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| Smoke Gets in Your Politics |
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Posted by CN Staff on December 06, 2005 at 07:00:46 PT By Debra J Saunders Source: San Francisco Chronicle 
USA -- This week's issue of Time magazine basically lists marijuana as a medicine. Now, can Washington and President Bush finally wake up and change federal policy so that states can allow sick people to use medical marijuana if they need it? This is what Time reports in an article on the year in medicine: "Research into the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of cannabis continued to bolster the case for the medicinal use of marijuana, making the 'patient pot laws' that have passed in 11 states seem less like a social movement than a legitimate medical trend." The article then cites studies that found that cannabis lessened the pain and suppressed rheumatoid arthritis and "can reduce inflammation in the brain and may protect it from the cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer's disease." "If politicians would be a little bit more willing to listen to the voters, they'd find there is more support than they think," noted Tommy McDonald of the anti-drug war Drug Policy Alliance. No lie. AARP polled Americans over age 45 in 2004 and found that 72 percent support allowing patients to use medical marijuana if a physician recommends it. That number can only grow as people see family members and friends benefit from the drug. A late friend of mine used marijuana to increase her appetite and ease her discomfort as she fought cancer. Yes, she tried Marinol, the legal pill-form equivalent to marijuana, but it didn't do the job. When President Bush first ran for the White House, and he was asked about medical-marijuana laws, the Washington Post reported, Bush answered (as only Bush answers): "I believe each state can choose that decision as they so choose." In office, alas, Bush has taken a hard-line approach. His administration has challenged states that voted to legalize medical marijuana. White House drug czar John Walters contends that medical-marijuana is a cynical gambit used by people who want to legalize all drugs and are hiding behind sick people to advance a pro-drug agenda. Snipped: Complete Article: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/12/06/EDG5TG2CIQ1.DTL Source: San Francisco Chronicle (CA) Related Articles & Web Site: Drug Policy Alliance Poll Examines Medical Marijuana Support Older Americans Attitudes on Medical Marijuana Poll Examines Medical Marijuana Support Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help |
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| Comment #1 posted by mayan on December 06, 2005 at 17:44:02 PT |
| When President Bush first ran for the White House, and he was asked about medical-marijuana laws, the Washington Post reported, Bush answered (as only Bush answers): "I believe each state can choose that decision as they so choose." What a lying asshole. It's great that even Time magazine is making the case for medical cannabis! [ Post Comment ] |
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