AN IRRATIONAL REACTION TO MEDICAL MARIJUANA

The Bush administration has taken a reactionary and extreme stand against
doctors who tell seriously ill patients that the medical use of marijuana
might benefit them.

According to the Associated Press, Solicitor General Theodore Olson has
urged the Supreme Court to take prescription licenses away from physicians
who recommend marijuana to patients.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals earlier ruled that doctors should be
able to give frank medical advice to patients without being punished by the
government as long as they don't help patients get the drug.

Olson argued that recommending marijuana to patients is the same as
recommending heroin or LSD, the AP reported.

That ludicrous stance illustrates the silliness surrounding the debate over
medical marijuana use.

Nine states have laws allowing medical marijuana use, despite federal
prohibitions.

The jury is still out on the medical benefits of marijuana, but the debate
is taking place on an irrational emotional level.

For a solicitor general to become so involved is ironic in an
administration that claims to value states' rights.

The Supreme Court should let the 9th Court of Appeals ruling stand. But,
regardless of the high court's decision, hyperbolic rhetoric such as
Olson's serves no constructive purpose.