Pubdate: Sat, 25 Dec 2004 Source: Baltimore Sun (MD) Copyright: 2004 The Baltimore Sun, a Times Mirror Newspaper. Contact: http://www.baltimoresun.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/37 Author: John Holter Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal) Note: All were titled Why deny relief to people in pain? Individual titles by MAPinc MEDICAL MARIJUANA DEBATE IS ABOUT MORALITY The fundamental argument in the medical marijuana debate is about morality. Many sincere people believe that a person in pain should not be permitted to receive a substance that some in the medical profession think will ease certain suffering. The problem is: Who is authorized to administer morality? Who has the right to decree that the use of a substance for medical purposes is immoral? I am hard-pressed to find an answer to these questions. But I refuse to yield to the notion that any person of moral conviction would put his or her morality above the suffering of another. That would be the highest sin one could commit. I know what it is feels like to suffer. Fortunately, the approved pain medications worked well for me during my recent medical problems. But if I had been in pain that went beyond what the approved drugs could address, I would want to know that there was hope in the use of medical marijuana or any substance approved by my doctor, even if it is not accepted by my pastor. Those who do not know real pain should step back and reconsider their fundamental argument on morality and medicine. I cast one vote for the use of medical marijuana. John Holter, Baltimore - --- MAP posted-by: Derek