Pubdate: Mon, 30 Jan 2006 Source: Los Angeles Times (CA) Copyright: 2006 Los Angeles Times Contact: http://www.latimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/248 Author: Edward Bowers MARIJUANA CAN HELP WITH CHEMO Re: "Chemo That's Easier to Take" [Jan. 23]: You know how to ameliorate chemotherapy's side effects? By legalizing medical marijuana. In 1996, Californians approved compassionate use (Prop. 215), but the federal government and the Supreme Court would rather AIDS and cancer patients suffer, so Washington can keep its precious war. Marijuana is not a cure, but some find it is the missing ingredient in their treatments (chemo, radiation therapy, drug cocktails), which are nearly as devastating as the diseases they attack. I suppose pharmaceutical companies will not profit if we let sick people be free to grow their own medicine. But that doesn't mean it's a bad idea. Edward Bowers Sherman Oaks - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake