cannabisnews.com: Muzzling Doctors Won't Help Win the Drug War





Muzzling Doctors Won't Help Win the Drug War
Posted by CN Staff on July 16, 2003 at 16:24:01 PT
By The Detroit News
Source: Detroit News 
The Bush administration is trying to use its licensing power to limit the free speech of doctors and the right of individual states to pass reasonable laws governing the behavior of their citizens. The administration has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to strike down an appeals court ruling that blocks the federal government from stripping the prescription licenses of doctors who counsel patients on the use of marijuana for medical purposes, in states that permit such use. 
The policy of lifting licenses was put in place during the Clinton administration. The nine states that allow medicinal marijuana use are Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. Solicitor General Theodore Olson argues that the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decision keeps the federal government from protecting the public. But the citizens of states with medicinal marijuana laws on the books are perfectly capable of protecting themselves. If they feel their safety is threatened by doctors counseling AIDS and cancer patients about ways to ease their suffering, they have the power to change their state laws. Olson also contends that prescribing marijuana for pain or nausea relief is no different than encouraging the use of LSD or heroin. That nonsensical statement reflects the Bush administration's puritanical bent, rather than any legitimate scientific or medical evidence. What the administration seeks is a government intrusion on the free speech rights of physicians and on the doctor-patient relationship. It's also a heavy-handed attempt to force states to toe the line on federal drug policy, even when that policy runs counter to the will of voters in the states. The Supreme Court has ruled previously -- and wrongly -- that medicinal use of marijuana is not exempt from federal drug laws. The appeals court agreed that doctors could be punished for actually prescribing marijuana. But it said speaking candidly with patients about the options available for relieving their suffering is appropriate and does not conflict with the Supreme Court's ruling. Doctors should be able to serve their patients in compliance with state laws without the fear of being punished. They should never be gagged by the government. Muzzling doctors will not help win the drug war, nor will denying relief to sick people. Note: Stripping the prescription licenses of doctors who talk to patients about medicinal pot an intrusion on free speech.Source: Detroit News (MI)Published: Tuesday, July 15, 2003Copyright: 2003 The Detroit News Contact: letters detnews.com Website: http://www.detnews.com/ Related Articles & Web Site:Conant vs. Walters & Judge Kozinskihttp://freedomtoexhale.com//cw.htm Decision To Prosecute Doctors is Violation http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16875.shtmlBush Wants Marijuana Ruling Struck Downhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16834.shtml Bush Escalates Marijuana War http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16827.shtml
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