LETTER OF THE WEEK

DRUG FIRMS AGAINST PATIENTS GROWING MEDICINE

Did you know the U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved pill form
of marijuana (Marinol) only contains one of the compounds or
cannabinoids that are found in the marijuana plant? That compound is
tetrahyrdocannabinol or THC.

Recent research in marijuana has shown it has many therapeutic
compounds or cannabinoids in it, such as CBD, a nonpsychoactive
cannabinoid that has been clinically demonstrated to have analgesic,
anti-spasmodic, anxiolytic, anti-psychotic, anti-nausea and
anti-rheumatoid arthritic properties. Along with CBD, there are
other naturally occurring terpenoids (oils) and flavonoids (phenols)
that also have been clinically demonstrated to possess therapeutic utility.

If you are wondering why this information has not been in the
mainstream, you need look no further than Sunday's Birmingham News
("Doctors rethink ties to drug industry"). The drug industry is rich
and powerful. It pays doctors to promote its products and to not
promote products. The drug industry doesn't want you to be able to
grow your own medicine. Where's the profit in that?

Obviously, there is merit to marijuana helping to relieve symptoms
for various illnesses or 15 states would not have legalized it for
medicinal purposes, nor would the Veterans Administration have
relaxed its policies concerning marijuana.

This legislative session, Alabamians could have the chance to try
this medicine with a recommendation from their doctor. Let your
legislators know to vote yes for House Bill 386, the Michael Phillips
Compassionate Care Act.

Dawn Palmer

Tarrant