Pubdate: Tue, 30 Nov 2010 Source: Star-News (Wilmington, NC) Copyright: 2010 Wilmington Morning Star Contact: http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/submit01 Website: http://www.starnewsonline.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/500 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v10/n989/a03.html Author: Bryan Cruse MEDICINAL MARIJUANA, OUR ESCAPE FROM THIS ECONOMY For the past while, I've wondered something. With our economy in such poor shape, why have we not legalized and capitalized on the medicinal use of marijuana. It's incredulous to me, because it would help people with debilitating illnesses, and government taxes would help everyone. The medicinal marijuana industry is yet to be tapped, and when it is it will flow and flow. Critics will say smoking marijuana is worse because of the actual smoke inhalation. That is responded with the fact you don't have to smoke marijuana to get the medicinal needs. Easily oils, butters, and edibles can be made. With those butters you can cook with it, thus no smoke. Its estimated that marijuana farmers make upwards of $80,000 annually, where medicinal marijuana is legal. Those jobs could help, they could change lives. When will congress put their pride on hold and allow us as Americans to overcome this economic state? Bryan Cruse Leland - --- MAP posted-by: Matt