UOG STUDENTS, DOCTORS DEBATE MEDICAL MARIJUANA

University of Guam students took on a hotly debated public policy
issue last night at a forum that discussed legalizing medical marijuana.

"Higher Education -- Going Green in Medicine," sponsored by the
University of Guam Masters of Public Administration program,
presented a community discussion on medical marijuana at the Guam
Legislature. The discussion included public health experts, including
Dr. Chris Dombrowski, who spoke about some of the drug's benefits,
Mark Cain, a registered nurse and former public safety officer, Dr.
Arnold Wax and Dr. Thomas Shieh, who participated via Skype from
Hawaii, as well as Sen. Rory Respicio.

In June, Respicio introduced Bill 423, "The Compassionate Health Care
Act of 2010," which is meant to help people who are suffering from
debilitating, chronic and painful illnesses and conditions. According
to the bill, licensed physicians authorized to recommend and
prescribe medicinal marijuana would have patients who are certified
as having a debilitating medical condition register with the
Department of Public Health and Social Services.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration categorizes marijuana as a
Schedule I substance, which means it has a high potential for abuse.

The discussion touched on topics such as whether the decision to
legalize medical marijuana should be based on medical science, or
made by elected officials or criminal justice officials.

For some of the several dozen participants, many of whom were
students from the University of Guam, the forum presented an
opportunity to hear discussion points on a controversial issue.

University of Guam student Iumi Mori, originally from Chuuk, said she
had never considered the medical uses of the drug. And although
marijuana isn't regulated in her home state, she said the substance
can often exacerbate problems like crime.

She said she would be open to a medical marijuana law, but was
concerned about how it would be regulated once people were given
access to the drug.

For Dededo resident Roque Blas, the medical marijuana issue hits
closer to home. Decked out in a shirt with a glowing cannabis leaf
T-shirt, Blas said that seeing his wife struggle with the side
effects of chemotherapy while undergoing treatment for breast cancer
made him support the bill.

"Marijuana to me, could have helped my wife," said Blas. He said his
wife is recovering from cancer.