Pot does you good, spiritually and physically

This is a response to last week's editorial (Vol. 58, Issue 23). The
idea that we "have to obey laws," even if those laws are unjust,
arbitrary, counterproductive, and unconstitutional, is an Orwellian
notion. We are required, as citizens of a democracy, to break, bend,
and otherwise dismantle unjust laws in any non-violent way we see fit.
To do less is cowardice.

"Comparing a recreational drug to a religion or a race is positively
ludicrous." No it isn't, and I take deep offence to that statement,
not only because it is scientifically and historically inaccurate, but
because I am a medical and spiritual user of cannabis, as is my wife.
Why is my "belief" that the use of cannabis brings me closer to the
Divine any less valid than a "belief" in a burning bush or a virgin
birth?

Pot relives my pain, makes me introspective, compassionate,
community-minded, and calm. It takes away my anger and replaces it
with solace, much as prayer or ritual does for other people. Why is
that less valid than the simulated cannibalism of the Catholic Church
or facing Mecca five times a day?

As for drug use being religious, that has been going on since the dawn
of civilization. Besides, for all we know, using herbs to expand our
minds and spirits actually pleases whoever or whatever put us here and
maybe all this singing and praying with rules and big churches is just
making it angry. Who are we to say?

As for "flakey claims with no research to back them up," recent
laboratory science out of Germany shows how cannabinoids stimulate the
body's production of TIMP-1, which helps healthy cells resist cancer
invasion.

www.salem-news.com/articles/january112008/cancer_treatment_11008.php

The Alzheimer's and Parkinson's science is available as well, but
apparently having a global worldwide encyclopaedia at their fingertips
is still too much of a deterrent to actual research for today's
"journalists."

Russell Barth