POT WORKS MUCH BETTER

Pardon me for questioning Mr. Jeff Limon's claims about "better
alternatives" for nausea relief than marijuana (Letters, May 8).

First off, the Zofran Mr. Limon touts must be taken by intravenous
infusion. How did Limon manage this at home away from doctors and
nurses? Most people can only use Zofran in a hospital, not at home or at work.

Second, I've had a Zofran infusion before receiving a medicine that
causes such severe vomiting and nausea that they call the symptoms
"fountain vomiting." After taking a 4-ounce IV infusion of Zofran
before the isodide treatment, I had the worst nausea and vomiting in
my entire life. I had severe cramps, diarrhea and intense nausea and
vomiting for 18 hours that was so severe that morphine could not stop
the pain. The Zofran was worthless.

The next day I had the same treatment. That time I smoked some
marijuana and never had a burp. I was able to eat an hour after the
chemo and left the hospital to get a good meal. There was zero nausea
and vomiting when I smoked the pot first.

I do not know what "fiction" about medical marijuana Mr. Limon is
trying to prove, but the nausea-reducing power of marijuana has been
testified to by thousands of patients.

Lastly, Marinol is worthless when someone has an attack of
chemo-induced vomiting because it is impossible to get a pill down
when you are puking your guts out. Also, many Marinol users complain
about the intense high it causes.

Ralph Givens

Daly City, Calif. (May 9)