MARIJUANA HELPS VICTIM OF VIOLENCE

I, too, agree that "Medical marijuana can help those who need it" (Nov. 25).
I don't have multiple sclerosis like the late Cheryl Miller, God bless her
beautiful soul, and I don't have epileptic seizures like Scott Russ' mom,
but I do suffer from a debilitating illness and marijuana does help. I have
post-traumatic stress disorder. I have been the witness and victim of
horrific violence. I've spent the majority of the days of my life fearing
what I knew was about to come, and 90 percent of the time, did. Those days
are gone but the effects are still here.

They say worrying too much will give you gray hair. I believe it because I'm
only 36, but physically I feel 100. The tenseness causes muscle aches
throughout the whole body but mostly in the abdominal areas. When you
experience this type of trauma on a long-term basis, depression is a given.
And, when your scared, it's kind of hard to enjoy a meal. After a while,
eating can even be a difficult thing to do. And, the memories seem to stay
close, making it very difficult to maintain a relaxed state. All together,
it can make a person very weak. I'm sure it has taken years off my life.

I have self-medicated with marijuana. I don't drink alcohol because it's
much too powerful for my frail 95-pound body. I won't say marijuana cures
post-traumatic stress disorder, because I still have it, but, I will say it
makes it easier to live with. It helps me to relax, eat and even laugh --
things most people take for granted.

It's unfair for our government to deprive those such as Cheryl Miller and
Scott Russ's mom, who suffer from very serious illnesses. Studies already
have shown marijuana helps and it's unfair to everyone that they make it
difficult for doctors and scientists to obtain it for research that can help
so many sick people.

SANDY COTE
Ohio Marijuana Party
Political Action Committee
Toledo, Ohio