Pubdate: Tue, 18 Aug 2009 Source: Rockford Register Star (IL) Copyright: 2009 GateHouse Media, Inc. Contact: http://www.rrstar.com/contact Website: http://www.rrstar.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/370 Author: Dan Linn EFFECTIVE MEDICINE The letter by Mr. Holmboe wrote ("Reform is a must," Aug. 11) is correct that "expensive pills" are the preferred method for many when it comes to health care and I agree that health care should be getting cheaper not more expensive with each technological advance. However, there are people who the pills do not help or sometimes the side effects are simply worse than the condition and some of these folks find relief from using cannabis, a plant. Imagine how cheap health care could be if people could grow their medicine instead of having to purchase expensive pills to combat the side effects of the other expensive pills. Cannabis was one of the most widely prescribed medicines until its prohibition was enacted in 1937, against the urging of the American Medical Association. Until patients are legally allowed to use cannabis though they will be criminalized for using a cheap and effective form of medicine. Dan Linn, Sycamore, Illinois Cannabis Patients Association - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake