GENERALIZATIONS ABOUT POT ARE FALSE

The generalizations in the "In our opinion" (Telegram & Gazette, June 25,)
regarding medical marijuana advocacy are both false and ridiculous.

The fact is that marijuana, when used by AIDS patients, can increase
appetites that have been diminished by anorexia-cachexia (wasting syndrome)
and reduce pressure in the eyes of glaucoma patients.

The editorial statement, "the debate about possible medical uses for
marijuana has always been largely a smoke screen sent up by advocates of
legalization and other drugs for recreational use," is blatantly false and
seems to serve only to confuse the reader.

Is the issue you are discussing the legalization of medical cannabis, the
legalization of recreational pot, or the legalization of other illegal
drugs that in no way relate to medical marijuana? As for the statement that
advocates of medical marijuana, "should turn their attention toward
development of a pharmaceutical form of the drug," you obviously are not
aware of the fact that Marinol (dronabinol) a pharmaceutical form of THC in
a gel caplet, has been available since 1996.

The problem with these pills, however, is that vomiting patients have
trouble swallowing a pill, the effects cannot be felt for a number of hours
and a month's supply of Marinol runs between $150 and $180.

Concerning the Supreme Court's ruling, if a person with a terminal illness
believes smoking marijuana makes them feel better, who are a group of
career politicians with no medical background whatsoever to disagree? On
the same token, what right does a newspaper have to disagree?

MOSES NERPEL

West Boylston