BAN ILL-ADVISED

Re: Stop Insane Talk of Legalizing Marijuana Wed 26 Jan 2000

After reading Ms.  Shannon Worthington's letter to the editor I would like to express my opinions and observations on the subject.  Although I am not an expert in this field I have read many books, studies, reports, and journals on marijuana over the past six years.  All of which refute the myths that the government has been telling the public for years.

The writer states that marijuana is the most commonly used drug in society today.  From what I have read alcohol and tobacco cause far more problem sociologically, physiologically, and psychologically than marijuana.  There is no credible medical reports to suggest that consuming marijuana alone has caused a single death.  People cannot sell their prescriptions of marijuana to others because doctors cannot prescribe marijuana in N.Y.  state.  Marijuana has been shown to be effective in reducing nausea induced by cancer chemotherapy, stimulating appetite in AIDS patients, and reducing introcular pressure in people with glaucoma.

In my opinion the Government's denial of medical marijuana to terminally ill people shows a lack of compassion to our society.  If Ms.  Worthington is interested in the scientific facts about marijuana, I recommend she read "Marijuana myth, Marijuana facts" co-authored by Dr.  John P Morgan MD, Professor of Pharmacology at the City University of New York Medical School and Dr.  Lynn Zimmer PH.D.  Associate Professor of Sociology at Queens College, City University of New York.

Lee Monnet Ogdensburg, NY