Two statewide medical societies, representing a combined total of almost 10,000 physicians, have endorsed a California ballot initiative to legalize marijuana for medical use (Proposition 215).
The San Francisco Medical Society (SFMS), which represents about 2,200 doctors in San Francisco, announced its support for Proposition 215 just four days after state law enforcement officers raided and closed down San Francisco’s Cannabis Buyers’ Club. They were joined in their endorsement by the California Academy of Family Physicians (CAFP), which represents approximately 7,500 physicians statewide.
San Francisco Medical Society President Dr. Toni J. Brayer said that the society based its decision on the results of an opinion poll of doctors who treat MDS and cancer patients as well as drug addicts. The doctors surveyed reportedly told the society that they believed legalizing marijuana for medical purposes was a good idea because it has therapeutic value to many seriously ill patients.
“This initiative is an important one. … It will protect our patients,” Bayer said. “What we want to do as physicians is to relieve pain and suffering.” The society also recommends clinical testing of marijuana as a medicine so that scientific data may be generated on its effectiveness in treating patients.
For more information, please contact Mark Capitolo of Californians for Medical Rights at (916) 457-5546 or Allen St. Pierre of NORML at (202) 483-5500.