Science - Marijuana can use for Medical

Washington DC approves

medical use of marijuana

Washington: The District of Columbia Council approved a measure on Tuesday that would allow people with certain chronic illnesses to obtain medcertain chronic illnesses to obtain medical marijuana from a handful of dispensaries regulated bythe city.

         

           The 13-member Council voted unanimously to allow doctors to recommend marijuana for people who are infected with HIV, as well as people with glaucoma, cancer or a "chronic and lasting disease."

          The legislation permits Mayor Adrian M Fenty to establish up to eight dispensaries where patients could receive two ounces of marijuana a month. The measure gives the mayor the option of raising the amount to four ounces eith out further council action.

         Some doctors say marijuana helps relieve nausea, vomiting, certain AIDS symptoms and some side effects of chemotherapy. For glaucoma patents, the drug is believed to help lower eye pressure.

         The measure, which Fenty is expected to sign into law, thrusts the debate over medical marijuana into the hands of Congress and the White House, which must decide within 30 days whether to allow the city to proceed with the plan. To block the law from taking effect, the House and the Senate must pass a joint resolution and President Obama must approve it. If federal law makers do not intervene, Washington will join California and 13 other stated that allow residents to use marijuana for medical purposes.

       David A Catania, a sponsor of the measure, said he was confident it was "a thoughtful approach toward implementing a medical marijuana program that will be a model for other stated that will be defensible before Congress."