In a panel discussion yesterday in Ellis Auditorium, nine patients described a dizzying array of illnesses ranging from epilepsy to a rare joint disorder known as Larsen syndrome. Two sat in wheelchairs, and one young man told the audience he was there to speak on behalf of his father, who is bedridden with multiple sclerosis.

All panelists said they had found one drug that significantly calms the symptoms: marijuana.

The Missouri conference of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws gathered yesterday at the University of Missouri, and advocates say they are gearing up for a renewed push to pass medical reform legislation in the state.

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The irony of the front page report (10/23, "U.S. Hits Hard at Mexican Cartel") while Barbara Shelly's column (10/23, "Futility of the Drug War Illustrated by COMBAT") is buried on A-21 is almost too much to bear.

I'm tired of the drug wars. I used to think the "police action' of Vietnam was about Standard Oil and Pepsico. Now, years later, it's very clear it was about export of drugs from Third World countries to the U.S. to bolster developing economies. How many Third World countries do we have to support? Why are we in the Middle East? Oil? No. Poppies? Yes.

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A study conducted at the University of California-San Diego discovered that marijuana is not only safer than alcohol, but also protects the brain from damages caused by excessive drinking.

Patrick Stack, director of counseling at Webster University, said any individual has the risk of misusing these types of substances.

"The problem of any type of drug usage originates when a person abuses a drug," Stack said. "As a result of this abuse, the drug has more influence on the person than the person has over him-or herself."

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Vicente Fox, the former president of Mexico, strode onto a St. Louis stage Tuesday night wearing a conservative business suit and pedestrian black loafers. The cowboy boots and "Fox" belt buckle that were his trademarks while in office until late 2006 were gone.

The serious attire gave hint to the serious message he delivered: Mexico should consider legalizing some illicit drugs.

The towering man with a baritone voice spoke to a jammed house at the Busch Student Center at Saint Louis University. A few hours later in Mexico City, his successor, Mexican president Felipe Calderon, kicked off his country's Independence Day celebration at the traditional mass gathering in El Zocalo plaza.

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There are plenty of pills in the medicine cabinets of many of our readers that are far more potent than marijuana.

The difference is that your doctor can legally prescribe them. That is not the case with marijuana.

But should it be?

Last weekend several thousand people gathered in Landreth Park for the Cannabis Revival. The event has been staged by volunteers from local chapters of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws since 1997. The revival serves as a rally and information resource for local advocates of reforming marijuana laws. This year's revival solicited donations to help support a medical marijuana initiative in Missouri.

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Mexico, Mo. - In observance of the 20th anniversary of drug courts nationwide, local drug court professionals took time recently to honor a few of their own for having the "foresight and vision" to bring the program to Audrain County - as two more graduates celebrated their sobriety.

In addition to Commissioner Carla Tanzey, speakers for the 12th Judicial Circuit Drug Court graduation ceremony included Associate Judge David Ash of the 45th Judicial Circuit; Judge Wesley C. Dalton; Warren County Prosecuting Attorney Michael S. Wright, Drug Court Administrator Christie Becker-Markovich; and Audrain Prosecutor Jacob Shellabarger.

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I enjoyed "Medicinal marijuana use booms in Colorado" (July 28). I hope Missourians soon can make use of that beneficial herb, too. There are problems with prescription painkillers and anti-depressants; besides serious addiction problems, there are serious and risky side effects.

But the hemp herb has painkilling and anti-depressant effects without any serious addicting power (less than coffee). And the side effects from sensible use of it are pleasant and beneficial.

The agricultural benefits of legalizing hemp -- both medicinal and industrial -- would be a gift to Missouri citizens, too. Hemp doesn't need pesticides or herbicides, as do other crops. It also helps break up the soil to provide excellent tilth for future crops in the rotational cycle.

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Cottlevile officials want state legislators to reintroduce and approve a bill that would legalize marijuana usage for medicinal purposes.

The Board of Aldermen on Thursday unanimously adopted a resolution supporting the medical use of marijuana.

"Due to the controversial nature of the resolution, I telephoned members of the board (before the meeting)," said Mayor Don Yarber, who sponsored and signed the resolution. "They all were in enthusiastic support of it."

House Bill 277 was introduced in March. House Speaker Ron Richard, R-129th District, of Joplin, blocked the bill by preventing it from being assigned to committee for consideration.

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Cottleville -- Officials in Cottleville want Missouri to join the growing number of U.S. states that have legalized marijuana for medicinal use.

Mayor Don Yarber said Monday the city's Board of Aldermen unanimously approved a resolution last week urging state legislators to legalize medical marijuana for Missourians who have a doctor's approval.

"I'm only proposing this for medical use," Yarber said. "I'm not part of a movement or anything else to get marijuana legalized."

Yarber said he believes marijuana can provide relief to some terminally ill people or to cancer patients going through chemotherapy. He said his wife suffered from breast cancer 13 years ago and used marijuana to restore her appetite and ease her nausea from chemotherapy.

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The central committee of the St. Charles County Libertarian Party last month urged county Prosecutor Jack Banas to drop criminal charges against Kenneth Wells, accused of growing marijuana in his home.

Wells, 54, of unincorporated St. Charles County, stated in the June 7 Pokin Around column that he grew the plants in his basement for medical reasons that include epilepsy and other neurologic problems stemming from a 1983 stroke.

But Missouri does not have a medical marijuana law that allows growing and using marijuana when prescribed by a medical doctor. Thirteen states have such a law.

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Springfield Seen As Potential Campaign Ground For Group .

Marijuana advocates are setting their sights on several Missouri cities -- including Springfield -- as possible battlegrounds next year in the debate over decriminalization of the recreational drug.

A 2008 effort to collect enough voter signatures for a decriminalization initiative in Joplin fell about 1,000 names short.

Now organizers of that effort are looking at several possible locations to try again in 2010.

Joplin activist Kelly Maddy says the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws is eyeing Springfield, Blue Springs and Cape Girardeau for future campaigns.

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COLUMBIA, Mo. - Marijuana advocates are setting their sights on several Missouri cities as possible battlegrounds next year in the escalating debate over decriminalization of the recreational drug.

A 2008 effort to collect enough voter signatures for a decriminalization initiative in the southwest Missouri town of Joplin fell 531 names short. Now organizers of that effort are looking at several possible locations to try again in 2010.

Joplin activist Kelly Maddy told The Associated Press that the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws is eyeing Springfield in southwest Missouri, Blue Springs in suburban Kansas City and Cape Girardeau in southeast Missouri for future campaigns. A final decision isn't expected until later this year, when activists likely will select one city where they can concentrate their efforts.

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Though seemingly a radical idea, legalizing and taxing marijuana would not only help close the hole in the budget but also provide much-needed jobs and help to farmers. Domestically grown marijuana is the second largest cash crop in the United States, behind only corn.

Once the federal government decriminalized marijuana, all states would have the option of legalizing it. States could be either "smoky" or "clear," similar to "wet" and "dry" locales after Prohibition ended in the 1930s. By legalizing this drug, the government would save the money it currently spends fighting the war on marijuana. The government could also raise revenues by placing an excise tax on marijuana, much like the excise taxes imposed on alcohol and cigarettes. Yet another source of revenue would be from taxing all the income derived from the marijuana industry that currently goes unreported. Adding up all the numbers, the federal government would have additional revenues of $6 billion a year and the states an additional $17 billion for a combined total of $23 billion a year.

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Area police will be out in force today looking for those driving under the influence on what has become a holiday for drug users.

Kansas City police are coordinating with other police departments to saturate the streets looking for those who might be driving under the influence of marijuana. Officers will pay special attention to areas near schools.

"People need to recognize that a DUI is not just from alcohol," Sgt. Daniel Graves with Kansas City Police Department's Traffic Investigation Unit said in a release. The day of April 20, known as "420", has become a day of widespread marijuana use, Graves said.

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I will never forget my sixth grade graduation from the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program.

I will never forget how big a deal it was to my parents. They scheduled out their entire day, canceled all their appointments and disregarded all their work so that they could attend the ceremony and watch me obtain my diploma.

I will never forget how proud they looked when I recited my essay about bad decision-making to the entire student body.

I will never forget how excited my class got every Thursday. Perhaps, it was the idea of getting out of social science for an hour, but everyone seemed so eager when the DARE officer entered the door and taught us about the danger of gateway drugs.

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Cliff Village Mayor Describes Being Hit By Train, Treatment

On May 5, 2000, Students for Sensible Drug Policy's guest speaker, Joe Blundell, was hit by a train, causing severe bodily harm.

"Right where you're waiting for the trains to come, it says, 'mind the gap.' I didn't mind the gap very well," Blundell said laughing. "When I woke up, I had lost half my blood and one of the wheels completely nixed my fingers right off."

The doctor looked at him when he woke up and said, "Son. I have no idea why you're alive."

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A beneficial component of re-legalizing cannabis (marijuana) that doesn't get mentioned (in the March 2 article "Support For The Legalization Of Marijuana Increases") is that it will lower hard drug addiction rates. Drug Abuse Resistance Education will have to stop brainwashing youth into believing lies, half-truths and propaganda concerning cannabis, which creates grave future problems.

How many citizens try cannabis and realize it's not nearly as harmful as taught in D.A.R.E. type government environments? Then they think other substances must not be so bad either, only to become addicted to deadly drugs. The old lessons make cannabis out to be among the worst substances in the world, even though it's less addictive than coffee and has never killed a single person.

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Medical And Economic Benefits Of The Drug Are Being Discussed.

Although an increasing percentage of Americans support legalizing marijuana, studies by various agencies show a country far from descent into reefer madness.

Polls from different research groups show similar percentages of Americans who believe marijuana should be legalized.

A February telephone survey conducted by Rasmussen Reports found 40 percent of participants in favor of legalizing the drug, with 46 percent opposed.

A CBS and New York Times poll conducted in January reported similar numbers, with 41 percent in favor and 52 percent opposed.

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Branson, Mo. - Newlyweds Scott and Samantha West drove their SUV through the gate of the exclusive housing community, winding upward to an empty cul-de-sac that offers commanding views of the surrounding valleys.

For months, the young couple visited this site and dreamed of their bright future, ever since a charity that serves wounded veterans announced last year it was building a house for Scott at no charge.

The gift, like his new bride, seemed heaven-sent to Scott West, 23, who had lost his legs to a roadside bomb in Iraq in December 2005. The new home would feature wide hallways, voice-activated lighting and other amenities tailored to Scott's needs.

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COLUMBIA -- The 2009 Missouri Drug Policy Reform Conference took place at MU this weekend, attracting those from Columbia and surrounding areas who hope that laws regarding the criminalization of drugs, particularly marijuana, will soon be changed.

"It really would be a different world if it were legal," said one of the speakers, Fredric Raines, an economics professor at Washington University who pointed out the economic benefits of the legalization of medical marijuana.

Every year, a Missouri Drug Policy Reform Conference is held somewhere in the state to raise awareness about drug policy reform and to give those working for change a chance to organize.

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