Pubdate: Sat, 25 Apr 2009 Source: Albany Democrat-Herald (OR) Copyright: 2009 Lee Enterprises Contact: http://www.democratherald.com/forms/contact/letters_editor/ Website: http://www.democratherald.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/7 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n368/a08.html Author: Jim Greig POT VERSUS CIGARETTES Larry Crompton's letter (April 9) perpetuates "Reefer Madness" propaganda. He conducts a one-person study group report and suddenly he believes he is an expert on marijuana? His ludicrous statement that smoking marijuana "can be 100 times or so more dangerous to your health than cigarettes" defies scientific research and highlights his naivete. Tobacco is the No. 1 killer in America, with 435,000 annual deaths attributed to tobacco use. According to Dr. Robert Melamede, University of Colorado, there "are fundamental differences in the pharmacological properties between cannabis and tobacco smoke. Cannabis smoke contains cannabinoids whereas tobacco smoke contains nicotine. Available scientific data that examines the carcinogenic properties of inhaling smoke and its biological consequences suggests reasons why tobacco smoke, but not cannabis smoke, may result in lung cancer." Crompton also incorrectly stated that "studies that show that extended use increases rates of anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation and schizophrenia are out there for all to see." Hogwash! If you search medical uses of cannabinoids online, you will find more than 1 million entries. Dig deeper and you will find thousands of pre-clinical and clinical trials indicating that cannabinoids are useful in controlling Alzheimer's, ALS, cachexia, cancer, chronic pain, epilepsy, GI disorders, glaucoma, hepatitis C, HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis, muscle spasms, nausea, osteoporosis, PTSD, rheumatoid arthritis, seizures and sleep apnea. Jim Greig, Eugene, Drug Policy Forum-Oregon - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake