WILL SOME DOCTOR WRITE THIS PRESCRIPTION?

Were the judges right or wrong? A man suffered spinal injuries in a
car accident leaving him with chronic pain only relieved by marijuana.
His insurance company refused to pay for this medication. But Quebec
judges believed that "personal experience" must be considered when
deciding if a patient is helped by medication. They ruled his company
must pay $5,000 so he could grow his own marijuana. When I wrote about
this I asked for your opinion.

DJ from Sherbrooke, Que., responded, "Congratulations for bringing
this matter to the public's attention. My father is dying of cancer
and this is the one remedy that helps to control his pain and nausea.
It's ludicrous he has to obtain this illegally, but there is so much
red tape to get it legally. It seems that the government and drug
companies would sooner have him addicted to painkillers such as oxycodone."

From Toronto, "I wonder why the government promotes alcohol, but
throws people in jail for having marijuana in their pocket to relieve
pain and anxiety? It's not just patients with cancer who need this
medication. Too many tax dollars are spent on controlling something
that cannot be controlled."

A reader from Winnipeg says, "It's good to see some commonsense
thinking about the medical use of marijuana. My son suffers from
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. We have found that after trying other
remedies, smoking marijuana offers the most relief from his anxiety
and pain."

Another from Calgary reports, "My mother has metastatic cancer and is
undergoing chemotherapy. Doctors have prescribed several drugs to
counteract the nausea, but marijuana is far superior."

From Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., "I enjoyed reading your article on the
need for weed. I have rods and bolts in my spine following a car
accident years ago. I have been in chronic pain which affects my
entire life. For years I required large doses of morphine, but
marijuana has eased the pain and I can finally sleep through the night."

The most tragic response was from a reader in Lethbridge, Alta.,
During a hysterectomy, her urinary bladder was severely injured. Since
this complication she has undergone 22 bladder operations, resulting
in scar tissue and pain. Finally, the entire bladder was removed with
all unpleasant consequences. She says her only help is marijuana, but
the doctor who prescribed it has since retired. Now she's unable to
find another physician willing to write a prescription for this
medication. She pleads for help.

I'd write it if I were practicing in Lethbridge. But surely, there
must be a physician in that city who has the compassion to do so. If
there is, contact me. I'll send her name. Just imagine living day
after day with this inconvenience and daily pain. All she asks for is
marijuana, a legal request.

From St. Catharines, Ont., "My 29-year-old son has suffered from
obsessive compulsive disease since age 15. Traditional medicines have
not helped his fear of germs, nor coped with his anxiety. One of his
tics is spitting, which makes him a social outcast. Marijuana helps
this problem by keeping his mouth dry. Enjoy the column and keep up
the good work."

Many readers mentioned that they suffered from depression, anxiety
and/or stress and had been prescribed increasing doses of
anti-depressants that made them feel funny or suicidal. Marijuana was
the only medication that eased their nerves, calmed the stomach,
helped them to concentrate and be happy.

Ninety-five percent of readers applauded the Quebec judges. Others
believed increased use of marijuana would lead to other problems. One
man remarked, "If a doctor prescribes marijuana, he should also be in
a position to cancel their driving license. I don't want to have my
family injured by some pot-smoking driver."