MEDICAL MARIJUANA NEEDED

Editor:

Thanks for publishing the letter (Delta Democrat Times, Feb. 25) by Gary
Storck. For my mother and millions of other Americans medical marijuana is
a matter of life or death.

Cannabis stops my mothers seizures where as more than 25 prescription
medications have failed. Surgery to remove part of her brain was also
considered but wasn't an option.

Our federal government would have Americans believe that medical marijuana
is a cruel hoax or myth. There are more than 60 cannabinoids found in
marijuana and synthetic THC, marinol, is but a single cannabinoid and
doesn't provide the benefits of the natural plant.

There is no question that these cannabinoids have medicinal value, why else
would pharmaceutical companies be scrambling to create synthetic versions
of them?

Smoking marijuana isn't the only way it can be ingested. Patients can
vaporize it, make tinctures or use it in teas and food items, so the
harmful effects of smoking are no excuse for our government's actions.

We are now getting reports of studies from several nations, including our
own, confirming the successful use of cannabinoids to treat multiple
sclerosis, epilepsy, cancer and other sicknesses.

Other nations are distributing cannabis and cannabis based medications via
prescription to those who benefit from its use.

In America we incarcerate those who try to alleviate their pain and
suffering by using cannabis. It's no coincidence that our brain is filled
with cannabinoid receptors.

Humans were meant to use this natural medicine and our government will one
day be held accountable for prosecuting sick and dying Americans.

BTW, the DEA's own law judge Francis Young ruled in 1988 that: "The
cannabis plant considered as a whole has a currently accepted medical use
in treatment in the United States, there is no lack of accepted safety for
use under medical supervision and it may lawfully be transferred from
Schedule I to Schedule II. The judge recommends that the administrator
transfer cannabis."

Here is a link to the complete ruling. Please note that his judgment was
overturned by the administrator based on a technicality, not based on error
of facts.

Scott Russ,

Baton Rouge, La.