Medicine: Pulling the Plug on Pot

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For patients with certain chronic or terminal diseases, a marijuana cigarette can blunt the side effects of radical treatments. Advocates of alternative medicine claim, for example, that the drug helps cancer patients endure chemotherapy, comforts AIDS victims and eases eye pressure for those who suffer from glaucoma. Last week, however, the U.S. Public Health Service said it will no longer condone cannabis therapy because of the fear that the practice could harm people with weak immune systems. The Federal Government currently allows 13 people to use the drug legally, and had approved the treatment for 28 others. Under the ruling, those who now receive marijuana will continue treatment. The 28 new patients will be informed about alternative drug treatments.