Pubdate: Sat, 07 Oct 2006 Source: StarPhoenix, The (CN SN) Copyright: 2006 The StarPhoenix Contact: http://www.canada.com/saskatoon/starphoenix/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/400 Author: Tanya Derbowka DOPEY THINKING BEHIND CARTOON ON MEDICAL POT I wish I could say I was amused by the cartoon in the Sept. 28 edition of The SP that portrayed a couple of "typical" stoners discussing the loss of funding for medical marijuana research. The loss of funding is another underhanded attack on medical marijuana and I wouldn't be surprised if the existing medical marijuana program is the next thing on the Tory chopping block. It is despicable that only 1,306 terminally ill patients across Canada have legal access to this medicine, which has proven beneficial to people suffering from various chronic ailments such as cancer, AIDS and multiple sclerosis. The lack of access by sick and dying people to medical marijuana is a highly contentious issue and is the reason the majority of patients are still going to the black market to gain access to their medicine. Portraying cannabis consumers in a stereotypical negative light does nothing to help their cause. And you think potheads are the dopes? Tanya Derbowka Saskatoon - --- MAP posted-by: Elaine