Pubdate: Sat, 08 Nov 2003 Source: Leaf-Chronicle, The (US TN) Copyright: 2003, The Leaf-Chronicle Contact: http://www.theleafchronicle.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1601 Author: Christopher Largen Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n1712/a01.html GOVERNMENT DOES SUPPLY MARIJUANA TO SOME Regarding the recent op-ed, "Marijuana as Medicine" (Opinions, Nov. 3): John Edmondson states that federal law prohibits the possession of cannabis, but this isn't entirely true. The Controlled Substances Act of 1970 contains an exemption clause for federal research programs, and researchers actually cultivate cannabis on a small, well-guarded farm at the University of Mississippi. Federal authorities send my best friend and co-author ("Prescription Pot: A Leading Advocate's Heroic Battle to Legalize Medical Marijuana") George McMahon 300 pre-rolled cannabis cigarettes each month, through a little-known National Institute of Drug Abuse program called Investigational New Drug. George uses marijuana to treat severe pain, spasms and nausea. The federal government also provides marijuana to patients suffering from glaucoma, bone tumors, and Multiple Sclerosis. The United States Government has known that marijuana has medical value since 1978, when they started the program. To quote the late Robert Randall, the first patient who received federal marijuana, "The most trivial of facts can implode the most powerful dogma." Christopher Largen Denton, TX - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin