Pubdate: Fri, 31 Oct 2014
Source: Star-Banner, The (Ocala, FL)
Copyright: 2014 The Star-Banner
Contact:  http://www.starbanner.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1533
Author: Robert Sharpe

A PALLIATIVE DRUG

Thank you for making the case for medical marijuana in your Oct. 24
editorial. 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 them 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

Policy Analyst

Common Sense for Drug Policy

Washington, D.C.
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