cannabisnews.com: Let Patients Roll Up





Let Patients Roll Up
Posted by CN Staff on April 12, 2005 at 07:17:27 PT
Editorial
Source: Crimson White
Alabama -- If anything can ease the pain and suffering people endure when chronically ill, we think it should be legal, and that includes marijuana.Yes, pot is illegal, but a state legislator is pushing to legalize the plant for medicinal purposes in Alabama, and we are all for it. For some people, marijuana is a necessity, not just a recreational toy. According to several doctors, some sick people need pot to keep from suffering from constant pain. We are pretty sure that doctors know a little more than legislators when it comes to appropriate treatments for sicknesses.
The bill, introduced by Rep. Laura Hall, D-Huntsville, would require those who need marijuana to register with the Alabama Department of Public Health. That person would be allowed to have small amounts of marijuana at a time. (The bill would not allow just anyone to carry around 10 pounds of pot and say it was needed for "medicinal" purposes). As always, Alabama is behind in current trends: Using marijuana for therapeutic reasons has been legalized in 11 states, including Arizona, Vermont, Oregon and Nevada. Those states do not seem to be in a crazed pot frenzy, and it is likely that Alabama would not go up in smoke if a few sick people were puffing the cheeba to feel better.While we're on the subject, we think pot should be legalized for medical reasons and recreation. It doesn't make sense that we legalize alcohol and tobacco, but not pot. Alcohol reduces inhibitions and depresses response time, causing fatal car accidents, as well as increased risky sexual behavior and even violence in some users. Smoking greatly increases the risk of lung and other cancers not only for the smoker, but also for those around him inhaling lethal second-hand fumes. Marijuana does not affect response time as severely as alcohol, it does not have as many cancer-causing substances as smoking or alcohol and it does not induce its users to violence or other risky behaviors as badly as alcohol; in fact, the drug has a calming affect on most. Its biggest drawback is its tendency to make frequent users lazy. But, if the legalization of marijuana reduced the usage of these two killers, it would already make our world a better place to live - we would rather live with too many potheads than too many drunkards.In an ideal world, no one would need to use an outside substance to achieve complete satisfaction during recreational activities. But since we do not live in an ideal world, we should at least strive to create a world that is consistent in its laws. And legal or not, pot is everywhere, even at the University. Whether in the dorms, apartments or in the Rose Tower parking lot, students smoke pot and still graduate. All adults, whether they are patients, students or veteran pot-smokers, should be given the choice to roll up.Our View is the consensus of The CW editorial board.Source: Crimson White, The (Edu, Univ of Alabama)Published: April 11, 2005Copyright: 2005 The Crimson WhiteContact: cwletters sa.ua.eduWebsite: http://www.cw.ua.edu/Related Articles & Web Site:Medical Marijuana Information Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/medical.htmBill Would Allow Medical Marijuana in Alabamahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20481.shtmlMMJ Bill Introduced in State Legislaturehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20438.shtmlHall Introduces Bill for Medical Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20437.shtml
Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help




Post Comment