LEGALIZE AND REGULATE NEEDED DRUGS LIKE CANNIBIS

Re: What a parent will do for a sick child, The Standard, June 5.

Kudos and much love to Niagara Voices columnist Stephanie Nielsen for
the devotion and love she has shown to support her son and the medical
cannabis he so desperately requires to have quality of life.

My mother, a brave and incredibly compassionate woman, went out on her
own more than 17 years ago -- for almost nine years straight -- to buy
cannabis for her chronically-disabled daughter -- me -- before there
were such things. I have carried a prescription for cannabis since
1995 and a legal licence since March 2000.

Nothing would stop my mom from finding the help I so desperately
needed. I use cannabis to alleviate the symptoms of chronic
progressive multiple sclerosis and an excruciating pain in my face
called tic douloureux.

My mother is an absolute inspiration to other families going through
this dilemma. I have utilized these compassion clubs since the Toronto
Compassion Centre opened around 1998.

The best way for people to have full and complete access to cannabis
and the other much-needed illegal drugs today is to legalize and
regulate all drugs, just like alcohol and tobacco. Put an age limit on
them and get them away from our children for Pete's sake!

This would solve the problem of our children and our streets being in
charge as they are now.

There are other answers out there than to just say,
"No."

ALISON MYRDEN

Burlington, Ont.