Pubdate: Tue, 21 Nov 2006 Source: Columbian, The (WA) Copyright: 2006 The Columbian Publishing Co. Contact: http://www.columbian.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/92 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v06/n1540/a04.html Author: Allan Erickson VIABLE USES IN CANNABIS As a representative of the Drug Policy Forum of Oregon, I can attest to the fact that as cannabis research continues, we find more medically viable uses for this ancient friend of humanity. This research is carried out mostly on foreign soil because the U.S. government will not fund studies looking for positive aspects to cannabis. There are many medical uses for cannabis. Recent findings show cannabis may be effective in stopping or slowing memory loss in Alzheimer's patients. Cannabis is useful in treating multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, in treating the nausea of cancer and HIV patients who rely on heavy toxic pharmaceutical regimens and many other conditions. Even the Drug Enforcement Administration's own administrative law judge, Francis Young, stated in 1988 that cannabis "in its natural form, is one of the safest therapeutically active substances known to man." Allan Erickson Eugene, Ore. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake