South Carolina Medical Hemp Initiative

We, the undersigned citizens of South Carolina, hereby petition the
Governor and General Assembly of the State of South Carolina to
enact appropriate legislation to permit licensed physicians to
prescribe marijuana, and to ensure a safe and affordable supply of
marijuana for medical use.

WHEREAS, Scientific and medical studies by the National Academy of
Science have shown marijuana to be a safe and effective medicine
for the treatment of glaucoma, epilepsy, muscle spasticity,
arthritis, anxiety, depression, the symptoms of withdrawal from
alcohol and narcotics, and the nausea, vomiting and appetite loss
associated with chemotherapies; and

WHEREAS, The State of South Carolina legally recognized the
medicinal value of marijuana in 1980 (South Carolina Controlled
Substances Therapeutic Research Act of 1979); and

WHEREAS, South Carolina polls indicate that 71\% of respondents
believe drug abuse should be addressed with treatment rather than
incarceration (Global Strategy Group, 2002); and

WHEREAS, National polls indicate that at least 70\% of United States
citizens support medical marijuana when prescribed by a physician
(AARP, Time Magazine, Gallup); and

WHEREAS, The billions of dollars spent prosecuting and imprisoning
sick people in South Carolina and across the nation could be better
spent on programs emphasizing treatment, education and
rehabilitation; and

WHEREAS, Compassion and common sense demand that we allow America's
seriously ill citizens to use whatever medication is most safe and
effective according to their doctors to alleviate their pain and
suffering;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Governor and General Assembly of
the State of South Carolina enact appropriate legislation to permit
marijuana to be prescribed by licensed physicians and to ensure a
safe and affordable supply of marijuana for medical use.