GIVE MEDICAL POT TO THOSE IN NEED

Dear Editor:

On March 17 the prestigious National Academy of Sciences Institute of
Medicine' (IOM) released its long-awaited medicinal marijuana report.

IOM's report directly contradicts the claims of drug czar Barry MeCaffrey,
who has said that "there is not a shred of scientific evidence that shows
that smoking marijuana is useful or needed."

1. The report shows there is scientific evidence indicating that marijuana
has medical uses and that it is safe enough for most patients who need it.

2. It recommends that people with AIDS, cancer and chronic pain, who have
an urgent need for marijuana, be provided legal protection while further
research is done on marijuana's medical uses.

3. It debunks the "gateway theory," saying that there is no evidence that
using marijuana will lead someone to use cocaine or any other drugs.

4. It also says that there is no evidence that allowing sick people to use
medicinal marijuana will cause an increase in recreational marijuana use.

The report recognizes that even if pharmaceutical companies took an
interest in conducting further research studies on marijuana, it would take
many years and hundreds of millions of dollars to get it approved by the
FDA as a prescription medicine.

In the meantime, the report says that seriously ill patients should be
given legal access to marijuana so that they are no longer arrested?

I urge all readers to contact our members of Congress to ask that the
federal laws be changed. Also, for more information on this subject, call
the Marijuana Policy Project at (202) 462-5747.

Dr. Michael T. Wayda
Madison