POT HEAD

To the editor:

In the recent article, "Voters unlikely to pass pot plan," Washoe
County District Attorney Richard Gammick claims that marijuana is an
addictive and dangerous gateway drug.

My best friend George McMahon is one of several patients who receives
medical marijuana from the U.S. government's Investigational New Drug
Program. He uses his medicine to treat pain, spasms and nausea
associated with surgical and pharmaceutical maltreatment, repeated
injuries and a rare genetic condition called Nail Patella Syndrome.

Prior to being accepted to the program, he lived through 19 major
surgeries, was taking 17 different pharmaceuticals daily, and was
dependent upon a wheelchair. For the past 13 years, George has smoked
10 marijuana cigarettes each day. During this time, he's had no
surgeries or hospitalizations, he no longer takes any pharmaceuticals
(aside from the occasional antibiotic), and he regularly swims and
rides his bike. He is living proof that marijuana has medicinal
purposes. George has spent the past 13 years traveling the nation and
world to educate people on this issue.

Contrary to Mr. Gammick's claims, no empirical research indicates
marijuana is physiologically addictive. It simply doesn't affect the
addiction centers of the brain. It is true that people can and do
become emotionally dependent upon marijuana, but the same can be said
for gambling, sex and junk food.

Considering that obesity kills around 400,000 Americans annually,
perhaps district attorneys would have a greater impact on public
health if they started prosecuting citizens for possession of Big Macs.

Christopher Largen

Denton, Texas

The writer is co-author of "Prescription Pot: A Leading Advocate's Heroic
Battle to Legalize Medical Marijuana."