Marcus Conant

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Marcus Conant is a leading dermatologist and one of the first physicians to diagnose and treat Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). He has written over 70 publications on the treatment of AIDS.

He graduated from Duke University in 1951. He was an associate professor at UCLA when he first identified identified Kaposi's Sarcoma and AIDS in patients. He was forced out after demanding state funding for AIDS researched, and leaking an internal letter exposed that university administration had diverting financial resources intended for AIDS research. (Shilts, And the Band Played On, 1989)

He was the lead plaintiff in judicial decision protecting the First Amendment right of physicians to recommend the use of medical marijuana to people living with HIV & AIDS.

[edit] References

• Oregon Medical Marijuana Program (OMMP). Oregon Department of Human Services. Retrieved on 2007-11-11.
• Walters v. Conant: Marcus Conant, M.D. - Lead Plaintiff. American Civil Liberties Union (2003-10-01). Retrieved on 2007-11-11.
• Schmalz, Jeffrey. "Riding AIDS Roller Coaster: Hope, Horror, Hope", New York Times, June 6, 1992. Retrieved on 2007-11-11.