DOCTORS GROUP REJECTS POT PROPOSAL

CHICAGO -- A proposal to endorse the limited use of medical marijuana
for seriously ill patients was rejected at the American Medical
Association's annual meeting.

An AMA committee on Monday voted against the proposal and the group's
House of Delegates on Tuesday approved a revised policy that did not
support medical marijuana use.

Under the new policy, adopted without debate, the AMA endorses "the free
and unfettered exchange of information on treatment alternatives."

The previous policy simply endorsed additional research into its
effectiveness and safety of medical marijuana use.

The proposal to support some use of medical marijuana was put forth by
the AMA's Council on Scientific Affairs. Dr. Melvin Sterling, a member
of the council from Orange, Calif., told a committee Monday, "This
report is about the relief of suffering; it's not about getting high."

But others testified they were concerned that the AMA's endorsement
would have led to more widespread use of medical marijuana than the
proposal intended.

Also Tuesday, the 547 delegates approved a resolution calling on the AMA
to ask the Boy Scouts to reconsider its ban on homosexuals.

But the measure deleted language that said the Scouts' ban on gays risks
driving youngsters to suicide. The committee that heard the proposal
cited a lack of scientific testimony in doing so.

In other action Tuesday:

Delegates rejected lobbying for a ban on advertising prescription drugs
directly to consumers. They approved a resolution calling for such ads
to note that doctors might recommend a different drug.

Delegates agreed to form a committee to investigate a lawsuit filed by
Dr. E. Ratcliffe Anderson Jr., the AMA's chief executive officer. He
charges the AMA's board took away his power to fire the general counsel
after he complained the lawyer failed to exercise due diligence in the
sale of AMA property.

The AMA also, for the second year in a row, rejected a resolution asking
it to endorse a moratorium on executions. Opponents called it a legal
issue, not a medical one. The AMA did reaffirm its opposition to
physicians participating in executions.