MEDICAL POT BEATS BIG PHARMA

Re "Like it or not, it's the law," editorial, March 8: I suffer
constant chronic pain from both gastrointestinal issues and a serious
back injury. Medical marijuana helps to relieve this pain and also
allows me to cut back a bit on the pharmaceuticals (some of which
caused my now lifelong gastrointestinal problems) that doctors also
prescribed.

Being able to reduce the number of these serious narcotics is very
beneficial to my health =AD not only does it keep my mind in better
shape, but my liver as well.

In my present condition, if a simple ID card would keep me from
spending the night or longer in jail without any pain medication,
while my legitimacy was being investigated, then I am in full
agreement with The Bee that the Board of Supervisors should approve
this program without any more foot-dragging.

Not only for patients like myself and others, but for the benefit of
all taxpayers as well.

Richard Hale,

Sacramento