Pubdate: Wed, 20 Jun 2001
Source: Topeka Capital-Journal (KS)
Copyright: 2001 The Topeka Capital-Journal
Contact:  http://cjonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/455
Author: Lindsey Tanner, The Associated Press

DOCTORS ORGANIZATION DEFEATS PROPOSAL ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA

CHICAGO -- A proposal to endorse the limited use of medical marijuana for 
seriously ill patients was rejected at the American Medical Association's 
annual meeting.

An AMA committee on Monday voted against the proposal and the groups's 
House of Delegates on Tuesday approved a revised policy that didn't support 
medical marijuana use.

Under the new policy, adopted without debate, the AMA endorses "the free 
and unfettered exchange of information on treatment alternatives."

The previous policy simply endorsed additional research into the 
effectiveness and safety of medical marijuana use.

The proposal to support some use of medical marijuana was put forth by the 
AMA's Council on Scientific Affairs. Dr. Melvin Sterling, a member of the 
council from Orange, Calif., told a committee Monday, "This report is about 
the relief of suffering; it's not about getting high."

But others testified they were concerned that the AMA's endorsement would 
have led to more widespread use of medical marijuana than the proposal 
intended.

Also Tuesday, the 547 delegates approved a resolution calling on the AMA to 
ask the Boy Scouts to reconsider its ban on homosexuals.

But the measure deleted language that said the Scouts' ban on gays risks 
driving youngsters to suicide. The committee that heard the proposal cited 
a lack of scientific testimony in doing so.

The AMA also, for the second year in a row, rejected a resolution asking it 
to endorse a moratorium on executions. Opponents called it a legal issue, 
not a medical one. The AMA did reaffirm its opposition to physicians 
participating in executions.
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MAP posted-by: Beth