MEDICAL MARIJUANA MAKES SENSE

With the introduction of legislation by Assembly
Health Committee Chairman Richard Gottfried, New York state is looking
to join California, Oregon, Washington and a handful of other states
that allow the use of marijuana by medical prescription.

Two local men are among a group of patients and advocates who lobbied
the Senate with Gottfried on Tuesday to seek approval of Gottfried's
bill. They and others argue that marijuana can alleviate some pain,
nausea, anxiety and a host of other symptoms better than any
conventional medicine available, and many doctors have echoed these
sentiments.

Any time you talk about allowing people access to an illegal
substance, questions about health and safety have to be answered first
and foremost.

The bill before the Senate would limit marijuana access to patients
with serious, life-threatening conditions whose doctors prescribed its
use.

Under current laws, highly addictive substances such as morphine and
even cocaine can be prescribed by doctors. These substances continue
to be used because they can alleviate or prevent pain and suffering.

If marijuana can do the same without the high danger of addiction,
don't we owe it to New Yorkers to let them seek the relief they need?