Pubdate: Wed, 13 May 2009
Source: Chicago Sun-Times (IL)
Copyright: 2009 The Sun-Times Co.
Contact: http://www.suntimes.com/aboutus/feedback/index.html
Website: http://www.suntimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/81
Author: Eric Christoff, M.D.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA HELPS PATIENTS

As an HIV specialist, I treat patients who have neuropathic pain.
Individual patients respond differently to medications, and it is
therefore crucial for doctors to have as many safe and effective
options as possible. This is why I think that a medical marijuana law
is right for Illinois.

There is a great deal of evidence that marijuana can have therapeutic
value in a wide range of circumstances, and I believe that doctors
should be free -- indeed, should be encouraged and expected -- to
recommend the treatment option they feel would be of most benefit to
the individual patient.

It does not make sense for Illinois to use police resources to arrest
and jail patients for using a medicine that can relieve suffering with
a high degree of safety compared with addictive and side effect-prone
prescription medications.

Eric Christoff, M.D.

Roscoe Village
- ---
MAP posted-by: Richard Lake