Pubdate: Sat, 18 Oct 2003 Source: Science News (US) Copyright: 2003 Science Service Contact: http://www.sciencenews.org/sn_forms/sn_ctact.htm Website: http://www.sciencenews.org/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/403 Author: Doub Greene PAINED EXPRESSIONS "Switching Off Pain: Modeling relief on the action of marijuana" (Science News: 8/16/03, p. 99) notes tetrahydrocannabinol's (THC's) side effects of "sedation, giddiness, and paranoia" and then states that a new drug, AM1241, alleviates pain "without the side effects" of the marijuana ingredient. Yet the article also says there are concerns about AM1241 "undermining the immune system." Marijuana has been shown to be an effective treatment for a wide range of diseases, and its side effects pale in comparison to those of many other leading drugs. Doub Greene, Cazadero, CA - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom