USE OF CANNABIS

Sir, - I have MS and have campaigned for years to decriminalise the use of
cannabis for therapeutic use. As Scotland has the highest incidence of
multiple sclerosis sufferers in the UK, I feel it particularly relevant to
your readers.

What does concern me is, now British scientists have found that there is
strong evidence that natural cannabis does work, they are encouraging the
development of a synthetic chemical for a new pharmaceutical drug.

Surely, if there is proof that a natural compound can work, is there a need
to develop a synthetic compound, other than to subsidise international drug
firms that will be marketing and patenting such products?

Are the courts going to continue to prosecute ill people who have found
that natural cannabis has helped alleviate some of the distressing symptoms
of multiple sclerosis?

HAMISH CRISP
Spokesman Scotland, Medical Marijuana Co-operative
Abbey Court, Edinburgh