Pubdate: Fri, 06 Dec 2013
Source: Tallahassee Democrat (FL)
Copyright: 2013 Tallahassee Democrat
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/hdEs6Z0o
Website: http://www.tallahassee.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/444
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v13/n568/a06.html

DOCTORS NEED STRONG VOICE IN MARIJUANA DEBATE

Re: "On medical marijuana, listen to the people" (Paula Dockery, Nov. 29).

While there have been studies showing that marijuana can shrink 
cancerous tumors, medical marijuana is essentially a palliative drug. 
If a doctor recommends marijuana to a cancer patient undergoing 
chemotherapy and it helps the person feel better, then it's working. 
In the end, medical marijuana is a quality-of-life decision best left 
to patients and their doctors.

Those waging war on noncorporate drugs contend that organic marijuana 
is not an effective health intervention. Their prescribed 
intervention for medical marijuana patients is handcuffs, jail cells 
and criminal records. This heavy-handed approach suggests that drug 
warriors should not be dictating health care decisions.

It's long past time to let doctors decide what is right for their 
patients; sick patients should not be jailed for daring to seek 
relief from marijuana

ROBERT SHARPE

Policy analyst, Common Sense for Drug Policy
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom