CALIVA RIGHT ABOUT LEGALIZING MARIJUANA

I agree with Trey Calvia's article, "Step No. 1 in the new battle
plan: legalize marijuana, tax sales." Not only is marijuana less
harmful than many of our social and legal drugs, but cannabinoids,
compounds within the marijuana plant, have a high potential for new medicines.

I speak with many patients who use smoked marijuana to relieve the
symptoms of diseases such as multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, AIDS and cancer.

Often times marijuana helps these patients stop taking other
prescribed drugs, which saves them from toxic side effects and
possible liver damage, and at the same time controls their symptoms
better. Yet we know so little about this plant.

As a country we are missing out. Marijuana has 60 naturally occurring
cannabinoids. Our scientists are unable to research them and our
doctors and patients are unable to fully take advantage of their
potential. Let's get rid of the restrictions on this plant and truly
discover how we can develop a beneficial relationship with it.

Karen Heikkala

Texans for Medical Marijuana