Pubdate: Fri, 28 Jun 2002
Source: Watertown Daily Times (NY)
Copyright: 2002 Watertown Daily Times
Contact:  http://www.wdt.net
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/792
Author: Larry Seguin
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

INVESTIGATE CANCER-FIGHTING PROPERTIES OF POT

Are Sarah and Richard O'Connell aware the federal Government new back in 
1974 that cannabis slowed the growth of three kinds of cancer? (Couple 
Battling Cancer, by Norah E. Machia, Sunday 23).

The article appeared in the "Local" section of The Washington Post on Aug. 
18, 1974. Under the headline, "Cancer Curb Is Studied," it read in part 
"The active chemical agent in marijuana curbs the growth of three kinds of 
cancer in mice and may also suppress the immunity reaction that causes 
rejection of organ transplants, a Medical College of Virginia team has 
discovered."

The researchers "found that THC (tetrahydrocannabinol ) slowed the growth 
of lung cancers, breast cancers, and a virus-induced leukemia in laboratory 
mice, and prolonged their lives by as much as 36 percent."

The DEA immediately shut down the Virginia study and all further 
cannabis/tumor research. In 1976, President Gerald Ford put an end to all 
public cannabis research and granted exclusive research rights to major 
pharmaceutical companies.

Spanish researchers, led by Dr. Manuel Guzman of Complutense University, 
Madrid reported the same findings in the March 2000 issue of Nature Medicine.

I have seen several editorials on medical marijuana in the Watertown Daily 
Times over the years. Answer my question, why would the government want to 
keep us from knowing this?

Information and all references can be found at www.jackherer.com.

Larry Seguin

Lisbon, NY
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens