Pubdate: Mon, 23 Mar 2009 Source: Montgomery Advertiser (AL) Copyright: 2009 The Advertiser Co. Contact: http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/customerservice/letter.htm Website: http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1088 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n303/a06.html Author: Loretta Nall PATIENTS NEED MARIJUANA BILL Bravo to letter writer Don Seibold for speaking out as a supporter of HB434. We can only hope our elected officials will demonstrate the same courage and vote "yes" when this bill comes before them. In years past when this bill has come before the Judiciary Committee, one of the arguments against it has been that if we protect Alabama patients and physicians by passing this law the feds will swoop down on Alabama. However, on Feb. 25 during a press conference, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said that the Justice Department will no longer conduct medical marijuana raids in states that have passed medical marijuana laws. So, that is one less excuse the judiciary committee will have this year. (2 of 2) Here's two more tired, senseless excuses that we need to retire: # Excuse: They can use Marinol, which is synthetic THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. Truth: Most people can't use Marinol because it's expensive and not covered by insurance. # Excuse: Marijuana is a gateway drug. Truth: There have been no reports from states that have passed medical marijuana laws of terminally ill patients moving on to heroin and home invasions because they used medical marijuana. Please, let's be reasonable. These are very ill patients we are talking about here. HB434 protect patients who need marijuana for medical reasons. We cannot justify imprisoning people with chronic pain and terminal illness for trying to get relief from a natural plant. Loretta Nall Alexander City - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake