The Bush administration wants to be able to revoke the licenses of doctors who prescribe marijuana to sick and dying patients in states like California, where there’s state law that permits the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. In fact, they want to be able to revoke the doctor’s license for even TELLING a patient about the purported benefits of the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes.
I don’t use marijuana myself, but if I believed it would help me feel better at some stage of my disease, it would be worth a try. I know there have been clinical trials that have shown it to be helpful in alleviating nausea associated with chemo, and it is effective in stimulating appetite. I think I also read about a study using marijuana to help with peripheral neuropathy.
I wrote to one of my senators, Elizabeth Dole, to ask her to think about this matter.
The bottom line is, if anyone is dying and suffering, why should they have to seek street drugs to help make them feel better?
Click here for Newsday story