Pubdate: Sun, 30 Jun 2013 Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune (MN) Copyright: 2013 Star Tribune Contact: http://www.startribunecompany.com/143 Website: http://www.startribune.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/266 Authors: Dan Watts and Sadie Watts Managing Pain STATE NEEDS MARIJUANA FOR THE CHRONICALLY ILL Medical marijuana was not among the alternative pain relief methods mentioned in the last Sunday's article ("For those in pain, changes fuel fears," June 23). Why hasn't this gotten off the ground in Minnesota? It does what it's supposed to do - relieve pain - with much fewer adverse effects than oxycodone or other narcotics. It should be considered alongside other nonpharmacological interventions, because it works. Minnesota needs to catch up with the several states giving compassionate options to the chronically ill. DAN and SADIE WATTS, Northfield, Minn. - --- MAP posted-by: Matt