STUDY VALIDATES MARIJUANA

Recently, long-overdue research by Dr. Donald Abrams was published in
the medical publication, Neurology, which indicates that smoked
marijuana effectively reduces chronic neuropathic pain, as well as
acute pain for people living with HIV/AIDS.

This study validates the experience of patients and their
doctors.

Years ago, the federal government issued a gold-standard report from
the Institute of Medicine recommending that more research be conducted
to review the appropriate therapeutic use of cannabis.

Despite these recommendations, federal agencies often discourage
medical cannabis research.

Congress should immediately hold oversight hearings to investigate why
federal agencies have resisted full implementation of the Institute of
Medicine's 1999 recommendations.

Lisa Duffy

El Sobrante