Pubdate: Tue, 21 Jun 2005
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer, The (PA)
Copyright: 2005 Philadelphia Newspapers Inc
Contact:  http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/340
Author: Dan Gross
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)
Cited: Gonzales v. Raich ( www.angeljustice.org/ )
Note: Item excerpted from longer column

SPECTER FAVORS RX GRASS

Arlen Specter says he "may introduce legislation" in the Senate in favor of 
medical marijuana.

The U.S. senator, who has long supported the use of human stem cells for 
disease research, told Your Humble Narrator yesterday that he's in favor of 
a state's right to decide whether to allow its doctors to prescribe marijuana.

Specter himself, who is battling Hodgkin's disease, could be a candidate 
for medical marijuana use.

The Supreme Court ruled earlier this month that federal agents could arrest 
people who use doctor-prescribed marijuana in states that have authorized 
it, including California and Oregon.

Medical research has proven the drug successful in reducing pain and nausea 
in people with cancer and other diseases.

Specter's remarks to the Daily News came before a speech at the Loews Hotel 
(12th & Market), where he was honored by the Philadelphia Bar Association.

He vowed during his speech to beat his cancer. His spirits were up, and he 
joked several times about the Bar Association medal, which disappeared 
after rolling under a row of tables when it was to be handed to him.

The medal was later found by a Loews staffer and Bar Association Chancellor 
Andrew Chirls presented it to Specter, none the worse for wear.
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MAP posted-by: Beth