Pubdate: Wed, 09 Feb 2005 Source: Wisconsin State Journal (WI) Copyright: 2005 Madison Newspapers, Inc. Contact: http://www.wisconsinstatejournal.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/506 Author: Gary Storck Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/oxycontin.htm (Oxycontin/Oxycodone) LEGAL DRUGS ARE ABUSED TOO Medical marijuana opponents often cite the possibility that legalized marijuana could be diverted and abused, but when it comes to highly addictive narcotics like OxyContin, the same concerns apparently do not apply. In a story on Friday, "Alleged Child Abuser Faces Drug Charges," a woman was able to secure prescriptions for large quantities of a highly addictive schedule 2 narcotic and resell them at a huge profit. This is not an isolated incident; similar stories have been reported nationwide. One has to wonder why the possibility of diversion is used to deny legal access to cannabis, not OxyContin. Both substances, when used as directed by a health-care professional, can help patients regain some control over their lives and improve its quality. Cannabis, can help patients use less medication or eliminate those drugs altogether. If society can tolerate the diversion of legal controlled substances like OxyContin, we should be able to tolerate patients having legal access to medical cannabis, a gentle herbal therapy with thousands of years of safe use by humans. Gary Storck Madison - --- MAP posted-by: Beth