Pubdate: Sat, 09 Nov 2013 Source: Salt Lake Tribune (UT) Copyright: 2013 The Salt Lake Tribune Contact: http://www.sltrib.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/383 Author: Andrew Gregory UTAH SHOULD LEGALIZE MARIJUANA FOR MEDICIAL USES Since 1996 Californians have been able to legally possess cannabis (marijuana) for medical purposes deemed necessary by a licensed doctor. Seventeen years later, 21 states including Arizona, Oregon, Colorado and Montana have passed similar laws. Utah is behind the curve. Medical cannabis has helped people with many different illnesses such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, depression, anxiety, Alzheimer's and many others. Medical marijuana isn't just helping adults. A report in The Huffington Post by Andrea Rael states that, "parents calling themselves marijuana 'refugees' are heading to Colorado ... for their children who suffer from epilepsy." ("Medical Marijuana Treatment Of Pediatric Epilepsy Attracts More Parents To Colorado," Oct. 21) Utah Rep. Gage Froerer has pledged his support to Utah mothers like April Sintz, who is struggling to obtain a cannabis extract she needs for her 7-year-old son Issac, who suffers from epilepsy. Utah should seriously consider this natural plant that has helped thousands of Americans already. It's not about getting high, it's about using what nature has given us to help fight the many health issues we face today. Andrew Gregory Provo - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom