CANNABIS SAFER THAN METHADONE

In "Death stalks increased methadone use in state" (July 29), the writer
states that because of accidental overdose leading to death, methadone can
be risky to use for treating chronic pain. Wouldn't it be nice if we had a
pain medicine that never caused death from overdose? Actually, we do, and
it is called cannabis or marijuana.

Thousands of Oregonians participating in the Oregon Medical Marijuana
Program know that cannabis is effective for some people in chronic pain.
There are now several placebo-controlled trials showing effectiveness of
cannabis and cannabis-based products including an under-the-tongue spray
that will probably be released in England this year.

At the very least, the states that have passed medical cannabis legislation
should not be harassed by our federal government simply because voters
believe that suffering patients should have the option of either
cannabis-based pain medicine or opium-based pain medicine.

RICHARD BAYER, M.D.
Southwest Portland