Pubdate: Tue, 28 Jul 2009
Source: State Journal-Register (IL)
Copyright: 2009 The State Journal-Register
Contact:  http://www.sj-r.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/425
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n723/a08.html
Author: Dan Linn

SUPPORT BILLS LEGALIZING MEDICAL CANNABIS USE

Thank you for publishing Dennis Garland's letter illustrating the need
for a medical cannabis program in Illinois. It is amazing how many
people are upset with the health-care system in this country, but an
option that would allow sick people to provide medicine for themselves
at a fraction of a cost comes with such nonsensical opposition.

Before cannabis was outlawed in 1937, it was one of the most widely
used medicines and many sick people still find relief from consuming
this plant, whether it is smoking it, ingesting it in food or using a
vaporizer. In our age of drug advertisements with a list of potential
side effects, a safe and natural medicine should be legally allowed
for sick Illinoisans.

If a doctor recommends cannabis to a person undergoing chemo to treat
their cancer, why should we allow politicians to interfere with that
patient doctor relationship? People who would benefit from a medical
cannabis program in Illinois, as proposed by Senate Bill 1381 and
House Bill 2514, are simply trying to live a decent life with a
serious and debilitating condition.

These are people with cancer, multiple sclerosis, HIV/AIDS, ALS,
epilepsy. These are our family members, our friends and our neighbors.

Illness does not know political party affiliation, race or wealth and
those who are sick simply want to feel better. If medical cannabis can
provide relief then why can't we allow doctors to do their job and
help these folks? Medical cannabis is an issue of compassion because
sick people should not be criminalized for using a natural medicine
that their doctor recommends. Patients need safe and legal access to
this medicine if their doctor thinks it is a viable option for the
patient, please urge your legislators to support the medical cannabis
bills being considered in Springfield.

Dan Linn

Illinois Cannabis Patients Association

Chicago
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake