LOCAL VIEWS ARE STRONG ON BOTH SIDES OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA DEBATE

When Lori began chemotherapy and radiation treatment for cancer 20
years ago, she quickly recalibrated her gauge of what it meant to be
nauseous. Diagnosed with Hodgkin's Disease at the age of 28, doctors
told her that chances for a recovery were good if she completed an
aggressive course of chemo and radiation. But treatment left her
profoundly ill and, at the time, the choice of anti-nausea
medication was limited.

"It wasn't like the flu," said the Salem resident who works in Lynn.
"You feel it from the tips of your toes, this wrenching sense from
your body that there is something it needs to get out."

So Lori, who asked to be identified by first name only, at the
advice - if not perhaps recommendation - of her doctors, began
smoking marijuana. The decision put her at risk of prosecution,
since marijuana is classified as a Schedule One drug under the
federal Controlled Substances Act of 1970, putting it in the same
legal category as heroin and LSD. Her parents were not happy about
Loris decision, but she nevertheless bought and smoked cannabis for
nearly a year and a half during her treatment, using it to
control nausea and anxiety.

"I was aware of the risks, but I almost felt I had the right.

As bad as it sometimes got, I felt if I was fighting cancer and I
had an option available to me, I should be allowed to use it," she
said. "I don't smoke pot any more, I haven't for years.

But the way this nausea was, if my doctor had told me to go home and
stand on my head for four hours a day, I would have. I would have
done anything to make it go away."

Outlawed In 1937

Marijuana has been used medicinally for over 2,000
years to treat gastrointestinal disorders, insomnia, headaches and
pain. Although once a popular medicine in America, it had fallen out
of popular use by the time it was effectively outlawed in 1937 by
the Marihuana Tax Act. Though the federal government does not, and
never has, recognized legitimate medical uses for marijuana,
competing claims regarding the use of cannabis in a
medicinal context continue.

And, though the issue remains contentious, there is an increasing
effort among some to change the current public perception of its
potential for legitimate medical use. Lori is one of many former or
current users of marijuana in Massachusetts who either support or
actively advocate for reform of drug policy in Massachusetts.

In spite of a June 8 U.S. Supreme Court decision banning possession
and use of marijuana even in states that have legalized production
and consumption for medical purposes, bills are before both the
state House of Representatives and the Senate seeking the
legalization of the medical use of marijuana, and local lawmakers
are associated with both, spearheading them in some cases.
Where lawmakers stand State Sen. Thomas McGee, D-Lynn, sponsored
Senate bill 998 - which would protect patients and caregivers from
arrest on possession of small quantities of marijuana intended for
medical use - and Peabody Representative Joyce Spiliotis is a listed
supporter of the house equivalent. The Senate Judiciary Committee
heard testimony on McGee's bill earlier this month, although no
report has been issued.

The Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse also heard
testimony Monday on Senate bill 1151, sponsored by the late Senator
Charles Shannon, that would decriminalize possession of less than an
ounce of marijuana - making the offense punishable on first offense
by a $100 fine. Similar bills were offered in 2001 and 2003,but
never made it out of committee. Advocates for legalizing medicinal
marijuana see some hope for this year's legislative session,
however, with Massachusetts voters showing strong support for the
issue in November 2004, when the Massachusetts Cannabis Reform
Coalition was able to place non-binding ballot questions in seven
Representative and three Senate districts across the state.

Voter response in those districts tended to support legalization by
more than 2 to 1 in favor. Doctor voices support

Some health care professionals are also beginning to lend support to
the legalization effort.

Dr. Joel Schwartz, director of oncology services at North Shore
Medical Center's Cancer Center, said he and most of his colleagues
in his practice would like to see the option available. "Would
I like to see it legalized for medical use? Yes, I would.

It's always a trial and error thing when combating nausea, and there
are some patients who don't respond to conventional drugs, but do
respond to this," said Schwarz. "If we can have that in our armament
of drugs to use against nausea and vomiting, I think that is a good
argument for its legalization. Let alone its other medical
applications, like the treatment of glaucoma." On a state level, 33
states and the District of Columbia have legislation on the books
allowing for medical use of marijuana.

Massachusetts enacted legislation in the early 1990s creating a
therapeutic research program within the Department of Public Health,
but has never been able to implement research.

The law requires the state to procure its marijuana from a recognized
and legal supplier - namely the federal government, which has
declined to provide Massachusetts with an ounce. If he
sees potential in legalization, Schwartz doesn't view marijuana a
panacea. Despite being able to offer patients Marinol - a synthetic
version of THC, the primary active chemical in marijuana - he
generally does not prescribe it to older patients, who tend to
dislike how it makes them feel. And conventional anti-nausea
medication has come a long way, he said, in both variety
and effectiveness, changing the nature of the debate from when Lori
was turning to marijuana to cope with the side effects of chemo. "I
can remember giving this interview in Worcester 20 years ago. The
main difference today is the number of anti-nausea drugs that have
come out in the last 20 years is enormous," Schwartz said.

And some patients who look outside the boundaries of conventional
Western medicine still stop short of marijuana.

Patient Opposes Pot

Nina Vickers, a Salem resident, has fought
cancer since the late 1960s, when a doctor told her she had six
weeks to live. Her regimen has included surgery, chemo, radiation,
Chinese medicine and massage, acupuncture, herbal remedies, positive
visualization and a host of non-traditional treatments. It has not,
however, included marijuana.

"Everything I do is geared toward building my health and, to me,
smoking marijuana runs contrary to that process," said Vickers.
"Sure, it eliminates the symptoms and the discomfort. But the
purpose of pain is to force you to go to any lengths you can to find
a cure. I'm out to solve the problems, not treat the symptoms."

Still, at least in the Northeast, Schwartz said he is probably among
the majority of health care professionals in favor of medicinal marijuana.

And Lori said she has no qualms about mentioning marijuana to
friends or family coping with cancer, despite the legal risks and
stigma illegal drug usage carries. "Absolutely, I would recommend
it. I have. There have been friends or family members who have (been
in similar situations) and I've told them 'Just smoke, you'll feel
better,'" she said. "I know the courts see it more in black or white
- - either you break the law or you don't. But when it means dealing
with cancer, and dealing with the nausea, the decision is different."