Report filed by Mary Jane Borden (10/20/2006) -- Yesterday, Brandy Zink, Michael Miles, and I met with the Glenn Sheller (Editorial Page Editor), Rick Woodruff (Editorial Writer), and Misti Crane (Medical Writer) of the Columbus Dispatch.

We took in with us a collection of articles printed on OPN letterhead and gave each person a Drug War Facts. This packet formed the basis for our conversation, which covered a myriad of cannabis-related subjects.

We spoke about SB 74 and how it has been stalled in the Ohio Senate Judiciary Committee by chairman Jim Jordan. Michael described is his personal struggle with Multiple Sclerosis and how cannabis has helped him. We covered Sativex and its origin, components, and potential widespread use in the European Union once it gains approval in Great Britain. We bridged to Randy Brush, medicinal cannabis user and inmate at the Pickaway Correctional Institution as a result of growing just four plants.

In our packet, we included a front/back flyer about recent Alzheimer's studies. One side contained an AP article that described a recent study which determined that prescription Alzheimer drugs don't work, while on the other side was a Reuters clip about studies indicating that cannabis might not only be effective, but also reverse some of the damage inflicted by the disease.

Interestingly and not to suggest any tie to our visit, the cover of yesterday's Dispatch contained an article about this latter study, encompassing three-quarters of the paper's far left column. It was composed by one of the individuals we met with! The article is reprinted here.

This article represents excellent, fact-based reporting, the kind we hope for as hearings for SB 74 approach. Please write the Dispatch yourself and let them know how much we appreciate this kind of journalism.

Please e-mail your letters to letters@dispatch.com or mail them to
Columbus Dispatch, 34 South Third, Columbus, OH  43215.