MEDICINAL USE OF CANNABIS

Sir - I am writing on behalf of G. W. Pharmaceuticals Limited (GW) and
refer to the item in the Irish Independent on July 29, "Cannabis on Trial".
You say in your story: "A group of patients will legally be allowed to
'puff' cannabis next year..." as part of a clinical trial being conducted
by GW into the medicinal effects of cannabis.

Dr G. W. Guy, chairman of the company, did indeed say in evidence to a
House of Lords Select Committee and also in discussion with reporters that
some form of inhaler might be developed as part of the trial. Those whose
children suffer from asthma will be familiar with the type of technology
envisaged.

But it was made abundantly clear that the products to be developed by GW
would not in any way involve smoking, as your article implies. This is not
just a semantic distinction. Smoking is medically proven to be harmful. GW
Pharmaceuticals has never and will never advocate it as a means of drug
delivery.

Mark Rogerson, Grosvenor Gardens, London.

Checked-by: (Joel W. Johnson)