Pubdate: Mon, 04 Aug 2003
Source: Oregonian, The (Portland, OR)
Copyright: 2003 The Oregonian
Contact:  http://www.oregonlive.com/oregonian/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/324
Author: Richard Bayer, MD
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n1149/a02.html
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?136 (Methadone)

CANNABIS SAFER THAN METHADONE

In "Death stalks increased methadone use in state" (July 29), the writer 
states that because of accidental overdose leading to death, methadone can 
be risky to use for treating chronic pain. Wouldn't it be nice if we had a 
pain medicine that never caused death from overdose? Actually, we do, and 
it is called cannabis or marijuana.

Thousands of Oregonians participating in the Oregon Medical Marijuana 
Program know that cannabis is effective for some people in chronic pain. 
There are now several placebo-controlled trials showing effectiveness of 
cannabis and cannabis-based products including an under-the-tongue spray 
that will probably be released in England this year.

At the very least, the states that have passed medical cannabis legislation 
should not be harassed by our federal government simply because voters 
believe that suffering patients should have the option of either 
cannabis-based pain medicine or opium-based pain medicine.

RICHARD BAYER, M.D.
Southwest Portland
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