Pubdate: Sat, 17 Jul 2010
Source: Wisconsin State Journal (WI)
Copyright: 2010 Madison Newspapers, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.madison.com/wsj/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/506
Author: Bruce Rideout

MEDICINAL MARIJUANA MERITS LEGALIZATION

We are supposed to be excited when the pharma community fast-tracks a 
new and wonderful drug to market, for the good of mankind, of course. 
But watch the TV ads for these new drugs. Smiling, happy people are 
shown, but most of the commercial time is used listing the side 
effects, which may include illness or even death.

Yet we have a medicine that's been used for over 4,000 years, tested 
by billions of patients with no recorded deaths or serious side 
effects. It's called cannabis, and it was put here by our creator. 
How can our Legislature deny sick and dying Wisconsin citizens legal 
access to this medicine?

For many years, patients have travelled far and at considerable 
discomfort to go before our legislators in the hope that compassion 
would reign once they heard their stories. But like kicking old 
furniture to the curb, some of these legislators insulted sick and 
dying patients, some who will not survive to return.

All these patients want is to treat their illnesses with dignity and 
safety, the same as anyone else. But thanks to career politicians, 
the compassionate and moral solution is beyond their grasp. Shame on 
them for putting career before people they represent. Remember them 
at the next election season.

- - Bruce Rideout, Madison
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart