Pubdate: Tue, 10 Jan 2012
Source: Nanaimo News Bulletin (CN BC)
Copyright: 2012, BC Newspaper Group
Contact:  http://www.nanaimobulletin.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/948
Author: Ashley Suggett

EVIDENCE SHOWS POT HAS MEDICAL BENEFITS

To the Editor,

Re: Legalizing pot isn't appropriate answer, Letters, Jan. 7.

I think Raegan Eisfeld really needs to rethink the strategy in 
comparing legalizing marijuana to legalizing B&Es and rape.

I find it offensive that this person would write a letter with this 
message. They have obviously not experienced two things: smoking weed 
and getting raped.

There is outstanding evidence that pot can help people who are in the 
most need of it. Cancer paitents who otherwise cannot eat. Multiple 
sclerosis patients who cannot operate without painkillers that attack 
your liver and kidneys, putting even more strain on our already 
overloaded health-care system.

All you have to do is look at California for a scale of how medical 
marijuana works once it is lealized and regulated.

The tax money alone is invaluable   so long as it goes either back 
into the health-care system or our school system. Shocking isn't it, 
how such a bad thing can have such positive benefits to all of the community?

If Eisfeld ever had any experience with gangs, drugs and violence, 
she would know that 90 per cent of the gangs involved in heroin and 
crack sales will rarley bother with selling weed.

I remind her that heroin in its many forms is widely used as 
painkillers. I don't see her protesting cancer patients and herion 
addicts for using oxycontins. Nor do I see her petitioning the 
pharmaceutical companies to stop manufacturing opiates, which are 85 
per cent more addictive.

Ashley Suggett

Nanaimo
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