|
|
| Press Release: Patients Out Of Time |
|
Posted by FoM on November 11, 1999 at 08:49:53 PT For Immediate Release Source: Patients Out Of Time 
Patients Out of Time is pleased to add the voters from the state of Maine to the ever growing list of professional associations and non government organizations that support patient access to therapeutic Cannabis.
Maine has become the seventh state, along with the District of Columbia, whose voters have overwhelmingly endorsed the right of patients and their caregivers to use marijuana as medicine. Other political entities have endorsed this call for patient rights as well. The Democratic Party of Oregon, the Democratic Party Platform of Wisconsin and the Republican Liberty Caucus National Committee have issued position papers or statements supportive of a change from a law enforcement regimen to health care control of therapeutic Cannabis. These groups cite the failure of the war on drugs to reduce demand for illegal drugs among our youth; the increasing violence associated with drug trafficking; the increasing compromise of our Bill of Rights; and the undeniable reality that marijuana has medical value as justification for adopting a new approach to drug use in the United States. As the attached list indicates this sentiment is not limited to the political sphere. Physicians for Social Responsibility - Oregon and the Hawaii Nurses Association have added their call to this national movement to replace intolerance and ignorance concerning medical marijuana with compassion, reason and medical oversight. "It has been the unanimous conclusion of every study conducted by numerous countries including the United States that Cannabis use for medicinal purposes should be considered non criminal behavior. The Senate and Congress of the US have ignored the work and recommendations of the professional health care community relying on reefer madness propaganda spouted by extremely biased and ill-informed members of the political class. The citizens and voters of this country have stated the federal policy of therapeutic Cannabis prohibition is without adequate justification and they want it to end," said the co-founder of Patients Out of Time, Al Byrne. To underscore that point the just released "Quality of Life in Virginia: 1999" report from the Center for Survey Research, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA has for the second year in a row determined that Virginians want therapeutic marijuana available for Virginia patients where medically appropriate. The 1998 survey indicated that 72% either "strongly agreed" or "somewhat agreed" that marijuana should be recognized as a medicine. In 1999 more than three-quarters of Virginians - 77% - agree that physicians should be legally allowed to prescribe marijuana for medical use. "For the political leadership of a conservative state like Virginia as well as the country to ignore the wisdom of the people, the consensus of the health care professionals and the misery of the sick and dying is a national disgrace" added Byrne. "One can only hope that those who are so willing to let patients live and die in pain and suffering when relief is at hand and provided by our creator will be judged harshly for their indifference." Patients Out of Time updates its list of organizations that support the medical use of Cannabis under a physician's care, when notified. If you would like a copy of the present list, help in formulating a statement for your organization or to add a group to the list please contact: Patients Out of Time at (804) 263-4484 or Upcoming Event: Thursday, April 6th! http://www.commonlink.com/~olsen/MEDICAL/POT/Conference.html Related Articles & Web Sites: The Drug Policy Forum Of Wisconsin Patients Out Of Time Medical Marijuana Wins Again - 11/05/99 Next on MMJ: How To Set Up the Program - 11/04/99 Patients Out Of Time - Cannabis As Medicine - 8/09/99 Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help |
 |
| Post Comment |  |
|  |