Pubdate: Sat, 11 Dec 2004 Source: Contra Costa Times (CA) Copyright: 2004 Knight Ridder Contact: http://www.contracostatimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/96 Author: Dennis Myrick Cited: Raich v. Ashcroft ( www.angeljustice.org/ ) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/opinion.htm (Opinion) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal) EFFECTIVE TREATMENT I can't imagine any plant, substance or compound that provides relief of human pain and suffering being illegal. Many patients who suffer from life-threatening medical conditions are forced to seek alternative treatment outside of the United States because the federal government refuses to acknowledge the medical benefits of marijuana and other forms of effective treatment. As a family who has lost a loved one to cancer, ask any oncologist about the medical benefits of marijuana, and it will be the end of debate. Shame on the FDA and the federal government for prolonging unnecessarily human pain and suffering. I hope the Supreme Court makes the right decision for cancer patients and their loved ones. Dennis Myrick Moraga - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin