At least the guy gave his reasons. Write him back and ask him for his research data if he based his denial of support for the legislation on "extensive research" he supposedly did. We'd be curious to know just how extensive it was because permission isn't being given for people in American research facilities to study the stuff, and that was even more true 26 years ago. Research is what is needed.

Reaper, you're lucky to be alive! Actually, I know you really are after your medical history. I think in the case of that doctor's reaction, at least from what he said, he was feeling particularly worried about how the molds could affect immuno-compromised patients. I'm pretty sure you've done chemo and you obviously made it through fine with smoking. But if someone with AIDS or a chemo-suppressed immune system in preparation, say, for a bone marrow transplant got a mycotoxic (mold-borne) disease, that could make him or her sicker than he was to begin with and possibly kill him. A regular person might just get wheezing or allergies or no reaction at all, but someone without an immune system could easily die. That's enough to scare a physician. They always err on the side of caution, sometimes at the expense of compassion, which is sad. I'm sure Congressman/Dr. Kagen would use that as his reason especially if he's one of those people whose mind's already made up. He's one of the mainstream docs who's probably never going to come around on the subject. I do think the fear about mycotoxicity in immune-suppressed patients was the reasoning behind what he told Dano, though.

Dano, he needs to reconsider and he needs to send you his data. Ask him for scientific proof. He may not send it, but at least you'll be keeping him on his toes.

Then start pushing him to learn more so he'll be better educated when it's time for this next bill to come up for a vote: House Resolution 5843, the Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults Act of 2008. Right now it's in committee, which means it's basically under early consideration. That's the Barney Frank/Ron Paul-sponsored resolution to take away criminal penalties for small amounts of cannabis, and according to NORML, decriminalization is the first step toward legalization. If we can get it decriminalized, then we can set the stage for all-state medical access.

This is all a long way of saying keep writing. Keep being a squeaky wheel. Explain your reasons. That's what'll ultimately change these attitudes and help educate people. They may sometimes have their minds made up, but medical people are used to ongoing education and they're more capable of changing their minds and attitudes about medicines they previously objected to than you might realize.

For more info about the bill:
H.R. 5843: Act to Remove Federal Penalties for the Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults (GovTrack.us)
Legislators aim to snuff out penalties for pot use - CNN.com