WNA SUPPORTS USE OF MEDICAL CANNABIS

Editor: Regarding Ann Ruesch's letter saluting nurses and a week set aside
to honor them, National Nurses Week celebrated May 6-12 (Marshfield
News-Herald, May 1), I would like to take a moment to offer my thanks and
appreciation to the nursing profession and state nurses organizations.

In 1999, the Wisconsin Nurses Association (WNA) passed a resolution
supporting giving patients legal access to medical marijuana and urging,
"the Governor of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Legislature to move
expeditiously to make cannabis available as a legally prescribed medicine
where shown to be safe and effective." When Wisconsin lawmakers introduced
a medical marijuana bill in late 2001, the WNA issued a press release
stating "It is the position of the WNA that advocacy for this issue needs
to occur, and that it is difficult for RN's to remain silent while
seriously ill patients are denied access to an effective medical treatment."

The WNA is not alone in their support for medical cannabis.The Nurses
Organizations of California, Hawaii, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York,
North Carolina, Virginia and the National Nurses Society on Addictions are
all listed on the group, Patients Out Of Time's list of "Organizations in
Support of Therapeutic Cannabis" at http:MedicalCannabis.com/Grouplist23.pdf.

Thank you nurses, for having the courage and integrity to stand up for
what's best for your patients. Now only if state lawmakers could
demonstrate the same integrity by passing a medical marijuana bill this
session.

Gary Storck

Madison