Pubdate: Fri, 23 Jan 2004 Source: Murray State News, The (KY Edu) Copyright: 2004 The Murray State News Contact: http://www.thenews.org/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2831 Feedback: http://www.thenews.org/main.cfm?include=submit Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal) MEDICINAL MARIJUANA CURES The staff editorial is the majority opinion of the editorial board of "The Murray State News." The editorial board is composed of all section editors. Kentuckians suffering from multiple sclerosis, an incurable disease affecting the central nervous system, are subject to what can become continuous muscle spasms, shaking and pain. Why Kentuckians and not all sufferers of the disease? Because Kentucky is one of 42 states in the U.S. which prohibits the use of medicinal marijuana, an aid numerous MS sufferers have claimed eases the often unbearable symptoms of the disease. Meanwhile, it is expected the United Kingdom Medicines and Healthcare Agency will approve Sativex, a cannabis-based medicine designed to relieve the symptoms of multiple sclerosis. To do so, British lawmakers will be required to change the existing law on the use of medicinal marijuana, an action officials claim they are willing to do. It is expected Sativex will be approved and on the British market this summer, at which point the producers plan to expand to other parts of Europe and North America. But will MS sufferers be allowed to benefit from the new drug? If state laws continue as they are now, only doctors in California, Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Oregon, Nevada and Washington will be allowed to prescribe the drug to needy patients. Furthermore, it is not only people suffering from MS who can benefit from using medicinal marijuana. In fact, those suffering from glaucoma, eating disorders and the symptoms of chemotherapy can also experience significant relief. In the instance of MS, it is suspected that more than 10 percent of its sufferers use marijuana illegally to ease their pain. So why turn victims of devastating diseases into criminals? Americans in every state deserve the opportunity to alleviate the often debilitating symptoms of multiple sclerosis, cancer and glaucoma. Many sufferers who have used medicinal marijuana vouge that it has rid them of enough pain to live relatively normal lives. How can the state deny its citizens a life free from pain? Afterall, drugs like morphine, which has effects significantly stronger than those of marijuana, is legal if prescribed by a doctor. So why not cannabis-based products? It is time Kentucky takes a cue from the United Kingdom and the above-mentioned states and sets stereotypes aside. Let MS, cancer and glaucoma sufferers ease their pain, even if marijuana is the medicine is necessary to do so.