Pubdate: Thu, 12 Jun 2008 Source: Daily Star, The (NY) Copyright: 2008 The Daily Star Contact: http://www.thedailystar.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/557 Author: Jeannine Zagiel Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v08/n556/a02.html LAW WOULD PROTECT PATIENTS Having just returned from Albany where I joined seriously ill patients from across the state to urge our Senate to pass a compassionate medical marijuana law, I'd like to correct a common misconception that was repeated in the June 3 story, "Patients to push for medical marijuana law." It's true, as Sen. James Seward said in the article, that the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that federal law enforcement agencies may enforce their misguided laws regarding medical marijuana even in states that protect patients who use the drug with their doctor's recommendation. But that does not mean states are helpless to protect their vulnerable citizens. The bill before the Senate is perhaps the most tightly worded, strictly regulated in the country. It builds off the experiences of the 12 existing medical marijuana states to ensure that qualified patients and their doctors may avoid conflicts with federal law and have safe, legal access to their medicine. I have been disabled since a back injury in 2001. I live in constant pain, and an allergy to narcotics limits my legal pain relief options to over-the-counter Tylenol. The Senate has the power to give me at least some of my old life back if it will just pass this sensible, compassionate bill before the legislative session ends June 23. Jeannine Zagiel Morris - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom