Pubdate: Fri, 01 May 2009
Source: Record, The (Stockton, CA)
Copyright: 2009 The Record
Contact:  http://www.recordnet.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/428
Author: Karen Motenko-Neal
Related: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n448/a01.html

CONSIDER PATIENTS WHEN DECIDING ON MEDICAL POT

My husband and I have just read the recent letter about the possible
establishment of medical marijuana dispensaries in Lodi.

I have a friend who was just diagnosed with an aggressive cancer. She
is going through aggressive chemotherapy treatments that will be
followed by radiation and a lifetime (hopefully a long lifetime) of
hormone pills.

This person is almost 60 years old and too skinny. A nurse friend of
mine told me a patient needs her weight to withstand what cancer
treatments do to a body.

My friend and her husband don't drink alcohol, don't smoke marijuana,
don't want to take any drugs, including medications. She and her
husband grow their own foods organically.

Another friend and I want our friend with cancer to consider
marijuana. We want her to get her weight up so she can withstand the
cancer treatments.

Our friend with cancer and her husband laugh off the idea. They
mentioned the illegality of it and worry about marijuana smoking being
bad for lungs. She has pills for the nausea.

I've written to the Lodi City Council asking them to allow medical
marijuana use in Lodi. All sufferers of cancer should be able to have
easy access to marijuana if they have gotten to the point where they
want to give it a try. They shouldn't have another hurdle to worry
about and to prevent them from at least trying marijuana. It may give
them comfort through the horrible pain they go through, and it may
save lives.

Karen Motenko-Neal

Valley Springs 
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