Pubdate: Mon, 02 Nov 2009 Source: Gazette, The (Colorado Springs, CO) Copyright: 2009 The Gazette Contact: http://www.gazette.com/sections/opinion/submitletter/ Website: http://www.gazette.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/165 Author: John Murphy MEDICAL MARIJUANA NEEDED Our daughter, Molly, was born with cerebral palsy and has always been in a wheelchair. Now 37, she has been having a hard time trying to be able to remain in her wheelchair. Her muscle spasms have caused her hip to dislocate and it is painful to sit. She has had three operations in the past six weeks and is on Vicodin and Valium, indefinitely. Both drugs are physically addictive, their affect is lessened with use, and both have drastic withdrawal complications. Her doctor says pot is far better for both its pain and muscle relaxing properties as there is no down side. We plan to get her certified as a medical marijuana patient and make it legal for her to use this herb. Last week's "reefer madness" production at the City Council meeting was a blow to her and thousands like her in this city ("Pot growers in the city's sights," The Gazette, Oct. 27). I have supported 2C but feel like going to the other side to keep code enforcement from taking it away from her providers. I feel like selling our plot at Evergreen Cemetery and moving elsewhere where city leaders use their heads and retain their hearts at the same time, and are not swayed by self-serving police propagandists. Let's do something for her and others who suffer due to the history of politicians telling physicians how they can help their patients. John Murphy Colorado Springs - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom