LEGAL MARIJUANA USE CLEARLY DEFINED

To claim that there is a "thin line" between therapeutic use and
misuse of a drug is misleading ("Dangers, costs of legalizing
marijuana too great," Feb. 8). The fact is, there are very clear
lines that govern drug use -- they are called controlled substance
laws.

If a medicine is used according to a qualified physician's
recommendation and under her care, then it's therapeutic. If it
isn't, then it's misuse.

This is exactly what a medical marijuana bill would do for Illinois
- -- allow the state to set the rules for and oversee a medical
marijuana program. Patients with serious, debilitating conditions
would be registered with the state, and possession and plant limits
would be clearly defined. I believe this is the definition of
"proactive monitoring."

Rational people know that all drugs can be abused. However, the
difference between marijuana and your average narcotic prescription
painkiller is that dependence, withdrawal and tolerance are generally
much lower with marijuana.

It's good that Illinoisans are finally having a serious discussion
about medical marijuana, but let's not forget what's really at stake
here: ensuring that suffering patients -- and nobody else -- have
safe access to their doctor-recommended medicine without fear of
arrest.

John Walker,

director of the Illinois Compassion Action Network,

Springfield