Pubdate: Tue, 24 Jun 2014
Source: Columbian, The (WA)
Copyright: 2014 The Columbian Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.columbian.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/92
Author: Howard Leighty

END FEDERAL PROHIBITION

Medical marijuana is allowed by law in 21 states and in the District 
of Columbia. Federal prohibition of marijuana and cannabinoids is no 
longer justified by modern understanding and scientific evidence. 
Discovery that marijuana and cannabidiol are beneficial as medicine 
is driving the movement to end federal marijuana prohibition.

News reports exist of families relocating to Colorado where 
legalization makes medical marijuana and cannabidiol available for 
treatment of their children with severe epilepsy. The continued 
federal prohibition of marijuana is used as a reason by some local 
jurisdictions to resist, delay or ban implementation of state laws 
legalizing marijuana for adults. Clark County and the city of Battle 
Ground imposed a ban on Washington's new law.

Marijuana is known to have beneficial effects for patients with 
glaucoma, chemotherapy nausea, chronic pain, veterans with PTSD, and 
for its anticonvulsant properties in treatment of severe pediatric epilepsy.

The debate is over. The scientific truth is widely known. All that is 
needed is appropriate action by Congress. I urge support for H.R. 
499, the Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act, introduced by Rep. 
Jared Polis, D-Colo.

Howard Leighty

Vancouver
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