Pubdate: Fri, 01 Apr 2011
Source: Missoulian (MT)
Copyright: 2011 Missoulian
Contact:  http://www.missoulian.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/720
Author: B. Strand

MEDICAL MARIJUANA: DRUG IMPROVES QUALITY OF LIFE

Because I don't like nor smoke marijuana, my opinion and my vote
should count, and not be treated like just another junkie trying to
further my agenda.

The arguments from both sides need to be separated. Marijuana should
be legal across the board, but since right now we are focusing on
prescription use, not all use, I will separate and focus on
legalization for medical use. Please do the same if you argue against
me.

First, most of the arguments against legalization have nothing to do
with how marijuana has been proven to help some people have a better
quality of life, or even any quality of life at all! It should be a
crime to prevent or inhibit doctors from prescribing such effective
treatment.

All other anti-legalization arguments are peripheral, and
statistically fallible, and just downright irrational, detrimental,
statistically questionable and heartless. I have not heard one reason
to deny medical use of marijuana that is scientifically and/or
statistically proven, or can't be legislated away. I have seen very
convincing proof - measurable, visible and provable proof - that it
does work for many conditions, like glaucoma, multiple sclerosis,
chronic pain, and cancer.

Marijuana, an antioxidant, has been shown to actually decrease cancer
risks, and has not been shown to increase lung cancer.

Montel Williams was just on the Dr. Oz show talking about how scans
showed his MS was not progressing as predicted. Using marijuana should
not be a crime. Our government butting their heads into our very
personal business, business between a doctor and patient, preventing
people from access something that works should be the crime.

This very personal issue should stop being a rabidly political and
irrationally emotional one. I wish we could act like free citizens who
can tell our government what we actually want.

B. Strand

Missoula
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MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr.