MEDICINAL USE OF MARIJUANA ISN'T CRIMINAL

In his letter, "Don't open the door any wider to 'pot' use
(Telegraph-Journal, June 10), Bertrand Durelle is upset with senators
looking for details on the legalization of marijuana.

I must say I am even more upset by his comments toward those who smoke
marijuana for medicinal purposes. I know someone with a terminal illness
who smokes marijuana to ease their incessant pain. My dear friend in Saint
John has been suffering with Multiple Sclerosis for more than 10 years.

She has suffered several seizures, leaving her partially paralysed on one
side and in almost constant discomfort. She wakes every morning to pain and
stiffness sometimes so severe that she can't move any of the joints in her
hands. There is no medication available to her that alleviates this, except
marijuana. She still has to resort to illegal methods in order to obtain
it, even sometimes go without.

I have seen how within minutes, she can uncurl her fingers, raise her arms
and even comb her hair, pain free. How wonderful it would be if she could
have access to marijuana on a regular basis.

She wouldn't have to worry about getting arrested for merely trying to
improve her quality of life by lessening her every day pain. I don't smoke
marijuana and won't, even if it becomes legalized.

I also don't drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes even though these products
are sold at almost every street corner.

Studies even show that alcohol and cigarettes are much more addictive than
marijuana as well as cause much more damage to the human body.

I have never met anyone who was actually physically addicted to marijuana,
but I've met loads of people whose lives were consumed by their addiction
to alcohol and tobacco products.

It's so easy to state that people in constant pain should medicate
themselves with what is deemed "safe, legal drugs" that are also "highly
addictive" and in the same breath state that they should "learn to control
pain without drugs."

JESSICA FRANCIS

Geary Via e-mail