DEA'S CRACKDOWN ON TRACE AMOUNTS OF THC DOESN'T MAKE SCIENTIFIC SENSE

All of our body systems (nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, immune,
digestive, reproductive) are controlled by endocannabinoids
(marijuana-like compounds that our body makes). They are necessary for
our health. Therefore, all humans have cannabis activity occurring
throughout their lives.

Today's modern analytical methods allow us to detect cannabinoids
(both internally and externally produced) at activity levels below
those found in all of us under normal conditions. When the government
attempts to control external cannabinoids to activity levels below
their natural levels, nothing of biological significance is
accomplished, although the DEA enhances their reason for being.
Therefore, sound regulations, if you believe in cannabis prohibition,
would target only THC levels that had biological significance.

To illustrate the point: many foods in our diet, our water supply and
the air we breathe have low levels of carcinogens in them. These
compounds are intrinsically more dangerous than THC (which actually
has anti-cancer activity); to set a zero tolerance level for them
would be foolish and cost prohibitive. An intelligent government,
rather than prohibiting healthy products from being marketed, should
let science be their guide when creating regulations.
Dr. Robert J. Melamede, Chairman

Biology Department

University of Colorado

Colorado Springs, Colo.