Pubdate: Fri, 15 Jun 2012 Source: Parksville Qualicum Beach News (CN BC) Copyright: 2012 Black Press Contact: http://mapinc.org/url/5n7vJzqp Website: http://drugsense.org/url/zLXtMKI5 Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1361 Author: Cory Pahl SAVE THE MEDICINE When I read about the big pot bust in Errington (The News, June 12), and I wondered why? I know the answer though, because it's illegal. But is it? Or rather, even if it is, should the law be enforced? When so many use it medically for a growing number of diseases and conditions, how do we really know that some people weren't actually depending on that crop of marijuana for their medicine? Please forgive my trepidation, but as Bob Dylan said, the times, they are a-changing, and this bust seems like a waste on multiple levels, including the enforcement costs, court costs and a waste of what may have been someone's medicine. I recently saw that a doctor in California is recommending that his patients eat fresh cannabis buds and flowers to help prevent a host of cardiovascular, neurological and digestive issues. Well, I would think 5,000 cannabis plants could prevent a lot of strokes in our area, neurovascular diseases are a major cause of premature aging and mortality. Let's get serious about the significant damage that cannabis prohibition is causing to our health. And besides that, we all depend on the farmers in Errington for our eggs and vegetables, so let's not punish their compatriots for growing their own natural medicine, of which we are in need now more than ever. This doesn't even mention the anti-cancer potential of marijuana that is currently under study. Cory Pahl Parksville - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom