Pubdate: Sun, 27 Jun 2010
Source: Pacific Daily News (US GU)
Copyright: 2010 Pacific Daily News
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Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1122
Author: Rory J. Respicio

DOCTORS SHOULD SUPPORT BILL 423

Guam cannot "legalize" cannabis/marijuana for any  purpose. Federal 
laws identify it as a controlled  substance, so only they can 
"legalize" its use. Guam  should pass a law permitting the use of 
cannabis for  medicinal purposes and under strict conditions, as 
proposed in my Bill 423.

A U.S. jurisdiction desiring to allow for medicinal  cannabis must 
follow the Ninth Circuit Court ruling,  which the U.S. Supreme Court 
upheld: doctors can  legally recommend, but not dispense, cannabis to 
patients. To stay within the boundaries of law, doctors  that 
recommend cannabis must certify that patients have  been diagnosed 
with a debilitating condition or  disease, and cannabis can help them.

Cannabis has been proven to benefit individuals with  cancer, 
HIV/AIDS, cachexia (wasting syndrome), Crohn's  disease, ulcerative 
colitis, fibromyalgia, glaucoma,  epilepsy/seizures, hepatitis C, 
severe migraines,  multiple sclerosis/muscle spasms, Tourette's 
Syndrome  and severe pain. Many veterans suffering from a variety  of 
combat-related conditions, and the terminally ill,  have been 
assisted and comforted by its use.

Despite many years of efforts by medical professionals  to properly 
treat their patients, it wasn't until Oct.  19, 2009, when the 
Department of Justice issued a  memorandum to U.S. Attorneys 
expressing a coherent  federal government policy, allowing for the 
sick to be  treated without legalizing cannabis. It states:

"As a general matter, pursuit of (significant  traffickers of illegal 
drugs, including marijuana, and  the disruption of illegal drug 
manufacturing and  trafficking networks) should not focus federal 
resources in your states on individuals whose actions  are in clear 
and unambiguous compliance with existing  state laws providing for 
the medical use of marijuana.  For example, prosecution of 
individuals with cancer or  other serious illnesses who use marijuana 
as part of a recommended treatment regimen consistent 
with  applicable state law, or those caregivers in clear 
and  unambiguous compliance with existing state law who  provide such 
individuals with marijuana, is unlikely to be an efficient use of 
limited federal resources. On  the other hand, prosecution of 
commercial enterprises  that unlawfully market and sell marijuana for 
profit  continues to be an enforcement priority of the Department."

Bill 423 would allow doctors to recommend and certify  that a medical 
condition could be relieved by using  cannabis. A certified patient 
or caregiver could then  purchase cannabis from a licensed 
Compassionate Care  Center. Only three proposed nonprofit Care 
Centers will  be permitted, which will be regulated under Guam law.

As an option, qualified patients/caregivers will be  allowed to grow 
up to three cannabis plants for  medicinal use, if they choose. 
Neither pharmacies nor  doctors' offices will have cannabis for sale, 
and it  will NOT be available at supermarkets or village  stores.

Cannabis substitutes such as Marinol (a synthetic  cannabinol) are 
too expensive for those without  insurance. Patients concerned about 
carcinogens from  smoking can use cannabis in cooking, in a 
vaporizer, or  even to make tea.

This issue is about patient access to needed medicine.  Scientists 
and medical professionals around the world  have encouraged the use 
of cannabis for those truly in  need. I urge our doctors to look 
carefully at the facts  so they can support Guam in doing the same.

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Rory J. Respicio (D-Agana Heights) is the majority  leader and 
chairman of the Committee on Rules, Natural  Resources and Federal, 
Foreign and Micronesian Affairs.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart