Pubdate: Fri, 31 Aug 2012
Source: Times Union (Albany, NY)
Copyright: 2012 Capital Newspapers Division of The Hearst Corporation
Contact: http://www.timesunion.com/forms/emaileditor.asp
Website: http://www.timesunion.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/452
Author: Mark Haft

LEGALIZING POT MAKES SENSE

To the editor

I have a friend who suffers from severe headaches. She has 
successfully used marijuana in the past in order to lessen the pain.

However, in addition to it being illegal, her doctor, who offers 
other medicine, tests for marijuana use. Due to the nature of the 
pain, increased doses of the medicine offered by the doctor become 
necessary costing more health care money.

I'm wondering why marijuana cannot be used for medicinal purposes.

To take it a step farther, as it is a relatively harmless drug, I'm 
wondering why like alcohol and cigarettes, we don't just legally sell 
it and place an excise tax on it. In addition to added revenue, it 
would give police more time to concentrate on issues more threatening 
to public safety.

Mark Haft

Colonie
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