POT USE THREATENS TRANSPLANT

I am scheduled at Oregon Health & Science University for a liver
transplant evaluation, as I have advanced uncompensated liver
disease. Although I remain quite hopeful, I anticipate being denied a
transplant, based purely on my use of medicinal marijuana, regardless
of my legal standing as an Oregon Medical Marijuana Program patient cardholder.

The Bush administration, specifically through former Attorney General
John Ashcroft, has clearly stated the intention to target doctors
involved with the OMMP on any level. Further complicating the issue,
the Veterans Administration handles all post-transplant care for OHSU
organ recipients, which I presume is a contracted service.

Cannabis reduces my back pain (from an earlier surgery), fights my
depression (a hepatic symptom) and helps to overcome lack of appetite
and insomnia (both also hepatic symptoms).

So if I am denied, my government is going to just let me die a slow,
painful, expensive death, which may have been preventable. It seems
to me there are only two logical opinions:

1) Cannabis is indeed a legally prescribed medication in Oregon,
ergo, no problem, or

2) Cannabis is indeed an illicit drug, making me an addict, an
illness that conforms to the Americans with Disabilities Act. To deny
me a transplant would be in violation of that federal mandate. The
Transplant Department at OHSU needs to pick one. I do not know this
as a fact, but its charter may depend on it.

BERNARD ZOLOTH

Eugene