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.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake