Mike Latona, left, and his son Christopher, who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder since returning from Army service in Afghanistan, on Wednesday testified in support of approving medical marijuana for treatment of the disorder. (Cyrus McCrimmon, The Denver Post)
Re: “Colorado board votes no on allowing medical marijuana for PTSD,” July 16 news story.
The Colorado Board of Health’s rejection of cannabis as an approved choice for sufferers of post-traumatic stress disorder illustrates two Prohibition-era notions that most Americans still accept without question.
First, that anecdotal evidence about the healing power of cannabis (spanning centuries, across a wide range of cultures all over the world) cannot be considered, and like any other drug, cannabis must be studied, tested and approved before patients can be granted access.
Thatap not how medicinal cannabis is coming back to us. Itap returning the old-fashioned way: by word of mouth, one patient at a time, treating themselves and sharing what they learn.
Second is the prevailing belief that elected, appointed and self-appointed leaders in this country actually have the right to determine what plants we may use for medicine (and/or for fun). Not according to the Founding Fathers, they don’t. We’re Americans: our lives, our bodies, our right to choose.
Carl Hedberg, Lafayette
This letter was published in the July 24 edition.
