cannabisnews.com: The Sense Of Medical Marijuana










  The Sense Of Medical Marijuana

Posted by CN Staff on February 09, 2003 at 08:29:50 PT
By Steven Slosberg, Day Staff Columnist 
Source: The Day 

Before hearing professional opinions on the wisdom of medicinal marijuana being legalized in Connecticut, here's some insight from a fellow who displayed more than a passing interest in the efficacy of drugs, William Burroughs.“The ill effects of marijuana have been grossly exaggerated in the U.S.,” wrote Burroughs, the late author of “Naked Lunch” and “Junkie,” and, as it turned out, not particularly fond of marijuana. “Our national drug is alcohol. We tend to regard the use of any other drug with special horror. ... Marijuana is not habit forming. I have never seen evidence of any ill effects from moderate use. Drug psychosis may result from prolonged and excessive use.”
That said, the issue before the state, as introduced in Hartford by a legislator from Wallingford last week, is allowing doctors to enable patients to use marijuana to alleviate pain without fear of prosecution for either doctor or patient.Rep. Jim Abrams, a Democrat, sponsored the bill now before the General Assembly's Judiciary Committee that would permit physicians to write a certificate, or recommendation, rather than a prescription for using marijuana. Prescribing the plant has been on the books in Connecticut for two decades, but no doctor apparently has pushed it, fearing federal prosecution. The certificate would document a patient's legitimate need for using, as well as cultivating, the drug.Connecticut is hardly a pioneer in the decriminalization wars. California, for example, has had a law since 1996 – Proposition 215 – that permits marijuana use by seriously ill people. But the federal government treats the initiative as anything but progressive or humane. The feds, ignoring the will of California voters, categorize medicinal marijuana as they do street weed – eminently bustable.Peter Baez, who was raised in Waterford and lives in Campbell, Calif., was the founder of the first medicinal marijuana center in Santa Clara County, where San Jose is located. But he was arrested by San Jose police in May 1998 on seven felony counts, accused of selling marijuana illegally. He eventually pleaded no contest to a single misdemeanor. A judge later threw out that plea, as well. City police, not the feds, arrested Baez, who became something of a media martyr figure. But the federal crackdown on California residents' efforts to abide by state law remains vigilant and harsh.The bill before the General Assembly has the sympathy of Dr. V.J. Sikand of East Lyme, medical director of SCADD, the New London-based Southeastern Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependence. “The issue should not be politicized,” said Sikand, best known in the region for his work on Lyme disease. “My first thought was, it's an unusual position to put a physician in. The legislature seems to be providing an avenue to help patients medically, but it's not an appropriate medical avenue for physicians. Basically, I believe marijuana should be available to patients in genuine medical need of it. But I'm skeptical of this as a means to an end.” Sikand wants the federal government to see the light about the efficacy of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) – the ambrosia, more or less, in marijuana. Jack Malone of Norwich is director of SCADD and also happens to be a state legislator and a Democrat. He told Abrams he wouldn't vote for the bill. “Marijuana is a gateway drug,” said Malone. “I know how he (Abrams) feels, but this is where I stand today.”Malone did seem willing to listen. Connecticut may be merely the latest state to move on marijuana, but the certification strategy is getting attention.The state doesn't have to take Burroughs' word about marijuana. Malone's medical director, for one, has smart things to say, too. This is the opinion of Steven Slosberg. Source: Day, The (CT)Author: Steven Slosberg, Day Staff ColumnistPublished: February 9, 2003Copyright: 2003 The Day Publishing Co.Contact: editor theday.comWebsite: http://www.theday.com/ Related Articles & Web Site:Conant vs. Walters & Judge Kozinskihttp://freedomtoexhale.com//cw.htmProposal Would Let Doctors Recommend Marijuana http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15407.shtmlLawmaker Pushes Medical Marijuana Bill http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15397.shtmlMarijuana Bill Ready for Sessionhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15077.shtml

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