The Straight Dope

London, Ont. -- Jim Wakeford (A Harvest And A Celebration -- Facts and
Arguments, Nov. 2) does the cause of medical marijuana a disservice. While
he undoubtedly finds that smoking marijuana provides relief from
AIDS-related symptoms, it is also clear that he and his friends use
marijuana for both medical and social purposes. Otherwise he would be
looking forward to the day when any medically useful ingredients of
marijuana could be synthesized and made available in a form that does not
need to be smoked and does not make you feel high.

Pills containing marijuana's main active ingredient (THC) are already
available and it seems likely THC and other active ingredients could be
used in nasal sprays. Efforts to minimize side effects such as changes in
perception and mood are also being made. While Mr. Wakeford and his friends
may drool over coloured pictures of marijuana plants, it seems unlikely
that they will have the same enthusiasm for pictures of pills and nasal
sprays. Will they, however, continue to regard the smoking of a substance
containing carcinogens and mind-altering chemicals as medicinal?