Pubdate: Sun, 18 Feb 2007 Source: Dallas Morning News (TX) Copyright: 2007 The Dallas Morning News Contact: http://www.dallasnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/117 Author: Stephen Betzen LEGAL POT, EMPTIER JAILS A new study in Neurology clearly shows that marijuana was not only helpful in treating chronic pain in AIDS patients, but many times worked better than other prescription drugs and had fewer side effects. This only validates the experiences of patients and their doctors. Yet despite the overcrowding of our costly prison system and mounting evidence of the benefits of medical marijuana, our state still incarcerates medical marijuana patients. It is time for Texas to join the 11 other states that have adopted medical marijuana legislation and stop incarcerating the sick and dying. Stephen Betzen, Dallas