Pubdate: Wed, 18 Jun 2003 Source: Maneater, The (Columbia, MO Edu) Copyright: 2003 The Maneater Contact: http://www.themaneater.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1283 Author: Christopher Largen Note: Christopher Largen Co-author of "Prescription Pot" Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal) MARIJUANA HAS MEDICAL VALUE My best friend and co-author, George McMahon, is one of five citizens who can legally smoke marijuana in every U.S. state. As a National Certificate of Heroism recipient for his participation in the President's Drug Awareness Program, he receives 300 pre-rolled joints monthly through the little-known FDA program to treat pain, spasms and nausea. Prior to his acceptance in the federal marijuana program, he had been through 19 major surgeries and was taking 17 different pharmaceutical substances. For the past 12 years, he has smoked 10 joints each day and hasn't had a single surgery or hospitalization, and he no longer takes any pharmaceutical drugs. If the federal government is correct in claiming that marijuana is dangerous and addictive with no medical value, then why have they given it to sick and dying people for more than 20 years? On the other hand, if marijuana has medical value, why are federal officials denying state autonomy, closing down marijuana clinics operating within their state laws and arresting patients? This conundrum demands resolution. Christopher Largen Co-author of "Prescription Pot"