Pubdate: Sat, 15 Mar 2008
Source: Daily Journal, The (MN)
Copyright: 2008 Fergus Falls Newspapers Inc
Contact:  http://www.fergusfallsjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2568
Author: Paul Cassenelli

MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL SHOULD BE LAW

The medical marijuana bill -- passed by the Minnesota Senate last 
year and likely to see action on the floor of the House in the coming 
months -- should be passed into law as soon as possible.

As a patient suffering from severe neuropathy and other pain-related 
conditions, this is a major issue in my life. I previously lived in

Hawaii and was a legal medical marijuana patient under that state's 
program. It helped me more than the regimen of addictive, dangerous 
medications I've been prescribed over the years.

And just last month, the American College of Physicians - the second 
largest physician group in the United States, with a membership of 
over 124,000 medical professionals - recognized marijuana's many 
medical benefits with 10 pages of references and citations.  Their 
official policy position "strongly urges protection from criminal or 
civil penalties for patients who use medical marijuana as permitted 
under state laws."

Unfortunately, Governor Pawlenty has threatened to veto any medical 
marijuana bill, based on the knee-jerk opposition of a small but 
influential group of non-experts. The governor seems to believe that 
law enforcement officers know better than medical professionals which 
method of treatment would best suit an individual patient.

The governor should reconsider. This is a mainstream and popular 
issue, with 2 to 1 support from Minnesotans. It's time our lawmakers 
and governor listen to the physicians and their own constituents, and 
end the cruel, despicable policy of arresting suffering patients for 
trying to alleviate their pain.

Paul Cassenelli

Alexandria 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake