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? 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake