the drug doesn't work for everyone, it clearly helps some chronically ill people ease nausea and pain. Ideally, it should be prescribed like any other pain-relieving control substance. Against the odds, thousands of Tennesseans would suggest the issue is worth the effort. Tennesseans may disagree about life and death issues, but they should be able to agree that people with chronic illnesses need pain-control options. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom