Pubdate: Tue, 03 Apr 2001 Source: News-Times, The (CT) Copyright: 2001 The News-Times Contact: http://www.newstimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/637 Author: Robert Antonellis COURT SHOULD REVIEW MARIJUANA'S BENEFITS Regarding the Supreme Court on the medicinal use of marijuana: It's time the court review not the benefits or dangers of marijuana, but simply how people may be benefited from its use. When the court hears arguments about medical benefits it will not hear the stories of how people can be more comfortable living with deadly conditions, nor the stories from parents of their children being addicted to the illegal drug. They will only hear the phrase "smoking marijuana," and will never allow this phrase to be used legally in the United States. Many far more dangerous and addictive drugs, such as codeine and Special K, are legal in the United States when administered and controlled by registered medical personnel. In their arguments, proponents would be well served to encourage U.S. drug companies to develop a marijuana inhalant or other ways to use marijuana without smoking. Until the benefits are medically separated from the phrase "smoking marijuana," all arguments are irrelevant. Robert Antonellis Danbury - --- MAP posted-by: Beth