Pubdate: Tue, 5 Jan 2010
Source: Northumberland News (CN ON)
Copyright: 2010 by Metroland Printing, Publishing & Distributing, Ltd.
Contact: http://www.northumberlandnews.com/opinion/submitletter
Website: http://www.northumberlandnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2373
Author: Russell Barth

MEDICAL MARIJUANA CAN HELP WITH STRESS INJURY

To The Editor:

Re: Living with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder a daily struggle: 
Former soldier (Dec. 31)

Medical marijuana has been positively indicated in the treatment of
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. In fact, it works better than the
toxic, addictive, often suicide-inducing pharmaceuticals usually
proscribed for this condition.

My wife and I both use it to stave off the symptoms of PTSD -
including the darkest thoughts that comes with it. The side effects
are mild and easily to live with.

Also, Canadians can get licenses from Health Canada to possess and
even produce marijuana, or, if they buy their pot from Health Canada
directly, Veterans Affairs will pay for it.

But that sensible and compassionate approach might "send the wrong
message to youth" about the use of marijuana and the wildly
counterproductive prohibition on it, so it looks like our soldiers and
their families will be forced to continue to sacrifice long after they
come home.

Russell Barth

Nepean, ON
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake