DRUG BIAS

I have heard all the arguments regarding marijuana for medicinal purposes;
the recent Supreme Court decision makes it clear the law must be changed
("High court says no to medical marijuana," May 15 Eagle).

Compare marijuana and lithium, which has been legal for use in treating
bipolar disorder (formerly manic-depression) for years. The envelope
between a therapeutic and a toxic dose of lithium is very small. An
overdose of lithium, which is not a drug but a mineral salt, can cause
severe liver and kidney damage and even death.

For a number of years, lithium was banned because it was once used as a
salt substitute, resulting in a number of deaths.

I have never heard of a death from an overdose of marijuana. Granted,
marijuana is an intoxicant, but it has been shown to be of value as a
medication for cancer and glaucoma patients.

On a philosophical level, the government is extremely arrogant to outlaw
possession of a plant that God created.

On a pragmatic level, the human cost of the draconian penalties for
possession of pot and the negative impact on our economy of prohibition are
staggering.

I do not smoke marijuana. On the other hand, if you are against pot even as
medicine, you don't have to use it.

Phil Wassermann

Wichita