MEDICAL MARIJUANA MATTERS

I'd like to thank the Press and Dakotan for its editorial in support
of Initiated Measure 4 (Oct. 11). I want to clarify a couple of points
which may cause confusion.

First, many national medical and public health groups support medical
marijuana. But these organizations generally don't take positions on
individual state ballot measures, and haven't specifically stated a
position on Measure 4.

Second, federal law prevents South Dakota from authorizing
distribution through pharmacies. Measure 4 adopts the same strict
controls used in other states: Patients must be seriously ill, have a
physician certification and register with the state. They're then
permitted to grow a small amount of marijuana or to designate a
caregiver to grow it for them if they are unable to. The maximum
permitted is six plants -- a minimal amount, producing less usable
medicine than the U.S. government currently provides to the five
patients now receiving government-grown medical marijuana each month
in a program now closed to new patients.

Thomas D. Griffith, Deadwood

South Dakotans for Medical Marijuana

EDITOR'S NOTE: The Press & Dakotan was provided incorrect information
on the distribution matter in the medical marijuana issue, but it does
not alter our view on the subject. We apologize for any inconvenience
this may have caused.