The Arizona law allows doctors to prescribe marijuana if two doctors agree, and lessens penalties for first-time drug offenders. He'll be telling that to a judge, since the challenge is headed for court. Courts in Washington, Florida, Idaho and the District of Columbia have recognized medical defenses in some marijuana possession cases. Ohio passed a law in 1995 recognizing medical use of marijuana as a defense against drug possession. Pot has been used, illegally of course, to ease eye pressure in glaucoma patients, nausea in patients undergoing chemotherapy and to stimulate appetites in AIDS patients.
Some people say it works.
Some say it doesn't. The FDA continues to provide monthly allotments of marijuana to eight people through the program, and will continue, at taxpayer expense, for as long as they live. Because, for a while, at least, it was willing to believe patients' claims that marijuana eased their pain and discomfort when nothing else helped. Last week's action is merely the latest example of how political hysterics of the war on drugs cloud the issues, thwart research and keep rational people from finding the truth. It reminds me of the case of Michael Maynard, the Bloom Township High School teacher who was fired a year ago for a minor pot possession charge 20 years ago.