Pubdate: Sat, 8 May 2010
Source: Times Leader  (Wilkes-Barre, PA)
Copyright: 2010 The Times Leader
Contact:  http://www.timesleader.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/933
Author: Bill O'Boyle
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?253 (Cannabis - Medicinal - U.S.)

RALLY SUPPORTS USE OF POT TO HELP EASE MEDICAL PAIN

State Rep. Phyllis Mundy Has a Bill Which Allows the Use of Marijuana 
in Treatment.

WILKES-BARRE - Thomas Chewey is eager to discuss challenges of his 
four-year battle with cancer, bi-polar disorder and hypertension.

Chewey, 48, of Larksville, was on Public Square on Friday in support 
of the rally to reform marijuana laws so the drug can be used in 
medical treatment.

Chewey said he has undergone radiation and chemo-therapy and has 
taken strong medications such as Vicodin and OxyContin to take away 
the constant pain.  Using marijuana, he said, gives him more relief, 
and it's non-toxic.

"They radiated me and chemo-ed me, but they won't prescribe 
cannabis," Chewey said. "They've cut me, removed muscles in my neck 
and shoulder, and I have pain all the time."

Chewey said it's time to legalize cannabis for medical purposes.

"It relaxes me," he said.

Kenneth Brown, 21, of Wilkes-Barre, coordinated Friday's rally - the 
Cannabis Defense Movement - that ran from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. James 
Jasinski, 22, of Wilkes-Barre, and Matt Yuscavage, 22, of Luzerne, 
helped Brown organize the event.

"We're here in support of patients' rights in Pennsylvania," Brown 
said. "We support the prescribing of cannabis rather than addictive 
and toxic pain killers."

Carl Romanelli Jr. said he was there because the Green Party supports 
the de-criminalization of cannabis.

"It should be available for people who need it to ease their pain," 
Romanelli said.

State Rep. Phyllis Mundy has co-sponsored House Bill 1393, which 
seeks to ease human suffering by allowing the use of marijuana in treatment.

"While not a high legislative priority for me, I support HB-1393, 
which would allow those who are gravely or terminally ill to use 
marijuana to relieve their pain," Mundy said. "It does not, as some 
may suggest, seek to promote the recreational use of marijuana or in 
any way legalize it for such use."

Mundy, D-Kingston, said she realizes the topic is controversial.

"However, I believe it is time to engage in a discussion as to why we 
allow much more addictive drugs such as OxyContin and morphine to be 
prescribed for pain relief, but not marijuana, which is much less 
harmful and less expensive," Mundy said.

Mundy said she can't say if supporters of using marijuana in medical 
treatment are also hopeful that it may one day be legalized.

"They may, but I cannot speak for them," Mundy said.  "But that is 
not a realistic expectation. I have received many more positive 
comments regarding the legalization of marijuana for medical use than 
I expected though. And from people I would never have expected to 
support my position."

Brown and several other volunteers were handing out informational 
flyers to anyone interested on why marijuana should be approved as an 
accepted medical use in treatment. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake