cannabisnews.com: Marijuana Marijuana Posted by FoM on May 18, 2001 at 12:48:29 PT Editorial Source: Detroit Free Press Given the way the federal drug laws are written, there was little the U.S. Supreme Court could do this week besides strike down the medical use of marijuana. But despite that unanimous decision (with Justice Stephen Breyer abstaining), Congress can amend a little compassion into its policies.Medical marijuana is not the solution to the nation's end-of-life problems. But it does provide great relief to gravely, mostly terminally ill patients suffering from AIDS, cancer and other diseases. Nine states have recognized that and made the medicinal use of marijuana legal. But even where people can use it for medical reasons, the Supreme Court ruling makes criminals of people who distribute it to the sick.Congress can fix that by making a medicinal exception for marijuana distribution without undermining the drug war that has been such a colossal failure anyway. It has been more than 30 years since Congress determined "that marijuana has no medical benefits worthy of an exception," as Justice Clarence Thomas wrote of the Controlled Substance Act.Since then, however, patients suffering the withering affects of disease, and its sometimes ravaging treatments, have found relief from nausea, increased appetite and just a general peacefulness that no prescription medication offered. The doctors and nurses who treat them know how beneficial it can be. For the terminally ill, that peacefulness can help stave off another red herring in the end-of-life debate -- assisted suicide; those who know they won't suffer don't seek such a dramatic ending. For the seriously ill, it can help rebuild the strength they need to fight the disease and get their lives back.Modern medicine clearly has a long way to go to ease the pain of the sickest of the sick. Marijuana isn't a cure-all. But when there's nothing left to be cured, or traditional medicine can't stop the worst symptoms, can't the government have enough heart to ease the suffering?Note: Court had little choice, but Congress can show mercy. Newshawk: Nicholas Thimmesch IINORML Media & CommunicationsSource: Detroit Free Press (MI)Published: May 18, 2001Copyright: 2001 Detroit Free PressWebsite: http://www.freep.com/Contact: letters freepress.comRelated Articles & Web Site:Good Medicinehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9779.shtmlMedical Marijuana Detourhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9775.shtmlO.C.B.C. Versus The U.S. Government News http://www.freedomtoexhale.com/mj.htmCannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #2 posted by tim bauer on July 22, 2001 at 18:44:42 PT: same as it ever was i don't know much about marijuana (is that really a word) but cannabis has always been good medicine and a good food and fuel and textile and all around resource and friend to man...is somebody pullin the wool???tim [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Daniel on May 18, 2001 at 17:01:40 PT: Need help with paper! I am working a final paper for my class on the use of marijuana for medical porpuses. Anyone wants to share his/hers story w/ my so I can finish and get a degree in Nursing one day! My papaer is due on May 23, 2001Thanks. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: