INVESTIGATION OF CANNABIS

SIR, - With reference to Ian Oliver's column headed "Let science settle the
great cannabis controversy" (July 23), I agree with proper scientific
investigation into the benefits and otherwise concerning cannabis, but this
has been used far too often as an excuse to do nothing.

I have just had to restart using natural cannabis again because the ninth
different painkiller I've been prescribed makes me feel so awful.

Cannabis is the only thing I've found that completely gets rid of the pain
associated with the incurable neurological disease I have, multiple system
atrophy (MSA), and lets me function nearly like a normal human being.

Two years ago, I hadn't smoked marijuana regularly for more than 20 years.
I remembered that football injuries that still hurt when I was drunk didn't
hurt after a cannabis cigarette. That memory, suggestions from friends and
acquaintances and anecdotes of cannabis's painkilling qualities meant that
when methods I've had prescribed couldn't keep the pain in check any more,
I was very willing to try cannabis.

I'll try virtually anything to get rid of or just control the pain.

I know from personal experience that cannabis works and I have tremendous
respect and admiration for people such as Biz Ivol, who have helped others
when they've found something that works.

At the beginning of this letter, I stated that I welcomed scientific
research into the medical benefits of cannabis. However, I won't concede
the argument about tests needing to be completed to guarantee its safety
for people who are ill now. It's a risk I (and many others) are more than
willing to take.

Let's have the scientific investigation, but let's not deny the experience
of many of us.

Those who use cannabis as a medicine shouldn't be persecuted for doing the
only thing that helps.

Pete Harris, Flat 8, Broadgate House, Barking Road, Plaistow, London.