Pubdate: Sat, 15 Mar 2008 Source: Sacramento Bee (CA) Copyright: 2008 The Sacramento Bee Contact: http://www.sacbee.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/376 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v08/n260/a01.html Author: Richard Hale Note: Does not publish letters from outside its circulation area. MEDICAL POT BEATS BIG PHARMA Re "Like it or not, it's the law," editorial, March 8: I suffer constant chronic pain from both gastrointestinal issues and a serious back injury. Medical marijuana helps to relieve this pain and also allows me to cut back a bit on the pharmaceuticals (some of which caused my now lifelong gastrointestinal problems) that doctors also prescribed. Being able to reduce the number of these serious narcotics is very beneficial to my health =AD not only does it keep my mind in better shape, but my liver as well. In my present condition, if a simple ID card would keep me from spending the night or longer in jail without any pain medication, while my legitimacy was being investigated, then I am in full agreement with The Bee that the Board of Supervisors should approve this program without any more foot-dragging. Not only for patients like myself and others, but for the benefit of all taxpayers as well. Richard Hale, Sacramento - --- MAP posted-by: Derek