Pubdate: Mon, 19 Sep 2005
Source: Crimson White, The (Edu, Univ of Alabama)
Copyright: 2005 The Crimson White.
Contact:  http://www.cw.ua.edu/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2451
Author: Matthew Abbey, Contributing Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

FORUM MARKS CONSTITUTION DAY

Experts Talk Medical Marijuana, Seizure Of Property

Members of the UA community discussed medicinal marijuana and the seizure 
of private property Friday in observance of the first annual Constitution 
Day, which is intended to spark discussion about the United States' charter.

Congress mandated that institutes of higher education commemorate Sept. 10, 
the day the Constitution was signed, though the type of event is left to 
the discretion of each institute.

Vijaya Sundar, chairwoman of the UA department of internal medicine, began 
the forum with a discussion about the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes.

Sundar did not advocate or oppose the rehabilitive or somatic use of 
marijuana, but she did say that the federal stranglehold on research could 
hamper the beneficial effects of the drug.

"Marijuana has been used for 4,000 years for the treatment of illness. 
There are

definite indications that cannabinoids can be used for medical treatment 
purposes," Sundar said.

Cannabinoids have been used in the past because there was not a broad 
spectrum of medicines to use to alleviate or treat illness, Sundar said. 
Marijuana should be used as a last option, if at all, in the modern drug 
environment because there are many alternatives, she said.

Opiates are commonly used to nullify pain, Sundar said.

Norvin Richards, a UA philosophy professor, talked about governmental 
seizure of property. Discussion about the issue has increased since the 
U.S. Supreme Court's 5-4 decision to uphold the eminent domain seizure of 
property in New London, Conn., for private economic development.

Richards said the debate arising from the situation in New London was 
controversial primarily because of a lack of understanding and media 
grandstanding. Richards said it seems the Supreme Court upheld the 
Constitution without bias.

"The Court transcends individuals," he said. "Personal morals should not be 
involved in their decisions."

The town of New London condemned property in an economically blighted area 
to establish housing, office buildings and a marina near a new Pfizer 
plant. This court was charged to interpret the language of the Fifth 
Amendment, which prohibits the seizure of property by government except for 
public use and must provide just compensation, Richards said.

He said the discussed centers around the true value of the property and the 
phrases "public use" and "just compensation."

The implications of the language "public use" clearly encompasses 
stimulating the economy and creating jobs, Richards said.
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MAP posted-by: Elizabeth Wehrman