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MEDICAL MARIJUANA USE

To the Editor:

Andrea Barthwell is not telling the truth when she calls medical marijuana "snake oil" and claims that permitting medical use by seriously ill patients would subvert the FDA's drug-approval process.  ( "Expert rails against medical marijuana," Feb.  10 ).

The Illinois Nurses Association's official policy, available at http://www.illinoisnurses.org, states: "There is almost a half-century of research that supports the safety and efficacy of cannabis ( marijuana ) for conditions such as reducing nausea and vomiting, stimulating appetite, controlling spasticity, decreasing the suffering from the experience of chronic pain and controlling seizures."

As for the FDA, it regulates marketing and sales.  It has no role in regulating personal use.  It is not illegal to treat yourself with herbal medicines that aren't FDA approved as drugs.  Ginseng, St.  John's Wort or goldenseal are not FDA approved medicines, but if you choose to use them, no one will break down your door, slap you in handcuffs and haul you off to jail.

But if your treatment is marijuana -- even if your doctor has specifically recommended it for your condition -- they will.  That makes no sense.

Illinois can stop arresting medical marijuana patients without having the slightest effect on the FDA.  Barthwell should be embarrassed to spread such misinformation.

Bruce Mirken,

Marijuana Policy Project,

Washington, D.C.