Pubdate: Fri, 15 Nov 2013
Source: Texarkana Gazette (TX)
Copyright: 2013 Texarkana Gazette
Contact:  http://www.texarkanagazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/976
Page: 7A

MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Should Arkansas Legalize Pot to Treat Disease, Chronic Conditions?

Last year, Arkansas voters went to the polls and defeated a ballot
initiative that would have legalized marijuana for medicinal purposes.
The group Arkansans for Compassionate Care earned a ballot spot for
their measure by collecting more than 60,000 signatures of registered
voters on a petition.

The initiative would have allowed doctors to prescribe marijuana for
certain illnesses-including cancer, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C,
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Tourette's disease, Crohn's disease,
ulcerative colitis, fibromyalgia and Alzheimer's disease. It also
included somewhat less-specific illnesses, such as any medical
condition that produces intractable pain or severe nausea. This, mind
you, was just the initial list and allowed for expansion in the future.

The initiative would have also allowed nonprofit marijuana
dispensaries, though patients who live 5 miles away from such a
dispensary would be allowed to grow their own stash.

The vote was close-about 51 percent against and 49 percent in
favor.

It was certain pro-medical marijuana forces would try again. And they
are, working right now to get another such measure on the ballot in
November 2016.

Proponents of legal pot claim smoking marijuana can help alleviate
symptoms of a number of conditions.

Opponents say there is no real medical basis to any of those claims.
So which side is right? We don't know. There is no clear medical
consensus. We do know once you legalize pot for medical reasons,
people are going to find a way to get that pot for recreational
purpose. What do you think? We want to hear from our readers on this
issue. Should Arkansas voters legalize medical marijuana? Or should
the drug remain illegal in the state?

Send a one-sentence response (50 words maximum)  by Wednesday, Nov. 20. You can also mail
your response to the Texarkana Gazette Friday Poll, at P.O. Box 621,
Texarkana, TX 75504. Be sure to include your name, address and phone
number. We will tabulate the results and print them in next Friday's
paper. We will also print as many of the responses as space allows.
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MAP posted-by: Matt