MEDICINAL USE OF POT NEEDS STUDY

Although Nevadans on Nov. 7 voted overwhelmingly to amend the state
constitution to permit marijuana use for medicinal purposes, a decision we
supported, some health care professionals remain skeptical about the healing
powers of the controversial plant.

We hope those questions are answered by researchers at the University of
California, San Diego, who earlier this year established the nation's first
medicinal marijuana institute. As reported by the Associated Press, the
university's Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research plans to spend $9
million over the next three years to support testing of patients who use the
plant. The National Institutes of Health also intends to sponsor cannabis
research.

With an estimated 70 million Americans having admitted they have used
marijuana, there is a mountain of anecdotal evidence that the plant eases
the pain and suffering of individuals who suffer from cancer, glaucoma and
other maladies. Some AIDS patients in Las Vegas have reported that marijuana
stimulated weight gain.

The main stumbling block to distribution of the plant for medicinal purposes
has been opposition from the federal government and from law enforcement
agencies in individual states. But if the researchers confirm that the plant
relieves pain and stimulates appetite, we would urge the federal government
and law enforcement to withdraw their opposition to medical marijuana.

A confirmation of its medical benefits also would hopefully ease the
concerns of physicians, who must decide whether to prescribe the plant to
their patients. It does no good to pass medicinal marijuana laws if doctors
remain skittish.

That is why we encourage the researchers to include in their testing men and
women of all ages who suffer from a variety of ailments. Such broad and
thorough sampling hopefully would prevent skeptics from claiming that the
research was flawed.

If and when the time comes that marijuana clears all legal and medical
hurdles, we trust that the plant will be used responsibly by patients. They
will be the biggest losers if medicinal marijuana laws are abused.