DOCTOR KNOWS BEST

When legalization of medical marijuana hit the state House of
Representatives last year, opponents tried to make it seem like
doctors were largely indifferent, or even hostile, to the idea. After
all, they argued, not a single doctor bothered to back the bill at the
public hearing.

So this year, activists took care to remedy their tactical mistake --
at a public hearing on medical marijuana Monday, they presented a
petition signed by over 500 in-state doctors in support of legalizing
the treatment. In addition, two licensed Connecticut doctors appeared
to testify in front of the Judiciary Committee.

One of those physicians, Dr. David Simon, submitted testimony that
debunked many of the arguments raised against the idea last year. Some
legislators tried to argue that Marinol, a pharmaceutical form of
marijuana, makes inhaled herbal pot unnecessary for cancer patients.
However, according to Simon, inhaled marijuana is much more effective
at fighting anorexia and vomiting than the pill. Other prescription
medications that fight the horrific effects of cancer chemotherapy are
much too expensive, Simon says. Some hospitals have even removed those
drugs from their chemotherapy formularies because of the cost, Simon
says.

Dr. Nancy Sheehan of the UConn Student Health Services in Storrs
recounted her own story about her husband, Jim Wolfe, who died of
colon cancer a year and a half ago. Sheehan says that no other
prescription drugs made a dent in her husband's pain. But when he
smoked marijuana, Sheehan says, he could get off the couch, eat, and
attain a modicum of normalcy. "It changed his life," she says.

The proposed legislation would make it possible for doctors to
recommend marijuana to their patients. Those patients could then
register with the state, and if cops ever decide to play tough guy and
arrest a chemo patient, the courts would be obliged to dismiss their
case.