A FRIEND WITH WEED IS A NEED INDEED; LOOKING AT MEDICINAL MARIJUANA

While cruising the Associated Press wire on Monday, I found an article that
got my attention.

A bill was introduced into the Alabama Legislature that would lead to the
legalization of possessing small amounts of marijuana for medicinal purposes.

I think this bill is great, but don't misunderstand me. I am not advocating
the complete legalization of marijuana, only use for medical purposes.

Granted, some people will get the prescription, and turn around and sell
it, but they will be a minority.

Besides, if the government is that paranoid, the patient could be required
to get a permit stating an amount they are allowed to carry. If someone is
in possession of marijuana and does not have a permit, or is carrying more
than the permit allows, that person goes to jail. Also, anyone with a
prescription who does not fill it at a designated pharmacy would also go to
jail.

Now, some people have doubts about the medicinal properties of marijuana. I
have read some of the literature on both sides of the argument, and all I
can say is both sides are well-argued, and there is no clear winner.

I have also consulted a few friends who know what marijuana can do to your
body, and they tell me it will increase appetite. That is good for people
going through chemotherapy who lose their appetite. As far as the pain
relief, they weren't too sure about that, but they said they always felt
good while they were high.

The biggest reason I support it, though, is that from what my friends tell
me, marijuana is much cheaper than prescription drugs. If someone is
starving or in pain, the last thing they should be worrying about is money.