Pubdate: Wed, 13 Jun 2001 Source: State Journal-Register (IL) Copyright: 2001 The State Journal-Register Contact: http://www.sj-r.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/425 Author: Joan Bellm Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal) Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n878/a10.html Note: Joan Bellm is founder of the International Drug Strategy Institute. 'MEDICAL' MARIJUANA MISINFORMATION Dear Editor, Clarence Page's recent "medical" marijuana column was amazing. What on earth is "medical" marijuana? Of course, sick people feel better after smoking a joint. That's what "getting high" means -- just like too much alcohol makes one "feel good." Would Page advocate eating moldy bread (penicillin), or fox glove (digitalis), or the willow tree (aspirin)? People must stop confusing marijuana, a dangerous psychoactive weed, with THC, one of its more than 450 chemicals already available in pill form. Also, a company in England is researching a non-psychoactive THC patch. Unfortunately, there is little interest in taking a pill or wearing a patch. Media would rather discuss smoking a joint. Have they disregarded the more than 15,000 marijuana research papers on file at the University of Mississippi? Marijuana weed has been extensively tested and has failed to meet even one of the Federal Drug Administration's eight criteria for safety and efficacy. A well-financed propaganda machine has sold its misinformation. Drug advocates were advised to use "medical" marijuana as a stepping-stone to legalization and to use lots of "victim" stories. They were advised to establish credibility with the media because, "After you do this, you can say whatever you want, and people will believe you!" Joan Bellm, founder International Drug Strategy Institute Carlinville - --- MAP posted-by: Josh Sutcliffe