Pubdate: Thu, 23 Jun 2005 Source: Edmond Sun, The (OK) Copyright: 2005 The Edmond Sun Contact: http://edmondsun.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1591 Author: Kirk Muse Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal) Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n980/a06.html DRUG COMPANIES THE MAIN BENEFICIARIES OF MARIJUANA BAN To the Editor: I disagree with letter writer Richard Prawdzienski: "Vote on medical marijuana all about power, control" (June 17). The prime beneficiary of the Supreme Court ruling on medical marijuana is the U. S. pharmaceutical industry. The pharmaceutical industry doesn't want an easy-to-grow herb replacing their very expensive, patented medications. The pharmaceutical industry is America's most profitable industry, and it wants to keep it that way. Why do Americans pay more than any anybody else on the planet for prescription medications? Primarily because of the "favors" granted by the U. S. Congress. And the pharmaceutical industry essentially "owns" the U. S. Congress. (See the web site: www.saynotodrugs.org). Obviously, the pharmaceutical industry "owns" all of the Congress members from Oklahoma. Follow the money and you will know how and why. - - Kirk Muse Mesa, Ariz. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth