Pubdate: Fri, 26 Nov 2004 Source: Tennessean, The (TN) Copyright: 2004 The Tennessean Contact: http://www.tennessean.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/447 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?232 (Chronic Pain) DISCUSS PAIN AND POT Sen. Steve Cohen, D-Memphis, has a reputation for taking on difficult issues; his plan to introduce legislation legalizing the use of medical marijuana will add to the list. But it's a battle well worth the fight for hundreds suffering chronic pain. Mention marijuana, of course, and the machetes come out. Already, fellow senators are vowing to trample it before the idea gets airborne. Sen. Ron Ramsey, a Republican candidate for Senate speaker, says he wouldn't consider it. Newly elected to the Senate, Rep. Diane Black, a nurse, sees a conspiracy to legalize marijuana behind Cohen's proposal. Nurses more than most people know the intense suffering of people in pain. Black maintains that there are plenty of drugs on the market to deal with pain. Yes, there are. But different drugs work for different patients. And why not allow marijuana to be prescribed just like those other drugs? Americans need to get away from their discomfort over the issue of marijuana as a medicine and on with the debate. It's long overdue for serious discussion beyond the handful of states that have approved laws to permit marijuana to be grown and used for medical purposes. The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments soon on whether the federal government has any standing to stop states from passing such laws. Obviously, Cohen's attempt to get such a law in Tennessee hinges on the court's answer to that question. Yet, the nation seems to be with him. A poll in USA Today showed that 80% of Americans support the use of marijuana for medical purposes. Tennessee should be in on the discussion. Nashville and Memphis are leading centers in medical research. This is a state that passed the first safety seat laws to protect young children. The comfort of the sick and dying should be no less an issue for Tennesseans. Cohen faced a lost cause when he first took on the state lottery years ago, but eventually he won. He's earned a right to be heard. Tennesseans deserve the chance to hear a rational discussion on the matter. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek