Pubdate: Mon, May 17 1999 Source: Oregonian, The (OR) Copyright: 1999 The Oregonian Contact: 1320 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97201 Fax: 503-294-4193 Website: http://www.oregonlive.com/ Forum: http://forums.oregonlive.com/ Author: Arthur Livermore, Arch Cape MARIJUANA RESEARCH IN CATCH-22 John A. Benson Jr. and Stanley J. Watson Jr. say that "the (medical marijuana) debate should really be about the promise of future drug development" (May 4). They fail to address the issue that is currently preventing the development of cannabinoid drugs: prohibition. How can any cannabinoid drug research and development work be done in the private sector if it is a crime to grow cannabis? - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart