RALLY TO SPOTLIGHT MEDICAL USE OF POT

On most days, John Precup breaks the law. The Mansfield resident
smokes marijuana, he said, to dull the nausea caused by multiple
sclerosis. His doctor recommends the practice, but can't write a
prescription for an illegal drug.

"I either do that or waste away,'' said Precup, 35.

Precup is not alone in self-medicating with marijuana. And he said the
public needs to be educated and informed about its importance.

He and others will rally at 5 p.m. today at the Federal Building, 200
N. High St., to bring attention to the issue.

The group, For a Better Ohio, also will voice opposition to Sen.
George Voinovich's legislation to overturn a referendum that would
legalize medicinal marijuana in the District of Columbia.

"We were shocked to see our own senator'' go against the legislation,
said Kenny Schweickart, the group's state coordinator. "It's a bad
idea to go against the will of the voters.''

For a Better Ohio also favors legislation that would permit smoking
marijuana for medical reasons, as well as the production of industrial
hemp for food, fiber and fuel.

It is gathering signatures to put the issue on a statewide
ballot.

Precup also is part of a federal lawsuit that claims he and others
should be allowed to use marijuana because eight others across the
country have for several years through a compassionate-use program.

Precup and a woman in the program have the same medical condition, he
said.

"The law says she's not a criminal and I am.''

A study released in March by the Institute of Medicine, an arm of the
National Academy of Sciences, showed that marijuana could be helpful
in the treatment of a number of ailments, including pain, nausea and
AIDS-related weight loss.

The study looked only at marijuana use over a short time and under
medical supervision.

"I think anything that can help a person who is dying is a worthwhile
battle,'' said Adam Daly, a member of For a Better Ohio.

Daly, a 21-year-old junior at Ohio State University, said he sees the
state becoming the catalyst for passage of similar legislation in
neighboring states.

"If we get it passed in Ohio, it can have the same effect in the
Midwest. It's not like I am living in a dream world. It can happen.''

Since 1995, For a Better Ohio has collected 56,000 signatures for the
ballot initiative. The group needs 200,000.