Pubdate: Tue, 03 Dec 2002
Source: Racine Journal Times, The (WI)
Copyright: 2002, The Racine Journal Times
Contact:  http://www.journaltimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1659
Author: Gary Storck

MEDICAL MARIJUANA

The action by President Bush regarding generic drugs was simply election 
year pandering, "Drug rules revisions will help consumers" (10/24/02).

If the Bush Administration really cared about the health and well being of 
Americans, DEA agents would not be out trying to subvert state laws passed 
by voters that legalized medical marijuana.

Raids on medicinal pot gardens in California have resulted in seriously ill 
patients being terrorized, handcuffed and even arrested and jailed, and now 
federal agents are expanding the war on the sick into Oregon, where they 
recently paid a visit to a quadraplegic's garden and tore up his legal 
medicine.

The medical use of marijuana has the potential to reduce dosages of 
conventional pharmaceuticals or eliminate them entirely.

Conventional prescription and over the counter medications all have a toxic 
dose, and laundry lists of side effects. Even aspirin kills a couple 
thousand people per year. Cannabis has never killed anyone.

Bush's cynical electioneering should fool no one. His loyalties still lie 
with the drug companies, and whatever help consumers gain from this latest 
move will be offset now that the elections are over. Rescheduling marijuana 
so physicians can prescribe it would send a real sign that Bush cares about 
American's health. Don't hold your breath.

Gary Storck

Madison
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