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Letters to the Editor

Federal refusal to study marijuana is wrong

Veteran Curt Bean smokes marijuana for relief from PTSD in his backyard in Lakewood, Colo., last November. The American Legion has joined veterans groups calling for research into the possible benefits of marijuana.
Veteran Curt Bean smokes marijuana for relief from PTSD in his backyard in Lakewood, Colo., last November. The American Legion has joined veterans groups calling for research into the possible benefits of marijuana. Matthew Jonas The Daily Times Call

Regarding the editorial “Why not find out if pot can help treat veterans’ PTSD?”: Marijuana should be studied more to find out if it is beneficial for soldiers who suffer with PTSD. The federal government needs to find out if there is more that can be done in this field of research, or make it possible for others to do.

The feds say that it is a dangerous illegal drug and that it has no medical benefit, thus categorizing it like heroin and LSD. So why not change the federal law so that it can be studied? If California and 28 other states have legalized it in some form than why can’t the government at least study its possible medical benefits.

If doing so could help save the life of a veteran who is suicidal then what is the hold-up with this happening? We need to do all that we can for those who have risked so much for our sake. It is time to stop playing politics and start doing the right thing.

Mat Michel, Fresno

This story was originally published June 10, 2017 at 3:55 PM with the headline "Federal refusal to study marijuana is wrong."

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