LETTER OF THE WEEK

MEDICAL MARIJUANA IS A KEY ALTERNATIVE

By Gary Storck

Mayo Clinic endocrinologist Victor Montori's comments that his
patients must choose medications on the basis of "the least painful
poison," rather than by the benefit, exposes a plight affecting all
patients ("Diabetics face risk on drug choices," News, June 5).

Many patients often begin exploring the medical uses of cannabis to
treat the side effects of conventional medications. That's why it's
so maddening to hear politicians say things such as, "There are other
options," as Rudy Giuliani said recently when asked about medical
cannabis for cancer patients.

Dr. Steve Nissen's comments at the Avandia hearing ( "This is about
patients; it's not about politics." ) appropriately sum up what
medical cannabis opponents refuse to concede: It's about money. The
"poison" is not only painful but profitable, and a portion goes
toward funding the sort of candidates, generally Republicans, who
spout, "There are other options," while generations of patients are
denied a safer, often more effective drug alternative.

Gary Storck, co-founder

Is My Medicine Legal YET?

Madison, Wis.

Pubdate - Wed, 13 Jun 2007

Source - USA Today (US)