Pubdate: Fri, 08 Jun 2001
Source: Star-Ledger (NJ)
Copyright: 2001 Newark Morning Ledger Co
Contact:  http://www.nj.com/starledger/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/424
Author: Jim Miller
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

ANTI-POT PROPAGANDA

Sick and dying citizens find symptomatic relief consuming marijuana, using 
it as tincture or rubbing compound or smoking it.

David Evans' May 21 letter, "Medical marijuana hoax," is the work of a 
propagandist.

He quotes a 1998 Institute of Medicine finding that sees "little future in 
smoked marijuana as medicine." However, the institute also said it 
"uncovered an explosion of new scientific knowledge about how active 
components in marijuana affect the body and how they might be used in a 
medical context."

Evans says medicines are available for all conditions that marijuana 
supposedly helps. My wife has spasticity and pain in her arms and legs 
because of 30 years of multiple sclerosis. She has tried all pertinent 
legal prescription drugs. One almost killed her. Marijuana butter is her 
safest, most effective medicine.

Clarence Thomas, writing for the Supreme Court in the medical marijuana 
case, said a 1970 federal law "reflects a determination that marijuana has 
no medical benefits worthy of medical exception." Contrary to Evans, the 
court didn't decide that marijuana has no medical use. Thomas simply 
deferred to a law passed 28 years before the "explosion of new scientific 
knowledge" about medical marijuana.

Jim Miller, Silverton
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager