MARIJUANA IS SAFER DRUG THAN A TABLET OF ASPIRIN

In a letter to editor, the mother who uses cannabis (marijuana) to relieve
pain from her intractable migraines took a brave step in exposing herself
to legal ramifications because of the insidious interference with our
private lives from our current enforcement of drugs laws. ("Medicinal
marijuana use should not be a crime," The Republican, July 16).

Her courage in speaking out on her use of this currently illegal, albeit
miraculous plant, cannabis, is much-needed. Especially in light of the fact
that the de facto prohibition of this entire species is a contributory
factor to our environmental degradation. Everything that can be made from a
hydrocarbon can be made with a carbohydrate, i.e. cannabis, and has the
advantage of being biodegradable.

The cannabis plant has more uses than the one of which most people are
aware. And, as people become aware of the multiple uses for this beneficial
species, the reasons for continuing with enforcement of our federal drugs
laws and the incarceration of hundreds of thousands of our citizens for
simply possessing it will, I trust, come to an end.

Our current folly of attempting to eradicate a God-given plant ought to
bring pause: Our current marijuana-cannabis eradication program uses tons
of chemicals each year that wind up in our food, air and water. Yet,
cannabis can be grown without the use of chemicals and actually replenishes
the soil in which it grows. Besides being a plant of many uses, it contains
a drug that is safer for you than aspirin. Makes one wonder why it was ever
criminalized.

Jeanne M. Black-Ferguson,

MassCann Board of Directors, Boston