Pubdate: Thu, 21 Feb 2008 Source: Bay Area Reporter (San Francisco, CA) Copyright: 2008 The Bay Area Reporter Contact: http://www.ebar.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/41 Author: Bruce Mirken SUPPORT FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA Ah, the irony: On the same day the B.A.R. publishes Arthur Evans's outpouring of disgust at Milk Club members who are medical marijuana patients (putting the term "medical marijuana" in sneer quotes to underline his contempt) [Mailstrom, February 14], the American College of Physicians issues a position paper calling for an end to the federal war on medical marijuana, citing "the scientific evidence regarding marijuana's safety and efficacy in some clinical conditions." ACP is the largest medical specialty organization and second largest physician group in the U.S., whose 124,000 members are specialists in oncology, neurology, infectious diseases, and other branches of internal medicine. ACP backs up its recommendation with 10 pages of scientific documentation and references, including studies conducted here in San Francisco and involving our brothers and sisters battling HIV. Perhaps Mr. Evans needs to sneer less and educate himself more. ACP's position paper -- online at www.acponline.org -- is a good place to start. Bruce Mirken, Director of Communications Marijuana Policy Project Washington, D.C. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake