Pubdate: Mon, 03 May 2010
Source: Chattanooga Times Free Press (TN)
Copyright: 2010 Chattanooga Publishing Company, Inc.
Contact:  Http://Www.Timesfreepress.Com/
Details: Http://Www.Mapinc.Org/Media/992
Author: Chris Smith

ALLOW CANNABIS FOR MEDICAL USE

As of this writing, 14 states have established compassionate use 
laws. Of those 14, California is an extreme; focusing on its current 
fiscal issues and perhaps finding an out to those problems by 
legalizing cannabis in November this year. Tennessee is not 
California and its constituents should not believe that the passage 
of compassionate use laws would cause our state to resemble 
California by any stretch of the imagination.

The healing properties of the Cannabis Sativa plant have been 
recorded for centuries. In the 16th century, Queen Elizabeth I used 
cannabis to alleviate her menstrual cramps. Today, approved usage 
varies from state to state. In California ,people with mild 
depression can get a doctor's recommendation. In New Jersey, patients 
must have a debilitating medical condition or have a terminal illness 
in order to receive a recommendation. The states also differ in that 
Californians can grow their own whereas New Jersey patients must 
receive their medicine from state government-authorized treatment centers.

There will always be abusers of any substance, but with the right 
plan we can help provide patients with the medicine they desperately 
need and deserve.

Chris Smith

Cleveland, Tenn.
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