LETTER OF THE WEEK

ALLOW POT FOR PTSD

The Veterans Affairs Department recently adopted a policy prohibiting
its physicians from recommending medical marijuana to their patients.

Overwhelming scientific evidence has already proved marijuana's
safety and efficacy for treating conditions like chronic pain and
post-traumatic stress disorder, a condition that afflicts nearly one
in five Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. Marijuana, moreover, carries
none of the risks associated with prescription drugs used to treat
PTSD, which have been responsible for the tragic overdose deaths of
current conflict veterans.

VA claims the ban is primarily a response to threats from the Drug
Enforcement Administration to prosecute VA doctors who recommend
medical marijuana, even though civilian doctors who recommend
marijuana to their patients are not subject to arrest.

Veterans and advocates are urging VA to stand up to the DEA's
harassment of veterans and their doctors.

Former Sen. Bob Kerrey, President, The New School

Jason Flom, Board of Directors, Drug Policy Alliance, New York City

Source: Federal Times

Pubdate: Mon, 31 May 2010