MARIJUANA THERAPY

This is in response to David Broder's Nov. 12 column on the medical
marijuana raids stretching the resources of the Drug Enforcement
Administration. I have been a registered nurse for more than 23 years and
find that type of raid a waste of resources. Anyone who has seen the
suffering of people with cancer and AIDS shouldn't begrudge the relief this
type of therapy can bring.

Many times over the years, I have seen patients waste away with the nausea
and vomiting that can occur, and the pain that is suffered. It is difficult
to grasp that the raid in California now puts these patients or their loved
ones on the street looking for marijuana, that is sometimes needed to
alleviate certain symptoms. We have a huge OxyContin problem in Washington
County where I live. I wish some of this precious money for fighting drugs
could be used to help this problem and leave the medical marijuana issue alone.

Cindy Look, R.N.

Columbia Falls