Washington state allows assisted suicide

[Indycar]

I know it's not canna related. But people with a terminal illness that have wanted to end their suffering have faced similar persecution as us cannabis consumers for as long as i can remember. If your similar to myself and have witnessed a loved ones passing due a terminal illness, you'd know this is just as much as a hot topic as all things canna related. Good to see some common sense working it's way back into the system. Here's hoping the trend continues..

 

From correspondents in Los Angeles

 

March 04, 2009 08:35am

 

WASHINGTON will become only the second US state to allow assisted suicide as its new "death with dignity" law takes effect.

 

Under a ballot measure passed during November elections, physicians in the northwest state will be allowed to write prescriptions for lethal doses of drugs for terminally ill patients who have less than six months to live.

 

Only one other US state - Oregon - has similar legislation, although a court in Montana recently ruled that terminally ill patients had the right to seek physician-assisted suicide.

 

Supporters of the new Washington legislation, made possible by a 2006 US Supreme Court ruling, say the law allows for "aided dying" rather than assisted suicide or euthanasia.

 

"Aided dying is neither euthanasia nor suicide," said Terry Barnett, president of the Washington branch of Compassion & Choices advocacy group.

 

"It's not euthanasia because euthanasia implies action by a physician to end a patient's life. It's not suicide because people who choose aid in dying are not choosing to end their lives.

 

"They don't want to die - they're choosing to end suffering that cannot be relieved and suffering that they are experiencing that is worse than death."

 

Supporters of the law say a string of stringent checks and balances have been put in place to prevent the system being abused, rejecting critics who argue the law will make it easy for sufferers to choose to die.

 

Under the legislation any patient seeking a prescription for lethal drugs must be at least 18 years old and a permanent resident of the state. To obtain a prescription a patient would need to make two oral requests followed by a written request witnessed by two people who are not related or connected to the individual.

 

Two doctors must also affirm that the patient has six months or fewer to live.

 

Mr Barnett said Washington physicians who object to the legislation have the right to decline a request for a lethal prescription.

 

"Anyone who has an objection of conscience may choose not to participate," he said.

 

Physicians were also not allowed to administer the fatal drugs.

 

"Under our law a person has to self-administer medication," Mr Barnett said.

 

"All a physician can do is write a prescription as he or she would for any kind of medication, except that there are numerous safeguards that are required for aided dying medication that are not required for other medications."

 

Source: www.news.com.au/couriermail

[Teucer]

This may sound a little left-of-centre, but I'm more a fan of Cryonic Suspension for the terminally ill.

 

Trust me, the science is rock solid and it's being practised more and more.

 

I believe this offers the sufferers more benefit.

 

Just my 2c

[Indycar]

Good in theory, damn shame it sucks balls in practice..

 

When they achieve their first successful reanimation. Give us a yell, 'n i'll be all ears..

 

In the meantime, those suffering in Oregon 'n Washington States have the ball rolling in their favour. To check out with some dignity while ending their suffering..