POLITICS AND MARIJUANA'S PROMISE

"AIDS Wasting Syndrome," a particularly gruesome symptom of the
disease, destroys the appetite or prevents the absorption of
nutrients, so that victims appear to be starving to death.

Smoking marijuana, though hardly a miracle cure, can provide some
relief, mainly by boosting appetite. Yet an irrational and inhumane
federal prohibition prevents those afflicted with AIDS and other
devastating chronic diseases from availing themselves of the relief
marijuana might bring.

A carefully worded report released Wednesday by the Institute of
Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences endorsed the use of
marijuana for treating the pain and nausea associated with some
serious ailments, including AIDS Wasting Syndrome.

This comprehensive study was commissioned by federal drug czar Gen.
Barry R. McCaffrey, who so far has committed only to take its
recommendations "under advisement."

A likely translation of that is that the federal ban will stay in
place--and to hell with data, researchers and, apparently, the
thousands of suffering people who could benefit from prescribed use of
marijuana.

Aware of the political static surrounding the topic, the NAS
researchers stressed that legalizing marijuana for medical purposes
would not increase its use among the general population, and that it
is not a gateway drug that leads to addiction to harder and more
dangerous substances.

There is no doubt that marijuana can be addictive, but so can a number
of medications--such as morphine--which are nevertheless prescribed
and administered routinely in cases of extreme pain or suffering.

What is so specifically menacing about marijuana, except politicians'
fears that any support for lifting the ban might be perceived as being
"soft on drugs"?

Voters in seven states have approved the medical use of marijuana, but
doctors still won't prescribe it for fear of federal
prosecution.

Last November voters in the District of Columbia attempted to express
their views in a referendum, but Congress intervened and prevented
even a vote count.

The legalization of controlled, medical use of marijuana calls for
courageous political leadership, above the din of anti-drug
demagoguery. Is there such a leader in Washington?