THE CAPITAL TIMES

Monday, Sept. 27, 1993

Even as his health care reform plan goes to Congress, there's one more thing President Clinton can do to improve the quality of medical care for Thousands of Americans:

He can ease the federal government's long-standing prohibition on the medical use of marijuana.

Next week, U.S. Justice Department attorneys are scheduled to appear in federal court to defend that policy - even as some members of Clinton's own administration are questioning it.

The policy has been challenged by cancer patients, AIDS patients, and glaucoma sufferers, but so far only a handful of people in the U.S. have received federal permission to use the drug.

The policy has forced many otherwise law-abiding citizens to turn to illegal sources to obtain the relief marijuana provides. Some have gone to jail because of their need for the drug.

The president need not legalize or decriminalize marijuana just to make it available for medical use, as some fear. As with heroin or cocaine, the government could permit its experimental use only in a medical setting under the direct supervision of a doctor.

Clinton should heed the advice of Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders, who told the Associated Press last year, "If you have people with terminal illnesses and something of that sort, and (marijuana) makes their lives better and their doctors feel it would benefic them... then is should be available."