Pubdate: Wed, 01 Jul 2015 Source: Arizona Republic (Phoenix, AZ) Copyright: 2015 The Arizona Republic Contact: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/sendaletter.html Website: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/24 Author: Angela DiFuccia Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v15/n352/a06.html ANECDOTAL EVIDENCE SUPPORTS MARIJUANA AS HEALER FOR VETERANS Sunday's editorial "Cause for pause: Zealots need to inhale the facts" asks supporters of medical cannabis to curb their enthusiasm and wait for the science. For returning soldiers suffering from service-related conditions, time is not a luxury. The prescriptions currently available have harrowing side effects and many veterans find themselves in an endless chain of VA narcotics. The anecdotal evidence in favor of medical cannabis is abundant. Stifled by inefficient and over-reaching government restrictions, scientific research is lacking. Let's make research a priority and pace the science with enthusiasm. Listen to the struggles and success stories coming from America's finest. We owe it to them to scientifically understand this plant's benefits and how best to incorporate it into a healthy and legal lifestyle. - - Angela DiFuccia Tucson - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom