The Opinion Pages | Letter Medical Marijuana

The Opinion Pages | Letter

Medical Marijuana

Medical Marijuana in New York


JUNE 3, 2014


To the Editor:

Re “A Vote on Medical Marijuana” (editorial, June 2):

Thank you for supporting the Compassionate Care Act, a bill in the New York Legislature.

Six years ago, my father died from esophageal cancer. The last years of his life were spent in pain and with nausea and little appetite. What would his quality of life have been like with some marijuana?

As a rabbi, I look at this issue through the lens of my tradition. I stand firm on the belief that what our faith requires from us is to do justice and to love kindness. My beliefs and views are informed by a Jewish tradition that mandates an obligation to heal that is not limited to saving lives, but extends to the alleviation of pain and suffering and acting with compassion.

The Compassionate Care Act has bipartisan sponsors, and overwhelming public support. It’s time for the New York Senate to show seriously ill New Yorkers the compassion they deserve.

JOEL M. LEVENSON
Syosset, N.Y., June 2, 2014

reference source
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/04/opinion/med....html?_r=1