MED MARIJUANA OK, SAYS TMA

On May 14, during its annual state convention, the Texas Medical
Association unanimously - and without discussion - adopted a new
policy recommendation supporting the right of doctors and patients to
discuss medical marijuana as a viable treatment option, without fear
of recrimination by authorities. The TMA delegates also reaffirmed the
association's call for further research on medicinal marijuana,
"including well-controlled studies in patients who have serious
pain-related conditions," according to the report of the TMA's Council
on Scientific Affairs, which was approved by the TMA delegates.
"Paramount is support for physicians to discuss with patients any
treatment option available and to do so without recrimination for the
physician and/or patient."

Noelle Davis, executive director of the fledgling group Texans for
Medical Marijuana, was thrilled. "The most important thing is that
they acknowledge that marijuana is a viable treatment option," she
said. "This is most important because the federal government says that
medical marijuana is a cruel hoax. So when this body passes [this
recommendation] without a peep, that tells me it is a viable option."

The quickly adopted policy recommendation wasn't really a surprise,
says TMA spokesman Brent Annear, because doctors "vehemently" protect
their right to discuss any topic of importance to their patients.
"It's really a patient's free speech issue," he said. Still, approval
by the nearly 40,000 member group - the country's largest and,
arguably, most powerful state medical association - could be
politically potent ammunition for TMM as it pushes for the passage of
a state law protecting medical marijuana patients. "This is absolutely
a step in the right direction," Davis said.