HEARING PROCESS MUST BEGIN NOW

To the Editor:

Your column ("Brave call on marijuana from Carroll, Pennacchio," Fred
Snowflack column, Feb. 25) in support of the medical marijuana
legislation which passed the Senate on Feb. 23 highlights the need
for the Assembly Health Committee to post Assembly Bill No. 804, the
Compassionate Use Act, for a hearing as soon as possible. Seriously
ill people in New Jersey can't wait any longer for the Assembly to
move this important bill to the governor's desk.

Each year thousands of New Jerseyans are diagnosed with life
threatening illnesses such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, and multiple
sclerosis. The symptoms and suffering caused by these illnesses can
be devastating; especially when for some patients, currently
available medicines do not offer relief. For these patients, medical
marijuana may offer hope for relief from terrible symptoms such as
pain, nausea, loss of appetite and wasting.

The effectiveness of medical marijuana in relieving such symptoms was
confirmed by a 1999 study by Congressionally chartered Institute of
Medicine. Allowing patients access to medical marijuana has been
endorsed by numerous medical and professional organizations
nationally, and in the state of New Jersey, by groups including the
New Jersey State Nurses Association, New Jersey Academy of Family
Physicians, New Jersey League for Nursing, New Jersey Hospice and
Palliative Care Organization, and the New Jersey chapters of the
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

A 2006 poll also found that 86 percent of New Jerseyans support
allowing access to medical marijuana.

Compassion and common sense dictate that doctors be allowed to
recommend, and patients be allowed to access, the medicine best able
to relieve suffering and improve quality of life.

Meagan Johnson Policy Coordinator, Drug Policy Alliance

New Jersey