Pubdate: Sun, 23 Feb 2003
Source: Los Angeles Times (CA)
Copyright: 2003 Los Angeles Times
Contact:  http://www.latimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/248
Author: Kirk Muse

FINDING SOLACE IN MEDPOT DESPITE U.S. DRUG POLICY

Thank you for your excellent piece on medical marijuana refugees in Canada 
("The Drug War Refugees," by Eric Bailey, Feb. 2). I too emigrated from the 
U.S. in order to best treat my medical condition. Since 1997 I have spent 
as much time as the law will allow in the Netherlands. I have a severe 
neuromuscular disease called Hereditary Motor and Sensory Neuropathy, also 
known as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. It is a painful degenerative 
disease--much like multiple sclerosis. Unless I can smoke or eat pot, I am 
in excruciating pain from morning to night. In addition to cannabis, I use 
two different opiate medications.

Given the pain relief provided by marijuana, I am able to bicycle great 
distances in the Netherlands and pursue my hobby of digital photography. I 
also can attend concerts, movies and plays, and remain comfortable enough 
to sit through entire performances.

Eric Johnson

Amsterdam
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MAP posted-by: Beth