Pubdate: Sat, 07 Feb 2009 Source: Santa Maria Times (CA) Copyright: 2009 Lee Central Coast Newspapers Contact: http://www.santamariatimes.com/contact/letter/ Website: http://www.santamariatimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/396 Author: Jean Mollenkopf BEATING PAIN WITH MARIJUANA There is a tremendous amount of controversy in the news and at the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisor meetings lately concerning medicinal marijuana clinics. As a conservative in all matters, I never thought life would place me in the position to lobby for these clinics. However, my husband's recent cancer diagnosis and the extreme pain that goes along with this disease, makes the use of medicinal marijuana a clear option to calm the pain. He could continue to load his body with addictive pain killers, but they are not taking care of the pain. So, to our honorable Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors, I ask that you reconsider your current position on the matter. One day you could also be dealt a major health crisis, and this simple herb could help alleviate the level of pain that you endure. Currently, the closest medicinal clinic to Santa Maria is in South County, and the closest north of Santa Maria is Santa Cruz. Something needs to be done to assure people in extreme pain a closer clinic option. Jean Mollenkopf Santa Maria - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D