Current Event for the week of 9/28/07
Should Medical Marijuana Be Legal?
The St. Louis Post Dispatch
April 3, 2007
-Montel Williams
Illinois -- You probably know me as a talk show host and, perhaps, as someone who for several years has spoken out about my use of medical marijuana for the pain caused by multiple sclerosis. That surprised a few people, but recent research has proved that I was right: right about marijuana's medical benefits and right about how urgent it is for states to change their laws so that sick people aren't treated as criminals. The Illinois General Assembly is considering such a change right now. If you see me on television, I look healthy. What you don't see is the mind-numbing pain searing through my legs like hot pokers...
...medical marijuana has allowed me to live a productive, fruitful life despite having multiple sclerosis. Many thousands of others all over this country — less well-known than me but whose stories are just as real — have experienced the same thing.
Here's what's shocking: The U.S. government knows marijuana works as a medicine...
Still, 39 states subject patients with illnesses like MS, cancer or HIV/AIDS to arrest and jail for using medical marijuana, even if their doctor has recommended it. It's long past time for that to change.
Illinois state Sen. John Cullerton, D-Chicago, has introduced a bill — SB 650 — to protect patients like me from arrest and jail for using medical marijuana when it's recommended by a physician. Similar laws are working well in 11 states right now.
Click here to see the whole article.
Do you agree that marijuana should be legalized for medical use? Why or why not? What are some pros and cons to allowing the terminally ill to use it to relieve pain?
The St. Louis Post Dispatch
April 3, 2007
-Montel Williams
Illinois -- You probably know me as a talk show host and, perhaps, as someone who for several years has spoken out about my use of medical marijuana for the pain caused by multiple sclerosis. That surprised a few people, but recent research has proved that I was right: right about marijuana's medical benefits and right about how urgent it is for states to change their laws so that sick people aren't treated as criminals. The Illinois General Assembly is considering such a change right now. If you see me on television, I look healthy. What you don't see is the mind-numbing pain searing through my legs like hot pokers...
...medical marijuana has allowed me to live a productive, fruitful life despite having multiple sclerosis. Many thousands of others all over this country — less well-known than me but whose stories are just as real — have experienced the same thing.
Here's what's shocking: The U.S. government knows marijuana works as a medicine...
Still, 39 states subject patients with illnesses like MS, cancer or HIV/AIDS to arrest and jail for using medical marijuana, even if their doctor has recommended it. It's long past time for that to change.
Illinois state Sen. John Cullerton, D-Chicago, has introduced a bill — SB 650 — to protect patients like me from arrest and jail for using medical marijuana when it's recommended by a physician. Similar laws are working well in 11 states right now.
Click here to see the whole article.
Do you agree that marijuana should be legalized for medical use? Why or why not? What are some pros and cons to allowing the terminally ill to use it to relieve pain?
posted by phs_sociology at 6:12 PM
2 Comments:
I think that it should be legalized but only in cases such as cancer and other painful, and life threatening diseases. The only con i see from legalizing it would be if it fell into the wrong hands.
I also think that it should be legalzied, but only to medical phsyicians and people certified to use it. As well only used when it is absolutely needed it a given situation. One con i see is that it different may react to it differently, which could make a surgery worse in some cases.
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