Medical Opinion

American Demographics, June 1, 2003 by Pamela Paul

Byline: PAMELA PAUL

The area most open to a liberalization of drug laws is the therapeutic use of marijuana. According to an October 2002 Time/CNN poll, the vast majority of Americans (80 percent) believe adults should be allowed to use marijuana for medicinal purposes. The support level has increased greatly in recent years. In a 2001 poll for the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press, in response to the question "Regardless of what you think about the personal non-medical use of marijuana, do you think doctors should or should not be allowed to prescribe marijuana for medical purposes to treat their patients?" 73 percent said they should. In a 1997 poll for the Lindesmith Center, 60 percent favored "allowing doctors to prescribe marijuana for medicinal purposes for seriously or terminally ill patients." The inclusion of specific language - particularly "prescribed" or "supported by" a physician, and "seriously ill" or "terminally ill" patient - likely played a role in the level of support.

Because laws on medical marijuana use are being tested on a state-by-state basis, many organizations have conducted research in individual states. In Maryland, for example, a 1999 poll found that 73 percent of residents were in favor of medical use of marijuana when prescribed by a physician, even as 75 percent opposed general legalization of the drug. In Wisconsin, a 2002 survey of 600 residents conducted by Chamberlain Research Consultants found 80 percent favored a law that would "allow seriously ill or terminally ill patients to use marijuana for medical purposes if supported by their physician."

MEDS, PLEASE

Majorities in many states approve of ballot measures that decriminalize growing and using marijuana for medicinal purposes.

"SUPPOSE AN INITIATIVE IS PLACED ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT THAT WOULD REMOVE THE THREAT OF ARREST AND ALL OTHER PENALTIES FOR SERIOUSLY ILL PATIENTS WHO USE AND GROW THEIR OWN MEDICAL MARIJUANA WITH THE APPROVAL OF THEIR PHYSICIANS. WHAT IS YOUR LEVEL OF SUPPORT FOR THIS BALLOT MEASURE?"