MEDICAL MARIJUANA

A bill that would remove criminal penalties for the possession and use
of marijuana for people with certain medical conditions is being
considered in the Alabama Legislature. Thirteen states already have
similar laws, and a poll by the Mobile Press-Register and The
University of South Alabama found that 75 percent of Alabamians
support such a law.

What are the risks of enacting such a law? Have the states with
medical marijuana laws seen increases in teen use of marijuana or
increased use in adults? Have these states seen a jump in crime? Have
they seen an increase in traffic accidents caused by intoxicated
medical marijuana patients? Does the use of marijuana by seriously ill
patients pose a threat to society? No.

If your mother, wife or daughter is dying from cancer and in
consultation with her doctor decides to try marijuana to help relieve
the effects of chemotherapy, should she be arrested? Is it the
government's business what treatment she pursues?

It's time we in Alabama stop arresting seriously ill and dying people
who pose a threat to no one for trying to get a little relief from
their condition.

Gil Joiner

Gulf Shores