HEED THE SCIENCE

It's too bad that The Denver Post doesn't do its homework before it
publishes opinions. With a little education, it would not support federal
marijuana policies that are based on ignorance and fear and promote the
suffering of those who could be helped.

Like The Post, most doctors and scientists and certainly all politicians
and members of law enforcement have not read the current professional
scientific literature. Had they, most would likely have a different opinion
on the topic. Marijuana-like compounds, known as endogenous cannabinoids,
control most of our body functions.

They help to maintain the healthful homeostasis of our immune, nervous,
endocrine, reproductive, digestive, excretory and cardiovascular systems
via specific cannabis receptors. Our bodies all make psychoactive,
cannabis-like compounds to fit into these receptors. In addition, the
cannabinoids have anti-glioma, breast cancer and prostate cancer
activities. Evolution has selected the cannabinoids as natural inhibitors
of peripheral pain and regulators of appetite and body temperature.

It's time to believe the science and the people who are suffering.

ROBERT J. MELAMEDE

Colorado Springs

The writer is chairman of the biology department at the University of
Colorado at Colorado Springs.