Pubdate: Mon, 30 Nov 2009
Source: Erie Times-News (PA)
Copyright: 2009 Erie Times-News
Contact:  http://www.goerie.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1347

STOCKBROKER SWEARS BY MEDICINAL MARIJUANA

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- At a picnic table outside his  office
building, stockbroker Irvin Rosenfeld took a  long drag on his
115,000th marijuana cigarette.

"It's delicious because it's legal," said Rosenfeld,  56. A bag
bearing a prescription label that orders "use 10 cigarettes daily" lay
before him. "I'm appreciative, happy and healthy because I have the
right medicine."

Rosenfeld was celebrating.

Since 1982, he said, he has received a free tin of 300  marijuana
cigarettes from the federal government every 25 days. And he wants the
world to know how it has helped him cope with multiple  congenital
cartilaginous exostosis, a bone disorder that resulted in scores of
tumors in his body.

He credits marijuana with easing muscular contractions,  swelling and
pain he has felt since age 10. He also  believes it inhibits new
tumors on his largest bones,  growths that can tear muscles and blood
vessels.

"If I didn't use marijuana, if I was still alive I'd be  homebound and
not have a lot of mobility," he said.

Rosenfeld said he did not experience red eyes,  sleepiness or food
cravings from using marijuana.

"I get no euphoric effect from the medicine," he said.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake