Pubdate: Fri, 25 Jan 2013
Source: Daily Iowan, The (IA Edu)
Copyright: 2013 Robert Sharpe
Contact:  http://www.dailyiowan.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/937
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v13/n040/a08.html

RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL 'MEDICAL MARIJUANA GOOD FOR PATIENTS,' DI, JAN.
22

While there have been studies showing that marijuana can shrink
cancerous tumors, medical marijuana is essentially a palliative drug.
If a doctor recommends marijuana to a cancer patient undergoing
chemotherapy, and it helps them feel better, then it's working. In the
end, medical marijuana is a quality-of-life decision best left to
patients and their doctors.

Drug warriors waging war on noncorporate drugs contend that organic
marijuana is not an effective health intervention. Their prescribed
intervention for medical marijuana patients is handcuffs, jail cells,
and criminal records. This heavy-handed approach suggests that drug
warriors should not dictate health-care decisions.

It's long past time to let doctors decide what is right for their
patients; sick patients should not be jailed for daring to seek relief
with marijuana. Students who want to help end marijuana prohibition
should contact Students for Sensible Drug Policy at
www.SchoolsNotPrisons.com.

Robert Sharpe Policy analyst for Common Sense for Drug Policy
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