I am a cancer survivor who has firsthand knowledge of a treatment
option that should be freely available but is not: marijuana.

Although I grew up in the decade that made marijuana famous, I never
smoked it. I never smoked anything; I didn't even know how to use a
lighter. But when I underwent chemotherapy for ovarian cancer, and the
prescribed anti-nausea medications didn't work, and my doctor refused
to prescribe marinol (the pills with the active ingredient from
marijuana), I resorted to the herb. A young man had to teach me what
to do. Friends had to risk legal repercussions to provide me with it.

I never smoked enough to get high - smoking was an exhausting
challenge in itself. But I got enough in me so I could force myself to
drink liquids. Before marijuana, I'd become dangerously dehydrated. I
would use enough so that I could finally sleep a few hours.
Previously, I'd been awake nonstop and so miserable I wished I'd just
die. Unlike with the doctor's pharmaceuticals, there were no side
effects-like dopey drowsiness, constipation or depression.

Recently, a friend contacted me because a friend of hers also needed
the kind of help this herb can give, and her doctor also refused to
prescribe marinol. I am very angry that we must risk police action and
jail time to bring some relief to suffering. I am very angry that the
doctors are so afraid to even prescribe nonsmokable versions. I would
have preferred the pills or suppositories to smoking, myself.

Every useful substance can be used for harm. But prejudice, tremendous
fear and lack of big profits for corporations has us by the throat
when it comes to this humble servant from God's pharmacy. Let us have
mercy: Marijuana isn't just for potheads. It is good medicine.

[Sidebar: 'Prejudice, a tremendous fear and lack of big profits for
corporations has us by the throat when It comes to this humble servant from
God's pharmacy.']

Ruth Barnett
Santa Barbara