Is Parker trading one devil for another?

Terry Parker may have won his right to smoke marijuana to control his
epileptic seizures (Growing pot for medicine ruled legal Court stays
charges, orders drugs returned to epileptic, Dec 11), but he may find that
he has merely traded one devil for another.

Marijuana contains a narcotic, just as tobacco contains a narcotic.

Marijuana is addictive, just as tobacco is addictive, and it has withdrawal
symptoms, just as tobacco has withdrawal symptoms.

But, as far as I am concerned, the real issue is smoke.

All smoke, whatever its source marijuana, tobacco, cabbage leaves, wood,
garbage contains carcinogens.

These carcinogens, over a period of time and depending upon the
concentration, can lead to lung diseases and lung cancer.

If there is in marijuana some ingredient that can provide the relief Parker
and others need, research should be conducted to find that ingredient and
put in a form that Parker and others can use without damaging their lungs.

Beyond that I make no judgment.

William Philip Rowley

Rexdale