Pubdate: Sat, 17 Nov 2001
Source: Bangor Daily News (ME)
Copyright: 2001 Bangor Daily News Inc.
Contact:  http://www.bangornews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/40
Author: Cindy Look, R.N.

MARIJUANA THERAPY

This is in response to David Broder's Nov. 12 column on the medical 
marijuana raids stretching the resources of the Drug Enforcement 
Administration. I have been a registered nurse for more than 23 years and 
find that type of raid a waste of resources. Anyone who has seen the 
suffering of people with cancer and AIDS shouldn't begrudge the relief this 
type of therapy can bring.

Many times over the years, I have seen patients waste away with the nausea 
and vomiting that can occur, and the pain that is suffered. It is difficult 
to grasp that the raid in California now puts these patients or their loved 
ones on the street looking for marijuana, that is sometimes needed to 
alleviate certain symptoms. We have a huge OxyContin problem in Washington 
County where I live. I wish some of this precious money for fighting drugs 
could be used to help this problem and leave the medical marijuana issue alone.

Cindy Look, R.N.

Columbia Falls
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart