Opinion | Doctors on the Use of Medical Cannabis

To the Editor:

Re “More Seniors Are Choosing Pot Over Pills” (front page, Nov. 17):

As a primary care doctor, I have been discussing, recommending and prescribing cannabis to my patients over my entire 25-year career. I have known it was a medicine since I saw it help my brother Danny during his unsuccessful battle with childhood leukemia.

My family procured it for him illegally in the early 1970s as they had heard about the benefits. It was transformational, as Danny could now hold down food and, importantly from my perspective, play with his little brothers during the time he had left.

As primary care doctors, we do not prescribe “perfectly safe medications” ever. No drug or medicine comes with zero toxicity. Rather, we prescribe the medicine that we believe will have the least toxicity and that will alleviate whatever ailment we are treating.

I have found that having medical cannabis in my toolbox has vastly improved my ability to treat anxiety, insomnia and chronic pain, to give a few examples — problems that plague our older populations, and that are often unsafely and ineffectively treated by current pharmaceutical options.

It is difficult to argue that cannabis is more toxic, especially if used judiciously, than many of the pharma options we often provide.

It is no surprise to me that, as we roll back our ineffective war on drugs, and as older Americans increasingly have legal access to cannabis as an option, the usage in this population is increasing. In many cases, we are finding cannabis to be a more effective and safer alternative.

Peter Grinspoon
Newton, Mass.
The writer is the author of “Seeing Through the Smoke: A Cannabis Specialist Untangles the Truth About Marijuana.”

To the Editor:

I applaud this excellent article, which sheds light on the potential benefits of cannabis for seniors. As a geriatrician who has recommended cannabis to more than 2,000 older adults, I can attest to its benefits for many problems that plague them, including pain, anxiety, sleep disorders, spasticity, cancer-related nausea and even Alzheimer’s-related agitation.

Medical cannabis has also helped many of my patients (and my colleagues’ patients) discontinue using dangerous medications, such as opioids or benzodiazepines, as well as cut down on other prescription drugs.

There is a desperate need for better and safer approaches for many geriatric syndromes. Cannabis can, in fact, safely treat many of these conditions. But, as the article pointed out, it’s important to use it correctly — especially by starting low and going slow — and getting good medical advice.

Unfortunately, accurate medical information is sorely lacking; most geriatricians and other health care providers are not educated about medical cannabis, and the media is often filled with hype and misleading information.

My colleagues and I are dedicated to providing evidence-based information to consumers, medical students and medical practitioners so they can make informed decisions about using or recommending cannabis.

Mikhail Kogan
Washington
The writer is a co-author of “Medical Marijuana: Dr. Kogan’s Evidence-Based Guide to the Health Benefits of Cannabis and CBD” and associate professor of medicine and associate director of geriatric fellowship at George Washington University.

To the Editor:

Re “So Many Child Deaths in Gaza, and for What?” (column, Dec. 7):

Nicholas Kristof writes passionately about the horrifying deaths of so many Palestinian children. What he does not mention is the psychological trauma for surviving children and the possible consequences.

Some of those terrified boys and girls, covered in dust and blood frantically looking for family members, will struggle to ever become functioning, much less happy and successful, adults. Others will grow into hatred of Israel, eventually joining whatever terrorist group comes along to replace Hamas.

I fear that in this massive destruction Israel sows the seeds of its own future tragedies and wars.

Anne-Marie Hislop
Chicago

To the Editor:

Nicholas Kristof devotes his column to decrying the number of child deaths in Gaza and the brutality of the Israeli campaign, but he offers nothing helpful about solving the larger problem of Hamas and terrorism. All he can suggest is an anemic “Every bit of diplomatic pressure should be applied to Hamas to free those hostages.”

Diplomatic pressure will do zero to free the hostages. And the hostages are only a small part of the problem, with Hamas sending rockets throughout Israel and promising to repeat the Oct. 7 atrocities until it accomplishes its genocidal goals.

All decent people suffer with the death of each Gazan child. Until Mr. Kristof can provide a viable solution to removing an entrenched terrorist organization other than an air and ground campaign such as Israel is waging, he should refrain from such columns that imply that the Israel Defense Forces are acting unethically.

Jeffrey L. Rubenstein
New York
The writer is a professor of Hebrew and Judaic studies at New York University.

Re-energizing Local News

To the Editor:

Re “Democracy Relies on Local Newspapers” (Opinion, Dec. 3):

Serge Schmemann’s somber assessment of the state of local news — and the civic costs of its disappearance — was a timely wake-up call for anyone concerned about the state of our democracy. But Mr. Schmemann underestimates the promise of the creative solutions that are emerging to re-energize local news.

Chief among those solutions are partnerships between universities and local newsrooms. Such news-academic partnerships have been gaining momentum in recent years, and they offer a sustainable path forward for regions in danger of becoming news deserts. Perhaps most critically, these partnerships are also cultivating an appreciation among college students for the essential role that local news plays in a thriving democracy.

Building a strong future for local news will require more than just newsrooms; we also need generations of savvy news patrons who demand rigorous coverage of local civic life.

Meg Little Reilly
Burlington, Vt.
The writer is managing director of the Center for Community News at the University of Vermont.

Green Text, Blue Text

To the Editor:

Re “Apple Opens Path for Healing Green and Blue Divide in Texts,” by Brian X. Chen (Tech Fix column, Nov. 30), about the “green versus blue bubble” disparity in texts between iPhone and Android users:

First I’ve heard of this, since I confess to texting sparingly at best. But I’m not surprised.

If we’re not killing one another over borders, riches, religion, politics, skin color/ethnicity or sexual orientation/gender identity — to name but a few — then we’re arguing over and grouping ourselves by preferred computer operating systems, applications, hardware, and, yes, even the color of our messaging bubble.

Is there no limit to our penchant for tribalization?

Sigh.

Marc Truitt
Sackville, New Brunswick