Pubdate: Sat, 28 Mar 2009 Source: Anniston Star (AL) Copyright: 2009 Consolidated Publishing Contact: http://www.annistonstar.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/923 Author: Loretta Nall Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n304/a07.html Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n316/a12.html NO MORE EXCUSES Re "Medical marijuana" and "Bill needs Star's support" (Speak Out, March 13 and 17): Bravo to letter writers Don Seibold and Gil Joiner for speaking out as supporters of HB434 in Alabama. We can only hope our elected officials will demonstrate the same courage and vote "yes" when this bill comes before them. In years past, one of the arguments against this bill has been that if we protect Alabama patients and physicians by passing this law, the feds will swoop down on Alabama. However, in a Feb. 25 press conference, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said that the Justice Department will no longer conduct medical marijuana raids in states that have passed medical marijuana laws. So, that is one less excuse the judiciary committee will have this year. Here's a few more tired, senseless excuses that we need to retire: Excuse -- they can use Marinol, which is synthetic THC, the active ingredient in marijuana; truth -- most people can't use Marinol because it's expensive and not covered by insurance. Excuse -- marijuana is a gateway drug; truth -- there have been no reports from states that have passed medical marijuana laws of terminally ill patients moving on to heroin and home invasions because they used medical marijuana. Please, let's be reasonable. These are very ill patients we are talking about here. HB434 protects patients who need marijuana for medical reasons. We cannot justify imprisoning people with chronic pain and terminal illness for trying to get relief from a natural plant. Please contact the members of the House judiciary committee and your elected officials in Montgomery and ask them to vote "yes" on HB434. Loretta Nall Alexander City - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart