Pubdate: Thu, 05 Jun 2014
Source: Buffalo News (NY)
Copyright: 2014 The Buffalo News
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/GXIzebQL
Website: http://www.buffalonews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/61
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v14/n478/a05.html

ALLOW DOCTORS TO DECIDE WHAT'S BEST FOR PATIENTS

I applaud The News for making the case for medical marijuana in its May 
30 editorial. 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 him 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 non-corporate 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. Clearly, drug warriors should not be dictating health 
care decisions. It's time to let doctors decide what is right for their 
patients; sick patients should not be jailed for daring to seek relief 
from marijuana.

Robert Sharpe, MPA

Policy Analyst

Common Sense for Drug Policy
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