- -- To the editor:

I am confused by the need for a medical-marijuana initiative on Nevada's
ballot. As mentioned in Rafael Tammariello's June 14 commentary, we already
have a legal form of marijuana available -- it's called Marinol or
Dronabinol (generic).

It has been available for years and is used for nausea and vomiting
associated with cancer chemotherapy. This is certainly a medical use for
marijuana. It is also quite common for physicians to write prescriptions for
drugs for uses other than their prescribed indications. Dosages can be
adjusted for each individual's need. So, what's the big deal about marijuana
for medical use?

We already have it. Unless, of course (as also mentioned by Mr.
Tammariello), the initiative is to cloak the legalization of "joints" in the
rhetoric of medicalization. Who's kidding whom? What we are looking at is an
attempt to legalize marijuana smoking as a recreational pastime. I am very
much opposed to this idea.

DON GITERSONKE Las Vegas

Checked-by: Melodi Cornett