DOCUMENTARY TO EDUCATE ABOUT MEDICAL MARIJUANA

CARBONDALE - If there's one thing Jed Riffe can't stand, it's the
media's handling of the subject of medicinal marijuana.

Riffe said the subject he takes very seriously is treated as
tongue-in-cheek with many news outlets. Because he didn't see anyone
else taking it seriously, Riffe made a documentary on the subject.

"Waiting to Inhale" will screen at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Southern
Illinois University Carbondale Student Center.

The film follows patients who use marijuana to help with their
illness and parents who have lost their children to addiction. Riffe
said it was important to show both sides of the argument because it
makes a better film and richer learning experience.

"In terms of film storytelling, you need drama and conflict. And, out
of drama and conflict, we can learn," Riffe said.

The film will be followed by a panel discussion with Riffe;
Christopher Fichtner, former director of mental health with the
Illinois Department of Human Services and associate professor of
clinical psychiatry at University of Chicago; and Gretchen Steele, a
registered nurse, multiple sclerosis patient and medical marijuana
advocate from Coulterville.

"The film's a good way of getting a discussion going," said Dan
Bernath, assistant director of communications for the Marijuana
Policy Project.

As a former member of an AIDS foundation, Riffe said he has seen how
it can tone down the pain people with serious illness must deal with.
He said the film looks at this seriously and the patients are not
using the marijuana for recreation.

"A couple of the people don't like to get high, so it was an
unpleasant side effect," Riffe said.

Bernath said people should see the film to get a better understanding
of the issue.

"I'm not sure people understand how urgent this is," Bernath said.
"There are real people suffering right now and we can alleviate that
suffering by legalizing medical marijuana."