Pubdate: Sun, 24 Jun 2007
Source: New York Times (NY)
Copyright: 2007 The New York Times Company
Contact:  http://www.nytimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/298
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n724/a02.html
Author: John Sheridan

A CRITICAL NEED FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA

To the Editor:

I read Henry I. Miller's denunciation of New York's medical marijuana
legislation ("Crackpot Legislation," Op-Ed, June 17) with shock and
dismay. I have some personal experience with this issue.

Marijuana pulled me back from the brink when AIDS-related wasting
endangered my life and conventional drugs failed. It still does better
than legal drugs at relieving the nausea and appetite loss caused by
the harsh anti-H.I.V. drugs I must take.

Dr. Miller holds out the promise of future research into
marijuana-based medicines. Apparently he feels that I would be
healthier going to jail rather than using medical marijuana to
maintain my appetite and weight.

I -- and my doctor -- disagree.

John Sheridan, New York
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