Pubdate: Sat, 20 Jun 2015
Source: Toronto Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2015 The Toronto Star
Contact:  http://www.thestar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/456
Author: Walter Ross
Page: IN 7
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v15/n324/a07.html

MORE REEFER MADNESS FROM TORIES

Re: Chill out, minister, Editorial June 14

Health Minister Rona Ambrose is "outraged" that the Supreme Court 
ruled unanimously that marijuana can be legally consumed in forms 
other than smoking. "This is not a drug," she said. "This is not medicine."

Such breathtakingly ill-informed statements coming out of the mouth 
of a so-called health minister is appalling. I wonder if she would be 
willing to repeat such canards to all of the children with 
debilitating forms of epilepsy who are helped through the ingestion 
of small amounts of various cannabis preparations? Perhaps she could 
embrace one of these children in her motherly arms as they suffer yet 
another seizure, maybe offer them a joint?

Strains of low or no THC marijuana that are high in cannabidiol (CBD) 
have been developed and have proven remarkably effective at 
controlling not only seizures, but providing relief from neuropathic 
pain, PTSD, Crohn's disease, and nausea as a result of chemotherapy, 
to name but a few. The loving minister, however, appears to be 
wantonly ignorant of such developments to the point of unmitigated callousness.

Ambrose goes on to say "There's very harmful effects of marijuana, 
especially on our youth." Really? Would the good madame care to list them?

I applaud the Supreme Court and the wisdom of its decision. If only 
such sage reasoning could be instilled elsewhere, beginning with the 
health minister's office.

Walter Ross, West Richland, Wash.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom