A SON'S TALE

I can't thank you enough for publishing Stan White's touching letter, "A
Father's Tale" (12/3). My mother suffers from epileptic seizures, which
over 20 prescription medications were unable to stop. Even after surgery to
implant a vagus nerve stimulator in her neck, she still has auras and
seizures. Cannabis stops my mother's seizures as it stops seizures in
thousands of other patients across the world.

The war against medical marijuana isn't about protecting patients. It's
about ignorance and politics. Our federal government would have Americans
believe that medical marijuana is a cruel hoax or myth. Cannabis contains
over 60 cannabinoids and there is no question that these cannabinoids have
medicinal value.

Why else would pharmaceutical companies be scrambling to create synthetic
versions of them? The problem is they can't synthesize all the cannabinoids
and the synthetic versions don't provide the benefits of the natural plant,
i.e. CBD (Cannabidiol) counters the potent effects of THC
(Tetrahydrocannabinol).

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 their 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.

Scott Russ

Baton Rouge, La.