Pubdate: Mon, 21 Sep 2009 Source: Watauga Democrat (NC) Copyright: 2009 Watauga Democrat Newspapers, Inc. Contact: http://www.wataugademocrat.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2322 Author: Alexis Skelley IT'S TIME FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA Editor: In today's society, it has become the standard to turn to prescription pills for the treatment of any and all medical conditions, from the most basic headache to the most severe and life-threatening diseases. The side-effects of the majority of these prescription medications are just as unpleasant, if not more so than the ailment being treated, not to mention that some even offer additional medications to deal with such side-effects. It is no wonder that this is the case when considering that the chemical composition of many of the latest and most revered medical drugs are harmful substances like coal, tar, and petroleum, as in the well-known Codeine drug. Ironically enough, there is an herb whose therapeutic use has been documented as early as 5,000 BC that can serve as a natural and less invasive alternative to the solutions of traditional medicine that have come to be dominated by major medical drug companies. This remedy is known as marijuana, an organic substance produced by the cannabis plant that has been scientifically proven in modern medical research to effectively alleviate the pain and symptoms of a wide range of debilitating medical conditions, including such as widespread and difficult to manage as multiple sclerosis, cancer, and AIDS. The physician-recommended use of medical marijuana is now legal in several prominent world nations and 14 U.S. states, all of which demonstrating affirmative outcomes. As a health education specialist, I urge state lawmakers to sincerely consider the measures proposed by the N.C. House Health Committee by personally investigating the benefits and reflecting on the thousands of first-hand testimonies by patients. The N.C. House Bill 1383 "Medical Marijuana Act/Referendum" will allow for legal, legitimate and safe access to individuals who are prescribed medical marijuana by a licensed physician to ease the suffering of debilitating medical conditions. Lawmakers should observe the medical evidence that document the improvement of patients' wellbeing and overall quality of life, while disregarding the social and political attachment of this particular substance. The legalization of medical marijuana allows patients to take control of their own health and not rely on the treatment of the prescription medications chemically synthesized from harmful substances that cause adverse side-effects. My support of this bill is determinant on the provisions and regulations, which I view to set forth an effective and reasonable operation for distribution of marijuana in a medically professional framework. As a concerned citizen and health education professional, I feel it is the right of patients to have access to this organic therapy as an alternative to other medical regimes. This belief is clearly a prominent one considering the sweeping reform that has already taken place in over a dozen U.S. states; an overwhelming amount of citizens are raising their voice to this injustice and the 2005 Gallup poll proves this, stating that 78 percent of Americans support the legalization of marijuana for medicinal purposes. I entreat to you to communicate this message to the public to support the requests of these suffering individuals. My inquiry is this: Is it not of the fabric of democracy that majority rule, that the laws reflect public opinion, that government allows citizens to choose in matters of their health and not withhold constructive means? I urge you to consider writing your state representatives on this issue. If we band together we can make it happen! Alexis Skelley Carolina Shores, N.C. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake