FACTS ON MEDICAL POT

Editor -- Debra J. Saunders made a number of important points in her
latest column about medical marijuana ("Waiting To Inhale," Sept.
19). Two facts are worth adding:

First, the evidence of marijuana's medical benefit continues to
accumulate. Just last week, a new study from UCSF showed that
marijuana use tripled the cure rate of patients being treated for the
hepatitis C virus (HCV) -- apparently by relieving nausea and other
side effects of anti-HCV drugs, thus allowing patients to complete
their arduous treatment regimens.

Second, the advantages of smoking -- instantaneous relief and ease of
dose adjustment -- are available without smoking, using fairly simple
devices called vaporizers. If the government really objected to
smoking, as officials claim, it would be promoting the use of these
devices, which allow inhalation of the active components,
cannabinoids, without the tars and other irritants in smoke. Oddly,
officials, such as David Murray of the drug czar's office, never seem
to acknowledge that this technology exists.

Bruce Mirken

Director of Communications

Marijuana Policy Project

Washington