From: [C upi] at [clari.net] (UPI)
Newsgroups: clari.tw.health.aids,clari.usa.gov.state+local,clari.news.alcohol+drugs
Subject: Doctors say yes to medical marijuana
Keywords: legal, criminal proceedings, illegal drugs, US government,
        state government, health, aids
Organization: Copyright 1996 by United Press International
Date: Thu, 8 Aug 1996 16:30:46 PDT
                                         
        SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 8 (UPI) -- The San Francisco Medical Society  
endorsed a controversial ballot initiative Thursday to legalize 
marijuana for medical uses. 
        The group, which represents about 2,200 doctors in San Francisco,  
announced its support for Proposition 215 just four days after state law 
enforcement closed down San Francisco's Cannabis Buyer's Club, which 
provided marijuana to people with AIDS, cancer and other diseases. 
        Additionally, the California Academy of Family Physicians,  
representing about 7,500 doctors, joined the society in its endorsement 
Wednesday. 
        The initiative would allow doctors to prescribe marijuana and enable  
patients to pick it up at the drug store along with other legal 
medicines. 
        However, Gov. Pete Wilson and California Attorney General Dan Lungren  
oppose the initiative because they believe it would make it easier for 
healthy people to obtain and abuse marijuana. 
        San Francisco Medical Society President Dr. Toni J. Brayer said the  
society based its decision on the results of an opinion poll of doctors 
who treat AIDS and cancer patients as well as drug addicts. 
        The doctors surveyed reportedly told the society that they believed  
legalizing marijuana was a good idea because it was a useful drug for 
some patients despite the moderate risk of addiction. 
        ``This initiative is an important one...it will protect our patients,  
'' Brayer said. ``What we want to do as physicians is to relieve pain 
and suffering.'' 
        Since marijuana is an illegal drug in the United States, doctors have  
not been able to legally prescribe or scientifically test it, but sick 
people who have used the drug testify that it restores their apetite 
        The society is also urging clinical testing of the drug, so that  
scientific data may be generated on its effectiveness in treating sick 
people.