Pubdate: Wed, 24 Sep 2003
Source: Asbury Park Press (NJ)
Copyright: 2003 Asbury Park Press
Contact:  http://www.app.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/26
Author: Michael Amsel, Toms River Bureau
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Cheryl+Miller

WOMAN'S STRUGGLE WITH MS RECALLED

Advocated Legal Marijuana Use

Cheryl Miller, who lost her battle with multiple sclerosis June 7, was
remembered as a courageous woman at a memorial service Monday in front of the
United States Supreme Court in Washington.

A longtime resident of Dover Township, Miller fought to legalize marijuana for
medical purposes. Miller, of the Silverton section, suffered form MS-- a
debilitating disease that attacks the central nervous system -- for 32 years.
She was 56.

Jim Miller, Cheryl's husband, spoke at the memorial service, which was attended
by more than 100 people, many in wheelchairs, stricken with MS.

"I told the people that they were validating her legacy by being here," Miller
said yesterday. He shared Cheryl's last hours with everyone and wanted to
impart to them that Cheryl was a teacher. Hopefully, they learned from her that
no matter your level of disability, you can get things done by showing up."

The fight to legalize marijuana for medical purposes is being continued by Jim
Miller who remained in Washington yesterday to support legislation now before
the House of Representatives that would allow states to decide individually on
the legality of marijuana.

Miller demanded that Congress hold hearings on the matter, but he is not
optimistic.

"If I was a betting man, I'd say the odds are this issue won't be discussed in
committee this year and won't come up for a vote," Miller said. "The problem is
congressmen are afraid to go on the record"

Miller's lobbying continued his 10 year crusade to bring about the legal use of
medical marijuana in New Jersey. He has written more than 100 letters to
legislators, protested nine times near the white house, and once pushed his
wife in a wheelchair from Seaside Heights to Trenton to draw media attention to
her plight.

Marijuana eased Cheryl's pain, Jim Miller said, but she often went without the
substance because it is illegal in New Jersey and has not been approved for
medical use, except in a handful of states and in Canada.

"If she had been allowed to use marijuana, I believe she would have suffered
less and lived longer," Miller said.
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