New Edition Of TNMNews Explores Legendary Pro-Cannabis Psychiatrist Who Debunks Myths about Cannabis, Treats Sick Son with Pot

Inspired by the dramatic increase in the number of people using cannabis in the 1960s amid government warnings of its dangers, Dr. Lester Grinspoon set out to conduct research supporting the government’s claims and publish his findings. Hear the Associate Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and celebrated medicinal marijuana pioneer tell the story of the truth he uncovered and how cannabis improved the life of his 10-year-old son suffering from leukemia on TNMNews, beginning tomorrow on TNMNews.com and select radio stations across the country.

Background

After repeatedly turning down offers to try smoking marijuana from his friend Carl Sagan, who assured him cannabis was perfectly safe, Dr. Lester Grinspoon began questioning his belief that marijuana was harmful.

“I had no doubt that it was a very harmful drug that was unfortunately being used by more and more foolish young people who would not listen to or could not believe or understand the warnings about its dangers,” said Dr. Grinspoon.

Having never seen any evidence substantiating the government’s claims that cannabis was dangerous, Dr. Grinspoon decided to compose a short paper, geared towards young people, which would provide scientific and medical evidence supporting his beliefs. But his research efforts did not uncover evidence that cannabis was harmful, and he began to realize that the government was misleading the public.

Treating Son’s Leukemia with Marijuana

The same year that Dr. Grinspoon began his cannabis research, his 10-year-old son Danny was diagnosed with leukemia and began chemotherapy treatments. Danny became violently ill, vomiting and dry-heaving for up to eight hours after each treatment.

After hearing how cannabis can effectively treat nausea, Dr. Grinspoon’s wife Betsy purchased a pipeful of marijuana from one of Danny’s friends in the high school parking lot and had Danny smoke it in front of the hospital before his chemotherapy injection. Danny felt so good after receiving his treatment that he ate a submarine sandwich on the way home from the hospital and asked to be dropped off at school.

Cannabis Advocacy

His research findings and experience at home turned Dr. Grinspoon into an advocate for cannabis. He has testified before Congress and as an expert witness in legal proceedings, including the deportation hearings of John Lennon. In 1990 Dr. Grinspoon won the Alfred R. Lindesmith Award for Achievement in the Field of Scholarship from the Drug Policy Foundation.

His pro-cannabis position has not gone unpunished. Dr. Grinspoon was denied at least one university professor position because his work with cannabis was too controversial for the institution.

Hear Dr. Grinspoon tell the complete story and share his predictions about the future of cannabis in America starting tomorrow on www.TNMNews.com.

Next Week On The National Marijuana News

Be listening all week long as we get ready for the premiere of our exclusive interview with football legend, spiritual healer and marijuana proponent, Ricky Williams. Host Todd Denkin was given full permission to ask Williams whatever he wanted and as you’ll see, the former Texas Longhorns standout did not hold back. Williams will discuss everything from his life on the football field, his dedication to marijuana and how his experiences led him to become an expert spiritual healer. Mr. Williams will also explain how he feels about the future of cannabis and if he sees himself ever becoming involved with it again. The National Marijuana News’ exclusive interview with Ricky Williams airs Saturday May 2nd at www.TNMNews.com.