Mary Lynn Mathre, a registered nurse with University Hospital's addiction-treatment services department, confirmed marijuana is an effective drug for treating many sicknesses, including nausea, body spasms, headaches, depression and glaucoma. It has a very wide margin of safety. But she said marijuana's health-treatment effectiveness, like all drugs, varies for different people. Mathre said the Virginia Nurses Association passed a resolution in October 1994 advocating marijuana's medical use. In its official policy statement, the organization believes the government refrains from conducting enough research because marijuana is illegal.
Members meet once a week to keep up to date about legislation and information.
As president, Rivera said he keeps members abreast of bills. It is finding out if there is an issue right now that I should be concerned about and that the chapter should be concerned about. They send us a packet of information, including bills before Congress, changes in regulation, events and fact sheets. But he said he emphasizes people have a right to freedom of speech and encourages people to speak out about their beliefs. There really hasn't been a major social change in this country without people going out on a limb.