What the Candidates Think
Scott Brown: “Listen, I feel for anybody who’s suffering. And if there’s something like that that can relieve that suffering, I’m in favor of it. The problem I have with this particular bill — I believe it’s too broad.” (Jim & Margery, WTKK-FM, 9/14/12.)
Elizabeth Warren: “You know, I held my father’s hand while he died of cancer, and it’s really painful when you do something like that up close and personal.... [I]f there’s something a physician can provide that can help someone who’s suffering, I’m in favor of that.” (Jim & Margery, WTKK-FM, 9/24/12, via Huffington Post.)
Deval Patrick: “I don’t have a lot of enthusiasm for the medical marijuana.” (Jim & Margery, WTKK-FM, 9/27/12, via the Boston Globe.)
Medical marijuana is currently legal in 17 states and the District of Columbia. (ProCon.org)
Think More About It
In 1999, a report by the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies found that marijuana helps alleviate symptoms of many illnesses — but that legal drugs are often more effective.
In 2006, the Food and Drug Administration concluded that “no sound scientific studies” have established medical marijuana’s efficacy.
The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws says researchers have established cannabis’ efficacy in treating a wide range of ailments, including ALS, HIV and Tourette’s.
