Pubdate: Fri, 08 Aug 2003
Source: Austin Chronicle (TX)
Copyright: 2003 Austin Chronicle Corp.
Contact:  http://www.auschron.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/33
Author: Airie Hicks
Note: Online edition only
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

MARIJUANA IS MEDICINE

One of my U.S. senators from Texas believes that "we can win the war on drugs, but we
will not do so by legalizing marijuana or encouraging its use for any purpose." That
means, essentially, that she is against a medicine that has been shown to help ease the
pain of asthma, cancer chemotherapy, epilepsy, glaucoma, and multiple sclerosis. That is
compassionate conservatism at its best. The Libertarians have a plan to abolish
penalties against marijuana users, "for any purpose." Libertarianism seems like an ideal
in a country that continues to turn the blind eye of justice toward a beneficial therapy
like cannabis.

Airie Hicks

San Antonio