Pubdate: Wed, 14 Jan 2004 Source: Victoria News (CN BC) Copyright: 2004 Victoria News Contact: http://www.vicnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1267 Author: Glen Rogers Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v04/n002/a10.html WAR ON MARIJUANA DRIVEN BY GREED Re: "U.S. gets its way with pot decision" (Victoria News, Dec. 31) The U.S. hardline stance on marijuana is driven by the pharmaceutical companies, the most powerful lobby in Washington. Scientific evidence supports that THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, is effective in relieving chronic pain and depression as two examples. Drug companies are currently working on synthetic derivatives of THC - ajulemic acid being one of many. What's the difference between a legal drug and an illegal one? The illegal drug is the one the greedy unethical pharmaceutical companies don't profit from. Currently in the U.S. there are links being made with marijuana and terrorism. Watch for the war on pot in this country to begin in earnest. Glen Rogers Victoria - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin