MARIJUANA OVEREMPHASIZED

Re: Multiple sclerosis forum hears of pot's benefits, Oct. 29.

As one of the 250 people attending the MS Society's daylong
conference on the current status of knowledge about multiple
sclerosis, it was irritating to see the Free Press focus its coverage
on the medicinal use of marijuana. The conference brought medical
professionals together with people who live with MS to explore many
facets of a disease that defies easy analysis. Physicians who have
been working with MS for decades shared their experience along with
the most recent scientific data. Pot was discussed; many other more
important matters were discussed a lot more.

Anyone who came primarily to hear about potential complementary and
alternative therapies for multiple sclerosis, including marijuana,
was probably disappointed. That particular formal presentation was
far and away the most mind-numbing of the day.

DOUG KOOP Winnipeg