Pubdate: Sat, 12 Feb 2000
Source: Watertown Daily Times (NY)
Copyright: 2000 Watertown Daily Times
Contact:  260 Washington Street, Watertown NY 13601-3364
Fax: (315) 782-1040
Website: http://www.wdt.net
Author: Lee Monnet

BAN ILL-ADVISED

Re: Stop Insane Talk of Legalizing Marijuana Wed 26 Jan 2000

After reading Ms. Shannon Worthington's letter to the editor I would like 
to express my opinions and observations on the subject.  Although I am not 
an expert in this field I have read many books, studies, reports, and 
journals on marijuana over the past six years.  All of which refute the 
myths that the government has been telling the public for years.

The writer states that marijuana is the most commonly used drug in society 
today.  From what I have read alcohol and tobacco cause far more problem 
sociologically,   physiologically, and psychologically than marijuana. 
There is no credible medical reports to suggest that consuming marijuana 
alone has caused a single death.  People cannot sell their prescriptions of 
marijuana to others because doctors cannot prescribe marijuana in N.Y. 
state.  Marijuana has been shown to be effective in reducing nausea induced 
by cancer chemotherapy, stimulating appetite in AIDS patients,  and 
reducing introcular pressure in people with glaucoma.

In my opinion the Government's denial of medical marijuana to terminally 
ill people shows a lack of compassion to our society.  If Ms. Worthington 
is interested in the scientific facts about marijuana, I recommend she read 
"Marijuana myth,  Marijuana facts"  co-authored by Dr. John P Morgan 
MD,  Professor of Pharmacology at the City University of New York Medical 
School and Dr. Lynn Zimmer PH.D. Associate Professor of Sociology at Queens 
College,  City University of New York.

Lee Monnet
Ogdensburg, NY
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