BENEFITS OF RESEARCH OUTLASTED DRUG WAR

In his June 30 Forum column, "Former drug czars believe their war has
been won," John Burnham asserted that, when the first drug czar was
appointed in 1971, the serious effects of pot smoking were largely unknown.

True, but among these serious effects, scientists have since found an
anti-emetic for chemotherapy, an anti-spasmodic for multiple
sclerosis, a neuroprotectant for head injury, and even a potential
anti-cancer agent, all with few side effects compared to the myriad
other pharmaceutical drugs developed and marketed since then.

Back then, we didn't know that our own brains contain cannabinoid
receptors and actually produce natural marijuana-like compounds
called endocannabinoids. These findings have been hailed as among the
most exciting developments in brain chemistry of our time and are
leading to the discovery of a host of new drugs, unfortunately
outside of the United States.

In the United States, we still fight a "war" on this beneficial
substance. Instead of vigorously researching it and providing it to
patients, we're left with backslapping drug czars who advance
stifling bureaucratic control. As if they haven't left the 1970s,
Burnham and the czars continue to hype the falsehood that "brains got
fried" when we now know the opposite is true. In declaring victory,
are patients and medicine their collateral damage?

MARY JANE BORDEN

Westerville