Pubdate: Thu, 03 Dec 2009 Source: Reno News & Review (NV) Copyright: 2009, Chico Community Publishing, Inc. Contact: http://www.newsreview.com/issues/reno/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2524 Author: Patrick Smith SOME HELP, PLEASE Re "The Pot Issue" (Feature story, Nov. 5): Open letter to the northern Nevada medical community: I am a 50-year-old disabled veteran. Because of injuries I sustained in the United States Army, I suffer from chronic pain. I consume 90 hydrocodone, 180 naproxin/acetaminophen, and approximately 120 aspirin/Tylenol per month. I have grave concerns over the long-lasting effects of this drug use on my body. With the recent dialogue and state legalization of medical marijuana, I thought this might be my answer. I contacted the state agency in charge of this program only to find that they wouldn't recommend a physician or tell me how to find one with some knowledge in this area of treatment. My Veterans Administration doctor is a federal employee and unable to prescribe a medicine that is still federally illegal. After going to the yellow pages and calling numerous physicians, it became apparent that despite its Nevada legality there are no Northern Nevada physicians with the courage to explore this option. I am aware of the doctors to whom I can send my records and be approved, but oddly enough, I actually want a real exam and discussion about possible downsides to this treatment. I am not a stoner or an opportunist; I just want to try another method of controlling my pain. If there is a physician in the Reno area for whom the Hippocratic Oath still has some meaning, I invite your commentary Patrick Smith - --- MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr