WHY MARIJUANA SHOULDN'T BE LEGAL

While Colby Cosh's call for compassion is well motivated, it is
misguided, perhaps due to a lack of pharmaceutical knowledge. There
is certainly a growing body of evidence for the use of cannabinoids
(the active ingredient in marijuana) in pain management and perhaps
in other areas of relief of suffering. Nabilone is one of two
cannabinoids which have been available to physicians for prescription
for many years. While traditionally it is used for the prevention of
nausea during (cancer) chemotherapy, its "off label" use in chronic
pain management is growing. It is manufactured to pharmaceutical
standards, i.e., without impurities.

Contrast that with the many "grow ops" regularly taken down by the
police. These officers are required to wear protective clothing and
even breathing apparatus, to protect them against the toxic agents
(pesticides and herbicides) that are used by the growers. Yet these
toxic agents are taken in by those individuals who foolishly obtain
their drugs from illicit sources. It makes no sense to authorize the
prescribing and use of such a dangerous product as marijuana when
there is a perfectly safe one that will provide the same benefit.

Dr. Chris Sedergreen, Anmore, B.C.