Pubdate: Sun, 18 Dec 2011
Source: New York Times (NY)
Copyright: 2011 Elizabeth Thompson
Contact: http://www.nytimes.com/ref/membercenter/help/lettertoeditor.html
Website: http://www.nytimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/298
Author: Elizabeth Thompson
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v11/n709/a04.html

Sunday Dialogue

WHEN MARIJUANA IS USED AS MEDICINE.

The addictive properties of marijuana are no reason to denounce its 
use as an effective and safe medicine. Many of the "safe and 
effective FDA-approved" drugs are opioids, which studies have shown 
to be nearly twice as addictive as marijuana and carry additional 
risks such as extreme nausea, physical dependence and death from overdose.

Furthermore, any claim that marijuana has no medicinal benefits is 
disingenuous. A recent federal petition by the governors of 
Washington State and Rhode Island to reclassify marijuana for medical 
use cited more than 700 peer-reviewed independent studies documenting 
the medical value of cannabis.

States have often been one step ahead of the federal government in 
pioneering social change, and it is commendable that 16 states and 
the District of Columbia have already passed laws that recognize the 
medicinal value of marijuana. There is absolutely no evidence that 
any "chaos" or "unintended consequences" have materialized in these 
jurisdictions.

On the contrary, anecdotal testimony from severely ill individuals 
indicates that this drug has vastly improved their quality of life. 
What purpose can campaigning against these people possibly achieve?

ELIZABETH THOMPSON

Policy Associate, Drug Policy Alliance

Trenton, N.J., Dec. 14, 2011
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