Pubdate: Thu, 09 Jun 2005 Source: Ledger, The (FL) Copyright: 2005 The Ledger Contact: http://www.theledger.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/795 Author: Kaffie Sledge Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Raich (Gonzales v. Raich ) WHY PUT POT TO THE TEST? We already have prescriptions written by medical doctors waylaid and second-guessed by managed care workers. Now comes the Supreme Court. In a 6-3 decision Monday, the justices ruled that federal agents may arrest sick people who use marijuana prescribed by medical doctors -- even if they live in states where medical use of marijuana is legal. Some of those who applaud the justices' decision say legalizing medical marijuana opens the door to illegal use. Currently no data supports that assumption, given marijuana is as closely regulated as other medications that have the potential to be abused. Once again, we seem to be willing to apply a simple-minded solution to a complicated issue. If we are willing to outlaw marijuana because of its potential to attract and create addicts, we need to send federal agents to shut down our pharmaceutical companies. Besides, potential for abuse is not normally a factor in assessing the therapeutic value of a drug under consideration for medical use. If that were the case, using a host of drugs from Adderall and Ritalin to OxyContin, Valium and Xanax would be unlawful. Perhaps marijuana was so easily nixed because it's outclassed. When syndicated talk show host Rush Limbaugh was busted for illegal possession of OxyContin, the street price was $50 to $160 per pill. Limbaugh had hundreds of pills. OxyContin has been called heroin in a bottle. It's a pharmaceutical, so every time a person gets it, it is always pure. And every time a person takes it, that person is lowering his or her tolerance. Because it's time-released, some people overdose because they misjudge the amount of OxyContin still in their system when they take more. The Drug Enforcement Administration schedules drugs from I through V. Schedule I drugs have high potential for abuse and have no medical use. LSD is a Schedule I drug; and liquid Tylenol with codeine is a Schedule V drug. Ritalin and Adderall are typically prescribed for children diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, yet these medications - -- typically stashed in principals' offices in many school districts - -- are classified as Schedule II drugs. Talk-show callers gave a number of reasons for being happy the high court voted not to legalize marijuana for medical use: Pot-heads just want another excuse to smoke pot... . A relative died in terrible pain from cancer, and that person simply prayed -- didn't ask for marijuana... . One person said his relative prayed his or her way through the pain, and as a result he is certain that person is in heaven. Legalizing marijuana for medical use in no way endorses its recreational use. If we find the right route, society allows us to escape our emotional pains by any means necessary. Why is there such a problem with using marijuana for physical pain? Why does marijuana have to pass a test other drugs aren't put to? - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake