Pubdate: Sat, 26 May 2007
Source: Plain Dealer, The (Cleveland, OH)
Copyright: 2007 The Plain Dealer
Contact:  http://www.cleveland.com/plaindealer/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/342
Cited: http://www.mikuriya.com/
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Mikuriya (Dr. Mikuriya)

DR. TOD MIKURIYA, 73, ADVOCATE FOR MEDICINAL USE OF POT

Berkeley, Calif.- Dr. Tod Mikuriya, a psychiatrist who was a leading 
figure in California's medical marijuana movement, died from 
complications of cancer Sunday. He was 73.

He helped draft a state ballot measure that legalized marijuana for 
the seriously ill who have a doctor's recommendation. Since its 
passage in 1996, Mikuriya had written approvals for close to 9,000 
patients, said his friend, Fred Gardner.

Mikuriya had studied the drug's therapeutic potential since the 1960s 
and briefly directed marijuana research at the National Institute of 
Mental Health. He left when he realized the government only "wanted 
bad things found out about marijuana," he told the online 
newsmagazine AlterNet in 2004.

In 1999, Mikuriya founded the Society of Cannabis Clinicians to 
educate colleagues about the plant's medical uses. He wrote books on 
the subject and kept a list of medical conditions that had been eased 
by cannabis; among the 285 ailments were many cancers, insomnia and stuttering.

In 2000, Mikuriya was accused of unprofessional conduct and 
incompetence in recommending marijuana to 16 patients after allegedly 
failing to conduct proper physical exams and keep adequate records.

Placed on probation by the state in 2004, Mikuriya appealed and 
continued to practice under the supervision of a state monitor.

Mikuriya saw the charges as politically motivated and had planned to 
continue appealing them when his health failed. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake