Pubdate: Fri, 13 Jun 2014
Source: Tampa Bay Times (FL)
Copyright: 2014 St. Petersburg Times
Contact: http://www.sptimes.com/letters/
Website: http://www.tampabay.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/419
Note: Named the St. Petersburg Times from 1884-2011.
Author: Larry Molter
Page: A12
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v14/n494/a10.html

MEDICAL RELIEF WITHIN REACH

Re: Legal Medicines Also Carry Risks, June 11, letter

I am a Crohn's disease sufferer. Although I have a mild case, the 
inflammation is a grave concern for me. I am looking forward to 
Amendment 2 passing in November so I can take edible, low-THC strains 
of marijuana to ease this condition.

The prescription drugs that are effective against the inflammation 
caused by this disease carry risks too grave for me to even consider 
them. Because the drugs are immune blockers, patients are at risk 
from infections such as tuberculosis, possibly fatal cancers such as 
lymphoma, and other conditions resulting from a reduced immune system.

I do not believe medical marijuana carries any of these risks. And I 
do not understand why there is so much negativity toward this 
amendment. The rewards are there, with low risk.

Larry Molter, Tampa
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom