MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Voters in seven states, including Arizona, have passed laws allowing the
use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. Still, unrelenting federal
opposition continues to prohibit the use of marijuana for reducing pain,
nausea and vomiting.

That opposition continues, despite indications that dire forecasts are not
coming true for a surge in the use of marijuana. In Washington state, 59
percent of the voters a year ago approved a medical marijuana law.
Physicians and law enforcement officials are developing guidelines for
marijuana's use and to clarify a vague provision in the law that restricts
patients to a 60-day supply - whatever that means.

Some patients are taking the drug - but they are cautious to avoid possible
prosecution by withholding their names from news stories. And doctors still
have legal concerns because of the federal Drug Enforcement
Administration's threat to rescind the right of doctors to prescribe other
drugs if they prescribe marijuana.

In Arizona, that fear of the DEA means no doctor has prescribed marijuana
even though voters approved the law three years ago. Public support for
medical marijuana remains strong in Arizona - in a survey earlier this
year, 66 percent opposed revoking the licenses of doctors who prescribe
marijuana.

The federal government's obstruction of state laws continues despite the
finding of a national panel of medical experts in March that marijuana has
medical benefits for people suffering from cancer and AIDS. In its report,
the Institute of Medicine said the chemicals in marijuana can ease anxiety,
stimulate the appetite, ease pain and reduce nausea.

The states clearly are passing medical marijuana laws that are responsible
and that have built-in safeguards. Now it is time for the federal
government to ease up on its unrelenting opposition. It is time for the
federal government to quit thwarting the will of the states' voters.

The editorials in The Arizona Daily Star express the opinion of the paper.
That point of view is determined by the editorial board, which is composed
of Jane Amari, James Kiser, Steve Auslander, Judy Donovan, Margo Hernandez,
Mark Muro, Adele Ross and David Fitzsimmons. Editorials are written by
members of the board. The Star maintains a separation between the editorial
pages, which include commentary and opinion, and the news pages, which do not.