Pubdate: Thu, 24 May 2001
Source: Detroit Free Press (MI)
Copyright: 2001 Detroit Free Press
Contact:  http://www.freep.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/125
Author: Raymond Dubin

RIGHT TO CHOOSE TREATMENT

Nearly 80 percent of Americans favor the legal use of marijuana for
medical purposes. Marijuana is proven to be effective in treating
pain, reducing nausea, calming painful muscle spasms found in MS
patients and reducing intraocular pressure in glaucoma sufferers.

Many cancer patients cannot eat and are severely weakened from the
effects of chemotherapy. For some, pharmaceutical drugs are of little
help. Along comes marijuana, and the patient finds relief.

Do Americans want a government so intrusive as to prohibit alternative
medicines? Do Americans want a society that hears only the antiquated
fears from the reefer-madness crowd or one that hears the legitimate
cries from our most needy citizens?

All Americans deserve the right to choose the best course of medical
treatment they deem appropriate. The U.S. Supreme Court should stay
out of our medicine cabinets and our homes.

Raymond Dubin
Farmington Hills
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