Pubdate: Sat, 10 May 2003
Source: Wisconsin Rapids Tribune (WI)
Copyright: 2003 2001, The Daily Tribune
Contact:  http://www.wisinfo.com/dailytribune/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1609
Author: Gary Storck

NURSES STAND UP FOR PATIENTS

Regarding the two letters saluting nurses and noting that May 6-12 is 
National Nurses Week, "Nurses assure public health" and "Thank nurses for 
their care" (May 6), I would like to take a moment to offer my thanks and 
appreciation to the nursing profession and state nurses organizations.

In 1999, both the Wisconsin Nurses Association (WNA) and the Wisconsin 
Public Health Association (WPHA) passed resolutions supporting giving 
patients legal access to medical marijuana and both urging, "the Governor 
of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Legislature to move expeditiously to make 
cannabis available as a legally prescribed medicine where shown to be safe 
and effective."

When Wisconsin lawmakers introduced a medical marijuana bill in late 2001, 
the WNA issued a press release stating "It is the position of the WNA that 
advocacy for this issue needs to occur, and that it is difficult for RN's 
to remain silent while seriously ill patients are denied access to an 
effective medical treatment."

The WNA is not alone in its support for medical cannabis: the Nurses 
Organizations of Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Mississippi, New 
Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Virginia and the National 
Nurses Society on Addictions are all listed on the group, Patients Out Of 
Time's list of "Organizations in Support of Therapeutic Cannabis" at 
http:MedicalCannabis.com/Grouplist23.pdf.

Thanks you, nurses, for having the courage and integrity to stand up for 
what's best for your patients! Now only if state lawmakers could 
demonstrate the same integrity by passing a medical marijuana bill this 
session.

GARY STORCK

Director of Communications Is My Medicine Legal YET?

www.immly.org

Madison
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens