Pubdate: Wed, 07 Jul 2004
Source: Chicago Sun-Times (IL)
Copyright: 2004 The Sun-Times Co.
Contact:  http://www.suntimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/81
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

CURE BAD MEDICAL MARIJUANA POLICY

In many respects Washington, D.C., is a separate world, removed from
the rest of the country, and nowhere is that gap more evident than on
the subject of medical marijuana. A full 80 percent of Americans
believe doctors should be able to prescribe marijuana to relieve the
suffering of terminal cancer patients and others who science has
proven benefit from its use. Thirty-five states have passed
declarations supporting medical marijuana, and nine states, including
California, have passed laws making its use legal.

This means nothing to the federal government, which insists on going
after dying patients and the doctors who courageously serve their needs.

Now help seems finally on the way. The Supreme Court has agreed to
decide whether the federal government's anti-drug laws can overrule
state approval of medical marijuana.

Such a decision is long overdue, and we are confident that the Supreme
Court, after weighing the evidence, will uphold a lower court ruling
that the federal government is overstepping its bounds. The continuing
persecution of doctors and patients over medical marijuana is one of
the most embarrassing chapters of our failed drug war. We look forward
to the Supreme Court putting an end to these overzealous and mistaken
efforts emanating from our nation's capital. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake