Pubdate: Sun, 29 Dec 2013 Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC) Copyright: 2013 Times Colonist Contact: http://www2.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/letters.html Website: http://www.timescolonist.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v13/n623/a01.html Author: Gareth Davies POT RESEARCH GIVES IMPORTANT RESULTS Re: "Medical pot tests marketed," Dec. 24. Hurrah for such a good piece of journalism reporting on the important work of Victoria-based Compassionate Analytics, pointing out that marijuana contains two active ingredients, THC, which attracts recreational use, and CBD, the medicinal part of the plant, used as an effective painkiller. Only good can come from such knowledge. We should support the production and sale of marijuana high in CBD and low in THC. Such sales should be legalized and not provide the user with a criminal record of any kind, and thereby allow persons in pain much needed relief without problems with the law. And to dispel a myth, marijuana does act as a useful painkiller and sometimes the last resort for some in dreadful pain. As for large wholesale production, pushing, and usage of marijuana high in THC content, the current laws should stand. Let me add that the sale and use at any level of Salvia, a hallucinogen much worse than ecstasy or LSD, should be immediately outlawed. Our children are buying the plant with ease with tragic results. Suicides, brain damage and physical injury due to loss of control when using it are commonplace. But to return to the article, well said, and thanks to Compassionate Analytics for the Christmas present. Gareth Davies Parksville - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom