Pubdate: Mon, 22 Nov 2004 Source: Sidelines, The (TN Edu) Copyright: 2004 Middle Tennessee State University Contact: http://www.mtsusidelines.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2861 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?232 (Chronic Pain) SERIOUS DEBATE NEEDED ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA Sen. Steve Cohen's attempt to authorize the use of marijuana for medical use should be viewed with open minds, and we hope that our legislators are willing to listen to all sides of the argument concerning this issue. While the general consensus is that there is not enough knowledge on the subject to make a conclusive decision either way, the National Institute of Medicine concluded differently. While there are certainly other pain medications on the market that alleviate suffering associated with cancer and other chronic or simply painful conditions, some have responded well to these medicines, and some have not. The same is true with marijuana. Both have side effects that are considered undesirable by some, such as disorientation. Marijuana and other substances, such as opiates, both have potential for dependency. However, the general conclusion amongst medical professionals is that adverse marijuana withdrawal symptoms are generally short-lived and has milder side effects than those of opiates (such as Oxycontin), benzodiazepines (such as Valium) and stimulants (such as Ritalin) - all of which are legal for prescription use. By this logic, the government had better get busy outlawing most benzodiazepines, nearly all opiates and every stimulant currently on the prescription market, from Ritalin at the school house to cocaine at the dentist's office. The greater problem is the way that this issue often becomes a debate on full legalization, which should be separated from this dispute. People will lean one way or the other based on how they feel about marijuana as a recreational substance instead of discussing its medicinal use. We need the most concrete answers we can get. Therefore, more research conducted by an unbiased group of medical professionals should be funded, and legislators need to take a non-partisan look at the issue and decide for themselves. If marijuana can alleviate the physical suffering of any sick person who cannot find relief otherwise without severe side effects, our state legislators - who are, above all, charged with the duty of looking out for the well-being of Tennessee citizens - should be willing to consider the issue openly without regard for what the party's press office has to say about the matter. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek