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Medical Marijuana Should Be Considered

February 10, 2005 Alabama could join a growing number of states
examining alternatives to traditional medications if a state
legislator introduces a medical marijuana bill this session.

Rep. Laura Hall, D- Madison, said she plans to announce on Feb. 17
that the Compassionate Use Act for Medical Marijuana will be part of
her legislative agenda.

The bill, still in draft form, will be similar to legislation passed
in states like California, where marijuana use is legal when
prescribed by a physician for patients with certain ailments.

"It would have to be disease-specific," Hall said. "We're really a
very conservative state. It would certainly not be anything
outlandish."

A Mobile Register-University of South Alabama poll showed that 75
percent of 417 respondents supported the idea of medical marijuana if
used under a doctor's supervision.

We hope state legislators are as open-minded about the issue as the
Alabamians polled.

The government-funded Institute of Medicine has acknowledged the
benefits of THC (marijuana's primary active ingredient), and it seems
to be a viable alternative to highly addictive medications like
hydrocodine and Oxycontin.

Smoking marijuana does come with its own health risks (largely from
the smoke itself), but so does every other medication known to man. A
competent physician can determine if the risks are worthwhile.

Legislators should leave the medicine to the doctors.