BITTER PILL FOR PAIN SUFFERERS

The Tennessee legislature won't pass a law permitting medicinal use of
marijuana this year, but the beginning of a dialogue on the issue is a
healthy dose of progress in itself.

Most people know that the terminally ill can be relieved of pain by using
marijuana but almost no one wants to talk about it, not even at the
national level.

Except, of course, Sen. Steve Cohen, D-Memphis, who bravely introduced
legislation in the General Assembly this year. Cohen recently acknowledged
that while the bill couldn't pass, the introduction at least put the issue
before the public. He's proposing that a committee study the issue further
this summer.

The senator even predicts that within three years a measure that would
allow medicinal marijuana will pass in Tennessee. Only 10 other states have
passed laws to allow the use of the plant as medicine.

Knowing Tennessee's conservative nature, Cohen's estimate seems wildly
optimistic. Still, a study committee may be able to alleviate even more
fears about marijuana use as a pain reliever for the chronically and
terminally ill. It can clear up concerns about the law's conflict with the
Food and Drug Administration's opposition to marijuana use for medicinal
purposes.

Many studies have been performed over the years on the palliative effects
of marijuana. While the drug doesn't work for everyone, it clearly helps
some chronically ill people ease nausea and pain. Ideally, it should be
prescribed like any other pain-relieving control substance.

Against the odds, thousands of Tennesseans would suggest the issue is worth
the effort. Tennesseans may disagree about life and death issues, but they
should be able to agree that people with chronic illnesses need
pain-control options.