Re: “Marijuana use debated,” Dec. 4 edition

“All drugs are harmful.” Really? Science and history indicate that, even when smoked, the benefits of marijuana use far outweigh the so-called “dangers.”

Marijuana has never killed anyone, and is a proven treatment for conditions such as HIV/AIDS, morning sickness, ADD/ADHD, migraines, nausea, anorexia, arthritis, cachexia, Crohn’s, epilepsy, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, gout, chronic pain, high blood pressure, diabetes, spasticity, and Parkinson’s.

New science shows how cannabis blocks a protein that causes Alzheimer’s and recent science out of Germany shows how cannabinoids stimulate the body’s production of TIMP-1, which helps healthy cells resist cancer invasion.

For those keen on teaching kids about drugs without all the hyperbole, slogans, bullying, and bald-faced lies of the “standard” education programs, I recommend the Canadian Students for Sensible Drug Policy website or the Educators For Sensible Drug Policy website.

Russell Barth
Federally Licensed Medical Marijuana User
Patients Against Ignorance and Discrimination on Cannabis

– Russell Barth

Published in Volume 63, Number 16 of The Uniter (January 15, 2009)