Pubdate: Sat, 05 May 2001
Source: Washington Times (DC)
Copyright: 2001 News World Communications, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.washtimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/492
Author: James Nasuta
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n775/a01.html

MEDICINAL MARIJUANA: USE THE GOOD, ELIMINATE THE BAD

While I agree with columnist A.M. Rosenthal that drugs should remain 
illegal, I do not agree that those of us who support legalizing the 
medicinal use of marijuana have "swallowed propaganda for creeping 
legalization" ("A drug chief who knows the mission," Commentary, April 30).

I am a minister and I deal with hospitalized church members and their 
families on a daily basis. I am also a kidney transplant recipient. I know 
personally the tremendous amount of physical pain that many patients bear 
on a daily basis. If marijuana can relieve this pain, I am all for it, 
though I would not personally choose to use it.

I believe that marijuana should remain a controlled substance and require a 
doctor's prescription to purchase. But to simply infer, as Mr. Rosenthal 
does, that all drugs ought to be banned turns a blind eye to any benefits 
that can be derived from them.

Be assured, I would support any drug manufacturer who managed to synthesize 
the pain-killing aspects of marijuana without the "high." But until that 
time, let us use the good while trying to eliminate the bad.

James Nasuta, Independence, Ky.
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