Pubdate: Fri, 13 Mar 2009 Source: Anniston Star (AL) Copyright: 2009 Consolidated Publishing Contact: http://www.annistonstar.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/923 Author: Gil Joiner MEDICAL MARIJUANA A bill that would remove criminal penalties for the possession and use of marijuana for people with certain medical conditions is being considered in the Alabama Legislature. Thirteen states already have similar laws, and a poll by the Mobile Press-Register and The University of South Alabama found that 75 percent of Alabamians support such a law. What are the risks of enacting such a law? Have the states with medical marijuana laws seen increases in teen use of marijuana or increased use in adults? Have these states seen a jump in crime? Have they seen an increase in traffic accidents caused by intoxicated medical marijuana patients? Does the use of marijuana by seriously ill patients pose a threat to society? No. If your mother, wife or daughter is dying from cancer and in consultation with her doctor decides to try marijuana to help relieve the effects of chemotherapy, should she be arrested? Is it the government's business what treatment she pursues? It's time we in Alabama stop arresting seriously ill and dying people who pose a threat to no one for trying to get a little relief from their condition. Gil Joiner Gulf Shores - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin