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

recommend 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 recommended by licensed physicians and to ensure a

safe and affordable supply of marijuana for medical use.

For more information on the SC Medical Marijuana Movement, please visit:

http://gotmedicine.org