EDITORIAL ON POT WAS WRONG

A recent Deseret News editorial stated: "Serious researchers believe
marijuana contains certain compounds of medicinal value. But
absolutely none of them recommends smoking the weed as a means of
obtaining any benefit." That is a lie.

I am a serious medical researcher. I have co-authored an article in
the pharmacological journal JPET (Vol 291: 31-38, 1999) on an
anti-arthritis drug derived from THC, the principal active ingredient
in marijuana. I am currently collaborating on a chapter in a book on
medical marijuana written for medical and research professionals.

I have recommended changing the law so patients can smoke marijuana
for the instant relief of several serious life-threatening symptoms,
as well as dozens of minor symptoms, such as glaucoma, nausea,
arthritis and gastrointestinal discomfort.

I am also the chairman of the Utah Therapeutic Humane Cannabis
Committee, supporting the legalization of medical marijuana in Utah. I
am not the only serious researcher who recommends "smoking the weed as
a means of obtaining (real medical) benefit."

Kenneth R. Larsen
Salt Lake City