Pubdate: Mon, 22 May 2006
Source: Corvallis Gazette-Times (OR)
Copyright: 2006 Lee Enterprises
Contact: http://www.mvonline.com/support/contact/GTedletters.php
Website: http://www.gazettetimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2976
Author: Allan Erickson
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Marijuana - Medicinal)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test)
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v06/n627/a03.html?18054

CANNIBIS A SAFE, THERAPEUTIC DRUG

I've only recently met Ed Glick, but have known of him for years. As a
nurse, Mr. Glick has a professional ethic to uphold, and it appears his
advocacy for medicinal use of cannabis may have superceded his
excellent record of patient care with Samaritan Health Services.

The May 16 GazetteTimes article, "Nurse claims he has fired for pot
advocacy," fails to ask Samaritan officials at least two relevant questions:

Why does Samaritan lack a specific criteria for cannabis? In Oregon,
there are now more than 12,000 registered patients and 2,000 doctors
making the necessary recommendations for a patient's use of cannabis.

Also, how many doctors in Samaritan's employ have made cannabis
recommendations for patients?

In spite of the recent proclamation by the Food and Drug
Administration that cannabis has "no medical use," there is abundant
evidence to the contrary. Ed Glick is a serious advocate for a
substance that has a recorded history of human use at least 5,000
years old without a single toxic overdose.

In a 1989 hearing on the drug's effects and uses, Drug Enforcement
Administration administrative law judge Francis L. Young concluded not
only that marijuana's medical usefulness had been adequately
demonstrated, but that the plant had been shown to be "one of the
safest therapeutically active substances known to man."

Thank goodness there are health care professionals like Glick and the
2,000 doctors in Oregon who recognize the medical value and safety of
cannabis.

ALLAN ERICKSON

Drug Policy Forum of Oregon

Eugene 
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MAP posted-by: SHeath(DPF Florida)