Pubdate: Tue, 24 Sep 2002
Source: Los Angeles Times (CA)
Copyright: 2002 Los Angeles Times
Contact:  http://www.latimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/248
Author: David Aragon

MEDICINAL POT ALLEVIATES SUFFERING (2 of 3)

Re "In Santa Cruz, an Official Handout of Medicinal Pot," Sept. 18: After 
being diagnosed with a rare lymphoma last December, I began chemotherapy in 
January and experienced severe nausea. My doctor recommended that I use 
marijuana and promptly wrote me a recommendation. Smoking marijuana has 
allowed me to maintain my weight and appetite and has made the majority of 
the chemotherapy side effects tolerable. Unfortunately, it is much easier 
for me to pick up some quite addictive morphine or Marinol, which doesn't 
help me, at a pharmacy than it is for me to get some marijuana.

There are currently no cannabis buyers' clubs in Los Angeles to provide 
cancer patients like me with a necessary and useful medicine. I applaud 
Mayor Christopher Krohn and the Santa Cruz City Council members for taking 
a stand to alleviate suffering among the critically and terminally ill. 
Mayor James Hahn, would you please step up to the plate and go to bat for 
the sick people of Los Angeles?

David Aragon

Los Angeles
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MAP posted-by: Beth