Pubdate: Mon, 28 Mar 2011 Source: State Journal-Register (IL) Copyright: 2011 The State Journal-Register Contact: http://service.sj-r.com/forms/letters.asp Website: http://www.sj-r.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/425 Author: Dan Linn Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v11/n195/a12.html?1237 MEDICAL MARIJUANA IS SAFE In response to the letter against medical cannabis: It is should be noted that cannabis was one of the most widely used medications prior to it becoming illegal in 1937. Racist bigots who were protecting big industries like forestry for paper production and a newly immerging synthetic fiber market made cannabis and hemp illegal. The letter writer should look into the history of cannabis prohibition before making such outlandish claims such as the "bill has nothing to do with the medical treatment of serious illness." Cannabis should be legal for everyone, but lawmakers are not considering that; they are considering allowing doctors to recommend this natural substance for people with specific ailments. If we trust our doctors to prescribe the plethora of narcotics that are advertised everywhere, then we should also trust them to suggest using a plant for people who are not getting the treatment that is needed for the condition. Letter writer Kirk Boyenga seems to think that allowing sick people to use a plant will somehow worsen the financial state of our state and that just doesn't make sense. I know many medical cannabis patients who are on disability who, if allowed to use medical cannabis, might be able to work and pay taxes on their income; therefore, wouldn't that help the state's finances? All in all, medical cannabis is a safe alternative for treating many conditions and shouldn't be denied because of misinformation and a lack of understanding of the history of this useful plant. How scary can a plant really be? Dan Linn Sycamore - --- MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr.