Pubdate: Sun, 10 Dec 2000
Source: Ft. Worth Star-Telegram (TX)
Copyright: 2000 Star-Telegram, Fort Worth, Texas
Contact:  http://www.star-telegram.com/
Forum: http://www.star-telegram.com/comm/forums/
Author: Steve Helms
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm

MEDICAL MARIJUANA

The more I read and study about the potential benefits of medical marijuana 
(including President Clinton's 1999 Institute of Medicine study) as a 
method for relieving pain and wasting diseases, the more disgusted I become 
with drug policy in Texas. No Texas legislator is willing to carry the 
torch for medical marijuana.

When people are in pain and/or are terminally ill, who are we to prevent 
them access to something that might at least improve the quality of their 
lives or alleviate to some degree the pain in which they are living while 
waiting to die?

The federal response (at least the Clinton administration's) to medical 
marijuana is clear: "No." And if Clinton and the Drug Enforcement 
Administration have anything to say on the matter, it is "no" to states' 
rights and to voters' rights to decide what is best for those in every 
state in the union.

Unfortunately, the U.S. senators from Texas and my representative are just 
as unenlightened and cruel as the Clinton administration when it comes to 
medical marijuana. They all say that we will be sending the wrong message 
to our children.

I believe that passing any legislation that helps alleviate pain and 
suffering sends the right message to children: that we have a caring and 
compassionate society.

Steve Helms, Southlake
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jo-D