LET DESPERATE PATIENTS HAVE POT

A doctor should be able to recommend marijuana to a Wisconsin cancer
patient suffering from severe nausea, loss of appetite and pain.

More than a dozen other states have legalized medical marijuana.

Wisconsin should, too.

Opponents say there's not enough evidence marijuana works. Tell that
to the cancer and multiple sclerosis patients who swear by it - and
to the doctors who have recommended the drug.

The problem is that the government hasn't allowed comprehensive tests.

The American Medical Association last week called on the federal
government to review its classification of marijuana as a controlled
substance so more research on marijuana-based medicines can occur.

Doctors already legally prescribe morphine and OxyContin. Marijuana
is less potent than those drugs. And the public increasingly supports
letting doctors prescribe marijuana to terribly ill patients.

Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Madison, and Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Waunakee, are
sponsoring a bill in the Legislature to let doctors do just that.

Assembly Bill 554 would create a state registry for medical users of
marijuana, require a fee and distribute annual ID cards.

One provision in the bill deserving careful review is permission for
patients to grow their own marijuana at home.

If that's too ripe for abuse, a drug company could grow the drug and
dispense it through medical professionals or pharmacies.

Gov. Jim Doyle announced his support for legalizing medical marijuana
last month after the Obama administration issued guidelines for
federal prosecutors discouraging the arrest of users and suppliers
who conform to state laws.

The Legislature should send Doyle a carefully-crafted bill to sign
before it adjourns next year.

Desperate patients suffering from terrible nausea and pain shouldn't
have to wait any longer - or risk criminal prosecution - for medicine
their doctors say they need.