POT OPINIONS BACKED BY SCIENCE

Unlike my critic, Dr. George Athey, I have published a number of
peer-reviewed articles on marijuana, including one on its possible
role in causing schizophrenia ("Pot
not cure-all for our ills," Letters, MArch 26). My database has
thousands of peer-reviewed articles, most of which I have read.

His comments regarding the biological effects of cannabis consumption
reflect disproven, and outdated "facts."

The gateway theory is accepted only by those who have read too much
self-serving Drug Enforcement Agency propaganda. Even President
Richard Nixon's Schafer Commission concluded that heroin use would
decrease if marijuana were legal. Many chronic pain sufferers have
replaced opiod-based medicine with cannabis and have a greatly
increased their quality of life.

Athey might not know it, or perhaps acknowledge it, but all of his
body systems are homeostatically regulated by his cannabinoid system.
Every time he gets hungry he is giving himself the munchies with the
pot that his body produces. In an effort to reduce appetite,
Rimonabant was marketed because it inhibits the CB1 receptor that gets
people "high." However, the EU recently removed the drug from the
market because there was an increase in depression and suicidal
thoughts among users. Low doses of THC have documented anti-depressive
activities. Currently, drugs that enhance our endocannabinoid activity
by preventing their breakdown are in trial as antidepressants.

As far as marijuana causing cancer, I published an article in 2005
that explained why marijuana does not cause lung cancer whereas
tobacco smoke does. My predictions were subsequently supported by
epidemiological evidence. Furthermore, cannabinoids, such as THC, kill
a number of cancer cell types, including lung cancer cells. This
anti-cancer property is presumably why there is less lung cancer in
people who smoke marijuana and tobacco compared to tobacco only smokers.

As a scientist and an educator, I hope Athey has enough
endocannabinoid activity in the areas of his brain that control
open-mindedness to realize that I share with him the goal of a
healthier population.

Robert Melamede, Biology professor, Colorado Springs