PUBLIC SUPPORTS MEDICAL USE OF MARIJUANA

A new poll taken in Maryland Jan. 9-12 underlines what many of us
knew already: The public supports the right of patients to use
marijuana for medical purposes, and legislators can act to protect
patients without risking trouble at election time.

The poll, conducted by Gonzales/Arscott Research and Communications,
found that 37 percent of Maryland voters would be more likely to vote
for a candidate who supports protecting medical marijuana patients
while only 18 percent would be less likely to support such a
candidate. Forty percent said a candidate's position on the issue
would have no effect. Men, women, whites, blacks, Democrats,
Republicans and independents all said they would be more likely to
vote for a candidate who supports protecting medical marijuana
patients.

This jibes with everything we know about voter sentiment on medical
marijuana. In every state where protection for patients has been on
the ballot, it has passed by a large margin. Local, state and
national polls have consistently shown strong public support.

Maryland legislators will soon get another chance to protect patients
who need marijuana to relieve symptoms associated with cancer,
multiple sclerosis, AIDS and other terrible illnesses. Now that they
know they have nothing to fear, one can only hope they will do the
right thing.

Bruce Mirken