HOUSE VOTES TO OPPOSE MEDICAL MARIJUANA USE

WASHINGTON - The House has overwhelmingly approved a resolution
declaring its unequivocal opposition to legalizing marijuana for
medicinal use on grounds that it is dangerous and addictive.

The 310-93 vote for the resolution - sponsored by Rep. Bill McCollum,
R-Fla. - is a response to 1996 ballot initiatives approved in
California and Arizona that allow physicians to prescribe marijuana to
treat symptoms of illnesses.

Similar initiatives are expected to be on the November ballot in
Alaska, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon and Washington, and possibly the
District of Columbia.

McCollum, who chairs the House Judiciary Committee's crime panel, said
Tuesday that state efforts to circumvent federal anti-drug laws are "a
backdoor way of legalizing marijuana."

"A tragic drug crisis is enveloping our youth," McCollum said, adding
that marijuana use among young people ages 12 to 17 rose 120 percent
from 1992 to 1997.

McCollum said, "Doctors and scientists with the greatest expertise
have determined that marijuana is not a medicine." He said regularly
smoking pot can be dangerous for people who are HIV-positive because
it weakens the body's natural immunities and can accelerate the onset
of AIDS.

But Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Los Angeles, said the resolution was a slap
at his state. He said supporters of the measure "think we should just
say no to sick and dying patients because it looks like we're getting
tough on drugs."

Some physicians and advocacy groups contend that marijuana, when
smoked, relieves symptoms of glaucoma; helps slow the wasting
condition associated with AIDS; relieves nausea and vomiting of cancer
patients; improves appetites in patients too sick to eat; and eases
neurological disorders.

Scientists, however, are divided over the medicinal value of marijuana
and are continuing to study it. The Food and Drug Administration has
rejected marijuana for medicinal use. The National Academy of Sciences
is expected to issue a report this winter on whether marijuana should
be used as medicine.

Because the resolution is nonbinding, it serves only as a
recommendation and does not have the force of law.

A vote is pending in the Senate.

1998 San Francisco Examiner Page A 10

Checked-by: Rich O'Grady