Letter: Cannabis as medicine

Wednesday 25 February 1998 00:02 GMT

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AS A cancer sufferer who is undergoing chemotherapy, I should like someone to explain to me the logic of the fact that although it is illegal for doctors to prescribe cannabis to relieve my symptoms it is legal to use heroin as a medical drug.

The evidence that cannabis is non-habit-forming and less damaging than heroin, tobacco or alcohol is now overwhelming. Many people suffer pain that only cannabis can relieve, and sufferers from ME can get relief by its use. What is the justification for forcing sick people either to suffer unnecessarily or to become criminals?

I have never used any recreational drug but alcohol.

R E STEBBING

London E12

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