Pubdate: Mon, 04 May 2009
Source: Daily Review (PA)
Copyright: 2009 The Daily Review
Contact:  http://www.thedailyreview.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1015
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

MEDICINAL MARIJUANA WORTH A LOOK

State Rep. Mark Cohen identified the principle obstacle to passage of 
his bill to legalize medical marijuana, when he announced the effort last week.

The problem is broad public identification of the drug with its 
illegal use rather than with its potential as a legitimate 
therapeutic drug for people suffering from several types of cancer, 
Crohn's disease, multiple sclerosis and glaucoma.

If marijuana wasn't called marijuana, but was introduced anew as an 
inexpensive pain reliever or appetite stimulant that is effective 
under medical supervision and less addictive than many other 
prescription drugs, it easily would be included among the roster of 
regularly prescribed drugs.

Already, 13 other state governments don't care that the drug is 
called marijuana; they have approved it for regulated medicinal use.

A great many Pennsylvanians share that view. Mr. Cohen cited an 
independent Franklin & Marshall College poll of the 2006 Senate race 
between Sen. Bob Casey and then-Sen. Rick Santorum, which asked about 
medical marijuana, among other issues. It found that 76 percent 
favored state-regulated use of marijuana as prescribed medicine, 
while only 20 percent opposed it.

Mr. Cohen's bill, unfortunately, was treated in Harrisburg as 
something of a curiosity, but it should be treated as serious 
medicine in behalf of patients who could benefit from its legitimate use.

New York and New Jersey also are considering regulated legal use of 
medicinal pot. Pennsylvania should approve it.
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