HIDDEN AGENDA

In response to Jill Brauss's letter to the editor on Oct. 7, I too
agree that in a humane society we should not withhold a substance that
could give a person comfort who is suffering excruciating pain.

But Ms. Brauss needs to realize that other medical marijuana advocates
have an agenda beyond medical use of the drug. They are really trying
to forward a more radical agenda: pot legalization. They see this as a
gateway to making this acceptable within our culture and that should
raise concerns for everyone.

While traditional pain medication has side effects -- especially
opiates -- so does marijuana. Marijuana's side effects include cancer
and anxiety, as well as the toxic effect of breathing in over 400
different active substances when smoked. Marijuana, by the way, is
currently available as a controlled drug in a non-smoked form, called
marinol. Why then do we need the smokable form?

Lenor Ericson, BSN, RN

Manhattan