Pubdate: Wed, 01 Aug 2001
Source: Edmonton Sun (CN AB)
Copyright: 2001, Canoe Limited Partnership.
Contact:  http://www.canoe.ca/EdmontonSun/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/135
Author: D. Saar
Note: Parenthetical remark by the Sun editor; headline by newshawk

NOT ENOUGH KNOWN?

Who do U of A physicians think they are to refuse a legal treatment to 
patients, "Pot aid up in smoke?" July 31. Not enough known? They have been 
telling us the horrors of marijuana's use for three decades, so where did 
they get that information?

Pot was first made illegal to protect the cotton industry, and now I 
believe they will use the same fearmongering tactics to protect drug 
companies. I believe they fear that if pot is ever brought out in the open 
and some real tests with real goals are ever done, a lot of headache drugs 
and stress-related drugs will take major losses.

Furthermore, pot has been in widespread use for decades and we do not see 
people dropping dead on the street from its use. At the same time we see 
that headaches, nausea, vomiting and cramps are all acceptable side-effects 
to rid us of allergies.

I did not hear this kind of opposition to feeding children Ritalin, a drug 
that adult America quit using because of long-term side-effects. They still 
feed it to a great number of Canadian children. Where's your outrage on 
this, docs?

Besides, from what I understand, you have to be pretty well on the way to 
the grave before a marijuana prescription will be issued, so are there some 
long-term side-effects that you fear might hamper the health of these 
people? Quit playing God. If it is legal and their preferred treatment, 
then it is their right to have it, period.

D. Saar

(Legality has yet to be determined.)
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth