From last Aug.'s NYTimes: The torture we Americans endure by our government

[beachguy in thongs]

Hey, I know this link has been here before because it's from Press coverage of the MAPS/Craker/DEA hearing and it's from an article that was shared here at Cannabis.com.

When I hear stories like these, it makes me think that I live in Hell.

Critics of medical marijuana say that it's unnecessary because patients can obtain the benefits of its active ingredient, THC, through a drug that's already available, Marinol. But many patients say it doesn't work as well. They point to the case of the writer Peter McWilliams, who said smoking marijuana was the only way to control the nausea brought on by the mix of drugs he took for AIDS and cancer.

He was forced to switch to Marinol after a D.E.A. investigation led to his conviction for violating federal laws against marijuana. In 2000, several weeks before he was to be sentenced, he was found dead in his bathroom. He had choked on his own vomit.

Phillip Alden, a writer living in Redwood City, Calif., told me that marijuana was a godsend for him in dealing with the effects of AIDS. He said it eased excruciating pains in his fingertips, controlled nausea and enabled him to avoid the wasting syndrome that afflicts AIDS patients who are unable to eat enough food.

But Mr. Alden said only some kinds of marijuana worked - not the weak variety provided by the federal government, which he smoked during a research study.

"It was awful stuff," he said. "They started out with a very low-grade plant, rolled it up with stems and seeds, and then freeze-dried it so that they probably ruined any of the THC crystals. All it did was give me headaches and bronchitis. The bronchitis got so bad I had to drop out of the study."

Mr. Alden was scheduled to testify at this week's hearing, but he told me he had to withdraw because the D.E.A. refused to give him legal immunity if he admitted using marijuana not from the government. It's a shame the judge will be making a decision without hearing him, but I can understand Mr. Alden's hesitancy.

beachguy in thongs Reviewed by beachguy in thongs on 05-14-2006. From last Aug.'s NYTimes: The torture we Americans endure by our government Hey, I know this link has been here before because it's from Press coverage of the MAPS/Craker/DEA hearing and it's from an article that was shared here at Cannabis.com. When I hear stories like these, it makes me think that I live in Hell. Rating: 5

[God v2.0]

of course, but we're in the luxury part of hell.

[beachguy in thongs]

Lol. 77.8 degrees at 3:00 P.M.

[minnesota man]

I might be crazy but I think something is about to happen.

[beachguy in thongs]

A jet just took off.