I first encountered the use of marihuana for the relief of MS c. 1973, in London. The user in question had been a long-term recreational smoker already and it was the one seriously brilliant helpful agent for him.

Here is an article from several years ago from the New Scientist,entitled "Cannabis Truly Helps Multiple Sclerosis Sufferers" which also seems to confirm the beneficial effects:

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn6387-cann...

I see from a google search that there are some caveats emerging from more modern research that negative cognitive and emotional side-effects may be experienced.

I'm still pretty sure that given the situation [I hope NOT!], and given the choice, I would go for it. But I wonder whether others have any personal recent knowledge of this topic?

I think we need to curtail the governments abuse. US govt. wastes billions in taxpayer $$ for their own agendas motivated by powerful lobbyists such as the pharmaceutical industry.

MJ has been shown effective, but the pharmaceutical industry feels threat. just another example of how manipulated up our govt. is by big business.

vote Ron Paul for president!

http://www.ronpaul2008.com

After a 12 year legal battle waged by NORML,in 1988 the DEA was ordered by a federal court to appoint their own law judge to review all the facts and make a recommendation on whether to reschedule marijuana.

Here is a statement from that finding...

"Marijuana,in it's natural form is one of the safest theraputically active substances known to man.By any measure of rational analysis,marijuana can be safely used under a supervised routine of medical care".

-DEA Law Judge Francis Young

The finding was ignored by the DEA and to this day,the federal govts official stance is that marijuana "has no medical value".

It is time for the American people to take command of their EMPLOYEES and democratically ORDER law enforcement to stop telling doctors how to practice medicine!

2 bipartisan bills have failed in the last 2 years because the Democrats in congress have been spineless and think the voters are going to let this slip under the radar.

I really think if Obama, Hillary or McCain were to advocate legalisation with taxation it would help their campaign.

Pot smokers are a huge demographic, even some people who don't smoke think we should at least decriminalize it.