Pubdate: Wed, 25 Apr 2007 Source: Tuscaloosa News, The (AL) Copyright: 2007 The Tuscaloosa News Contact: http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1665 Author: Dawn Palmer MARIJUANA CAN HELP PATIENTS Dear Editor: A bill called the Compassionate Care Act will be presented to the House during this legislative session. It is a bill that would make it possible for medical marijuana to be recommended by a physician to his patients without prosecution of either party. Doesn't this seem insane that we have to get politicians to tell us what medicine a doctor thinks we should take? For just a moment, let's put aside all the propaganda about marijuana and look at it for what it is. It is a plant that can be used for medicine. Yes, it does have side effects just as any other medicine does. Yes, it can cause dizziness and dry mouth. Are these not the same side effects we read about on all medications? Some medicines have a whole page dedicated just to its side effects. Twelve states have seen through all the propaganda and have instead taken a compassionate approach by letting their doctors and their patients decide what medicine is best for them. I hope that Alabama will have that same compassion for his fellow man. Let your legislators know that a sick person shouldn't go to jail just because of his medicine. Dawn Palmer Tarrant - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake