FORUM MARKS CONSTITUTION DAY

Experts Talk Medical Marijuana, Seizure Of Property

Members of the UA community discussed medicinal marijuana and the seizure
of private property Friday in observance of the first annual Constitution
Day, which is intended to spark discussion about the United States' charter.

Congress mandated that institutes of higher education commemorate Sept. 10,
the day the Constitution was signed, though the type of event is left to
the discretion of each institute.

Vijaya Sundar, chairwoman of the UA department of internal medicine, began
the forum with a discussion about the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes.

Sundar did not advocate or oppose the rehabilitive or somatic use of
marijuana, but she did say that the federal stranglehold on research could
hamper the beneficial effects of the drug.

"Marijuana has been used for 4,000 years for the treatment of illness.
There are

definite indications that cannabinoids can be used for medical treatment
purposes," Sundar said.

Cannabinoids have been used in the past because there was not a broad
spectrum of medicines to use to alleviate or treat illness, Sundar said.
Marijuana should be used as a last option, if at all, in the modern drug
environment because there are many alternatives, she said.

Opiates are commonly used to nullify pain, Sundar said.

Norvin Richards, a UA philosophy professor, talked about governmental
seizure of property. Discussion about the issue has increased since the
U.S. Supreme Court's 5-4 decision to uphold the eminent domain seizure of
property in New London, Conn., for private economic development.

Richards said the debate arising from the situation in New London was
controversial primarily because of a lack of understanding and media
grandstanding. Richards said it seems the Supreme Court upheld the
Constitution without bias.

"The Court transcends individuals," he said. "Personal morals should not be
involved in their decisions."

The town of New London condemned property in an economically blighted area
to establish housing, office buildings and a marina near a new Pfizer
plant. This court was charged to interpret the language of the Fifth
Amendment, which prohibits the seizure of property by government except for
public use and must provide just compensation, Richards said.

He said the discussed centers around the true value of the property and the
phrases "public use" and "just compensation."

The implications of the language "public use" clearly encompasses
stimulating the economy and creating jobs, Richards said.