Pubdate: Sat, 23 Oct 1999 Source: Los Angeles Times (CA) Section: Voices Copyright: 1999 Los Angeles Times Contact: Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053 Fax: (213) 237-7968 Website: http://www.latimes.com/ Forum: http://www.latimes.com/home/discuss/ Author: Ruth Barnett ESSAY: MARIJUANA: GOOD MEDICINE I am a cancer survivor who has firsthand knowledge of a treatment option that should be freely available but is not: marijuana. Although I grew up in the decade that made marijuana famous, I never smoked it. I never smoked anything; I didn't even know how to use a lighter. But when I underwent chemotherapy for ovarian cancer, and the prescribed anti-nausea medications didn't work, and my doctor refused to prescribe marinol (the pills with the active ingredient from marijuana), I resorted to the herb. A young man had to teach me what to do. Friends had to risk legal repercussions to provide me with it. I never smoked enough to get high - smoking was an exhausting challenge in itself. But I got enough in me so I could force myself to drink liquids. Before marijuana, I'd become dangerously dehydrated. I would use enough so that I could finally sleep a few hours. Previously, I'd been awake nonstop and so miserable I wished I'd just die. Unlike with the doctor's pharmaceuticals, there were no side effects-like dopey drowsiness, constipation or depression. Recently, a friend contacted me because a friend of hers also needed the kind of help this herb can give, and her doctor also refused to prescribe marinol. I am very angry that we must risk police action and jail time to bring some relief to suffering. I am very angry that the doctors are so afraid to even prescribe nonsmokable versions. I would have preferred the pills or suppositories to smoking, myself. Every useful substance can be used for harm. But prejudice, tremendous fear and lack of big profits for corporations has us by the throat when it comes to this humble servant from God's pharmacy. Let us have mercy: Marijuana isn't just for potheads. It is good medicine. [Sidebar: 'Prejudice, a tremendous fear and lack of big profits for corporations has us by the throat when It comes to this humble servant from God's pharmacy.'] Ruth Barnett lives in Santa Barbara - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D