Pubdate: Fri, 25 Jul 2003 Source: Evening News (UK) Copyright: 2003 Archant Regional Contact: http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/141 Author: June Rose Note: No headline in original; headline by MAP newshawk. Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization) CANNABIS ON PRESCRIPTION MUCH research is going on to prove that the cannabis plant can be of help in relieving the symptoms of some long-term illnesses. Some people who have these illnesses have resorted to growing cannabis for use in relieving symptoms, and have, under present laws, been prosecuted. It has been proved, also, that there are dangers in long-term use of cannabis. It can cause mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and depression, in as little as three years of regular use. There needs, however, to be a solution to this problem of availability of this drug to those in greatest need: legalising cannabis could open the floodgates to trafficking and abuse. I understand that the medical world is doing its own research on the drug cannabis. Perhaps when tests are finalised, cannabis, in some form, could be made available on a doctor's prescription for those who can benefit from its use, and where dosage, etc, could be carefully monitored. June Rose, Tolhouse Road, Norwich - --- MAP posted-by: Jackl