Pubdate: Sun, 11 May 2008
Source: Ventura County Star (CA)
Copyright: 2008 The E.W. Scripps Co.
Contact:  http://www.venturacountystar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/479
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v08/n445/a01.html
Author: Dale Gieringer

TESTIMONY TO IGNORANCE

Re: Associated Press' May 2 article, "Medical marijuana user dies for 
lack of liver transplant," and your April 30 editorial, "Pot costs 
man shot at liver":

The death of Tim Garon of Seattle due to the denial of a liver 
transplant for using medical marijuana is shocking testimony to the 
ignorance of our medical establishment.

Ironically, Tim's death came just days after the announcement of a 
Canadian study showing that the ingredients in marijuana actually 
help manage treatment of Hepatitis C.

In light of the fact that a previous study by Dr. Diana Sylvestre at 
the University of California, San Francisco, also found that 
treatment with marijuana improves the prognosis of Hep-C patients, 
the denial of Garon's transplant should be seen as downright malpractice.

Dale Gieringer, Ph.D., Coordinator, California NORML, San Francisco

(The writer is author of the "Marijuana Medical Handbook." - Editor) 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake