Pubdate: Sun, 12 Jun 2005
Source: Springfield News-Leader (MO)
Copyright: 2005 The Springfield News-Leader
Contact:  http://www.springfieldnews-leader.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1129
Author: Frank D. Woodruff:

SOME LEGAL DRUGS WORSE THAN POT

Medical Marijuana

We should legalize doctor-prescribed marijuana medication. If this is
what keeps a patient comfortable from pain or nausea, then by all
means let them have it. But, if it's control that we worry about, then
let the doctor register it. That way, if any one is caught with
marijuana they can be checked out to see if it's legal or not.

This is a drug nation. Most of us take drugs. Even aspirin is a drug.
I've been a heart patient for at least six years, having two heart
attacks and a mini stroke. One of the drugs that I take can make me
dizzy if taken full strength. So I split it up and take one half in
the morning and one half at bedtime. It's a good drug and keeps my
blood pressure down. However, it's worse than any marijuana that I
could possibly take.

I could go down a list of medicines that are sold on all the grocery
store shelves. A lot of cough medicine will make one drowsy. In my
early years, I wouldn't have dreamed about blowing my brain on drugs,
but I never thought a thing about drinking booze. I still don't
believe that certain drugs should be sold over the counter without
control. But if marijuana is prescribed to a patient and that patient
is registered with the state and government, then let's get at it and
legalize. But if we don't, let's ban alcohol.

Frank D. Woodruff

Monet
- ---
MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin