Pubdate: Thu, 09 Jun 2005
Source: Wisconsin State Journal (WI)
Copyright: 2005 Madison Newspapers, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.wisconsinstatejournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/506
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Raich (Gonzales v. Raich )

LET STATES, DOCTORS OK MARIJUANA USE

Most of the public understands why a doctor should be able to
recommend marijuana to a cancer patient suffering from severe nausea,
loss of appetite and pain.

Next week, Congress - including Wisconsin's delegation - should show
that it understands, too.

The House is expected to vote on an amendment to an appropriation bill
that, in effect, would prevent the federal Justice Department from
arresting or prosecuting medical-marijuana patients in states that
have legalized the drug's use.

The bipartisan bill, sponsored by Rep. Maurice Hinchey, D-N.Y., and
Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R- Calif., has gradually been picking up votes
in recent years. Almost 150 members of the House supported it last
year, including all of Wisconsin's Democrats.

This year supporters are counting on about 160 votes and hope this
week's Supreme Court ruling will sway even more. Passage would require
as many as 218 votes.

Republicans have been more skeptical of letting states let doctors
prescribe marijuana to patients. Wisconsin's GOP representatives
unanimously opposed Hinchey-Rohrabacher last year.

Yet in Wisconsin's statehouse, a leading advocate for giving terribly
ill patients the medicine their doctors say they need is Republican
Rep. Gregg Underheim of Oshkosh. He plans to reintroduce legislation
soon allowing limited use of medical marijuana in Wisconsin.

Underheim admirably took up the charge after undergoing treatment for
prostate cancer and being inspired by conversations he had with cancer
survivors.

But even if Underheim's bill became law in Wisconsin - just as similar
legislation has in 10 other states - the Supreme Court decision this
week means federal prosecutors could criminally charge patients whose
doctors prescribe pot.

The Supreme Court noted in its decision that Congress can adjust
federal law to let states decide the issue. That's what next week's
vote is all about.

Opponents say there's not enough evidence that marijuana works. Tell
that to the cancer and multiple sclerosis patients who swear by it -
and to the doctors who have recommended the drug. The problem is that
the government hasn't allowed comprehensive tests.

If letting patients grow pot at home is too ripe for abuse, a drug
company could grow the drug and dispense it through medical
professionals or pharmacies. Remember that doctors already legally
prescribe morphine and OxyContin.

President Bush said the issue should be left up to the states during
his 2000 campaign. Yet under his presidency, the federal government
has raided and charged people who supply medical marijuana in California.

John Walters, Bush's drug control policy chief, told the Associated
Press this week that the Supreme Court's decision "marks the end of
medical marijuana as a political issue."

Who is he kidding?

The public increasingly supports letting doctors prescribe the drug to
terribly ill patient. The House should show compassion for those
patients next week and approve the Hinchey-Rohrabacher amendment with
strong support from Wisconsin's eight members. 
- ---
MAP posted-by: Richard Lake