Pubdate: Fri, 07 Feb 2014
Source: Duluth News-Tribune (MN)
Copyright: 2014 Robert Sharpe
Contact: http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/contactForm/email_id/171/
Website: http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/553
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v14/n127/a05.html

LET DOCTORS DECIDE ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Regarding Tony Mancuso's thoughtful Feb. 5 op-ed (Local View: "Facts
support medical marijuana"), 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 that patient feel better, then it's
working. In the end, medical marijuana is a quality-of-life decision best
left to patients and their doctors.

Drug warriors waging war on non-corporate 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
with marijuana.

Robert Sharpe, MPA

Arlington, Va.

The writer is a policy analyst for Common Sense for Drug Policy in
Washington, D.C.
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D