T
The420Guy
Guest
May 09,00
Washington Times
Letter To The Editor By Mike Epstein
****
James McDonough does make some valid points in
his column on medical marijuana, but he fails to
consider a number of points, too ("Science vs. the
pot smoking pitch," Commentary, May 4).
First, while inhaling smoke of any kind is obviously not healthy, for the people suffering from cancer, AIDS or other conditions that may benefit from marijuana, inhaling smoke is
the least of their problems.
In addition, for those suffering the severe nausea that accompanies chemotherapy or complications from AIDS and cannot swallow the pill form of marijuana, smoking a joint is the quickest and most efficient way to quell the nausea. How
can a pill help if the patient cannot keep it down?
Second, although reduced sperm or testosterone levels may be a result of heavy marijuana usage, again, for someone suffering from cancer, AIDS, multiple sclerosis, or any of the numerous
conditions that could be eased by marijuana, it hardly seems worthwhile to be worried about such trivial side effects. The reduced chance of conceiving a child is hardly a concern for
someone in constant pain.
The problems Mr. McDonough describes in the conflict between state and federal laws, as well as the lack of regulation in the California cannabis clubs, can be easily remedied if the federal government allows doctors to begin prescribing marijuana without being subjected to the possibility of arrest. Once doctors are allowed to prescribe marijuana, the need for
unregulated cannabis clubs will be gone. Far more dangerous substances are currently prescribed by physicians. There are no valium clubs or morphine clubs for the simple reason that they are not necessary. With proper regulation and supervision, the incidents of underage patients or those who have questionable need for marijuana will disappear.
Finally, what Mr. McDonough overlooks is the fact that the government will not allow the additional research needed to develop safer, more effective methods of delivering the useful substances contained in marijuana. The Institute of Medicine
has called for further study, but the organization has been denied the marijuana needed for such research. Gen. Barry McCaffrey, White House drug policy director, has stated that the useful ingredients in marijuana could conceivably be
delivered through an inhaler, similar to that used by asthma sufferers. Yet, trials necessary to develop such inhalers has not moved forward.
In the end, until safer methods of delivering the beneficial substances contained in marijuana are developed, smoking marijuana is the only relief for critically ill patients, most of whom are willing to suffer the relatively insignificant side effects to relive the pain and nausea they endure every day.
By Mike Epstein
Washington
Copyright © 2000 News World Communications, Inc.
Washington Times
Letter To The Editor By Mike Epstein
****
James McDonough does make some valid points in
his column on medical marijuana, but he fails to
consider a number of points, too ("Science vs. the
pot smoking pitch," Commentary, May 4).
First, while inhaling smoke of any kind is obviously not healthy, for the people suffering from cancer, AIDS or other conditions that may benefit from marijuana, inhaling smoke is
the least of their problems.
In addition, for those suffering the severe nausea that accompanies chemotherapy or complications from AIDS and cannot swallow the pill form of marijuana, smoking a joint is the quickest and most efficient way to quell the nausea. How
can a pill help if the patient cannot keep it down?
Second, although reduced sperm or testosterone levels may be a result of heavy marijuana usage, again, for someone suffering from cancer, AIDS, multiple sclerosis, or any of the numerous
conditions that could be eased by marijuana, it hardly seems worthwhile to be worried about such trivial side effects. The reduced chance of conceiving a child is hardly a concern for
someone in constant pain.
The problems Mr. McDonough describes in the conflict between state and federal laws, as well as the lack of regulation in the California cannabis clubs, can be easily remedied if the federal government allows doctors to begin prescribing marijuana without being subjected to the possibility of arrest. Once doctors are allowed to prescribe marijuana, the need for
unregulated cannabis clubs will be gone. Far more dangerous substances are currently prescribed by physicians. There are no valium clubs or morphine clubs for the simple reason that they are not necessary. With proper regulation and supervision, the incidents of underage patients or those who have questionable need for marijuana will disappear.
Finally, what Mr. McDonough overlooks is the fact that the government will not allow the additional research needed to develop safer, more effective methods of delivering the useful substances contained in marijuana. The Institute of Medicine
has called for further study, but the organization has been denied the marijuana needed for such research. Gen. Barry McCaffrey, White House drug policy director, has stated that the useful ingredients in marijuana could conceivably be
delivered through an inhaler, similar to that used by asthma sufferers. Yet, trials necessary to develop such inhalers has not moved forward.
In the end, until safer methods of delivering the beneficial substances contained in marijuana are developed, smoking marijuana is the only relief for critically ill patients, most of whom are willing to suffer the relatively insignificant side effects to relive the pain and nausea they endure every day.
By Mike Epstein
Washington
Copyright © 2000 News World Communications, Inc.
