Pubdate: Tue, 11 Feb 2014 Source: Guardian, The (CN PI) Copyright: 2014 Roger Smith Contact: http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/174 Author: Roger Smith DOCTOR WORSENS REEFER MADNESS Editor: After reading Dr. W. G. Tucker's Letter to the Editor it reminds me that a lot people still believe in what was portrayed in the movie Reefer Madness, that cannabis, unfortunately known better as marijuana, is still the "devil's drug." I am glad Dr. Tucker is no longer practising oncology and that hopefully someone more educated on the medical benefits of cannabis took his place. He states that "marijuana has no place in the medical care of patients and is a dangerous drug," as if the thousands of prescriptions he wrote for his patients during his 40 years of practice were good for them. He also states that marijuana use results in a marked increase in lung cancer. Alcohol, cigarettes and sugar just to name a very few are carcinogens, all perfectly legal and none have the medical benefits that the cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant provide. Using a vaporizer to heat the cannabis to release the cannabinoids instead of burning it or making Canna Capsules ( coconut oil and cannabis being the only ingredients) and putting it in a capsule as to take orally and have it digested through your liver are just two ways to drastically reduce if not eliminate any health hazards. I'm in no way suggesting that everyone should use it or that there are no risks involved with it's use, but please try to open your mind, stop focusing solely on what harm it can do and try educating yourself about the amazing benefits this plant holds. We no longer live in the days where you have to believe what one person says or writes. Research it for yourself, if you're not willing to learn the pros & cons then perhaps you should learn to keep your opinions to yourself. I'm speaking from experience as I have held a permit for the medical use of cannabis for the past six years to treat severe muscle spasms and chronic pain. There are two sides to every story, sometimes you just need someone to tell the other side and be willing to listen. Roger Smith, Charlottetown - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D