Pubdate: Tue, 15 Sep 2009 Source: Joplin Globe, The (MO) Copyright: 2009 The Joplin Globe Contact: http://www.joplinglobeonline.com/zope/letter_to_editor.php Website: http://www.joplinglobe.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/859 Cited: Cannabis Revival http://www.cannabisrevival.com/ Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Marijuana - Medicinal) MARIJUANA USED AS MEDICINE There are plenty of pills in the medicine cabinets of many of our readers that are far more potent than marijuana. The difference is that your doctor can legally prescribe them. That is not the case with marijuana. But should it be? Last weekend several thousand people gathered in Landreth Park for the Cannabis Revival. The event has been staged by volunteers from local chapters of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws since 1997. The revival serves as a rally and information resource for local advocates of reforming marijuana laws. This year's revival solicited donations to help support a medical marijuana initiative in Missouri. As an institution, we aren't likely to endorse legalization or decriminalization of marijuana. But, we are interested in learning more about the role it might play in medicine. In the coming weeks, we'll be exploring on the news side, through interviews with doctors and patients, the validity of marijuana as a prescribed drug. There are several states and cities across America where the medical use of marijuana is legal. We'll be talking to officials and physicians there to see what effects the medical marijuana initiatives have had there. We would encourage you to send us your letters, conveying your opinions on this topic. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake