MEDICAL MARIJUANA

In spite of enormous support from the medical community and the fact
that 12 states have passed laws protecting their seriously ill,
Georgia has yet to introduce legislation that would protect medical
marijuana patients from arrest.

I would like you to consider for a minute that a person dying of
cancer who uses medical marijuana to control nausea associated with
chemotherapy can be arrested and jailed in Georgia.

Leading medical organizations such as the American Nurses Association,
the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the American Academy of HIV Medicine,
the American Public Health Association, and the American Medical
Students Association support the medical use of marijuana.

Prominent medical figures such as former U.S. Surgeons General
Joycelyn Elders and Jesse L. Steinfeld recognize medical marijuana as
a legitimate medicine.

When they have their doctors' approval, patients should be able to use
medical marijuana without fear of arrest and imprisonment.

Ultimately, the decision of what medicine is best for an illness
should be left up to the patient and the doctor, not to the government.

Medical marijuana laws are sensible, compassionate, and supported by
people from all sides of the political spectrum. It is time for
Georgia to seriously consider introducing a medical marijuana bill.

Kevin Zelaya

Milledgeville