MARIJUANA PROVIDES RELIEF

Re: Marijuana no better than codeine: study, July 6.

The article says "marijuana is no more powerful a painkiller than codeine"
and if we have drugs better than codeine, why would we "introduce something
that's about as good"?

In my experience, the use of marijuana for medical purposes is for nausea
relief rather than pain relief. The medications associated with HIV and
chemotherapy treatment have a nauseating effect.

For full effectiveness, HIV medications must be taken faithfully and
without fail. Less than 95-per-cent compliance could lead to drug
resistance. Vomiting medications reduces their effectiveness. Some
medications need to be taken on a full stomach and some people become too
nauseated to eat. Medications taken on an empty stomach are also reduced in
effectiveness.

The article mentions "drugs that are better than codeine." Is the person
quoted, Fiona Campbell, referring to Demerol, Percodan, Percocet and
morphine? These drugs cause symptoms of disorientation, dizziness, poor
coordination numbness and muscle twitching far more severe than marijuana,
and are habit-forming.

Rather than relief from acute pain, marijuana provides relief of chronic
pain and chronic fatigue. Yes, there is some comfort for the mind when
smoking marijuana. I think people dealing with issues such as death and
dying deserve at least that much.

Germaine Cornellier,

Ottawa