Pubdate: Fri, 14 Mar 2003 Source: Ocean County Observer (NJ) Copyright: 2003 Ocean County Observer Contact: http://www.injersey.com/observer/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1212 Cited: www.marijuanainfo.org Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n309/a08.html Author: Kennneth R. Wolski Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Cheryl+Miller (Miller, Cheryl) NURSES GROUP SUPPORTS MEDICAL MARIJUANA USE Regarding the letter, "Misinformation abounds on medical marijuana" (Ocean County Observer, Feb. 24), below, is the text of the resolution on medical marijuana that was adopted by the New Jersey State Nurses Association at its last convention in Atlantic City. The New Jersey State Nurses Association Resolution Concerning Therapeutic Marijuana: A number of New Jersey residents would benefit from access to therapeutic marijuana as a form of treatment for their health problems. Whereas: Marijuana has been used medicinally for centuries, and marijuana was widely prescribed by physicians in the United States until 1937, and; Whereas: Marijuana has been reported to be effective in: a) reducing intraocular pressure in glaucoma; b) reducing nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy; c) stimulating the appetite for patients living with AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) and suffering from the wasting syndrome; d) controlling spasticity associated with spinal cord injury and multiple sclerosis; and; Whereas: Patients not helped by conventional medications and treatments may find relief from their suffering with the use of marijuana, and; Whereas: The relative safety of marijuana has been established and the benefits associated with medical marijuana use would outweigh any potential adverse effects, and; Whereas: Nurses have a fundamental responsibility to promote health, to prevent illness, to restore health and to alleviate suffering, and; Whereas: Thirty-three states have passed legislation recognizing marijuana's therapeutic value, and eight states have removed criminal penalties for use, possession and cultivation of marijuana for medical reasons, and; Whereas: Ten State Nurses Associations, the American Nurses Association, the American Medical Association, the American Public Health Association and various other health-related associations have favorable positions on medical marijuana education and/or use, therefore; Be it resolved that The New Jersey State Nurses Association: Recognizes the therapeutic value and safety of medically recommended marijuana; and, Recognizes the effect of second-hand smoke on those in the immediate therapeutic environment; and, Supports legal access to medically recommended marijuana for patients in New Jersey who are under the care of a licensed health-care provider; and, Urges the Governor of New Jersey and the New Jersey State Legislature to move expeditiously to make medical marijuana legally available to New Jersey residents who can benefit from it. A recent CNN poll indicated that 80 percent of the American public believes that marijuana should be available to patients who can benefit from it, despite the government's campaign of disinformation. The percentage of nurses who believe in medical marijuana is somewhat higher. A Nursing Spectrum poll from the tri-state area (New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware) a few years ago showed that 96 percent of the nurses who responded had a favorable opinion of medical marijuana. The NJSNA resolution in Atlantic City passed unanimously. It is this nurse's opinion that marijuana is a safe, effective and inexpensive therapeutic agent that should be available to anyone who can benefit from it, but decide for yourself. An excellent resource, besides those cited in the resolution, is www.marijuanainfo.org KENNNETH R. WOLSKI, Trenton - --- MAP posted-by: Jackl