MARIJUANA SAFER, EFFECTIVE

I'm responding to the outstanding letter from Robert Sharpe, "Medical
marijuana works" (Your Views, April 1).

One of the medications prescribed by my physician for arthritis pain
and inflammation has the rare potential side effect of death. In other
words, if I take this medication as prescribed, I can die as a result.
On the other hand, marijuana has never been documented to kill a
single person in the 5,000-year history of its use.

For me, marijuana is the more effective medication. Right now, if
adult citizens opt for the safer and more effective medication, they
are subject to arrest and imprisonment with hardened, violent criminals.

Is something wrong with this situation? I think so.

Kirk Muse

Mesa, Ariz. (former Rockford and Freeport resident)