Pubdate: Fri, 29 Sep 2000 Source: Denver Rocky Mountain News (CO) Copyright: 2000 Denver Publishing Co. Contact: 400 W. Colfax, Denver, CO 80204 Website: http://www.denver-rmn.com/ Author: Ken Becker LEAVE MEDICAL DECISIONS TO DOCTORS, NOT LAWYERS When marijuana is prescribed by a physician, it is a medicine, not an illegal drug. Doctors prescribe other drugs that are addictive, but we do not call the users of those drugs dope addicts or make the users of those prescribed medicines criminals. If what a doctor prescribes to a patient gives comfort, relieves pain or has medical benefit, it must be made legally available. Even if the benefit is only psychological, it is still a positive benefit. Doctors are driven to relieve pain and ease suffering. We must not remove any legitimate medicine from their medicine cabinet. Leave medical decisions to physicians, not lawyers. Let medical marijuana be available to the sick and suffering. Remember that some day you too might need alternative medicine. Keep an open mind and sympathetic heart to the sick and suffering and vote to make marijuana available as a medicine. Ken Becker Lakewood - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart