Pubdate: Mon, 16 Jul 2001 Source: Worcester Telegram & Gazette (MA) Copyright: 2001 Worcester Telegram & Gazette Contact: http://www.telegram.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/509 Author: Moses Nerpel Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal) GENERALIZATIONS ABOUT POT ARE FALSE The generalizations in the "In our opinion" (Telegram & Gazette, June 25,) regarding medical marijuana advocacy are both false and ridiculous. The fact is that marijuana, when used by AIDS patients, can increase appetites that have been diminished by anorexia-cachexia (wasting syndrome) and reduce pressure in the eyes of glaucoma patients. The editorial statement, "the debate about possible medical uses for marijuana has always been largely a smoke screen sent up by advocates of legalization and other drugs for recreational use," is blatantly false and seems to serve only to confuse the reader. Is the issue you are discussing the legalization of medical cannabis, the legalization of recreational pot, or the legalization of other illegal drugs that in no way relate to medical marijuana? As for the statement that advocates of medical marijuana, "should turn their attention toward development of a pharmaceutical form of the drug," you obviously are not aware of the fact that Marinol (dronabinol) a pharmaceutical form of THC in a gel caplet, has been available since 1996. The problem with these pills, however, is that vomiting patients have trouble swallowing a pill, the effects cannot be felt for a number of hours and a month's supply of Marinol runs between $150 and $180. Concerning the Supreme Court's ruling, if a person with a terminal illness believes smoking marijuana makes them feel better, who are a group of career politicians with no medical background whatsoever to disagree? On the same token, what right does a newspaper have to disagree? MOSES NERPEL West Boylston - --- MAP posted-by: GD