Pubdate: Wed, 05 Jun 2002
Source: Columbian, The (WA)
Copyright: 2002 The Columbian Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.columbian.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/92
Author: Larry Little

MEDICALLY, POT IS AN ASSET

Sandra S. Bennett, in her June 3 letter, "Stop legalizing movement," uses 
evangelical science to voice her objections to marijuana.

Marijuana is one of the more important pharmaceutical assets available to 
physicians, who are prevented prescription privileges because right-wing 
ideology has infected the minds of our legislators.

Medical marijuana is a pain reliever with virtually no risky side effects. 
It would undoubtedly be the first choice for stimulating the appetite of 
cancer and AIDS patients. Medical marijuana is highly valuable for treating 
glaucoma and relieves pain in patients with osteoarthritis and multiple 
sclerosis. From a psychological viewpoint, there are very few drugs as 
effective as marijuana in relieving depression.

The fuzzy math Bennett uses to distort the marijuana consumer is 
ridiculous. The "simple possession" prisoner has bloated the prison 
population and is responsible for a system that is giving home-buying jobs 
to thousands of police and prison guards with a drug war that is costing 
more than blowing up Afghanistan to get at the oil.

Legalization is the only sane alternative for a product that can serve 
humanity in many ways better than incarceration. There is no harm is using 
marijuana; the harm comes from imprisonment.

Larry Little

Vancouver
- ---
MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart