Pubdate: Sat, 08 Jan 2000
Date: 01/08/2000
Source: Frederick News Post (MD)
Author: Pat Skidmore, New Market

I wish I had known Lt. Col. Putman so that I could have joined in his
humane efforts to legalize medicinal marijuana.

My son, who died in 1993 from AIDS, was next in line to receive
marijuana legally in our government's "compassionate use" program when
the Senate stopped the program, forcing him to obtain this medicine
illegally, and putting us both at risk for severe legal consequences
including imprisonment because I helped him to obtain it.

Fortunately, this did not happen, and I was more than willing to take
this risk because I saw first hand how marijuana relieved my son's
nausea, vomiting, and anorexia, allowing him to be more comfortable.
Because of marijuana, he was able to sing with the Washington Chorale
in the Kennedy Center when he was very ill.

I continue to hold angry feelings towards the "do gooders" in our
political and legal systems who continue to block the legalization of
this medicine -- a medicine that has never killed anyone, and which
can bring relief to those suffering not only from AIDS, but multiple
sclerosis, glaucoma, side effects of cancer therapy, spasticity,
chronic pain, etc.

I read almost daily about the arrests of those found "in possession,"
and wonder how many are only trying to relieve their suffering.

There are, however, some hopeful signs. On April 7 and 8, the
University of Iowa will be hosting a teleconference on science based
clinical applications of cannabis at the First National Clinical
Conference on Cannabis Therapeutics.

Delegate Donald Murphy, R-Baltimore County, is proposing legislation
to make medical marijuana legal in Maryland. He is proposing that
Maryland join the nine other states and the District of Columbia which
have already legalized medicinal marijuana.

For those who are interested in supporting this effort, please write
to Delegate Murphy. And if you would like more information about
medicinal marijuana, or to arrange to be a part of the teleconference,
you can write to "Patients Out of Time," 1472 Fish Pond Road,
Howardsville, VA 24562.

Pat Skidmore,
New Market